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England are set for a Barcelona double header in June as the Lionesses will take on Spain in the Nations League before the Three Lions face Andorra.

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• Lionesses face Barcelona trip to take on Spain
• Game to be played at Espanyol's stadium
• Three Lions meet Andorra at same ground

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Scheduled for Tuesday, 3 June 2025, the Lionesses' UEFA Women’s Nations League match will take place at the RCDE Stadium, the home ground of La Liga side Espanyol in Barcelona. This encounter comes just months after Sarina Wiegman’s side narrowly defeated the reigning world champions 1-0 at Wembley, with Jess Park’s goal separating the two sides on that occasion.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Just days after the Lionesses' match, England’s men’s team, led by Thomas Tuchel, will feature at the same venue as the Three Lions will face Andorra in a key qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 7.

  Originally slated to be held in Andorra, UEFA has opted to relocate the game to RCDE Stadium due to logistical and venue considerations. This marks Tuchel’s first away game since taking the reins, having started his tenure with two convincing home victories against Latvia and Albania last month.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The men’s team will be unable to use Wembley for their next two home fixtures as the stadium is being booked for a series of concerts, including multiple dates for Coldplay. England will instead host Senegal in a friendly on Monday, 10 June, at the City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest. Meanwhile, the return fixture against Andorra is set to be played at Villa Park on 6 September.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

  After taking on Spain, Wiegman's Lionesses will head to Switzerland for Euro 2025. Tuchel's Three Lions, meanwhile, have their eyes on glory at next year's World Cup.

Newcastle United returned to form at the end of 2024, and now the onus is on maintaining December’s giddy level and fighting for silverware and success in the Premier League.

Trailing Liverpool by 13 points having played an extra fixture, the top-flight title is probably unattainable; let’s shelve that one for now. Still, progress is sweet, and United must be revelling in the restoration of their balance and bite in the final third.

Eddie Howe knows that the business months of the 2024/25 campaign will present numerous blips and bumps, but that his side have the talent and togetherness to pass with flying colours.

However, adding to the ranks this month could make all the difference for the Magpies, and though Alexander Isak and co are tearing it up right now, Newcastle are desperate to bolster their frontline.

Newcastle eyeing new forwards

As per Sky Sports, Newcastle are ready to do business in the transfer market after a disappointing summer window, though several sales could be needed to keep the PSR beast placated.

Regarding incomings, the first port of call should be on the right flank, and Sky’s report reveals that Newcastle are ready to battle Liverpool for Antoine Semenyo. Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo is also on both Premier League sides’ radar.

The Bournemouth winger has been red-hot this season and has been priced at £50m by the Cherries, a figure that is supposed to act as a repellent from suitors like Newcastle.

He’d cost a pretty penny, but he’d be worth every piece.

What Antoine Semenyo would bring to Newcastle

Newcastle’s turnaround has been emphatic. Howe’s tactics and drive were vindicated after the struggles last season seeped into the opening months of 2024/25, causing critical conversation to be directed toward his name.

Semenyo would add that bit of pace and crackle to a frontline that is currently thriving and has demonstrated balanced prowess across the past few years.

Newcastle might be more inclined to invest in Brentford’s Mbeumo, whose stock is probably higher right now, but the 24-year-old Semenyo is thriving in his own right.

Looking at the statistical breakdown between the respective forwards in the Premier League this term, you understand why Liverpool and Newcastle have earmarked these two players specifically, with both combative and creative as well as relentless ball strikers.

Semenyo may not have Mbeumo’s potency in front of goal, but he’s still an electric and dangerous player in his own right. Mohamed Salah’s uncertain future rumbles on, and the mere fact that Liverpool are considering Bournemouth’s maverick speaks volumes concerning his current level and scope for growth over the coming years.

And anyway, the duty of a wide player has almost been rewritten in recent years, with Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola reshaping the Premier League zeitgeist and turning wingers into goalscoring machines.

Twinkle-toed Semenyo’s respectable return in 2024/25 could be transformed into something even better, something more devastating, under Howe’s wing, especially since he would be combining with the likes of Isak and Anthony Gordon.

Of course, his arrival would limit Jacob Murphy’s game time, and this is a somewhat poignant thing given that the industrious Magpie has been in such fine fettle recently, but then Murphy’s form cannot and will not detract from the fact that Newcastle need a player of a higher calibre to propel United deeper into the ascendency.

Dreams of Champions League lights have returned to St. James’ Park following the December purple patch, but harking back to the struggles of last season will dredge up unwanted memories of injury-hit misfortunes stifling Newcastle’s remarkable return to Europe’s premium competition.

