All posts by n8rngtd.top

It's been a busy summer for Tottenham Hotspur so far this year, both on and off the pitch.

The North Londoners have already secured the services of Archie Gray, Yang Min-Hyeok, and, most importantly, Dominic Solanke.

However, they've also been working on selling players, with Emerson Royal completing his move to AC Milan on Monday for an undisclosed fee.

This exit means the club is short at right-back, although interestingly, recent reports have linked them to a star who's earned comparisons to Pedro Porro.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

Daniel Levy and Co may have only just completed the impressive £65m capture of Solanke over the weekend, but a recent report from journalist Bruno Andrade has revealed that the club are now interested in signing AS Monaco's Vanderson.

In fact, Andrade has actually revealed that the Lilywhites have already "opened talks with Monaco" and that the French side are "expecting an offer in the region of 40 million euros."

That fee converts to around £34m, and while that's a lot of money, the sale of Emerson means that a new option at right-back is probably needed this summer.

Moreover, Vanderson has impressed for Les Monégasques and the fact he's been compared to Porro should encourage fans that this is a deal worth pursuing.

Vanderson's comparison to Porro

So, Vanderson and Porro share one fundamental similarity: they are both very attacking full-backs.

For example, when talking about the Monaco ace, respected data analyst Ben Mattinson described him as "very good going forward", while U23 scout Antonio Mango claimed he is blessed with "obscene pace and acceleration."

Likewise, Mango described the Spaniard as an "aggressive" full-back with "a wonderful low centre of gravity" who is "extremely dangerous" in attack, which is hard to deny when you watch him play.

However, while the praise and analysis help us understand how they operate, you can also see their forward-thinking tendencies in their raw output.

For example, in 37 appearances for the Lilywhites last season, the former Sporting CP gem scored four goals and provided seven assists, equating to a seriously impressive average of a goal involvement every 3.36 games.

Likewise, while he could only make 23 appearances for Monaco last season partly due to injury, the Brazilian defender still scored three goals and provided four assists, meaning that he maintained an average of a goal involvement every 5.75 games, which is still impressive for a player in his position.

Finally, if people are still unsure of how similar the two right-backs are, they only need to look at Football Transfers, which has ranked Porro as the fifth most comparable player to Vanderson across football.

Ultimately, while he could cost the club a pretty penny, bringing the Monaco man in to replace Emerson this summer and fight for a place in the team seems like the perfect way to maximise Postecoglou's attacking philosophy in every aspect of the team.

Therefore, Levy and Co should do what they can to get this deal done, and who knows, another attack-minded full-back in the team could even help Solanke hit the ground running.

Solanke's dream transfer: Spurs could sign "insane" £51m Kulusevski upgrade

The incredible talent would help the Englishman hit the ground running.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Aug 13, 2024

Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard are excited about facing each other as Plymouth take on Coventry City in the Championship this week.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Coventry host Plymouth in Championship clash
• Match sees Lampard face ex-England co-star Rooney
• Both coaches excited ahead of the reunion

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rooney's Plymouth side pay a visit to Coventry on Boxing Day in a match that pits the two former England co-stars against each other as head coaches.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The ex-Manchester United star is in dire need of three points as his side sit bottom of the Championship having gone seven matches without a win, resulting in reports that he could be sacked. Coventry are in a slightly better position as they sit 17th in the table and six points ahead of their upcoming opponents. Lampard took charge in November and they have won two and drawn one game since then.

• WHAT ROONEY & LAMPARD SAID

  The stakes are high already, but the ex-United and Chelsea stars going head-to-head adds extra spice to the encounter, and the coaches are excited about the clash.

  "I played with him for a long time with England, so I'm good friends with Frank," Rooney said to "It's the first time coming up against Frank as a coach, so I'm looking forward to it."

  Lampard, meanwhile, said: "I have known Wayne well for many years now, have full respect for him, and I look forward to seeing him. It was an absolute pleasure to play with him for England – and to play against him. He was a Premier League and England great, and his numbers and performances should never be understated. The level of player he was, was incredible."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  After the Boxing Day encounter, Rooney's Plymouth side will meet fellow strugglers Oxford on December 29 while Lampard's men meet Millwall.

Chelsea are in ongoing talks to sign a £20.5 million Brazilian forward for Enzo Maresca this summer, with BlueCo showing zero sign of slowing down when it comes to incoming new transfers before August 30.

Chelsea seal latest deal in £46.3 million move for Joao Felix

Todd Boehly is now up to 11 signings at Chelsea this summer with their latest capture of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid, who re-joins the west Londoners in a transfer which could be worth up to £46.3 million with add-ons.

