Tottenham are reportedly willing to pay a huge wage to sign an in-form Premier League forward who is available for transfer this summer. Spurs are in the midst of perhaps the strongest recruitment drive we have seen at the club since the period after Gareth Bale’s mega-move to Real Madrid.
Roberto De Zerbi is being handed a big transfer fund after keeping the North London side in the Premier League, and four new signings have already been snapped up in Martin Dubravka, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson.
Spurs are expecting to be challenging for Europe again next season, and they know they need top-end talent to manage it.
Rashford salary could be matched
Marty Jean-Louis/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect
One of the latest Tottenham transfer links involved returning Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, who spent last season on loan with Barcelona. Rashford helped the Blaugrana win the LaLiga title with 14 goals and 14 assists across all competitions, and his performances saw him win back his England squad spot for the World Cup, where he has already scored.
Rashford does not appear to be wanted back at Old Trafford, even after a managerial change last season, although the decision appears to be, at least in part, financial.
It has been claimed by The Sun that Rashford’s contract has a clause that will see it rise to £325,000 per week from July 1, and having already enjoyed a strong season without the forward, United are keen to offload the sizable wage.
According to the same report, Tottenham are willing to meet Rashford’s wage demands and take on the sizable pay packet, although much could come down to how much United ask for in the way of a transfer fee.
A discounted deal is never likely for a Premier League rival, but given United want to offload Rashford’s wage, there could be some wiggle room.
Rashford returned to form with Barcelona
Rashford has shown his talent plenty of times in the past, and United heavily relied on the forward for a long period of time. Back in 2023, Mike McGrath described Rashford as one of the best in the world, writing for BBC Sport: “On the current form, with Rashford being as good as he is and one of the best players in the world, we can win the Europa League,” he said.
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Things took a turn for the worse the following season when Rashford became one of a number of players to fall out with then boss Erik ten Hag. A loan spell at Aston Villa followed, but it is at Barcelona where he would rediscover his form.
With goals and assists aplenty, 14 of each, Rashford was a key part of an already ultra-talented Barca attack, and there is now belief he could be back to his best, and still only 28 years of age, there is plenty of gas still left in the tank.
Newcastle United have lined up a deal to sign a midfielder this summer, as the Magpies face the possibility of losing some key players in the coming weeks.
A deal for the former seems the most likely, meaning Newcastle are on the market for replacements, and one target is now seemingly in the club’s sights.
Newcastle Add Felix Nmecha To Shortlist
According to a report from journalist Craig Hope, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha is on Newcastle’s shortlist as a transfer target for this summer.
The Magpies are described as “long-term admirers” of the 25-year-old, who has impressed in the Bundesliga as well as in the World Cup with Germany in recent weeks.
Nmecha has a release clause in his deal worth £73.5 million, though that doesn’t come into effect until next summer. That said, the report claims that there is hope a move can be negotiated for lower than that price.
There is likely to be some competition for Nmecha’s signature, as Manchester United have been linked with a transfer, along with fellow Premier League rivals Liverpool.
It remains to be seen whether Newcastle can get an agreement with both Dortmund and the Germany international over a potential transfer in the coming weeks as a result.
Newcastle are facing a tough summer transfer window, with Anthony Gordon’s exit set to be just the first of a few key moves away from the club.
Given the struggles in the Premier League last season, the Magpies will be keen to not be in a weaker position next campaign when it comes to the options available.
However, it may be the sales that help ensure that is the case. Selling some important players in favour of huge transfer fees could allow it to be reinvested in a way that will add a better balance of quality across the whole squad.
Newcastle United are in the market for a striker, as one star looks set to leave the club this summer.
That, in theory, should allow the team to become stronger. But that will only happen if the right transfer replacements are found for the right price.
That was the theory in practice last summer, with Alexander Isak’s sale generating a club-record fee, but resulting in the wrong options being signed to take his place.
Newcastle cannot allow a repeat of that, especially in the midfield engine room, which has been among the key areas of strength under Howe.
Yan Diomande’s early coach Faissal Chehade explains why Liverpool could be the perfect fit, and why his ceiling may be Ballon d’Or level.
Chehade, who worked with Diomande at Leganés, reveals on Market Madness what stood out from the very beginning: the confidence, the one-v-one ability, the training-ground moments that made coaches take notice, and the mentality behind his rise from rejection across Europe to becoming one of the most talked-about young players in world football.
He also breaks down why Leipzig was the right step, why Liverpool could give Diomande the platform to become “the main man,” and why he believes the winger has the potential to reach the very top of the game.
Chapters:
0:09 — Yan Diomande’s First Coach Reveals the Talent
2:07 — The Training Goal That Made Everyone Stop
3:36 — Why Yan Diomande Was Rejected Across Europe
4:21 — Why Leipzig Was the Perfect Move for Diomande
4:55 — Why Liverpool Could Be Yan Diomande’s Perfect Fit
8:02 — Yan Diomande’s Ballon d’Or Ceiling Explained
It looks as though a banned European nation is set for a return to FIFA competition, with reports suggesting they’ll be allowed to compete at an international tournament as soon as October.
The ban, which has run for more than four years, has kept senior, youth and women’s sides out of competitive matches, including the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, as well as the 2024 Euros.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has previously hinted at softening his stance, and it now appears children’s football could provide the route back into the fold, starting with a new under-15 competition this autumn.
Gianni Infantino Pushes For Russia’s Reintroduction
Infantino has been vocal about wanting Russia back involved, arguing the suspension has done more harm than good. Speaking earlier this year, he said:
“We have to, because this ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred. Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help.”
That stance appears to be translating into action, with reports indicating Russia and Belarus are among the nations set to feature at FIFA’s inaugural under-15 World Cup and Festival, running from October 22nd to the 31st, in Azerbaijan.
FIFA confirmed all 211 member associations have been invited, stating: “The first edition will be open to boys’ teams from all FIFA member associations; the second installment in 2027 will feature girls’ teams only. From 2028 onwards, all member associations will be invited to participate with both their boys’ and girls’ U-15 teams in two separate competitions.”
A Symbolic Tournament for Gianni Infantino
The event has taken on added significance for Infantino, who’s also pushed for Israel and Palestine to meet in a symbolic opening fixture. After an attempted handshake between officials from both nations fell flat in April, Infantino referenced the same tournament while appealing for unity:
“We have a beautiful under-15 tournament coming up, where we will invite all 211 countries to participate, all the children of the world, let’s do it for that. Let’s work together. You have my commitment, you have the support of the whole room.”
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Whether Russia’s inclusion goes further than football at junior level is something that hasn’t yet been addressed, but the door appears to be opening.