With Miguel Almiron expected to be approaching the climax of his Newcastle career, it’s crucial that a player like Semenyo is brought in. Murphy deserves to retain his spot in the side, but he’s a player who relies heavily on form. He’s hot right now but bound to lapse back into mediocrity before the season reaches its conclusion.

Indeed, the Englishman’s return of just 15 goals and 25 assists in 194 total games for the club makes for rather grim reading, even amid his haul of three goals and six assists this season.

As per FBref, Semenyo ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League this term for shots taken, the top 14% for successful take-ons and the top 8% for aerial battles won per 90, highlighting a dynamic and determined approach to his attacking and defending.

Along with the fleet-footed and skilful nature of his craft, he’s industrious and will prove to be a constant thorn in opponents’ sides. Conversely, Murphy, 29, is averaging only 1.4 shots per Premier League match this term as well as 0.4 dribbles and 1.5 successful duels on average, as per Sofascore, making a rather telling comment on his stop-start success in the final third.

While Newcastle are in a good moment, there have been too many obstacles, too many setbacks, in recent years to suggest that Howe can keep his current mix and expect to skate through the business end of the season without adversity.

Semenyo would be the perfect energetic option to complete the set up front, propelling Isak to even more prolific heights and working in conjunction with Gordon to claim a Champions League spot and defend it over the coming years.

Imagine him & Hall: Newcastle in pole position to land "extraordinary" ace

Eddie Howe would be overjoyed to welcome this Newcastle United recruit in through the door.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jan 2, 2025

Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Bristol City in the third round of the FA Cup, in order to progress through to the next stage. Goals from Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rodrigo Gomes put Wolves 2-0 up, before Bristol City’s Scott Twine made it 2-1 heading into half-time.

Vitor Pereira’s side held less possession (49%) than Bristol, who had 51% possession, but Wolves did manage to create five ‘big chances’ whilst the Robins didn’t manage any from their six shots in the match.

Alongside the goalscorers, a debut performance from central defender Emmanuel Agbadou caught the eye, after joining the club from Reims for around £16.6m this week.

Agbadou's debut performance

The 27-year-old made his debut for Wolves against Bristol, having played 15 games already this season in France, contributing to three clean sheets in 1,343 minutes played.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

The central defender brings leadership along with his duel-winning qualities, both on the ground and in the air.

In Wolves’ 2-1 victory at Ashton Gate, Agbadou played the entirety of the game, winning four of his five ground duels, one of his three aerial duels, making two interceptions, one tackle and four clearances in the match.

But alongside the good performances, there was one Wolves man in particular who has been under scrutiny in recent weeks, and could find himself on his way out, after another poor performance, being hooked after 75 minutes.

The Wolves star whose time is up

Hwang Hee-chan has been through his ups and downs at Wolves, making 111 appearances for the club, scoring 24 goals, providing seven assists and totalling 6,248 minutes played.

The 28-year-old has had some hot goal-scoring streaks in Wolves colours, but has only managed two goals in 672 minutes so far this campaign.

And his performance against Bristol didn’t help his case, only managing 32 touches – which was even fewer than goalkeeper Sam Johnstone (50) in the sticks – while making 75% of his passes accurately and losing possession seven times.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a move away in the January transfer window – amid interest from West Ham United – and this performance won’t have fans begging him to stay. Hwang didn’t make a single key pass in the game, both of his shots were off target and his only ‘big chance’ of the match was missed.

The forward clearly didn’t give up, still winning three of his five ground duels and making a tackle in the game, but the output and creativity weren’t of the standard needed, especially to earn himself more consistent minutes in the Premier League going forwards.

When considering the form of other attacking players at Wolves currently, such as Matheus Cunha and Jorgen Strand Larsen, you can definitely see why Hwang is now seen as expendable, and a sale could allow Pereira to make moves of his own in the window.

6 players who could join or leave Wolves in January

New Wolves manager Vitor Pereira could face a busy January transfer window.

By
Ross Kilvington

Jan 8, 2025

Andre Onana was left 'shocked' to be handed a pay cut after Manchester United failed to qualify for the Champions League.