Chelsea expected to sign £17 million player alongside Joao Felix

The Blues could announce it shortly.

By
Emilio Galantini

Aug 21, 2024

Felix has put pen to paper on a six-year deal to make a return to Stamford Bridge permanently, and it includes the option of an additional year, with the transfer also allowing midfielder Conor Gallagher to finally complete his switch to Atletico.

The Portugal international joins Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Renato Veiga, Filip Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto, Omari Kellyman, Aaron Anselmino, Caleb Wiley and Estevao Willian in signing for Chelsea this summer, and it takes their total to spend to around £236 million (including add-ons for Felix).

Felix's arrival at Chelsea could spell bad news for Raheem Sterling. Indeed, the Blues now have an abundance of wingers at their disposal, with Maresca reportedly telling Sterling to consider a Chelsea exit before the summer transfer cut-off.

Felix spent the second half of 2022/2023 on loan at Chelsea, where he managed 16 Premier League appearances, scoring four goals in that time, but that wasn't quite enough to convince Mauricio Pochettino to snap him up permanently at the time.

However, there is now a belief that Felix is perfect for Maresca's new style of play at Chelsea, so the ex-Benfica sensation has been given a second chance to make a real name for himself in England.

Chelsea also in talks to sign Gabriel Mec from Gremio

Despite reports a few weeks ago indicating Gabriel Mec's move to Chelsea was a done deal, The Athletic claim that Chelsea are also still in ongoing talks to sign the Brazilian starlet from Gremio.

It is believed Chelsea remain in discussions to sign Mec, who has been likened to Barcelona legend Ronaldinho for his playing style, so he could be the next highly-rated gem to join Maresca's big spenders after Felix.

Other reports claim Mec will cost Chelsea around £20.5 million, which could be a fair price for another one of Brazil's brightest young stars.

"Ronaldinho, Douglas Costa, Arthur Melo. These are just some of the names that have come from Grêmio’s academy. Their latest star is Gabriel Mec," said TEAMtalk analyst Ben Mattinson.

"Mec has rapid feet able to do skills so quickly that he can fool defenders easily. A joy to watch, he’s a real throwback Brazilian."

Super-agent Jorge Mendes has laid out exactly what Lamine Yamal needs to do to fulfill his immense potential and become an all-time great.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Yamal has the talent to become a legend
• Mendes warns of importance of focus
• Ronaldo and Messi examples given

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mendes, who represents Yamal, cited the hard work and professional attitude that underpins the natural abilities of both Ronaldo and Messi as the crucial example for the Barcelona teenager to follow. Focusing on football above all else is the most important thing.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Countless talented players end up falling through the cracks because their focus and personal drive does not match up to their football ability. Ronaldo and Messi have both worked every step of the way to achieve what they each have done, with incredible longevity also a reward for ther respective dedication to the game. 2024 Golden Boy Yamal has the world at his feet but is only just getting started.

• WHAT JORGE MENDES SAID

  "I think Cristiano is a good example for Lamine and all the youngsters for everything he has achieved, a level that almost no one has achieved," Mendes told . "Today he has almost 1,100 goals, he has achieved something that no one has achieved, the goal is the main objective of any team. Lamine has a good example, not only on the field, but also off the field, of how Cristiano has managed his career, who at almost 40 years old, is still competing, he is a very good example. Lamine, with the quality that he has, if he does not make mistakes and knows well what he has to do, and I think that he is aware of all his responsibilities, he has all the conditions to succeed at the highest level of world football. I do not see anyone like him in terms of talent. He is number one.

  "Messi has always shown himself to be a great professional and an impressive player. He is a good example, of course.

  "Nowadays in the world of football there are a lot of people who try to be close to the players and so what Lamine has to do is to focus on his work and on Barça, and nothing else, and to continue with his friends from the past and to be very careful with the people who get close to the players.

  "[Players] should not think about business, they should focus on their work, otherwise in a year or two they will be worried about the money they lost somewhere. He has everything to be the number one in the world, avoiding certain things, being focused and following the best examples, he will win all the collective trophies and many individual ones."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Even at the age of 17, Yamal is already carrying the weight of Barcelona on his shoulders, with everything to play for in La Liga in the second half of the season after a substantial wobble to end 2024. In the slightly longer-term, he could very well match Lionel Messi in another way if the legend's former number 10 shirt becomes available in time for next season.

Sporting director Edu Gaspar and the Arsenal recruitment team were planning a "shock" late bid to sign a former £100 million player before the deadline at 11pm last night, according to a report.

