Tottenham are facing a significant delay to their deal for Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White, with the Premier League rivals threatening legal action over what they perceive to be an illegal approach from Thomas Frank’s side.

£138k-a-week Brazilian very keen to join Tottenham amid Gibbs-White twist

Daniel Levy wants two more additions in midfield.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 11, 2025

Spurs were thought to be on the verge of welcoming Gibbs-White to north London as Frank’s second major signing after Mohammed Kudus, who completed a £55 million switch from West Ham on Thursday evening.

The 25-year-old was even scheduled to have a medical at Hotspur Way on Friday, and Daniel Levy was ready to trigger his £60 million release clause. However, Forest’s threat of a complaint to the Premier League is now threatening the transfer, as first reported by Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

“More on Morgan Gibbs-White. Nottingham Forest have reported Spurs to the Premier League this afternoon for making an illegal approach and have threatened legal action,” wrote fellow journalist Ben Jacobs on X.

“Spurs have received communication asking them to cease contact with Gibbs-White. Forest declined to comment, but sources say the club believe Spurs tapped up Gibbs-White and could challenge the manner in which the £60m clause was learned of. The Premier League will now investigate leading to the deal being delayed and potentially in doubt.”

In more positive news for supporters, there is an expectation from some reliable media sources that Forest will eventually be powerless to stop the deal from happening, so it could just be a case of having to wait for Gibbs-White to officially seal his move from the City Ground to north London.

In any case, this is a very bizarre, evolving situation – and one which has barely ever been seen before in recent years.

Tottenham's stance on signing Morgan Gibbs-White amid legal threat

Taking to X, Alasdair Gold shared his own piece for football.london, pleading for just “one normal day” at Spurs following a rather hectic last week.

In his article, the reliable Tottenham correspondent reported that they’re still very keen to pursue a deal for the ex-Wolves sensation, despite it currently sitting in limbo, and there is a feeling within Forest that they will just have to stand aside for Gibbs-White to seal his move to N17 – even if they’re preparing legal action.

The likelihood right now is that Spurs will eventually sign Gibbs-White, which would allow Levy to make the statement double signing of Kudus and the Three Lions ace for a total fee of around £115 million.

Elsewhere, it is believed that Tottenham are still keen on signing Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, who is pushing to leave the Gtech Community Stadium.

Afghanistan were 95 for 2 at stumps, staring at a mammoth 491-run deficit

Sreshth Shah27-Dec-2024

Brian Bennett celebrates his century•Zimbabwe Cricket

Bulawayo was buzzing on the second day of the Boxing Day Test as the home fans celebrated one landmark after another, with Zimbabwe creating history against Afghanistan by getting to their highest Test score of all time. Overnight centurion Sean Williams posted his personal best in Tests, the captain Craig Ervine scored his fourth Test ton in a 13-year career, and Brian Bennett struck a dramatic maiden hundred, taking Zimbabwe to 586.Williams set the tone early with a cut through point to pass 150. He looked to be aggressive to the leg side but mistimed a pull off Naveen Zadran to deep midwicket, adding only nine to his overnight score before departing for 154 in the day’s sixth over.The No. 7 Bennett, playing only his second Test, then looked busy upon arrival. His early strokes allowed Ervine, starting overnight on 56, to get his eyes in, and together they put on 82 in only 20.2 overs for the sixth wicket. Ervine showed off his ease against spin to dominate square of the wicket. He reached triple figures with a flick towards backward square leg in the 109th over, took off his helmet, and revealed a smile that bore a feeling of satisfaction.Left-arm spinner Zia-Ur-Rehman had Ervine nicking to the keeper for 104 two overs later, followed by Brandon Mavuta’s dismissal for 0 in the same over, those two wickets did not bring any respite for the inexperienced Afghanistan bowling unit. The turn was predictable, the pacers were ineffective, allowing Bennett and the lower-order to score freely.Bennett, a few streaky boundaries aside, peppered boundaries through the covers, and after lunch the message was clear that the remaining batters would also play positively. Teen debutant Newman Nyamhuri, known for his left-arm seam bowling in the domestic circuit, showed he can also contribute with the bat. He was out on 26 to Zahir Khan, but not before bringing up Zimbabwe’s 500 with a big six down the ground. It ended a 21-year wait for Zimbabwe to breach that mark in Tests.Naveed Zadran celebrates the wicket of Sean Williams•Zimbabwe Cricket

