Category Uncategorized

Vinicius Jr has softened his stance over a blockbuster salary request and is now edging closer to accepting Real Madrid’s reduced contract proposal. The Brazilian, once determined to match Kylian Mbappe’s earnings, has shifted course just weeks after tensions with Xabi Alonso threatened to derail negotiations.

• How contract tensions reached breaking point

  Vinicius' renewal saga has been a defining off-field story at Madrid this season. The Brazilian’s current contract runs until June 30, 2027, and talks first stalled two years ago when the club offered him around €20 million (£17m/$22m) per season, an amount he felt undervalued him at a moment when he was viewed internally as the club’s future superstar.

  Back in 2023, with Karim Benzema gone and Jude Bellingham only beginning his Madrid journey, the Brazilian believed he deserved compensation befitting the club’s attacking focal point. His camp argued he was worth closer to €30m (£25m/$33m), placing him in the same bracket as Mbappe, whose current Madrid package reaches €23m (£19m/$25m) net annually with bonuses included. Negotiations continued into this season, but progress was limited.

  The real setback came when reports claimed Vinicius informed the club he would not sign an extension “while his relationship with Alonso remains so strained.” The winger’s frustration grew as he was substituted repeatedly, omitted from starting lineups, and finished the full 90 minutes only four times all season. That, combined with Madrid’s dip in form, pushed the contract talks into a deep freeze until events in Greece shifted the mood.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  Inside the Alonso rift and the divided Madrid dressing room

  Spanish reports suggested the tension between Vinicius and Alonso symbolised a broader split inside the squad. revealed that six players – Vinicius, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, Brahim Diaz, Endrick and Ferland Mendy were unhappy with the coach’s tactical choices and substitutions.

  Vinicius, seen as the centre of the unrest, felt his role had been diminished. Being left out of major starting line-ups and used inconsistently only deepened his irritation. Meanwhile, the club’s marquee figures – Mbappe, Thibaut Courtois, Arda Guler, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras were said to be firmly behind Alonso.

  The flashpoint came during the last Clasico, when the 25-year-old reacted angrily after being substituted. He issued a written apology days later but pointedly left Alonso’s name out. That omission strengthened the perception of a fractured relationship.

  But according to reports , Vinicius later apologised in person to both the staff and the full squad. And when Madrid beat Olympiacos 4-3 in Greece, Vinicius walked directly to Alonso at full-time, the two embracing publicly, signalling a desire to move forward and stabilise the situation.

• Why Vinicius is now willing to accept reduced terms

  The shift in tone off the pitch has coincided with talks reopening on the financial side. Vinicius earns €15m gross per season under his current deal, and although his initial objective was to match or surpass Mbappe’s figures, now indicate that he is prepared to accept significantly lower terms than his earlier €30m target.

  His willingness to compromise stems from several evolving factors. His form has dipped, with just 11 goals in his last 40 league and Champions League appearances, reducing the leverage he once held. At the same time, no major European club has made a concrete approach for him, despite speculative links to Manchester City, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, which has further softened his negotiating position. There is also a growing understanding within his camp that Madrid remain the club best positioned to maximise his long-term potential and keep his Ballon d’Or ambitions alive. Most importantly, the tension with Alonso appears to have cooled after recent conciliatory gestures, removing one of the biggest emotional obstacles to signing a new deal.

  Together, these developments represent the first real breakthrough in more than two years of stalling negotiations. The player and the club are now described as aligned once again, with both sides optimistic about reaching a final agreement in the coming months. It is also a crucial moment, as Vinicius would be free to negotiate with other clubs from January 2027, once he enters the final six months of his existing contract, a scenario Los Blancos are determined to avoid at all costs.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images Sport
  

  What comes next for Madrid’s No.7?

  The Brazilian now enters a crucial stretch: the final 18 months of his contract and a pivotal moment in his Madrid career. His market value will decline with every passing month unless a renewal is sealed. The club want clarity before the summer window opens in 2026; the player wants assurances on his role and long-term project fit.