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• Onana ready to negotiate new Man Utd deal
• Goalkeeper 'shocked' by pay cut last summer
• Had talks with director over the issue

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United finished eighth in the Premier League last season, depriving them of a place in Europe's most prestigious club competition this term, though they qualified for the Europa League by winning the FA Cup. As part of the Red Devils' players contracts, Onana and his team-mates saw their salary reduced by 25 per cent this year, a realisation that stunned the goalkeeper, reports, resulting in a conversation with then-sporting director Dan Ashworth. The ex-Ajax and Inter star even opened talks with Saudi Pro League clubs last summer, but ended up buying a house in Manchester to reiterate his commitment to the club.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The goalkeeper has been under fire for his occasional errors since joining United from Inter as David de Gea's replacement in 2023 and was criticised for his blatant errors in their Champions League games against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray last term. Onana is eyeing a new contract with the Old Trafford club and recently switched agents, teaming up with LIAN Sports after ditching Goal Management.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The 29-year-old's recent blunders saw against Lyon him dropped from Ruben Amorim's starting XI last weekend as they lost 4-1 to Newcastle, and United are said to be exploring the idea of a summer sale after losing faith in him.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ONANA?

  Onana could be back in goal as United take on Lyon in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie. The two sides are level at 2-2 on aggregate after the first clash in France.

Como's Cesc Fabregas has spoken glowingly about Pep Guardiola and Patrick Vieira, as the young manager prepares for a battle with his old team-mate.

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• Fabregas' Como take on Vieira and Genoa
• He and Guardiola are 'role models'
• Both sides can confirm safety from relegation

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Fabregas' Como host Vieira's Genoa on Sunday afternoon. Both sides currently sit on 39 points in Serie A, and can confirm their status in the top flight with a point. The young manager spoke about the influence of his former team-mate on his career. Vieira was club captain at Arsenal when Fabregas made his first-team debut in 2003.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Spaniard called Vieira and his Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola his role models in football, and said he will always be grateful to the Frenchman. The two played together 38 times in the middle of the park for the Gunners.

• WHAT CESC FABREGAS SAID

  Fabregas said: "In my first year at Arsenal, I shared the dressing room with Patrick. Alongside Guardiola, he is my role model. He welcomed me as a true captain and helped me develop. I will always be grateful to him. It’s a shame we won’t see each other on the pitch on Sunday but we’ll have other opportunities."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CESC FABREGAS?

  Como are 15 points clear of the drop zone with five games left to play, and confirming their stay in Serie A will be a major achievement for the club in their first season back in the top flight since 2002-03.

Manchester United could reportedly be offered a £45m Chelsea player in a swap deal with Alejandro Garnacho, but it’s not Christopher Nkunku.

Man Utd transfer news

The Red Devils still have time to complete some important business in the January transfer window, as Ruben Amorim looks for more quality in his squad for the second half of the season.

Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume is seen as a reported target for United in the coming days, with the 22-year-old potentially seen as someone who can add more legs in the middle of the park, following the struggles of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen this season.

Right-back could be another position that Amorim sees as important moving forward, whether that be this month or in the January window, and Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford. That would be an eye-catching addition, considering he is widely seen as one of the best in Europe in his role.

Nkunku is another player who has been backed to join the Red Devils in the near future, having struggled for playing time this season at Stamford Bridge. Now, one of his teammates has emerged as an alternative option.

Man Utd linked with £45m Chelsea ace

According to a fresh update from Give Me Sport, Manchester United could be offered Chelsea attacker Joao Felix in a swap deal involving Garnacho, having joined the Blues for £45m last summer.

He and Nkunku are both seen as “serious avenues” for the Red Devils to consider going down, and they are happy to sell Garnacho to a rival club with the Argentine more likely to leave than stay.

Felix would feel like a risky signing for United, in many ways, seeing as he has struggled to reach his potential since winning the prestigious European Golden Boy award back in 2019.

At that point, so much was expected of the Portuguese, in terms of becoming one of the best players on the planet, but instead, he has become a nomadic figure who has struggled to nail down a club.

That said, if Amorim believes that he can get the best out of Felix, he needs to be trusted. United would have a very gifted footballer on their hands, with Alvaro Morata lauding him during their time together at Atletico Madrid, saying:

Man Utd now plotting cheap deal to sign "amazing" versatile midfield gem

He’s on their radar…

By
Tom Cunningham

Jan 26, 2025

“The truth is that Joao has a special talent, that last pass. Although also Correa, Lemar, Marcos, Koke… the people behind put up great balls and we have to keep working and run into space.”

There would be a risk element in United signing Felix, given his patchy form in recent times, but there is a wonderful footballer there who is waiting to explode if everything comes together, and he scored at Old Trafford for Chelsea last season.

Despite Mohamed Salah's renewal, a former Liverpool player has urged the Reds to sign viable long-term successors to the Egyptian this summer.