The mystery spin of AM Ghazanfar didn’t have much impact either, with Bennett and Blessing Muzarabani (19) crunching sixes off his overpitched deliveries. As Zimbabwe pushed towards their previous highest score of 563 for 9, achieved against West Indies in 2001, errors crept into the Afghan fielding effort too. Fumbles and misfields allowed singles to become doubles, and Muzarabani survived a dropped chance at deep midwicket too.However Muzarabani fell with Zimbabwe at 550 for 9, earning Azmatullah Omarzai a maiden Test wicket, and with only the No. 11 remaining, Bennett, on 82, moved to fifth gear. A six off Zia-ur-Rehman through midwicket took him to 89, and back-to-back twos in Trevor Gwandu’s company got him closer to triple digits. His 96th run also took Zimbabwe to 564, a new high in their 32-year history in the format.But that was not enough for the crowd. Only a Bennett century would make the innings perfect, and it arrived in cinematic fashion in the 135th over. Zadran had set up a short-ball ploy with two sweeper fielders in the deep on the leg side, but Bennett went for the pull anyway. The fielder in the deep took the catch, only to see that he had stepped into the boundary line, and Bennett roared “come on” in the direction of his family on the grass banks, which included his father and twin brother. He would pin another six next ball over the same region before Ghazanfar picked up his third wicket by removing Gwandu, leaving Bennett unbeaten on 110.”[It is] not just my first Test century but my first century for Zimbabwe, so it’s a great feeling,” Bennett said after the day’s play. “To get a Test match hundred at Queen’s [Sports Club] with my family watching, with Sean Williams and Craig Ervine also getting hundreds and putting on a record score for Zimbabwe in Test matches. I don’t think there’s any better feeling to that. So, yeah, I’m just very proud.”At first, when I saw it going, I thought it was six, but when I saw it coming down, I was like, oh shucks, I’m in trouble here,” he recalled the drama. “But you know what? You create your own luck in cricket. And when it stepped over the boundary there, I was lost for words, actually.”It wasn’t too much about me getting to my hundred. It was more about us getting a big score and getting the Afghan guys out on the field for as long as possible. So credit to the tail-enders as well. They did a good effort for me to get my hundred but also, I think we were six down, and with our tail, we added 120 [121] runs.”Afghanistan’s reply to 587 began in overcast conditions after tea, and Sediqullah Atal lost the battle of the debutants to Gwandu trying to flick across the line in the second over. Gwandu got a ball to swing in and shape away late to gain his maiden Test scalp. The seamer would bowl four overs before an injury while fielding ended his day early.Muzarabani was metronic from the other end, bowling in the channel around off stump, and challenged Abdul Malik’s bat on occasion. It needed someone of Rahmat Shah’s experience at No. 3 to get the runs flowing. His strong off-side play earned him four fours in the space of as many overs bowled by Gwandu and Nyamhuri. Malik, instead, offered soft hands when possible, with his only boundary a gentle glance towards fine leg.With the pitch still good for batting and the effects of the new ball wearing off, both batters milked the Zimbabwe bowling, but looking to make something happen Ervine brought Muzarabani back and the idea worked. Malik, who had mostly offered defensive shots, was proffered a short ball by Muzarabani and the rising delivery forced the error, straight to Ben Curran at fine leg.Hashmatullah Shahidi, at No. 4, battled against the fading light to face some tricky overs of spin from Williams and part-timers Mavuta and Bennett. He struck three boundaries in 24 balls, while Rahmat moved to 49 after surviving one catching chance at slip. Bad light stopped play three overs before close, with Afghanistan on 95 for 2, staring at a mammoth 491-run deficit.