  On the pitch, he still has the opportunity to reverse his recent decline and re-establish himself as a decisive figure alongside Mbappe and Bellingham. Off it, Madrid expect discussions to accelerate before the end of the season, with both sides confident a middle ground can be reached. All eyes now turn to the negotiation table where Vinicius Jr’s future at the Bernabeu will be decided once and for all.

Marcelo Balboa backed Mauricio Pochettino’s recent comments after the United States’ win over Uruguay, saying the coach is setting firm expectations for the squad. Balboa noted that Pochettino wants every player – including those based in Europe – to match the required intensity and compete for their place, adding that club form alone won’t guarantee a spot.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Balboa on Pochettino’s cultural reset

  Balboa framed Pochettino’s comments as an intentional cultural reset: the coach isn’t interested in protecting “regulars” or preserving reputations if players aren’t delivering the energy and standards he wants. 

  “He [Pochettino] is trying to change the culture in this country. He’s saying anytime you represent the U.S. team, that’s the best team we’re gonna put out, that’s the first team. I like that message,” Balboa told CBS Sports. “If I’m a player in Europe, I’m a little worried because I saw the standard of mentality and energy they brought to this game. 

  "There is a clear message. Like, ‘This is what you have to do. These are the parameters I want you to do it under my tactics.’"

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Uruguay win strengthened the message

  Balboa suggested it will make some Europe-based players nervous about their spot if they can’t match the newly demanded work rate.

  “And if you can’t do that, there is [Sebastian] Berhalter, there is [Alex] Freeman," Balboa said. "There is [Tanner] Tessmann. There is [Max] Arfsten. There are players that can surprise you. It’s not okay anymore to have eight guys that work their ass off and two guys that relax. It doesn’t work like that anymore in international soccer. I love the message he’s sending. This is the standard of what you need to do here.”

  The United States’ emphatic five-goal win over Uruguay gave Pochettino’s message weight, as he dismissed talk of “regular players” and used both the performance and his post-match comments to underscore the standard he expects.

• Selection, competition and the evolving USMNT identity

  Pochettino appears to be rewarding intensity, pressing, and tactical buy-in as much as name recognition or club pedigree. That raises the stakes for Europe-based Americans who aren’t producing regular minutes for their clubs, and it signals to domestic and fringe players that strong showings at club or in camp can leapfrog reputation.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Looking ahead

  The U.S. wrapped up their 2025 slate with a strong November camp. The team is reportedly set to play Portugal and Belgium in March, but that has yet to be confirmed by U.S. Soccer. 

England seamer’s heroic rearguard could yet be his final act in international cricket

Matt Roller04-Aug-2025

Ben Stokes meets Chris Woakes after his valiant effort•Getty Images

It was an extraordinary sight at the end of an extraordinary series. On Friday morning, Chris Woakes was ruled out of “any further participation” in the fifth Test at The Oval. Three days later, he walked out to the middle with his left arm in a sling, tucked underneath his jumper, preparing to face up one-handed – and wrong-sided – with England 17 runs away from victory.Woakes marched out through the dressing-room, down the stairs of the Bedser Stand, and punched gloves with Gus Atkinson. It was a rousing moment to rival Rishabh Pant’s hobble to the crease with a fractured foot in Manchester, with the sense of theatre only accentuated by the drama and tension of the final day of the match – and the series.England have not yet given official confirmation but Woakes is understood to have dislocated his shoulder while diving in the field on the opening day of this Test. He will see a specialist this week to determine the extent of the damage, but will not play again this summer and is already considered a major doubt for the first Ashes Test in Perth on November 21.Related

Brendon McCullum: 'We know we've got room to improve'

The agony, the ecstasy: 56 minutes of Test cricket at its most glorious

'Devastating' – Brook expresses regret after dismissal triggers England's Oval collapse

