Tottenham are said to have been offered Galatasaray superstar Victor Osimhen, but signing him would come at the cost of an existing player. It has been a busy summer for the North London club so far, with a club-record spend already achieved, and the spending is not done yet.

Roberto De Zerbi has been handed more than £235million to sign a host of players, with the defence and midfield addressed with the signings of Jan Paul van Hecke, Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and others. But attention has now turned to the attack, and a winger signing is next. Manchester City’s Savinho may be the priority, but when a winger is snapped up, it’s not out of the question that a striker is also signed, providing there are exits.

Tottenham offered Victor Osimhen transfer

via Reuters

According to TeamTalk, Osimhen has been offered to Tottenham as the forward looks to land a move to the Premier League this summer. The forward has only been with Galatasaray for a year since his €75million move from Napoli, but he could already be on the move, with his representatives reportedly shopping around English clubs.

But Galatasaray will likely want to make all of their investment back and more, and there is also the question of Osimhen’s wages, which are currently reported as being around £309,000 per week, which works out at £247,000-per-week after local tax.

“He’s fast, tall, a clinical finisher, and extremely effective in the air. He truly is a top-class player.” – Gary Lineker on Victor Osimhen

That wage will only be affordable for Tottenham if they sacrifice one of their existing strikers, meaning one of Richarlison or Dominic Solanke will have to leave the club. Neither are close to leaving at this stage, so the Osimhen deal is not one Tottenham will be rushing into. A winger transfer remains their priority at this stage, and if they can get a winger who can also play as a striker, they may not bother signing a striker at all.

How Osimhen’s goal record compares to Tottenham strikers

• Richarlison: 27 goals in 102 league games (Spurs)
• Dominic Solanke: 12 goals in 42 league games (Spurs)
• Victor Osimhen: 41 goals in 52 league games (Galatasaray)

Osimhen a ‘truly top-class’ player

Gary Lineker once apologised to Osimhen for underrating his abilities. “I want to apologize to Victor Osimhen,” he said. “I used to say he sometimes got lost on the pitch, but things are totally different now. I shouldn’t have made those kinds of comments, that’s on me. “He’s fast, tall, a clinical finisher, and extremely effective in the air. He truly is a top-class player.”

Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand once said of Osimhen while telling Man Utd to sign him: “He’s never played in the Premier League, but I think he can score anywhere.”

Osimhen has 15 goals in 22 league games for Galatasaray since joining permanently, while he scored 65 in 108 league games for Napoli, and it is those sorts of returns that have helped him establish himself as one of the best goalscorers in the game.

Middlesbrough got their Carabao Cup campaign off to a winning start with a narrow 1-0 victory over Wrexham at the Riverside, courtesy of a second-half goal from Will Lankshear, though it was what happened with Lankshear moments after his strike that really caught the eye.

It was a solid, if unspectacular, opening round performance for Boro, who will have been pleased to get their first taste of victory against a fellow promotion favourite, in what was their first competitive match since their playoff final heartbreak against Hull.

But it wasn’t just the result that had fans talking come full-time. A moment during the closing stages ended up stealing the headlines entirely, as Middlesbrough were left playing with ten men for a brief spell, in what turned out to be a landmark moment.

Middlesbrough Forced to Play with Ten Men Against Wrexham

via Reuters

20 minutes after the Tottenham loanee’s goal on the hour mark, his number appeared on the fourth official’s board, with his manager deciding to bring on Fin Cartwright in his place. However, his manner of leaving the pitch shortly after ended up generating just as much attention as the strike itself.

The 21-year-old took longer than the permitted 10 seconds to make his way off the field, triggering a brand-new rule that saw Middlesbrough temporarily reduced to ten players.

See the new rule come into force below:

It marked the first time the regulation had been enforced in the competition, catching plenty of fans and pundits off guard in the process.

New Substitution Rule Explained

The rule itself stems from a change to the global Laws of the Game published by IFAB (the International Football Association Board) ahead of the 2026/27 season, and has since been confirmed for use across English football, including the Premier League, EFL, National League and WSL. It’s designed to minimise delays and keep matches moving.

Should a player exceed that limit, the substitution cannot be cancelled, and the player originally earmarked to come on cannot be changed either. However, the replacement will only be permitted to enter the pitch at the first stoppage after a full minute has elapsed, meaning the team in question is left playing a man short in the interim.

In previous seasons, delays during substitutions were far more common and often seen as a time-wasting tactic, but several other tweaks have been introduced for the new campaign as part of the push to reduce time-wasting and improve the flow of matches.

Manchester United have reportedly identified Fulham star Antonee Robinson after being told they cannot sign their first-choice left-back target. Michael Carrick needs to add another left-back this summer, needing more competition for Luke Shaw, who is now 31 and with a colourful injury history, and Patrick Dorgu, who has not fully convinced just yet.

The Red Devils have already signed two midfielders so far this summer, and there is likely to be a third. Carrick is also likely to add an attacker, along with a left-back, but the left-sided signing will not be priority target Lewis Hall.

Sky Sports say Newcastle United have rejected the Hall approach, refusing to lose another key player after selling Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.

Man Utd identify Lewis Hall transfer alternative

It is now being reported that Fulham and USMNT star Robinson is being considered by United as they search for a left-back. TalkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has said: “Keep an eye on Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, the USA international.

“Their experienced Premier League campaigner would probably come a lot cheaper than Lewis Hall. He’s someone I’m told is on Manchester United’s radar as well.”

Robinson has established himself as one of the most reliable Premier League left-backs in the last couple of seasons, and his ability to get forward means he is seen as an ideal option by many clubs, with a number of top clubs having shown interest over the last 12 months.

“He’s improving season by season, and week by week you can see he is improving, and we are really proud to have him with us.” – Marco Silva, former Fulham boss.

The American is now 29 years of age, with his birthday today, on Saturday, and his current Fulham contract runs until 2028. The latest reports claim he will cost around £25million.

What to know about Antonee Robinson

• Fulham league appearances: 194
• First club: Everton
• Joined Fulham: 2025
• Contract until: 2028
• USMNT caps: 58

Robinson ‘one of the best’ in the league

Robinson has clearly been one of the most consistent players in his position over the last couple of years, and he has plenty of English football and Premier League experience, which is a big part of United’s current transfer strategy.

“He’s been great for us. He’s one of the best left-backs in this league. It’s not just the way he is able to stop players, but the way he is able [to] help ourselves,” now former Fulham boss Marco Silva said at the end of 2024.

“He’s a top player and a great professional. He’s a proper athlete and is improving in some defensive positions. We want him to improve. He’s improving season by season, and week by week you can see he is improving, and we are really proud to have him with us.”