Sports
Mateus Fernandes Wants to Join Tottenham After Bigger Offer Than Man Utd
Tottenham Hotspur are trying to beat Manchester United to the signing of West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes, and they have received a huge boost in their pursuit, according to the Independent.
Tottenham fans would have been excited when Fabrizio Romano dropped the bombshell earlier this month that they were working on a deal to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, and that feeling would have only increased further after David Ornstein confirmed that Roberto De Zerbi also wants to sign Fernandes in a separate deal to the Italy international.
Man United have been viewed as the frontrunners to sign the 21-year-old for weeks now, having entered talks with the player and his agent over personal terms.
One report has claimed that the player has agreed to join after being happy with the financial offer, with the player said to be keen to link up with compatriot and idol Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford as he looks to avoid playing Championship football next term.
However, Spurs are serious about landing the Portugal international, and they are willing to go to big lengths as club chiefs look to deliver a fourth signing of the summer for their Italian boss.
Tottenham Make Bigger Offer Than United for Fernandes
According to the Independent, Tottenham have now made headway in the battle with United to sign Fernandes.
Spurs are said to have held positive talks with West Ham over a potential deal, with De Zerbi being backed with a significant summer transfer budget.
The Hammers are demanding £85m for their ‘superstar’ player, and they want a significant portion of that fee paid upfront, with Tottenham already offering a higher overall package than the Red Devils.
De Zerbi is a huge fan of Fernandes and Spurs have also launched a salary offer higher than United’s as they look to come out on top in this transfer battle.
Crucially, the report adds that the Portugal international is ‘very keen’ on a switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which would also allow him to carry on living in London.
United don’t want to get involved in a bidding war and could walk away from a deal and look at alternative targets.
⚽
England World Cup Quiz
You scored
out of 20
Romano: Tottenham Want to Sign Impressive World Cup Star
As well as transforming their central midfield options, Tottenham are also looking to make changes all across the frontline too.
Spurs remain in talks to sign Manchester City left-winger Savinho, but they are clearly looking at alternative targets to the Brazilian with progress slow on agreeing a deal with the Premier League runners-up.
One of those is Liverpool star Cody Gakpo, with Romano confirming that De Zerbi and Tottenham do have an interest in the Netherlands international.
The Dutchman had already been linked with a summer move away from Anfield even before they signed Victor Munoz, with the Spain international usually operating from the left flank.
It remains to be seen if that addition could spell the end for Gakpo at Anfield, but his performances for his country at the World Cup are only showcasing his ability, with two goals and an assist in the latest 5-1 win against Sweden.
The 2026-27 Premier League season is close to getting underway and the race for the Golden Boot award promises to be as competitive as ever.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland secured his third Premier League Golden Boot last season after netting 27 goals. The prolific Norwegian striker fended off competition from Brentford’s Igor Thiago (22 goals) to win the coveted individual accolade for the third time.
Now Pep Guardiola has left Man City, can Haaland win the Golden Boot for the fourth time, or will someone else finish top the charts instead?
Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah, a four-time Golden Boot winner, has now departed the Premier League, meaning Haaland’s run could even more straightforward this term.
ChatGPT has crunched the numbers and revealed how the Premier League top scorer charts may look at the end of the upcoming season. Let’s take a closer look…
20. Callum Wilson (Brentford). Predicted Goals: 10
Callum Wilson has signed a one-year deal with Brentford after leaving relegated West Ham and will provide competition for Igor Thiago upfront. The former England international turns 35 in February and 10 goals would be a very solid return.
19. Florian Wirtz (Liverpool). Predicted Goals: 10
Far more was expected of Florian Wirtz during his debut campaign at Liverpool, but the German playmaker will be determined to justify his enormous £116 million transfer fee during his second season at Anfield.
18. Jeremy Doku (Manchester City). Predicted Goals: 10
One of the world’s best wingers on his day, Jeremy Doku scored five Premier League goals for Manchester City last term. ChatGPT has backed the Belgian to double his tally this season.
17. Danny Welbeck (Chelsea). Predicted Goals: 10
Danny Welbeck secured an unexpected move to Chelsea this summer and has been tipped to deliver 10 Premier League goals in his first season at Stamford Bridge. The 35-year-old netted 13 league goals for Brighton last term.
16. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United). Predicted Goals: 11
Dominic Calvert-Lewin enjoyed an impressive first season with Leeds United, scoring 14 goals in 35 appearances. The England international has been backed to hit double figures again in 2026-27.
15. Rayan Cherki (Manchester City). Predicted Goals: 12
AI believes Rayan Cherki could finish the season with 18 Premier League goals this term if the French forward starts every week for Manchester City. However, the final figure stands at 12 predicted goals, due to the fact he’ll continue to face stiff competition for a starting berth.
14. Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool). Predicted Goals: 12
Dominik Szoboszlai hasn’t come close to registering double figures for Premier League goals in a single season to date. The Hungarian scored three in his first season, six in his second, and six in his third. The free-kick maestro is backed to double that tally this year.
13. Morgan Rogers (Chelsea). Predicted Goals: 13
Morgan Rogers will be under pressure to hit the ground running at Chelsea following his £117 million transfer from Aston Villa, which made him the most expensive British player ever. The England international bagged 10 Premier League goals last time out.
12. Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United). Predicted Goals: 14
Manchester United fans saw glimpses of Benjamin Sesko at his best last season but more will be expected from the 23-year-old striker during the 2026-27 campaign. The Slovenian, who registered 11 league goals in 2025-26, has all the attributes required to become an elite Premier League centre-forward.
11. Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool). Predicted Goals: 14
Considering Hugo Ekitike won’t be back in action until November at the earliest, a 14-goal return feels very optimistic. The France international impressed during his debut campaign in England, scoring 11 goals in 28 games.
10. Cole Palmer (Chelsea). Predicted Goals: 14
Cole Palmer’s performance levels dipped last season but new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso will be desperate to get the most out of the gifted England international. Palmer netted 22 Premier League goals in 2023-24 but has been tipped to register 14 this season.
9. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United). Predicted Goals: 15
Bruno Fernandes has only ever scored 15 or more goals in one of his seven seasons at Manchester United. That was during the 2020-21 campaign, when he hit the net 18 times. The 31-year-old was more focused on setting up his teammates last term, breaking the record for most assists in a single Premier League season (21).
8. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal). Predicted Goals: 16
The Premier League goals have dried up a little for Bukayo Saka in the past two seasons, but ChatGPT believes the Arsenal winger can net 16 this year – which would equal his best return, set during the 2023-24 campaign.
7. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa). Predicted Goals: 16
Ollie Watkins has scored 16 Premier League goals in his last two season with Aston Villa and is backed to make it three years on the bounce with the same tally.
6. Joao Pedro (Chelsea). Predicted Goals: 17
Joao Pedro was unfortunate to miss out on a place in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad after scoring 15 Premier League goals for Chelsea. The South American is on course to end his second season with the Blues on 17 goals, according to ChatGPT.
5. Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal). Predicted Goals: 18
Viktor Gyokeres scored 14 goals in 36 Premier League appearances during his first season at Arsenal – a solid enough return, but many fans thought he’d be cracking the 20-mark. ChatGPT reckons the Sweden international will get closer to that tally this season.
4. Igor Thiago (Brentford). Predicted Goals: 19
Scoring 22 goals for Brentford last season was a stunning achievement. Nineteen goals would still be an excellent return for Brazil international Igor Thiago.
3. Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City). Predicted Goals: 20
Antoine Semenyo scored a combined 17 Premier League goals for Bournemouth and Manchester City last season. He’s looked impressive in pre-season and is tipped to hit 20 goals in his first full campaign at the Etihad Stadium.
2. Alexander Isak (Liverpool). Predicted Goals: 24
A combination of injuries and poor form meant Alexander Isak only managed to score three goals in 14 Premier League appearances last term following his £125 million move from Newcastle United. The Sweden international will be determined to prove he *was* worth the money as he begins his second term at Anfield.
1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City). Predicted Goals: 28
It’s that man again. It would be a huge shock if Haaland isn’t in serious contention for the 2026-27 Premier League Golden Boot award come the final months of the season. He’s arguably the best in the business right now and is clearly the safe bet for anyone tempted to have a flutter.