Pant bats with fractured foot to add crucial runs at Old Trafford

Six-run thriller – India script their narrowest win in Tests

It was an act of mercy that Woakes did not have to face a ball: Prasidh Krishna yorked Josh Tongue, England’s No. 10, with the final ball of the 83rd over, and Atkinson managed the strike thereafter. But even that caused Woakes serious pain: he grimaced repeatedly after every run, and had to ask umpire Ahsan Raza for assistance after dislodging his sling while sneaking through for a bye.In any other sport, Woakes would have been substituted immediately after his injury on Thursday evening but – for better or for worse – cricket remains an outlier. Instead, he watched on from the dressing room as England’s three-man attack toiled on Saturday; as they took the chase deep into Sunday afternoon, he went down to the indoor school for an exploratory hit.Woakes initially tried to hold the bat as usual, facing some gentle throwdowns, but as soon as the pace ramped up, the pain became excruciating. He then tried again with his left arm back in a sling, facing up with a left-hand batter’s stance: it allowed him the control of a “top” hand, but more importantly, ensured his shoulder would be as far away from the ball as possible.He needed help from Ben Davies, England’s physio, to get padded up on Monday, and had to get creative with his equipment: he wore two small arm guards on his right arm, and as much protection as he could on his left, which was tucked underneath a jumper to try and keep everything in place.2:02

Harmison: Woakes put his career on the line by coming out to bat

When Woakes scrambled through for a bye at the end of his first over at the crease, Mohammed Siraj was furious. ” [didn’t you tell him?]” he asked Shubman Gill, after landing his wide yorker only to see Dhruv Jurel’s underarm throw miss the stumps. But Woakes had other things to worry about, wincing in pain and clutching his left arm.He managed to take his helmet and right glove off in order to put his left arm back in place, and then asked Raza for help on realising that he would not be able to put his glove back on alone. As he took a deep breath and prepared to stand at the non-striker’s end once again, the sold-out fifth-day crowd began to understand the extent of what he was putting himself through.Woakes was again in agony off the next ball, scampering back for two as Atkinson swung Prasidh into the leg side, and scrambled through for another single off the final ball of the over as India – bizarrely – kept nine men on the boundary. One ball later, however, Siraj pegged back Atkinson’s off stump and, after 16 minutes of anguish, Woakes’ job was done – albeit in a heartbreaking, six-run defeat.India’s fielders made a beeline for Woakes after their initial celebrations, and Brendon McCullum, England’s coach, praised his bravery. “Good on Woakesy,” he told the BBC. “He’s in an immense amount of pain after that unfortunate injury, but it was never in doubt for him that, if needed, he was going to walk down the stairs and try to get us across the line.”1:19

Sanjay Bangar picks his moment of the series

It provided a fitting finale to a dramatic series in which 32 players have had their physical and mental resilience tested to the limit across 25 days of cricket. Both teams have lost players to injuries along the way after punishing workloads, but Siraj and Woakes, the only fast bowlers to play all five Tests, battled through right until the very last ball.”He was in a lot of discomfort,” Ben Stokes said, having himself been forced to miss this Test with a shoulder injury. “We’ve had Rishabh going out to bat with a broken foot, Bash [Shoaib Bashir] going out there bowling – and batting and fielding – with a broken finger. Then we go to Chris out there today, trying to get his team over the line with a quite recently dislocated shoulder… Everyone’s left a lot out on the ground for their countries.”Woakes’ innings can be used by both sides in the ongoing debate around injury replacements: it was difficult to watch a player in such clear physical discomfort risking aggravating a serious injury, but also an incredible display of bravery and perseverance. Stokes simply doubled down on his view that substitutes are impracticable: “If someone gets injured, tough s***. Deal with it.”It could yet prove to be Woakes’ final act in an England shirt: he is no longer involved in the white-ball set-up and, at 36, his Test future will also be in doubt if the injury is severe enough to keep him out of the Ashes. If so, this would be a sad but fitting end for a player who has always given everything he has across more than 200 international appearances.

West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo has reportedly made his feelings about recruitment crystal clear to the board ahead of January, with the Portuguese adamant that they need to strengthen multiple areas of the squad.

West Ham told by Nuno to make three signings in January

Second bottom after conceding more Premier League goals than any other side so far, losing six of their first eight matches, West Ham are staring relegation in the face if they don’t improve quickly.

Nuno is yet to win his first game as manager since taking over from Graham Potter in September, and they looked completely bereft of ideas in their last outing against Brentford at the London Stadium.

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

West Ham fielded a much-changed line-up to face the Bees, which included a host of men playing out of position, and Nuno’s team selection for the 2-0 defeat certainly raised plenty of eyebrows.

