There is a lot of excitement in N17 at present with Tottenham splashing the cash for Roberto De Zerbi.
Following back-to-back 17th place finishes, Spurs are spending big as they look to get back to their previous heights towards the top of the Premier League table.
Signing Martin Dubravka, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers to bolster their squad, last month the club also completed the £52m signing of centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Much more still needs to be done in improving De Zerbi’s squad, with attacking players required after the club’s struggles in the final third last season.
Leao option
One position Tottenham need to address is on the left of their attack after failing to replace Son Heung-min following his switch to LAFC last August.
According to The Independent, Bournemouth ace Eli Junior Kroupi tops a three-player shortlist for that position.
Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen, with the Cherries looking to receive over £80m if they decide to cash in on their highly-rated attacker.
In terms of Leao, he would be another statement signing if Tottenham can agree on a deal with Milan for ‘one of the best wingers in Europe’.
Mainly operating from the left but also capable of playing centrally, the Portugal international has contributed regularly for the Rossoneri with 80 goals and 65 assists in 291 games for the Italian giants.
After already agreeing on transfers for Fernandes and Tonali, a move for Leao would be a real signal of intent from Tottenham that they really do mean business in the transfer market after their recent Premier League woes.
Tottenham’s attacking needs
Richarlisonvia Reuters
Tottenham desperately need to improve in the final third if they are to climb the Premier League table.
Last season, Richarlison finished top goalscorer in all competitions with 12 goals, and it was defensive players Joao Palhinha, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero who were next in line in the charts.
Dominic Solanke could only manage six goals in an injury-hit campaign, with Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani both contributing five and Mathys Tel chipping in with four.
Given the need for goals, Leao could more than play his part after hitting double figures for Milan in each of his last five seasons at the San Siro.
Following the club’s desire to improve their midfield with the additions of Fernandes and Tonali, Tottenham now need to do likewise in attack if they are to make big strides under De Zerbi.
Man Utd’s search for Mateus Fernandes alternatives continues, while Spurs prepare their next move after Sandro Tonali.
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Daniel Farke and his Leeds United team will be hoping to kick on even further during the 2026/27 season after a strong first season back in the Premier League.
Tipped to be relegated and return to the Championship at the first time of asking, Leeds comfortably finished the season in 14th, eight points above West Ham in the final relegation place.
The West Yorkshire club also featured in an FA Cup semi-final which they narrowly lost against Chelsea.
Leeds fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that more is to come from the team over the course of the next 12 months and key to that will be adding new players to the squad.
Leeds are yet to confirm any new signings so far this summer but all will be hoping it isn’t too long before new arrivals sign on the dotted line at Elland Road.
Charles update
Leeds are keen to strengthen their midfield for the new season with a move for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles.
The Northern Ireland international played a pivotal role for Saints last campaign as he helped them reach the Championship play-offs and also the semi-final of the FA Cup.
After failing to secure an immediate return to the Premier League, Charles looks on course to depart Southampton ahead of the new season and Leeds are hopeful of luring him to Elland Road.
Charles, who came through Manchester City’s academy, is valued at £30m by Southampton and City are believed to have a 15 per cent sell-on clause on their former player.
Charles’ evolution
The ex-Sheffield Wednesday loanee came in for plenty of praise last season following his performances in the middle of the pitch for Southampton.
Set to turn 23 at the beginning of November, the Manchester-born player is currently going through a key phase where he is maturing from a talented youngster into a senior player.
“He’s growing at the moment. You have that transition as a player, especially at this stage of a career, where you’re not a talent anymore,” he said, as reported by the Southern Daily Echo.
“You are only judged on performance. That’s a transition moment that Taylor [Harwood-Bellis] has done, where players come from big academies.
“They are big prospects and have already done something in their career, but the point where you are being considered a talent at one point is over.
“Then you need to perform, and I think he’s in the middle of that process of maturing a lot. I think he had a very good game against Blackburn.”
Manchester United‘s search for a new midfielder is ongoing after they missed out on Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham. The Red Devils wanted the West Ham midfielder but were outbid by Spurs, who are spending huge money to improve their squad this summer.
Spurs agreed to pay £85million to sign the young Portuguese star, and that fee proved too high for United, at least in the case of that specific player. Michael Carrick will be very aware that holding or hybrid midfielder is going to cost big money this summer, with such players dominating the market currently, as shown by Elliot Anderson’s £116million move to Manchester City.
One alternative United are being linked with is Real Madrid and France superstar Aurelien Tchouameni, and there has been an update on that particular interest from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Man Utd’s Aurelien Tchouameni dream
Sarah Meyssonnier Via Reuters
According to Romano, Tchouameni is a dream target for United, but it’s not just Real Madrid’s likely reluctance to sell standing in the way of a deal.
“Manchester United will still sign a midfielder. Man United were planning to sign two, one is going to be Ederson, and they will still sign one more, at least one more,” he said on his YouTube show.
“Then many of you are asking me about Tchouameni now. Tchouameni is a dream signing for Man United. They love the player, but at the moment, the financials of the deal are considered still too high, because also the salary — it is not just about Real Madrid, it’s also about the salary. The salary of Aurelien Tchouameni is considered too high. So, the only way to open doors to Aurelien Tchouameni to Manchester United after missing out on Fernandes is to discuss a completely different salary, and at the moment, it is still not something happening.”
According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid currently have no plans to sell Tchouameni, and only a huge offer is likely to get them to consider a sale regardless of whether they sign a new midfielder or not this summer.
Ferdinand backs Tchouameni move
United legend Rio Ferdinand has been calling for United to go all-out to sign Tchouameni this summer. He said on his own YouTube show: “My biggest thing about it (Mourinho going to Real Madrid) is are United going to get Tchouameni? Because I keep seeing that talked about, and he’d be one of the first midfielders on my list if we had a possibility of getting someone to go in there to replace Casemiro. Tchouameni would be that guy.
“Do you know what? I know I’ve been sitting here saying that Jose is going to be the man to reintegrate Tchouameni and Valverde together and keep them at Real Madrid.
“But I’ve got to say, if Tchouameni has a half a sniff of getting out of that club, Man Utd have to be the first team at the door knocking and make sure he can’t even talk to anybody else. Get him signed, sealed, delivered.”