Arsenal sign Raheem Sterling on loan in last-gasp deal

At the eleventh hour on Friday night, and just in time to submit their deal sheet before the cut-off, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal shook hands on a deal to sign Raheem Sterling on loan for the rest of the 2024/25 season.

Arsenal hit gold on amazing talent who’s worth way more than Sterling

Mikel Arteta has a player in his squad who could move on for a serious profit in the future

By
Ross Kilvington

Aug 31, 2024

There were reports that Arteta had a private conversation with Sterling over joining Arsenal yesterday, with the Gunners then racing to get an agreement over the line as Chelsea also looked to get his £325,000-per-week wages off the books, for this campaign at least.

GiveMeSport reporter Ben Jacobs understands that Sterling has agreed to a pay cut as part of his temporary spell at Arsenal, with Arteta's men and Chelsea splitting the cost of his salary 50/50.

The 82-cap England international winger will don the number 10 shirt, which was left available by Emile Smith-Rowe after he completed his permanent switch to Fulham over the summer.

Unfortunately, the transfer came too late for Sterling to make his Premier League debut against Brighton today, as it wasn't done in time for him to be registered for the Emirates Stadium clash.

"Well to be fair, we never planned really to sign him when we started the transfer window, just to be very transparent. For different reasons," said Edu on the late signing of Sterling.

"But we always say to everyone that you have to be prepared for every single scenario. So when that opportunity came to me, and I checked the squad, I checked how he plays, and spoke to Mikel of course.

"I spoke to Tim [Lewis], our vice-chairman, to check if everyone is comfortable for the step we are going to take, and it makes a lot of sense. Yes, it makes a lot of sense to have someone like him because I’m pretty sure he is going to add a lot [to] the squad.

"He has experience, he understands more than anyone the league, he’s played in the Champions League many times. He won the Premier League a few times as well, so I think he can add a lot to our squad and I feel really happy to see someone like him in our squad."

Arsenal also planned "shock" late bid for Ivan Toney

With Sterling over the line, a report by Football Insider and journalist Wayne Veysey claims that Arsenal were also planning a late swoop for Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

Indeed, before the 28-year-old sealed a marquee switch to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, it is believed Arsenal were readying a "shock" late bid to sign Toney – who was also on Chelsea's radar.

Other deadline day reports claimed Arsenal were on the lookout for opportunities in regard to a new striker, but perhaps the frantic last-minute nature of Sterling's deal meant that the north Londoners needed to pour all their energy into getting him over the line instead.

It means Arsenal go into the 24/25 season without signing a new prolific number nine, despite being tipped to do so all summer. However, it shouldn't be too much of a worry for Arteta, as the squad does have real attacking quality in a variety of attacking areas, especially with Sterling's late capture.

Toney, who Brentford valued at £100 million in January, is now gearing up for a new chapter in the Middle East.

Neymar was back on the pitch and back among the goal as Al-Hilal faced Al-Fayha in a mid-season friendly.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Neymar scores in unofficial friendly
• First goal for Al-Hilal in 14 months
• Brazilian only just back from hamstring injury

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Brazilian superstar fired Al-Hilal into the lead, with the game against their fellow Saudi Pro League side finishing 2-0 after ex-Barcelona winger Malcom grabbed the second. Neymar had all the time in the world when converting a first-time shot from near the penalty spot. He was also heavily involved in the second, helping to win the ball back high up the pitch.

Advertisement

• WATCH THE CLIP

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Although only an unofficial friendly, it is Neymar's first Al-Hilal goal in over a year, since October 2023 in the AFC Champions League. He suffered an ACL injury soon after, but then played just twice following his long-awaited comeback in October of this year before a hamstring injury ruled him out for almost another two months.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR NEYMAR?

  Even after regaining fitness for a few weeks, Neymar wasn't able to play in the first half of the Saudi Pro League season due to Al-Hilal maxing out their quota of foreign players – no such rules exist in the AFC Champions League. But he will be hoping to get on the pitch domestically as soon as possible and make up for lost time, nearly 18 months after he quit Paris Saint-Germain for a eye-watering contract in the Middle East. Al-Hilal have a King's Cup match against Al-Ittihad on January 7, before league action resumes against Al-Orobah four days later.

A whole host of new signings ended up entering the door at Leeds United this summer, balancing out somewhat the number of high-profile departures that also exited the building.

Daniel Farke's men made eight fresh purchases in total during the turbulent window, with the likes of Joe Rodon, Largie Ramazani and Ao Tanaka all bolstering the squad, hopeful they won't flop under the immense strain of being favourites for promotion in the Championship.

