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Premier League

Tudor’s derby debut: an urgent opening to steady a fragile Tottenham

Tudor’s derby debut must spark belief at Spurs: a shorter window to unite a depleted squad and fans.

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Opta’s models appear more confident about Tottenham Hotspur’s chances of Premier League survival than many supporters. After eight months of Thomas Frank-led disappointment, the club have turned to Igor Tudor with Sunday’s North London Derby as his first, immediate test.

Supporters have been yearning for the ”good ol’ days” and nostalgia shaped the debate around managerial options. Mauricio Pochettino has openly pondered a return, but the Argentine’s commitment to the USMNT rendered a stopgap necessary. Some even flirted with the improbable idea of a 78-year-old Harry Redknapp returning, imagining “Niko” and “Crouchy” in Lilywhite once more. The hierarchy rejected those fantasies and handed Tudor the task of unifying a fractured squad and an increasingly weary fanbase.

Fabio Paratici left as sporting director after the January transfer window, yet his fingerprints are visible on Tudor’s appointment. Paratici’s arrival in 2021 signalled an intent to emulate European elites, attempting to impose Juventus-like standards in N17. Recruits such as Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur, and the return of Antonio Conte, were part of that blueprint; the past year, though, has diverged from Paratici’s vision.

Tudor, a 47-year-old Croat sacked by Juve last October, has a record of rescue jobs but none with stakes this high. His no-nonsense mantra and aggressive pressing principles must yield results quickly or relegation becomes a real risk. Tottenham head into the derby without a Premier League win in 2026 and with about six fit outfielders. That depleted picture makes his opening fixture especially precarious.

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Arsenal, chasing a 22-year-long objective, drew 2–2 at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday, and Manchester City sit five points behind with a game in hand. If City maintain their home run against Newcastle, Arsenal’s lead would be two on derby day. Since Conte’s late-2021 run, Arsenal have won all but one of seven meetings, a sequence that followed Tottenham supporters, in Gary Neville’s words, “brutalised” Arteta’s side.

For Tudor the priority is immediate connection. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has often been a cauldron of discontent; only Conte and, briefly, Postecoglou have truly weaponised it. A spirited finish to the season would offer relief and restore some foundations, leaving any long-term successor a more stable platform than a club on its knees.

Premier League

De Zerbi Prioritises Sandro Tonali as Spurs Target After Survival Drive

De Zerbi has identified Sandro Tonali as Spurs’ priority target after rescue mission last season…

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Roberto De Zerbi has identified Sandro Tonali as Tottenham Hotspur’s primary midfield target as the club looks to rebuild following a perilous run last season. Spurs were perilously close to succumbing to a stunning relegation, with only the work of De Zerbi after he was appointed at the end of March steering them clear of West Ham United and the Championship abyss.

Tottenham have already moved in the market, signing Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi from Liverpool and Bournemouth on free transfers. The acquisition of Tonali would be regarded internally as a clear statement of intent and one engineered by De Zerbi, who holds considerable power in N17 after steering the club to safety.

Newcastle United are expected to make a major decision on their squad this summer as they embark on a mini-reset. While Eddie Howe remains in the picture, Anthony Gordon has moved on to pastures new with Barcelona and Tonali could soon follow the Englishman out the door.

Tonali has been linked previously with Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United, but multiple sources state Spurs have now entered the race. The Athletic’s David Ornstein is among those to report that Spurs and the player’s entourage have held “positive talks”, though there has not yet been any contact with Newcastle, who are expected to demand a mega fee for the former AC Milan star’s services.

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The Magpies value Tonali highly and may force Spurs to pay as much as £85 million ($114 million). Newcastle paid AC Milan £55 million ($74 million) in 2023, so a sale would produce a sizeable profit for them. Spurs are said to be further advanced in talks than other suitors.

Tonali, the 26-year-old, is not the pass-first, build-up orchestrator some expect, but he contributes across the pitch. He is strong out of possession and more forceful in that phase. Early-career Andrea Pirlo comparisons proved to be erroneous, but Tonali has become underrated with the ball. Having helped resurrect Tottenham’s engine room down the stretch, De Zerbi believes he could get the best from the player, who grew up in Lodi, Lombardy, an hour’s drive from Brescia where the manager was born.