They were second best all over the pitch and barely threatened the away side at all, barring a decent attempt from winger Jarrod Bowen, with the January window looking more and more like Nuno’s potential lifeline.

According to reports this week, Nuno has urged West Ham chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady to sign a defender, midfielder and forward in the winter (GiveMeSport) as three key positions to address.

Defensively, Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo had a nightmare against Brentford. While Igor Julio has impressed in training lately and could be recalled to the West Ham squad to face Leeds, especially after Konstantinos Mavropanos’ injury, the need for another option is evident.

In midfield, Nuno is believed to want a box-to-box engine room technician who can inject some pace, with internal talks held over a potential move for Chelsea star Andrey Santos among others (GiveMeSport).

Out of all West Ham’s glaring weaknesses, you don’t need an expert to tell you that they’re sorely lacking a reliable number nine who they can rely on as a consistent goalscoring threat.

Niclas Füllkrug’s injury nightmare since joining from Borussia Dortmund threatens to add the German to a long list of failed West Ham striker signings, and it is believed they’re already moving for alternatives.

West Ham have reportedly spoken to Real Madrid about signing Endrick on loan, while journalist Alan Nixon reported earlier this week that the east Londoners are considering ex-Brentford star Ivan Toney on a temporary deal too.

While their goalkeeping department demands the least attention, it is now being reported that West Ham have a chance to sign yet another big-name on loan.

West Ham offered Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen on loan

That man is Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.

The Catalans captain has barely featured since Hansi Flick took charge in 2024, having suffered various injury problems, but ter Stegen is expected to be back around December — on the eve of the next transfer window.

With Joan Garcia now seizing the number one spot, Barça have told their club legend that he’s free to leave in January for more game time, informing ter Stegen’s camp that they should start looking for a new landing spot.

According to TBR Football and journalist Graeme Bailey, West Ham are one of the clubs who’ve been offered a chance to sign ter Stegen on loan, with intermediaries reaching out over a potential deal.

The 33-year-old is a serial winner. Boasting a Champions League winner’s medal and six La Liga titles from his time at the Camp Nou, ter Stegen would bring a champion’s mentality to Rush Green – something which has been severely lacking in the squad for quite some time.

However, given his £280,000-per-week wages, and the fact West Ham need to prioritise outfield positions, an agreement could well be out of the Hammers’ reach.

Everton’s 2025/26 season has opened with a sense of both transition and promise.

After five matches, the Toffees sit in 10th place in the Premier League with seven points, though they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup this week by Wolves.

The club’s summer business has been shaped by significant departures and bold moves in the transfer market, signalling a shift in strategy under David Moyes.

Veterans Ashley Young, Abdoulaye Doucouré, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all departed, leaving gaps in leadership and experience.

In their place, Everton turned to proven top-flight quality in Jack Grealish from Manchester City and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea.

Both players add flair and creativity to the midfield.

Perhaps more importantly, Moyes has overseen a clear push towards youth development.

Alongside 22-year-old Thierno Barry, the club added highly rated teenagers Tyler Dibling from Southampton and Adam Aznou from Bayern Munich.

Everton were also linked with the likes of Abdul Fatawu (21) and Omari Hutchinson (21), highlighting the direction of travel.

With Goodison Park increasingly becoming a platform for emerging stars, Moyes appears determined to blend youthful exuberance with established quality.

Tyler Dibling is a prime example of Everton’s youth drive

At just 19 years old, Tyler Dibling has become the poster boy for Everton’s summer recruitment.

The winger was one of Southampton’s most promising prospects last season, making 33 Premier League appearances.

Tyler Dibling – 2024/25
Matches Played	33
Minutes	1,874
Goals	2
Progressive Carries	69
Progressive Passes	64
Source: FBref

Though he scored just two goals and registered a single assist in 1,874 minutes, his impact extended beyond statistics. Dibling’s direct dribbling style drew admiration from scouts across the country.

Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Bayern Munich were all credited with interest before Everton secured his signature in a deal worth up to £42m – the club’s biggest signing of the summer.

For Moyes, who had grown frustrated with the lack of activity earlier in the window, Dibling’s arrival marked a decisive statement of intent.

The England U21 international has already been trusted with minutes for the Toffees. He came on in the Merseyside derby, replacing Iliman Ndiaye – a significant moment for a player tipped to play a long-term role in Moyes’ plans.

His signing was also strategically important, filling the right-wing berth vacated by Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom.

What sets Dibling apart is his well-rounded statistical profile.

He ranks in the 92nd percentile for fouls drawn (2.49 per 90) and an incredible 98th percentile for penalty kicks won (0.10 per 90), per FBref.

Defensively, he is remarkably diligent for a teenager, ranking in the 88th percentile for tackles in the midfield third (0.86) and in the 98th percentile for percentage of dribblers tackled (61.5%).

He also excels in blocking shots (96th percentile, 0.24 per 90) and consistently challenges defenders, ranking in the 87th percentile for attempted take-ons (5.28) and 81st percentile for successful take-ons (2.16).

This blend of defensive tenacity, attacking ambition, and technical flair makes Dibling one of the most intriguing prospects Everton have invested in for years.

His presence offers fans hope that the club’s commitment to youth will produce tangible results in the seasons to come.

Kieran Dowell was the one that got away

For every Dibling, however, there is a cautionary tale.

Kieran Dowell is one name that still lingers in Evertonian memory, though not for the reasons once hoped.

A product of the club’s academy, Dowell made his debut in 2014 at just 16 years old during a Europa League group stage.

His talent was evident early on, and he became part of the U23 squad that won the inaugural Premier League 2 title. Yet Dowell’s path never truly took flight at Goodison Park.

A series of loan spells followed, including stints at Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United, as Everton searched for the right environment for his development. Ultimately, he was unable to establish himself as a first-team regular, and in 2020, he departed permanently for Norwich City for £1.5m.

Now 27, Dowell is playing for Rangers in Scotland, where he has made six appearances this season, including three in Champions League qualifying.

During his time at Norwich, though, the left-footed attacking midfielder, who has a similar profile to Dibling, had some moments of pure quality, including the wonderful link-up with Emi Buendia in the clip below.

Journalist Alex Dicken once remarked that he “offers something different in the final third,” and indeed, Dowell’s creativity has been valued previously, with that creativity also on display in that strike against Huddersfield.

He also enjoyed a strong international youth career, representing England at every level up to the U21s, for whom he made 17 appearances, his last cap coming in 2019.

The hope will be that young Dibling’s trajectory ends differently, as another talented, young, left-footed playmaker, cementing Everton’s gamble on youth as the foundation for lasting progress.

Dowell showed great potential as a youngster and went on to showcase his quality with Norwich, winning the Championship in the 2020/21 campaign, which is why the Toffees may feel that they messed up by selling him for just £1.5m in 2020.

Celtic are battling Rangers for the services of a “wonderful” free agent signing.

Rodgers delighted after vital Celtic win

The Hoops beat Motherwell 3-2 in stoppage time on Sunday afternoon, ensuring that they remain just two points behind leaders Hearts in the Scottish Premiership table.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was delighted with the victory, realising that his side weren’t at their best, but praising the “heart” that his players showed.

“I think the players deserve a huge amount of credit because it’s not easy to play here, especially when you’re behind in the game. The guys coming into the game made a big impact for us and we won through in the end, and I think deservedly so with the opportunities that we had, but it was still a very tough game.

“When you’re still trying to find the level of performance that we would want, you still have to show a big heart and you have to dig out results, and that’s what we did today. It’s been a tough start for us in a number of ways, on and off the pitch, but the one thing is that it hopefully can galvanise us, and I think the supporters will be proud of the players in terms of the heart they showed, and the spirit to keep going.”

Away from the on-pitch action, Celtic continue to eye potential new signings, with a new update now emerging over one rumoured transfer target for the Scottish champions.

New update on Celtic signing "wonderful" ace

Speaking to Football Insider, O’Rourke shared an update on Celtic’s chances of signing Saint-Etienne midfielder Pierre Ekwah, who is in the process of departing the French club, with the dispute to terminate his contract still ongoing.

“I would be surprised. Obviously you’ve got those added complications of him trying to sort out his contract situation at Saint Etienne. There’s a bit of a standoff going on between Ekwah and obviously the club as well over that one. So I think it’s one that both clubs (Celtic and Rangers) will be monitoring, maybe moving for the former Sunderland man because of that.

“The player has not taken part in much of Saint Etienne’s pre-season or played any games as well. He’d be lacking fitness. He’d probably be waiting for a while before he could be match ready for either Celtic or Rangers as well. So that’s why I think it’d be a deal that maybe both clubs will be wary of stepping in for Ekwah.

“I don’t think Celtic or Rangers will be pushing to do that. I do think both clubs are probably well stocked in midfield as well. They don’t need to bring in a midfielder as a free agent in the current circumstances. I think both clubs have got enough cover.”

It would be a shame for Celtic not to sign Ekwah, considering the 23-year-old is a versatile player who can shine in midfield and defence, being hailed as “wonderful” by Tony Mowbray, having worked together at Sunderland.

Worse than Saracchi: Rodgers must drop Celtic flop who lost the ball 13x

Celtic must drop this Celtic flop who was even worse than Marcelo Saracchi against Motherwell.

ByDan Emery Oct 5, 2025

As O’Rourke alludes to, though, the Hoops do have good depth in the middle of the park currently, and there are more pressing areas to focus on moving forward, like the need for a long-term solution up front despite Kelechi Iheanacho’s positive start in Glasgow.

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has lavished praise on another player after the Gunners’ dramatic late win away to Athletic Bilbao.

Mikel Arteta’s side opened their Champions League account for the season with a 2-0 victory in Spain on Tuesday evening, courtesy of goals from super subs Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard — emphasising the importance of strength in depth.

Leandro Trossard

8.1

Gabriel Martinelli

7.9

Jurrien Timber

7.4

Riccardo Calafiori

7.4

Cristhian Mosquera

7.3

via WhoScored

The attacking duo have been linked with Arsenal departures regularly even after the summer window closed on September 1, but their presence in the squad was vital as Arsenal kickstarted their European campaign by beating an in-form Bilbao side.

Martinelli’s burst of pace and excellent close control allowed him to get a yard on Bilbao’s defence, after bringing down a clever flick-on from Viktor Gyokeres, before driving through and slotting the ball home from close range.

The Brazilian then set up fellow substitute Trossard for Arsenal’s deflected second after a great run down the left, wrapping up what turned out to be a hard-fought victory at the San Mames.

It was a match-winning performance by the 24-year-old amid the constant criticism and uncertain future hanging over his head, with Arteta reserving special praise after the 90.

While Martinelli’s performance has understandably grabbed most of the headlines, Keown expressed how impressed he is with summer signing Cristhian Mosquera too.

Martin Keown praises Cristhian Mosquera after Arsenal win against Bilbao

The young Spaniard has deputised for the injured William Saliba to great effect, and is currently making the initial £13 million paid for his signature look like an absolute bargain.

Mosquera played at right-back against Leeds, but in the absence of Saliba, the 21-year-old has looked assured and composed at such a young age. His value has reportedly tripled already, with Keown praising Mosquera after Arsenal’s win in Bilbao.

Amid the noise surrounding Noni Madueke’s electric start at Arsenal, the impressive showings of Martin Zubimendi and Gyokeres’ goal return, Mosquera has perhaps gone under the radar.

Cristhian Mosquera to star for Arsenal

According to some reports, Arsenal believe Mosquera could be one of the best in the world in a few years, and if he carries on like this, the centre-back could hit that landmark sooner than anticipated.

The 21-year-old is good with the ball at his feet, able to play out of defence without panicking and is comfortable in multiple positions — whether that be in the middle or as a full-back.

Last season, Mosquera had the highest true tackle success rate out of any La Liga centre-back last season with over 76.7 per cent — which shows just how strong he is in one-on-one duels (Opta).

Still very young, the ex-Valencia sensation will only get better, and from what we’ve seen so far, the sky really is the limit.

Tottenham Hotspur are in the race for a “sensational” Champions League-winning defender, with Thomas Frank’s side identifying a number of centre-backs as targets before the upcoming deadline.

Spurs eyeing move to sign new centre-back

With the transfer deadline now rapidly approaching, it could be a frantic end to the window for Tottenham, and a new attacking midfielder is still of interest, having recently accelerated talks to sign West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta.

However, Spurs have also set their sights on strengthening at the opposite end of the pitch, with Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji emerging as a major target, having recently submitted a £17m bid for the Switzerland international.

Frank is already relatively well-stocked in the centre-back department, recently saying: “We have right now three centre backs: Micky, Romero, [Kevin] Danso,”

“Ben can play there if necessary. We have Kota the young central defender we bought this summer and is running now and training with the team next week. Or training with the ball, there’s not many left behind.

Tottenham expected to bid for £150k-a-week England international after Simons

The Dutchman is unlikely to be their only late signing.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Aug 30, 2025

“And then Dragusin is coming back in a couple of months, so I think that should be enough.”

However, there is a feeling that bringing in another defender still remains on the agenda, and a report from Sky Sports has now revealed that Tottenham are in the race for Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez.

Earlier this summer, there were reports the Reds could be willing to cash-in on Gomez for £25m, but they are now believed to be reluctant to sanction a departure, amid rival interest from Crystal Palace and AC Milan, with the Italian side making a permanent offer.

That said, there is a feeling that Frank has now cooled his interest in signing a new defender, so it remains to be seen whether a deal is a possibility.

"Sensational" Gomez could be fantastic back-up option for Spurs

The English defender has remained a dependable back-up option for Liverpool over the years, making 242 appearances for the Reds, during which time he has won two Premier League titles and a Champions League.

The 28-year-old has been lauded as “sensational” by reporter Declan Carr during his time with the Reds, and he has continued to put in some impressive defensive performances over the past year, while also looking solid in possession of the ball.

Statistic	Average per 90
Tackles	2.05 (87th percentile)
Blocks	1.77 (91st percentile)
Passes attempted	73.91 (89th percentile)
Progressive passes	6.27 (95th percentile)

That said, the centre-back would perhaps be a strange addition to Frank’s squad, given that he would be unlikely to displace the likes of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero in the starting line-up.

Gomez already plays a bit-part role at Liverpool, where he has regularly won trophies, so it would be an odd decision to move to north London and play in the same role, given that Tottenham don’t have the same recent record of success, despite their Europa League triumph.

RCB have lost all three games at home this season while DC are entering the contest as table-toppers

Sruthi Ravindranath28-Feb-2025

Both Smriti Mandhana and Meg Lanning have blown hot and cold in WPL 2025•BCCI

Who’s playingRoyal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Delhi Capitals (DC)
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, 7.30pm IST
What to expectA big win against Mumbai Indians (MI) was just what DC needed to shake off any tiredness going into the next game. They will be facing a bruised RCB less than 24 hours after their match against MI, but will have a lot to cheer about. Firstly, they are at the top of the table with eight points from six games. Their bowling in the last two games, where they’ve kept their opponents to sub-130 totals, has been quite excellent. They’ve also been among the best fielding units this tournament, with the likes of Annabel Sutherland, Minnu Mani and Jemimah Rodrigues saving a number of runs with their acrobatics on the field.RCB have lost their last three games at their home venue, but the defeat in the game against Gujarat Giants – where they were restricted to 125 for 7 “affected” them the most, captain Smriti Mandhana said after the game. There are several questions for them heading into this clash: is the batting too dependent on Ellyse Perry? Are they missing their spin trio of Asha Sobhana, Sophie Molineux and Shreyanka Patil, who were their key bowlers at the Chinnaswamy last year? Is Mandhana’s subpar form affecting them a bit too much? RCB will want to quickly find answers and give the home crowd something to cheer about for one last time this season before moving to the Lucknow leg.Form guideRoyal Challengers Bengaluru LLL (last three matches, most recent first)
Delhi Capitals WWLMinnu Mani has had an impact despite bowling just 14 overs across five games•BCCI

Team newsRCB made one change in the last game, bringing back legspinner Prema Rawat for left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht. Rawat, however, bowled just one over in the game and conceded 19 runs.Royal Challengers Bengaluru (probable XI): 1 Smriti Mandhana (capt), 2 Danni Wyatt-Hodge, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Raghvi Bisht, 5 Richa Ghosh (wk), 6 Kanika Ahuja, 7 Georgia Wareham, 8 Sneh Rana, 9 Kim Garth, 10 Prema Rawat/ Ekta Bisht, 11 Renuka SinghDC are likely to persist with the winning combination.Delhi Capitals (probable XI): 1 Meg Lanning (capt), 2 Shafali Verma, 3 Jemimah Rodrigues, 4 Annabel Sutherland, 5 Marizanne Kapp, 6 Sarah Bryce (wk), 7 Jess Jonassen, 8 Niki Prasad, 9 Minnu Mani, 10Titas Sadhu, 11 Shikha PandeyPlayers to watch: Minnu Mani and Georgia WarehamBe it with the ball or as a fielder, Minnu Mani gave it her all in the game against MI. After bowling a quiet 12th over, she dealt Mumbai a double jolt in the 17th, dismissing S Sajana and Amelia Kerr. She came back to remove Sansriti Gupta in the 19th to finish with figures of 3 for 17 from three overs on a sluggish surface. Her flying one-handed stop to her right to save a boundary in the 13th over highlighted why she’s one of the best fielders going around in the circuit. She’s bowled only 14 overs across five matches and has taken five wickets. DC will want to make use of her bowling more, allowing her to bowl her full quota which she’s done only in two games this season.Georgia Wareham has picked up nine wickets so far•BCCI

Georgia Wareham bounced back well after conceding 50 runs in the first match of the season, picking nine wickets in five matches so far. She picked two crucial wickets against Giants, removing Harleen Deol and top-scorer Ashleigh Gardner, although it was a bit too late. She has played at No. 3 for Australia before – even has a half-century playing in the position – and RCB could use her as a floater in the middle order in case of early wickets.Stats that matterThis season’s top four wicket-takers so far – Jess Jonassen (9 wickets), Renuka Singh (9), Georgia Wareham (9) and Annabel Sutherland (8) – will be part of this match Meg Lanning has the most fifty-plus scores in the WPL (eight), going past Ellyse PerryToss has been decisive at the M Chinnaswamy, with chasing teams winning six out of the seven games

Wrexham's non-executive director Shaun Harvey has rubbished reports suggesting that Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are considering showing record-breaking head coach Phil Parkinson to the door at SToK Racecourse. Questions have been asked of the Red Dragons' boss, but said speculation has been branded an "absolute disgrace" by a man on the inside.

• History books rewritten in meteoric rise

  Success has become par for the course in North Wales on the back of three successive promotions, with the EFL history books being rewritten. Wrexham have enjoyed a meteoric rise out of the National League and into the Championship.

Advertisement

• Getty/GOAL
  

  Transfer talk: Big money spent in summer window

  Remaining competitive one step away from the Premier League was always going to be tough, with £33 million ($45m) being spent in the summer transfer as the Red Dragons sought to bridge that gap.

• Pressure talk amid links to other big-name coaches

  A slow start to the 2025-26 campaign, which has delivered one win and four points from five second tier fixtures, has seen it suggested by some that Parkinson may be under pressure and fighting to keep his job – with so-called bigger names already being linked with a role that does not need to be filled.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty
  

  Director addresses speculation that lacks substance

  Addressing that gossip, Harvey told the : "It's an absolute disgrace. I think we're all disappointed we've not got more than four points at this moment in time. But to start quoting discussions and meetings that have taken place is the bit that's the disgrace."

  He went on to say: "Phil has everybody at the club's full support. I know before somebody starts writing headlines, 'Harvey gives Parkinson the vote of confidence'. That is not the vote of confidence.

  "What I'm saying is, he's got our full support. You can only give somebody a vote of confidence when you've actually discussed the future. It's not even been on anywhere near an agenda as yet.

  "So, if that day comes, the decision has to be taken. But Phil's our man. We've backed him from the start. We backed him from four years ago. We've had all the success under that regime. Why should we start panicking now?"