Leeds have been hurt in the past when it comes to signings eventually turning out to be duds, with Tyler Roberts a notable recent example, after he was purchased just a few months before the wild reign of Marcelo Bielsa began and was tipped for great things.

Roberts' time at Leeds

The iconic manager would end up handing Roberts his first taste of men's football at Elland Road, after exciting those who had watched him at U21 level in West Yorkshire when signing from West Bromwich Albion in 2018.

Helping himself to an impressive five goals from just seven games in that age bracket, Bielsa decided that he could hack the bright lights of the Championship under his early regime, and the beloved South American was right to throw him into the deep end initially.

In only his second senior game for the Whites, Roberts would fire home two strikes against Preston North End to help his new side overcome the visitors from Lancashire with ease in an emphatic 3-0 win.

He would bow out from his first full campaign in the men's team with three goals and six assists next to his name, a promising return for an attacker who was noted for having "big potential" by former Leeds hero Pablo Hernandez.

However, it wouldn't be all smooth sailing for Roberts when pulling on a Leeds strip, as only six more goals and four more assists would come his way when playing at Elland Road, as he gradually fell down the pecking order at the club.

Injury issues and inconsistent form would result in Roberts only starting seven league games for the Whites during the 2021/22 campaign and that would end up being his swansong season for the West Yorkshire titans.

Roberts' career since Leeds

Now, the once highly tipped Leeds youngster is struggling down in League One, having been loaned out to Northampton Town for the season ahead after failing to breathe life into his stuttering playing days at Birmingham City last campaign.

Amazingly, after bursting onto the scene as a young livewire for Bielsa back in 2018 with two goals on only his second-ever Leeds start, Roberts is now deep into a barren patch of 19 months without a single strike, after last scoring for another of his ex-clubs in Queens Park Rangers early last year.

He wasn't helped by his circumstances last season, however, as a toxic Birmingham environment started by Wayne Rooney's shock arrival at St. Andrew's contributed to the Blues slipping down a division, but Roberts still only managed to tally up one assist from 21 forgettable appearances.

The Wales international will hope a spell away with the Cobblers can see him get back to his best, after finding every move since he lined up for Leeds inevitably ends up petering out.

Still, the 25-year-old has plenty of years on his side to try and resurrect his playing days and a move away from St. Andrews could see him regain that fire in his belly again to succeed.

If he doesn't perform well at Sixfields during his stint though, it would be another club that Roberts has struggled at since leaving Leeds, in a career that continues to have new lows.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.

GOAL gets the measure of the latest from the football zeitgeist, including the Real Madrid star's shirt choice, the return of an iconic boot and more

Welcome to the Culture & Clobber Axis, where GOAL runs the rule over the latest goings-on at the intersection of football and culture – from the sublime to the ridiculous, the beautiful to the hideous, what's very hot and what's definitely not.

The New Year is gathering pace and there is plenty to catch up on, including a retro new look for Jude Bellingham, the possible return of a grailed adidas Predator and the Moyesiah's move back to Goodison Park.

But where do the week's biggest topics from the football zeitgeist place in our comprehensive axis? Let's get into it…

• adidas tease golden Zidane Preds

  adidas have hit the ground running in 2025 with the launch of Predator 25 and a sizzling red colourway, and there is no sign of the German sportswear behemoth slowing up.

  Buried in the brilliant launch video for the new boot, adidas teased the re-release of Zinedine Zidane's gold Predator Precision from 2001 – given to him after he was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2000. The French icon is seen entering a bank vault before unboxing the classic Preds and saying, "Let's go". We can't wait to see how these turn out.

  GOAL's shout: Blatant worldie

Advertisement

• Art of Football/ Gillette
  

  Art of Football x Gillette

  Sure, Charli XCX's brat summer was great, but real ones know the soundtrack of those heady few months of intermittent sunshine was actually 'The Best a Man Can Get' from the Gillette adverts. Tom Grennan's reimagined version of the 1989 tune somehow became the unofficial soundtrack of England's run to the final of Euro 2024, and its impact has now been recognised.

  Men's grooming brand Gillette has teamed up with Nottingham-based nostalgia specialists Art of Football to create a vintage shirt to immortalise this moment in football culture. The 80s design features a nice big white collar, blue and black geometric print, embroidered crest and, of course, Gillette's branding and 'The Best a Man Can Get' tagline as the sponsor. If that wasn't already good enough, all profits will be donated to the charity Football Beyond Borders.

  GOAL's shout: Maverick worldie

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Raya's dire diving

  The FA Cup is back for 2025, and Manchester United produced some magic by overcoming Arsenal on penalties despite playing most of the second half and extra time with 10 men.