MatériaMais Notícias

da cassino online： O Internacional venceu, por 4 a 2, o Colo-Colo, do Chile, pelas quartas de final da Copa Libertadores da América Feminina e irá enfrentar o Corinthians na semifinal. No embate, Priscila brilhou com um hat-trick e ainda contou com um gol de Isa Haas.

da marjack bet： Aos 16′, Priscila abriu o placar após a bola sobrar na entrada da pequena área para a atacante. Três minutos depois, Belén Aquino fez bela jogada e, depois da redonda sobrar no meio da área, a camisa 19 das Coloradas ampliou o placar. Ainda na primeira etapa, Bogarín, após insistir em um arremate distante, descontou para as chilenas.

+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que formou craques como Pet, Dante e Léo Moura! Cupom: LANCE1000

No segundo tempo, a goleira Torrero, do Colo-Colo, saiu errado na bola e a Isa Haas conseguiu desviar a bola para o fundo do gol. Depois disso, Belén Aquino enfileirou as adversárias, tocou para Priscila no meio da área e, em dois tempos, a camisa 19 anotou o hat-trick. Por fim, nos acréscimos, Ysaura Viso fez de cabeça para as chilenas e deu números finais para o confronto.

PEDREIRA NO CAMINHO!

Na semifinal da competição, o Internacional irá encarar o Corinthians em busca de uma vaga na grande final. A disputa acontecerá na próxima quarta-feira (18), às 21h30 (de Brasília).

يدرس حسام حسن، المدير الفني لـ منتخب مصر، إعطاء الفرصة لبعض اللاعبين في معسكر نوفمبر وضمهم للقائمة من أجل المشاركة.

ويخوض منتخب مصر خلال معسكر شهر نوفمبر المقبل، بطولة ودية ستقام في دولة الإمارات بمشاركة ثلاثة منتخبات وهي إيران وأوزبكستان وكاب فيردي، استعدادًا لبطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025.

طالع.. خاص | خط الدفاع “صداع” في رأس حسام حسن خلال معسكر منتخب مصر في نوفمبر

وعلم بطولات أن حسام حسن يضع عدد من اللاعبين تحت المنظار قبل معسكر نوفمبر، ويدرس إعطائهم الفرصة في دورة الإمارات الودية.

ويراقب حسام حسن كلًا من: “ياسين مرعي لاعب الأهلي، وصلاح محسن لاعب المصري، وأحمد عاطف قطة لاعب بيراميدز، ويحيى زكريا لاعب غزل المحلة”، تمهيدًا لضمهم لمعسكر المنتخب.

يذكر، أن منتخب مصر حسم تأهله إلى نهائيات كأس العالم 2026، المقبل، بعد تصدره المجموعة الأولى في التصفيات برصيد 26 نقطة من الفوز في 8 مباريات والتعادل في مواجهتين.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have turned their attention towards the summer window and now have a versatile star on their radar that could be available for a modest fee, according to a report.

Wolverhampton Wanderers enter life without Matheus Cunha

Vitor Pereira deserves immense credit for preserving Wolves’ top-flight status since arriving at Molineux. However, the 56-year-old will be the first to admit that their successful survival mission wouldn’t have been possible without Matheus Cunha.

The Brazil international netted 15 goals in 33 Premier League appearances, all from open play, which will heighten the importance of finding a replacement for the classy forward amid his £62.5 million move to Manchester United.

In the midst of their hunt for reinforcements, Wolves are considering bringing former Al Shabab sporting director Domenico Teti to Molineux as part of a shake-up in their recruitment department.

Matt Hobbs has left the club and talks are underway to secure the 48-year-old as their new technical director. He has also occupied roles at Verona, Sampdoria, Lugano and Apoel Nicosia and would arrive with a vast knowledge of European and Asian markets.

Old Gold full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri appears set for a move to Manchester City, leading Wolves to pursue Brondby youngster Clement Bischoff as a direct successor due to his versatility across the left flank.

Romano: Wolves make approach to sign "highly rated" gem wanted in Europe

The Old Gold are making moves for the future…

By
Sean Markus Clifford

May 30, 2025

Despite avoiding the drop, the summer window will be one of change for Pereira’s men. Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss is also on their radar; nevertheless, it remains to be seen how the landscape lies when it comes to new faces in the West Midlands.

Now, another exciting figure who could help replace Cunha’s end product has come to the attention of the Wolves hierarchy, per recent reports.