Crystal Palace have agreed a deal to sign Union Saint-Gilloise winger Anan Khalaili alongside Dwight McNeil, according to a report.
The wrestling world has been left baffled by Ric Flair‘s latest social media post.
The 77-year-old is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time after a glittering 50-year career, but his post sharing news of a romantic rekindling has not earned him quite the same plaudits.
Some even questioned if Flair had just a cut a promo on his partner.
What Ric Flair Posted on X
In 2018, Flair married Wendy Barlow. The pair met during Flair’s run in WCW back in 1993, where Barlow appeared as Fifi the Maid.
After four marriages, Flair had a ceremonial wedding with Barlow in 2018, though they clarified they were never actually legally married, having never applied for a marriage certificate. In January 2022 they separated, before reconciling in May that same year. They then split once again in September 2024, ending what was acknowledged to have been a 13-year relationship between them.
Now, though, they appear to have reconciled once again, with Flair sharing a snap of them together on social media with the caption: “I Told You. It Was Only A Matter Of Time Until You Came Running Back!! At Least I Know I Am In Good Hands Because You Have Always Taken The Best Care Of Me Out Of Anyone In The Whole World. She Finally Figured Out There Is Only One Ric Flair And One James Bond, And Currently Ric Flair Is Available For Any Kind Of Action. Let’s See If Wendy Still Has It! LFG!”
The post, at the time of writing, has amassed 2.2 million views, as well as widespread bewilderment and disgust from numbers of fans.
Fans Slam Ric Flair’s Post
The wrestling world was quick to flock to Flair’s post and share their thoughts, many of which were critical of the 16-time world champion‘s approach to sharing news of his romance with Barlow.
Many asked for someone to take The Nature Boy’s phone away from him, with one user appealing for him to get himself a social media team. “This is disgusting. You need a social media team to handle stuff so you don’t let your real personality shine through. Or maybe they try and you’re just this desperate?”
One even tagged Charlotte Flair, Ric’s 14-time world champion daughter, asking her to “please come get your dad.” Another expressed sympathy for Charlotte, suggesting the questions she has to deal with on a regular basis because of her father must be “exhausting.”
The nature of the post itself was critcised by many fans, with one writing: “Ric, you’re a hero to many, but you sound like a raging misogynist here who doesn’t respect his wife.”
@JamesREnglish said it was “highly offensive to someone that took care of you at your lowest” and told Flair he was better than that.
Another replied: “Speaking in this way towards a woman that took care of you when you were close to dying and this is how you talk about her. You’re f****** pathetic. This isn’t the flex you think it is, it only makes you look sad. I remember when you had the class and respect but you have lost it.”
Others even tipped the reunion to be short-lived. “I won’t be surprised if she leaves you soon again bc of this,” wrote @ThtWr3stlingFan.
Ebuka’s BBNaija Live Eviction Outfit Is a Masterclass in Modern Menswea
2026-27 Premier League Top 20 Goalscorers Predicted by AI
Osun 2026: Why I endorsed APC -APGA guber candidate, Adeyemi-Doro
Meaning Behind Egypt Manager’s ‘X’ Gesture vs Argentina
Premier League Set-Piece Goals (2025/2026)
Simi Sanya and Femi Dapson Are Now Legally Married and It Is Beautiful to See
-
Metro2 days agoKano Fire Service rescues 16 from collapsed building
-
Sports2 days agoTottenham ‘Offered’ Chance to Sign ‘Clinical Finisher’ Victor Osimhen
-
Metro2 days agoKano records 20 fire incidents, 10 deaths in July
-
Politics2 days agoPDP picks Kim as Kefiano’s running mate for Plateau 2027 governorship election
-
Politics1 day ago2027: Publish your assets before election – SERAP tells Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, others
-
Sports2 days agoAfter Guimaraes, Arsenal Now Considering ‘Brilliant’ Iliman Ndiaye
-
Metro2 days agoPolice arrest 10 suspected cultists, recover firearm, charms in Akwa Ibom
-
Politics2 days agoMany politicians focused on impressing Tinubu than serving Nigerians – PDP Rep