  United's penalties were flawless, but Gunners stopper David Raya was called out after the game for some pretty unorthodox diving – going way too early and launching himself in the wrong direction like Superman for pretty much every kick.

  GOAL's shout: Maverick own goal

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• PSG x Jordan Wings

  Paris Saint-Germain have done the world capital of style justice down the years with their collaborations with Nike's Jordan, and they are back with the fresh 'WINGS' collection for 2025.

  The capsule will land just in time for fashion week in the city, including PSG's latest 'Jumpman' fourth kit that has been designed to have long sleeves to make space for the wing motifs that are a nod to the link between the two brands, and luxury pieces that blur the lines between sportswear and luxury. .

  GOAL's shout: Blatant worldie

A free agent has held talks to join Tottenham in an out-of-window move, coming two years after former Spurs transfer Fabio Paratici attempted to strike a deal for him.

Spurs spend £113 million on four senior summer signings

Discounting a deal for South Korean wonderkid Min-hyeok Yang, and Lucas Bergvall's arrival considering he actually signed in January, Spurs spent a total of £113 million on four senior summer signings for manager Ange Postecoglou.

"Top class" Tottenham attacker seals out-of-window move to European club

Spurs

By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 6, 2024

Chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange green-lit deals for Timo Werner, who extended his loan deal until the end of 2024/2025, as well as rising English star Archie Gray, striker Dominic Solanke and winger Wilson Odobert.

Werner bagged two goals and three assists over his Premier League appearances under Postecoglou last season, motivating the club to give him another chance this campaign, with Gray swapping Elland Road for north London in a £40 million move.

Tottenham also spent an initial £55 million (plus £10m in add-ons) to tempt Solanke from Bournemouth, meaning the north Londoners ended their search for an out-and-out Harry Kane replacement.

Odobert put pen to paper on a five-year contract with Spurs after agreeing a £25 million switch from Burnley, rounding off their summer business with a new midfielder, two fresh wide options and a striker.

It is also worth noting that, according to some reports, key figures at Tottenham are excited for Min-hyeok Yang to join in January. The teenage forward, signed for around £3.4 million on a buy-to-loan-back deal, is set to link up with Postecoglou at the turn of the year following his brief loan back at Gangwon FC.

With the new season well underway, and the UK transfer window closed, you'd think that would've been the end of their transfer business. However, Turkish and Greek clubs are still free to sign players, so there is still a chance Sergio Reguilon could secure a Spurs exit in the coming days.

There is also the free agent market, as traditional transfer window rules don't apply to out-of-contract players.

Adrien Rabiot holds out-of-window talks to join Tottenham

As per The Boot Room, Postecoglou's side have been subject to an approach by one of the most elite free agents on the market – ex-Juventus star and France international midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

The 29-year-old is without a club after leaving Juve, and TBR claim he's rejected a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia in favour of remaining in Europe. It is believed Rabiot has contacted Tottenham over joining them via his representatives, alongside other English top flight clubs, as he searches for a new home.

Interestingly, The Times claimed back in 2022 that Paratici was attempting to sign Rabiot for Tottenham around that time, so he's a player who the club have registered a serious interest in before.

The 29-year-old boasts an illustrious playing career at the highest level and is by no means over the hill – representing France at Euro 2024 over the summer. However, he is thought to be demanding around £220,000-per-week, so this may well be forcing suitors to turn away.

“He is world class, an extraordinary player," said Juventus icon David Trezeguet. "Now he will evaluate his options and will go back to being the important player he always was.”

Marcus Rashford is undertaking extra training sessions in a bid to be ready to play for Manchester United should he be brought back into the squad.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Rashford linked with January transfer
• Forward dropped from Man Utd squad
• Doing extra work in case he is recalled

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 27-year-old has not featured for the Red Devils since December 12, missing their last nine matches in all competitions after being dropped by coach Ruben Amorim. The forward has declared himself ready for a "new challenge" amid reports of a January move, with AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona all touted as possible destinations.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  However, his hopes of escaping his United nightmare this month have not yet been realised and he could end up staying at Old Trafford until the end of the season. With that scenario in mind, the England international has started putting in extra work to ensure he will be ready to give 100 per cent should Amorim call him back into action, and report.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Amorim gave a rather dismal assessment when he was asked about the prospect of Rashford returning to the fold, saying after the 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton on Sunday: "It is his choice [not to play]… No matter what, I am not going to put out a player I don’t believe is the best for the team."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR RASHFORD?

  The United academy graduate could still find a way out of the club before the transfer window closes, but will first hope he is given a chance when they take on Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday.