Sports
Ballon d’Or Star Ousmane Dembele Rejected Leicester City Transfer
The beauty of football is that you can rarely be sure of how things are going to play out. There are so many examples of the unexpected happening in the beautiful game, but perhaps the best example of this in the modern era is Leicester City football club.
Ahead of the 2025/16 Premier League season, the Foxes were viewed as strong relegation candidates. After all, they finished just six points above the drop zone the season prior. Certainly, nobody was viewing them as title contenders, with the club made out as 5000–1 underdogs before a ball had even been kicked.
Against those remarkable odds, however, Leicester stunned English football to win the Premier League for the first time in their history. Claudio Ranieri was the mastermind, with players like Jamie Vardy, N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez also winning over plaudits.
Highlighting the unexpected nature of football, though, the club have fallen on hard times since. Indeed, now 10 years on from that title-winning campaign, the Foxes have been relegated to League One, the third tier of the English football pyramid.
Perhaps things would be going better if they’d secured one key player in the transfer market directly after their Premier League triumph.
Ballon d’Or 2026 Power Rankings
Tracking the leading contenders to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in 2026.
Claudio Ranieri Wanted To Sign Future Ballon d’Or Winner
In May 2016, Leicester were still riding high after their stunning achievement. With Ranieri at the helm, the Italian manager was already looking into the summer window, hoping to strengthen his squad with this newfound reputation.
The club would spend millions on the likes of Islam Slimani, Ahmed Musa, Nampalys Mendy, and Wilfred Ndidi, with most of them failing to prove value for money. One man, however, was personally targeted by Ranieri but turned down his approach.
At the time, Ousmane Dembele was a highly rated France Under-21 international playing for Rennes. Leicester were very keen on signing the winger, but the teenager turned down the approach, explaining:
“I had Claudio Ranieri on the phone. I was surprised to hear from him but I told him I will not be going to Leicester.
“I do hope to be playing Champions League [next season], but I know where I’m going and it’s final.”
Still only 18 at the time, Dembele had scored 12 goals in his debut season in Ligue 1, and was named Young Player of the Year. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp also approached the player, but he had already decided to move to Borussia Dortmund instead.
In Germany, the youngster would impress, scoring 10 goals and picking up a tidy sum of 21 assists in 50 games for Dortmund. This is where Barcelona came in, spending 115m on the Frenchman in 2017. Injury issues played their part, and it’s fair to say Dembele struggled to live up to expectations in Spain, although still managing 40 goals and 41 assists in 185 games.
His career finally exploded, however, after he joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.
Dembele Could Win Second Ballon d’Or in 2026
Dembele had always been viewed as a top talent, as evidenced by Ranieri’s Leicester interest way back in 2016. But it took Luis Enrique’s arrival at PSG before he finally found a manager who knew how to get the best out of him on a consistent basis.
In 2025, the Parisian club would win the Champions League for the first time in their history, while also getting their hands on Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Trophée des Champions, the European Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
At the very heart of that historic sextuple was Demeble, with the Frenchman bagging 35 goals and 16 assists in 53 games. This was enough to secure him the 2025 Ballon d’Or. The Frenchman humbly accepted the award, saying:
“My teammates have been amazing in 2024 and 2025, they have been with me in the bad moments. It is not an individual trophy, it is for us all to win this.”
While Demeble has shone in the last decade, Leicester have gone from title-winners to serial underachievers. Indeed, they were relegated to the Championship in 2023, before then coming back up to the top-flight, only to be immediately relegated again in 2025. Now they’ve ended up in League One after another dismal campaign.
Demeble, though, could yet get his hands on the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Indeed, the 28-year-old remains very much the beating heart of his team’s attack and has 18 goals and 10 assists in total this term.
If he can lead PSG to Champions League and domestic glory again – with the current club into the semis and leading Ligue 1 – and do well with France in the 2026 World Cup, he could win the game’s biggest individual award for the second year running. He’s currently ranked among the favourites.
Sports
Arsenal Want Crysencio Summerville Amid Tottenham And Man Utd Battle
Arsenal have entered the race to sign a forward this summer, as FootMercato reports that the Gunners will need to beat their rivals to his signature.
It comes as the North London side are keen to bolster their attacking options after winning the Premier League, believing that the next evolution of the side includes more opportunities and more goals.
Links have persisted over a transfer for Julian Alvarez, as well as interest in PSG’s Bradley Barcola, with the pair coming as potentially expensive signings.
Elsewhere, talks are ongoing with Club Brugge over the signing of Christos Tzolis, who could provide squad depth, while Jeremy Monga is expected to join from Leicester City as a promising option for the future.
There are other options on the market, however, that Arsenal are seemingly pushing to sign.
Arsenal Want Crysencio Summerville
According to a report from FootMercato, Arsenal have entered the race to sign Crysencio Summerville, with interest seemingly building in the West Ham winger.
The Dutch international star, who is currently playing in the World Cup for his nation, is believed to be available for roughly £50 million, following the Hammers’ relegation from the Premier League.
That, along with his performances last season, has played a part in teams trying their luck to land him. Arsenal are not alone in their interest, as reports have suggested that rivals Tottenham and Manchester United are keen on a move for Summerville.
That is on top of reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain, which could make it tough to land the 24-year-old in the coming weeks of the market.
It means Arsenal could have some catching up to do in their move for the winger, with their rivals already seemingly pushing forward with a transfer.
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Arsenal Need To Move Fast
If Arsenal truly want to get a deal done for Summerville, then sporting director Andrea Berta will need to move fast to get ahead of the club’s rivals in pursuit of the winger.
Interest from the likes of Man United and Tottenham has been known for weeks, with talks already seemingly being held with representatives over what it could take to get a deal over the line.
While Arsenal will surely have some sway as the Premier League champions, the difficulty comes in those pre-existing relationships clubs build with agents.
The Gunners will be starting from a position slightly further back than the others, meaning they need to get a move on to at least draw level in the race.
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The Gunners are set to make a bid for the Aston Villa frontman
The World Cup could buy them some time, with the Netherlands likely to progress through the group stages and extending Summerville’s stay in America.
If he decides to wait until after the tournament to make his move, then Arsenal could have the time required to position themselves well to land him.
Sports
Roberto De Zerbi Wants Jason Steele At Tottenham
Tottenham continue to push on in the transfer market, as The Athletic reports that another possible reunion could be on the cards for manager Roberto De Zerbi and a former player of his.
The head coach has already reunited with Jan Paul van Hecke, after Spurs agreed a £52 million fee to land the defender from Brighton this summer.
The Netherlands international joins the likes of Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson as additions to the backline, with the Lilywhites now well-equipped at the back for next season.
Attention turns elsewhere in the market, as the club push on for deals to sign Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes in the midfield, while interest is there for Savinho and Cody Gakpo.
However, there is also focus being placed on the goalkeeping department, where further changes are expected at Tottenham.
Tottenham Want Jason Steele Transfer
As Tottenham prepare for a shuffle in the goalkeeping ranks, The Athletic reports that the club are interested in Brighton shot-stopper Jason Steele.
The 35-year-old has one-year remaining on his contract at the Amex Stadium, and has been playing as the second-choice option to Bart Verbruggen.
The report claims that Steele is a candidate on a shortlist of potential options to play as a back-up goalkeeper for the coming season, having been outlined as a “good option” for the club moving forward.
During his time at Brighton, De Zerbi made use of the experienced star plenty, handing him 43 appearances across two separate campaigns.
In that time, the glovesman kept 11 clean sheets for the Italian head coach across all competitions, and was widely praised for his ability with the ball at his feet.
Given the fact that Tottenham are facing the possibility of losing Guglielmo Vicario this summer, a move for Steele would help reinforce the options in goal.
That would also provide a mentor for Antonin Kinsky, who could have a chance to stake a claim as the number-one choice between the sticks next season.
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What De Zerbi Has Said About Steele
Steele has earned plenty of plaudits during his time at Brighton, which included some praise from his former manager, De Zerbi, back in late 2023.
“He’s very important on the pitch and off the pitch,” said De Zerbi on Steele’s influence.
“I think he deserved a new contract because he’s playing very well. Last season [he] was one of the secrets to reach the target and this season he is playing very well.
“We are playing well, Jason is playing well. I think he knows very well my idea. Verbruggen is not the same level but is very important for us now and the future. We are Brighton and we have to improve our young players. We have to be more focused in some situations.”
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Roberto De Zerbi wants a big-name midfielder
De Zerbi could now recreate that dynamic with the reunion for Steele, while the club tries to progress with Kinsky as the player for the future.
It remains to be seen whether a deal will get over the line, but it could prove to be a shrewd bit of business from Spurs.
Sports
Roberto De Zerbi Wants Jason Steele At Tottenham
Tottenham continue to push on in the transfer market, as The Athletic reports that another possible reunion could be on the cards for manager Roberto De Zerbi and a former player of his.
The head coach has already reunited with Jan Paul van Hecke, after Spurs agreed a £52 million fee to land the defender from Brighton this summer.
The Netherlands international joins the likes of Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson as additions to the backline, with the Lilywhites now well-equipped at the back for next season.
Attention turns elsewhere in the market, as the club push on for deals to sign Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes in the midfield, while interest is there for Savinho and Cody Gakpo.
However, there is also focus being placed on the goalkeeping department, where further changes are expected at Tottenham.
Tottenham Want Jason Steele Transfer
As Tottenham prepare for a shuffle in the goalkeeping ranks, The Athletic reports that the club are interested in Brighton shot-stopper Jason Steele.
The 35-year-old has one-year remaining on his contract at the Amex Stadium, and has been playing as the second-choice option to Bart Verbruggen.
The report claims that Steele is a candidate on a shortlist of potential options to play as a back-up goalkeeper for the coming season, having been outlined as a “good option” for the club moving forward.
During his time at Brighton, De Zerbi made use of the experienced star plenty, handing him 43 appearances across two separate campaigns.
In that time, the glovesman kept 11 clean sheets for the Italian head coach across all competitions, and was widely praised for his ability with the ball at his feet.
Given the fact that Tottenham are facing the possibility of losing Guglielmo Vicario this summer, a move for Steele would help reinforce the options in goal.
That would also provide a mentor for Antonin Kinsky, who could have a chance to stake a claim as the number-one choice between the sticks next season.
You scored
out of 20
What De Zerbi Has Said About Steele
Steele has earned plenty of plaudits during his time at Brighton, which included some praise from his former manager, De Zerbi, back in late 2023.
“He’s very important on the pitch and off the pitch,” said De Zerbi on Steele’s influence.
“I think he deserved a new contract because he’s playing very well. Last season [he] was one of the secrets to reach the target and this season he is playing very well.
“We are playing well, Jason is playing well. I think he knows very well my idea. Verbruggen is not the same level but is very important for us now and the future. We are Brighton and we have to improve our young players. We have to be more focused in some situations.”
Tottenham Want ‘World-Class’ Real Madrid Star After Tonali and Fernandes Talks
Roberto De Zerbi wants a big-name midfielder
De Zerbi could now recreate that dynamic with the reunion for Steele, while the club tries to progress with Kinsky as the player for the future.
It remains to be seen whether a deal will get over the line, but it could prove to be a shrewd bit of business from Spurs.
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