Wolves battling to sign Getafe midfielder Christantus Uche

According to reports in Spain via Sport Witness, Wolves are in a three-way battle to sign Getafe midfielder Christantus Uche, who can also feature as a second striker or centre-forward.

Leeds United and Brentford are also keen on the Nigeria international – he has a release clause in his current deal at the La Liga side that can be triggered for £21 million this summer.

Christantus Uche’s statistics at Getafe – La Liga (Sofascore)
Shots per game	1.5
Tackles per game	1.1
Goalscoring frequency	625 minutes
Big chances created	7
Key passes per game	0.9

Dubbed “fabulous” by boss Jose Bordelas, the 22-year-old registered four goals and seven assists in 38 appearances across all competitions this term.

Earning international recognition for the first time this year, Uche is clearly a rising star and has previously been tracked by Chelsea due to his progress.

Cunha’s departure may mean that more than one solution is required to replicate his influence at Molinuex, but Wolves supporters can take solace from the fact that they are already scoping out the market for quality reinforcements.

Abdellah Ouazane’s move to Real Madrid collapsed after a failed medical, with Manchester United now expected to step up their interest.

• Ouazane failed his medical examination
• Initially chose not renew with Ajax
• United are interested in the okayer

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ouazane had previously rejected a contract extension from Ajax, but following the collapse of his move to Real Madrid, the Dutch club are now hopeful of securing his renewal, according to

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Moroccan midfielder underwent a second medical examination with the Amsterdam UMC which showed that he has in perfect condition but somehow Real were not convinced. With Madrid stepping back from negotiations, English side United are interested in the midfielder.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Madrid have already completed the signing of Alvaro Carreras from Benfica. Carreras was a product of the Real Madrid youth system that has now shone through.

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR OUAZANE AND MADRID ?

  Ouazane will hope that his failed medical examination with Madrid was only a clerical error. Madrid, meanwhile, will look elsewhere to strengthen their youth team with players like Nico Paz and Carreras showing how their youth system is capable of churning out some real gems.

Arsenal are set to announce their first batch of summer recruits soon.

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as well as midfielders Martín Zubimendi and Christian Nørgaard are all reportedly poised to join Arsenal in the next week or so, the former providing a back-up to David Raya, while the latter duo will be replacing the outgoing Thomas Partey and Jorginho at the base of midfield.

Nevertheless, Mikel Arteta, Andrea Berta and the Arsenal hierarchy still have plenty of work to do.

Arsenal targeting attacking reinforcements

After a third successive second-place finish in the Premier League, it is clear what Arsenal need to add this summer and that is more attacking firepower, as the table below outlines.

League finish

2nd

2nd

2nd

Goals scored

88

91

69

Expected goals

71.6

76.1

59.9

Shots

589

647

544

Shots on target

194

209

178

Shot-creating actions

1,045

1,185

969

As shown in the table, last season, when compared to their two previous title bids under Arteta, the Gunners’ attacking output was significantly down by all available metrics.

That’s why the debate of the summer remains Benjamin Šeško or Viktor Gyökeres, with the club clearly in the market for the new number nine, but they’re also looking for reinforcements out-wide too.

Thus, according to reports in Spain, Arsenal are ‘strongly’ interested in signing Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi, with the Gunners said to be ‘pushing’ for his signature.

They add that the German international, who is believed to be available for around €45m (£38m), is viewed as a ‘serious alternative’ to Barcelona-bound Nico Williams, as he would add ‘explosiveness’ to Arsenal’s forward line.

The 23-year-old began his senior career at RB Salzburg, scoring four Champions League goals for die Roten Bullen, thereby earning a £38m move to Borussia Dortmund three summers ago.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

So far, in 105 appearances for die Schwarzgelben, Adeyemi has scored 26 goals and registered 17 assists, featuring in all three of their Club World Cup fixtures this summer, starting against both Fluminense in East Rutherford and Ulsan HD in Ohio.

Now, could he become the 13th German to play for Arsenal, joining current Die Mannschaft teammate Kai Havertz, while following in the footsteps of Mesut Özil, Bernd Leno, Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and others?

How Karim Adeyemi would improve Arsenal

Arsenal are looking to improve their left-wing options, with most agreeing that an upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli​​​​​​​ and Leandro Trossard, or at the very least an alternative to both, is required to take the Gunners to the next level.

Nevertheless, speaking on the Arsecast, Andrew Mangan and James McNicholas both agreed that it is highly “unlikely” that the Gunners will sign two wingers this summer, so someone who can play on the left but also cover for Bukayo Saka on the right would be ideal.

Well, Adeyemi certainly fits that brief, having been deployed on both flanks by both Dortmund managers, Nuri Şahin and Niko Kovač, throughout this season.

So, let’s assess how he compares to the gold standard of Arsenal wide-players, namely the aforementioned Saka – a player he is deemed to be statistically similar to among those in their position across Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref.

Non-penalty goals

95th

77th

Shots

82nd

87th

Assists

83rd

96th

Expected assists

91st

98th

Shot-creating actions

45th

91st

Progressive carries

71st

83rd

Successful take-ons

87th

75th

Touches

79th

95th

Progressive passes received

71st

94th

FBref disclaimer: these statistics are based upon matches played in domestic leagues and UEFA club competitions across the last 365 days, and are in comparison to other attacking midfielders and wingers.

As the table outlines, Saka does come out on top for the vast majority of metrics, but that is not to be dismissive of Adeyemi, given that the England international is one of the best players in the world, at least according to teammate Martinelli.

The German’s statistics are broadly comparable to those of Saka, scoring more non-penalty goals and successfully completing a higher percentage of his take-ons.

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout describes him as possessing “electric pace” and “superb dribbling skills”, simply labelling him a “world-class talent”.

Meantime, Lee Scott of Total Football Analysis believes that he provides ‘a direct goal threat’ and the ability to ‘carry the ball at speed past defenders’, while Tunde Young of Breaking the Lines boldly asserts ‘he could go on to be a multiple Ballon D’Or winner, just like Lionel Messi’.

Thus, it is clear that Adeyemi ticks a lot of boxes for Arsenal and would be an excellent, exciting addition, should they be able to pull this deal off. He could well prove to be like a left-sided Saka.

£200k-a-week Arsenal star "set to leave" as director travels for UK talks

He’s poised to leave the Gunners imminently.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 27, 2025

Less than 24 hours out from ball one, Shan Masood and his team were still weighing up whether to play a spinner at the expense of a fast bowler in the XI

Danyal Rasool02-Jan-2025There’s a fine line between maximum preparation and cluelessness, and Pakistan are trying to make sure they tread the right side of it. With less than 24 hours to go before the second Test, Pakistan have not yet named a final XI, wanting to glean as much information as possible about what the Newlands surface will do. However, the later, they leave it, the harder it is to make the case the visitors have a side they will be comfortable with heading into the game.The captain Shan Masood admitted balancing the team was “tricky”. “We’d like to have one final look at the pitch,” he said. “Looks a bit different, less grass cover. South Africa have had the luxury of having a training session earlier than us. We’d like to take our time and see what the best possible XI is.”The Newlands surface is under scrutiny following what happened in the previous Test played here. In the first Test for new groundsman Braam Mong, India beat South Africa in a game which lasted barely 100 overs. Fast bowlers dominated the game, with uneven bounce between bat and ball, with no spin bowled; the pitch was given an “unsatisfactory” rating.Related

• Invincible Rickelton gives his international cred a shot in the arm

• Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma centuries drive South Africa's day

• Deflated Pakistan look to set record straight in South Africa and level series

• Pakistan bring in 2025 with rigorous training session

• Not yet 19, Maphaka has a chance to 'be the man for the team'

With this being the same groundsman’s second Test, interest in the nature of this strip is high on both sides, with Temba Bavuma half-joking he was told he “wasn’t allowed to talk about the pitch”. Over the last couple of days, the strip that will see the Test played has had a significant amount of grass removed from it, with heavy rollers going over the surface multiple times.Either way, South Africa have named their side, with spinner Keshav Maharaj coming in. But it’s a bit more complex for Pakistan. Masood pointed out one of South Africa’s strengths was their seam bowling allrounders and deep batting line-up, saying it went right down to “Rabada at 10″, following his heroics in the fourth innings in Centurion.If Pakistan are to play a specialist spinner, it will invariably come at the expense of a seam bowler. That leaves them with just three seamers, which Masood appeared reluctant to commit to.”South Africa still have four seamers playing,” Masood said. “They have the luxury of quite a lot of allrounders in the squad. Mulder, Jansen, Bosch, so they can afford to make those decisions. For us, it’ll be slightly trickier. We still feel pace will have a large role to play in these conditions. There was a pattern that was successful for us where [Salman] Agha bowled really well in Australia and take that forward with us. We’ll have to see and probably make a decision in the evening.Further complicating matters, Aamer Jamal, who played the least significant role among the quicks in Centurion for Pakistan, is their only allrounder, with Masood effectively confirming his place in the XI.”Aamer links the team together. He’s a very important player in the Test team going forward. That No. 8 position where you can bat as a very decent batter and bowl like a proper fast bowler. Unfortunately, the situation of the match was such apart from his first spell at Centurion he didn’t really get a go. He was brought on at a time where we just took a gamble to have something different, maybe hit the wicket and force Rabada or Jansen to do something else. That was the reason behind that. But we hope he’ll bowl more on this surface.”It means whichever way Pakistan go, there will be compromises one way or another. But Masood said Pakistan had been taking heart from the way they competed against the side that are “No. 1″ in Test cricket. But with Pakistan letting slip a number of dominant positions over the last nine Tests, seven of which Pakistan lost, he understands belief in a side or a system can fall apart if results to prop it up aren’t forthcoming.”You want to compete against the best, and win against the best,” he said. “It’s heartening to compete, but we have to be ruthless, and we have to cross that line somewhere. There’s a lot of potential in that side, and if we’re not crossing the line, we’re not doing our talent and ability justice. That only comes from a place of care, and yes we all make mistakes and sometimes don’t cross this line, but I really believe this side has the ability, and people have seen there is a lot more to this side than the results suggest.”Moments after Pakistan finished training, the pitch was, unconventionally, given another heavy dose of watering under a hot sun. After that, the groundstaff threw a white sheet over the strip, and the two surrounding it. The secrets of this Newlands pitch remain concealed overnight, although, even when it stood exposed, few – especially in the Pakistan camp – seemed to really know what to expect from it.

St. James’ Park’s overseers are not yet in situ, with sporting director Paul Mitchell set to leave at the end of the month, but Newcastle United plan to make headway in the transfer market all the same.

Namely, Eddie Howe has his sights set on Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro, a dynamic and versatile striker whose qualities would see him complement and contest Alexander Isak in equal measure.

However, with Liverpool running rampant in the transfer market and monitoring Anthony Gordon, the Magpies may need to find an out-and-out winger to join Howe’s cause, too.

Newcastle in the race for PL star

As per Caught Offside, Newcastle United are in the race to sign Jadon Sancho, who is almost certain to leave Manchester United this summer.

However, the Toon are joined by a host of clubs on the continent – including Borussia Dortmund, Napoli, and AC Milan – after his loan spell with Chelsea, who paid a £5m penalty to waive their obligation to buy the 25-year-old for £25m.

A swarm of interest from the Saudi Pro League throws a spanner in the works, but from a sporting perspective, Howe may offer the electric winger the perfect lifeline in his homeland.

Why Jadon Sancho could thrive at Newcastle

There’s no denying that Sancho has fallen by the wayside since leaving Borussia Dortmund and signing for Man United in a £73m package.

His recent campaign at Chelsea wasn’t poor by any stretch, but neither was it show-stopping to the degree that was promised upon his first move to the Premier League.

24/25 – Chelsea

31

3

5

23/24 – Man Utd

14

2

3

22/23 – Man Utd

26

6

3

21/22 – Man Utd

29

3

3

20/21 – Dortmund

26

8

12

19/20 – Dortmund

32

17

17

His numbers for Chelsea in the Premier League certainly left something to be desired, but then Sancho also demonstrated his intense levels of fitness and athleticism, ranking among the top 11% of the division’s attacking midfielders and wingers for progressive carries, the top 9% for successful take-ons and the top 15% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.

Contrast that with Gordon, who may yet leave and sign for Liverpool this summer in an £80m deal, and you begin to see how Sancho might just thrive in stable conditions on Tyneside.