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Man Utd

Man Utd Target Crysencio Summerville as Left‑Wing Options Are Weighed

Man Utd assess Crysencio Summerville as one of several left-wing options, West Ham face sales. soon.

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Manchester United are “paying serious attention” to West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville as part of their search for a left-sided wide player this summer. Sources suggest the club view Summerville as one of several candidates while evaluating alternatives and squad options.

Summerville, 24, drew fresh interest after an impressive World Cup showing against Japan in which he scored and offered a combative display off the ball. The Athletic reports Manchester United have “enquired” about his situation. At an estimated $67.1 million (£50 million) he sits at the lower end of the price range compared with other reported targets.

Other names United have considered include Yan Diomande, Iliman Ndiaye, Morgan Rogers and Bradley Barcola. Leipzig are likely to demand about $116 million (€100 million, £86.5 million) for Diomande, a figure that would place him well above Summerville and potentially push any move beyond the immediate window. Barcola has been linked amid reports of frustration over his minutes at Paris Saint-Germain.

Domestically, reintegrating Marcus Rashford remains a discussed option within the club, although it may be regarded as a last resort. Michael Carrick has not ruled out that path while also acknowledging the desire to add a new wide player.

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Summerville’s form last season included a run of four successive Premier League goals in January after an indifferent start to 2025–26, but a minor injury in March interrupted his momentum and reduced his influence in the closing weeks.

West Ham paid roughly half of the reported United valuation to sign Summerville from Leeds United in 2024. Relegation has increased the likelihood of interest in the club’s top performers, a list that also contains midfield target Mateus Fernandes and attacker Jarrod Bowen.

Daniel Křetínský, the incoming principal shareholder at West Ham, has insisted the club will not sell for financial reasons. “We have a very credible strategy,” Křetínský told The Times. “We don’t need to sell the players for financial reasons. We are doing this to make sure we are promoted back to the Premier League immediately. That is our only goal.”

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Barcelona

Rashford’s Options After Barcelona Decline: Return, Sell or Stall

Barcelona declined to trigger Marcus Rashford’s purchase clause; he returns to Manchester United 2026

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Barcelona have opted not to trigger the purchase clause for Marcus Rashford, making the temporary move effectively over and leaving the forward to return to Manchester United once his World Cup duties with England finish. The decision on June 16 closes one chapter but opens several possible outcomes for the 28-year-old.

Rashford enjoyed a productive season at Barcelona, making 49 appearances and recording 14 goals and 14 assists. He impressed primarily on the left wing while also filling in on the right and as a central striker, his versatility a feature that first attracted interest.

Early in the campaign a permanent deal for around €30 million seemed straightforward, but the narrative shifted. Barcelona’s subsequent €70 million signing of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United demonstrated the club had transfer funds available. Reports suggest the real sticking point was amortization and the financial impact spread over contract years, with Gordon viewed as having a more favourable effect on the club’s accounts partly because he is three years younger than Rashford. Inside Camp Nou the view is that Gordon’s defensive work rate better suits Hansi Flick’s tactical demands.

Despite choosing Gordon, Barcelona remain open to Rashford if circumstances change. They reportedly tried to negotiate a lower fee with United and were prepared to agree terms for a reduced price, but Manchester United declined further discounts and gave an unenthusiastic response to suggestions of a second loan. Barcelona’s stance is that Rashford is welcome back, but not at the club’s current valuation.

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Reports indicate Rashford would welcome a return to Barcelona, yet his fate hinges on United lowering their demands. La Liga sources believe Barcelona are counting on Rashford refusing other offers to force United into a choice: pay his reported weekly wages of around $435,000 or reopen talks.

Rashford’s exit from United originally occurred under former manager Ruben Amorim. The environment at Old Trafford has since changed, with Michael Carrick now in the dugout permanently. A return to Manchester to rebuild has been floated and remains possible, likely driven by necessity rather than preference.

Other clubs linked in speculation include Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. According to The Athletic, United have a clause making Rashford available for $54 million (£40 million) this summer to all suitors except Liverpool and Manchester City. The player reportedly prefers not to remain in England with another Premier League club if it is not with Manchester United.

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