Indeed, Gordon, for all his qualities, only scored six goals and assisted six more in the league last term, ranked only among the top 22% for progressive carries and the top 46% for successful take-ons per 90.

FBref considered through statistical analysis the two players to be of a certain likeness, but Sancho, arguably, offered a finer illustration of his underlying qualities and the potential for even more with a more potent finish.

He’s a powerful and pacy winger, but perhaps he didn’t activate his physical attributes to the best of their ability, evidenced by Howe’s decision to bench him across five of the final eight matches of the 2024/25 campaign.

Gordon is a brilliant player, but as pundit Stan Collymore says, “at his best” Sancho is an “unplayable” forward, outfoxing his opponents with fleet-footed movements and a potency that was, frankly, ridiculous during his Dortmund days.

It’s been a rough road for the Three Lions star these past several years, but his finest football lies latent, and Howe’s remarkable tactical and interpersonal skills might just see Sancho revived as a starring member of a high-flying Newcastle team.

Therefore, Newcastle could provide the perfect stomping ground for Sancho, whose fall from grace may yet see a resurgence that could see him realise his potential and surpass even the £80m-rated Gordon.

Newcastle now eyeing £40m Gordon upgrade who's "the closest thing to Gazza"

Newcastle have yet to heave over some attacking additions in the summer transfer market.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 19, 2025

da dobrowin： It is practically indisputable that Arsenal are in the market for a new striker this summer, and Mikel Arteta’s side have now been handed the chance to get one over on arch rivals Tottenham by signing a key target of Thomas Frank’s side.

Related Arsenal make contact to sign trophy-laden £400k-per-week ex-Man City star

He’d be quite the addition to Arteta’s dressing room.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Jun 17, 2025

da cassino： New sporting director Andrea Berta is currently busy attempting to negotiate agreeable terms on a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, but find themselves some way off the Bundesliga side’s asking price of around £68-85 million, according to Sky Germany’s (Florian Plettenberg).

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

Arsenal negotiations for Sesko have been ongoing since late May, but if a deal cannot be struck for the Slovenia international, Berta does have other reported striker targets on his shortlist.

Arsenal have also worked on a deal for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, who is currently keen on a move to north London and open to joining other high-profile Premier League suitors like Man United.

“Viktor Gyökeres prefers a move to the Premier League, and would welcome an Arsenal bid,” reported Ben Jacobs on X recently.

“Arsenal still deciding between Benjamin Sesko and Gyökeres. Andrea Berta simultaneously advancing both deals. Gyökeres would be open to Manchester United. There has been no formal rejection, but a deal to date has also never been at an advanced stage, despite suggestions.

“United have not made any formal approach to Sporting. Swedish striker one of several striker options discussed. Gyökeres believes he’ll still be allowed to leave Sporting for €70m. Arsenal have always been one to watch, but it will depend on Berta now because he is also in ongoing talks for Sesko at the same time, with a bid for one of the two targets expected soon.”

Either centre-forward would be an upgrade on Arteta’s current options. Sesko is fresh off a career-best Bundesliga campaign at Leipzig, while Gyokeres has just guided Sporting to their first domestic double in 20 years after scoring 54 goals in all competitions.

However, Arsenal now also have a new left-field option.

Arsenal offered Dynamo Kyiv striker Vladyslav Vanat

According to website Just Arsenal, Dynamo Kyiv striker Vladyslav Vanat has been put forward to Arteta’s side.

Vanat scored 21 goals in all competitions last season, helping Kyiv to lift the Ukranian Premier League title whilst ending the season unbeaten. He also finished 2024/2025 as the division’s top scorer with 17, and this has attracted some attention from England.

It is now believed that Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Vanat, who has a reported £17 million release clause in his contract. Arteta doesn’t view the 23-year-old’s signing as an urgent need right now, but is fully aware of Vanat’s quality, so it’s apparently a situation they could revisit later in the window.

However, if they do decide they want him, Arsenal will need to be wary of rival interest. Manchester United, Leeds United, Everton, and Tottenham are all keen on Vanat, with the latter even viewing him as a “priority signing” for new manager Frank.