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• Salah set to stay at Anfield for two more years

• Former Red wants the club to go for proven PL performers

• Urged the club to sign one of Mbeumo or Semenyo

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former Liverpool player Don Hutchinson believes that Arne Slot's side must not limit their spending spree this summer, urging them to buy one of Bryan Mbeumo or Antoine Semenyo to deputise for Salah, who signed a two-year renewal recently.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Salah is set to turn 33 in June, which means that he won't be getting any younger. According to a report from , Liverpool are planning to sign Mbeumo this summer, despite Salah extending his stay at Anfield. The report mentioned that the Brentford talisman would cost the Premier League champions around £50 million.

• WHAT DON HUTCHINSON SAID

  Speaking to goldenpanda.com, Hutchinson said: "No, I think Liverpool are looking at him, like most prominent teams. I think they're looking at Bryan Mbeumo and Antoine Semenyo at Bournemouth.
  "And he's only young, Mbeumo. Both of them are only 25, but these two guys have the potential to kick on. And also when you sign a player like Mbeumo or Semenyo, you know they're going to be patient. So it's not a hard sell to say, listen, you're going to be a squad player. 

  "You tell them, ‘I'm going to try and play you as much as possible, but we've got Mo Salah, so you're going to have to bide your time and be patient. You're not going to be an automatic starter.’
  "And you can sell that to younger players. If you sign a first-class right-winger, they're not going to accept playing behind Mo Salah, and not going to accept sitting on the bench. It’s natural, it’s the way it is when you're at the top of your game.

  "So I think those two, either one of them, I could see at Liverpool, but I could see a lot of clubs in for them."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  Slot's troops are currently revelling in celebrations, having clinched their first league title since the pandemic-stricken 2019-20 season. They have two big games lined up; Liverpool will face Chelsea on Sunday, May 4, at Stamford Bridge, followed by a home outing against second-placed Arsenal on May 11.

Well, that was just what Tottenham Hotspur needed.

After Sunday’s dreadful defeat to Leicester City in the Premier League, Ange Postecoglou’s side had to pick up all three points in their home Europa League clash with Elfsborg last night, which is just what they did.

Now, genuine chances were few and far between for the Lilywhites in the first half, but the team stuck to their plan and eventually ran out 3-0 winners.

The victory, on top of news about an offer for Bayern Munich’s sensational Mathys Tel being accepted yesterday, has really lifted the mood around the club.

That said, while youngster Dane Scarlett has understandably grabbed the headlines for his impact off the bench, another standout performer showed why he could save Daniel Levy and Co from spending millions on the Frenchman.

Dane Scarlett's game vs Elfsborg

So, while the mood after the game was an understandably positive one, and the win was fully deserved, it would be fair to say that for the entirety of the first half and much of the second, it felt like Spurs were never going to score.

However, in the 66th minute, Postecoglou was forced into a substitute when Radu Dragusin went off injured – yes, another one – and opted to bring on the recently returned Scarlett. What a decision that was.

Just four minutes after stepping onto the pitch, the 20-year-old forward found himself perfectly positioned between two defenders in the opposition’s penalty area, jumped to meet a pinpoint accurate cross from Dejan Kulusevski and headed the hosts in front.

He wasn’t done there, though, as 14 minutes later he was involved in a lovely passing move that saw him provide fellow academy graduate Oyindamola Ajayi with the assist for his first senior goal to take the game out of sight for the visitors.

The Hillingdon-born poacher left quite an impression on Spurs writer Alasdair Gold, who awarded him a 9/10 match rating at full-time and wrote that the academy graduate was ‘terrific’ during his time on the pitch.

However, while Scarlett was certainly superb, there was another youngster who shone on the night, a youngster who played the full 90 and might have put in a performance good enough to tempt Levy into not splashing the cash on Tel this month: Mikey Moore.

Mikey Moore's game vs Elfsborg

Yes, the player in question is, of course, none other than academy star Moore.

The 17-year-old prodigy started the game out on the wing and looked entirely at home in senior football, so much so that he was undoubtedly one of the Lilywhites’ best players.

The “outrageous” talent, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, was a constant threat throughout the game, making a couple of dangerous dribbles in the first half and then topping off his performance with a sensational run in the final minute of the game that ended in a goal; his first in senior football and the third scored by an academy graduate on the night.

Now, we would argue that this is the wrong conclusion to take from the incredibly exciting attacker’s display, but there is a chance the board might reassess their need for a new wide player after watching him boss the game from the word go.

With that said, someone who was very impressed with what he saw was Gold, who gave the teenage dynamo an 8/10 at full-time and praised him for his close control, goal and application.

Unsurprisingly, the Southwark-born gem’s statistics from the game more than back up the praise he’s since received, as in 94 minutes of football, he produced a combined expected goals and assists figure of 0.32, took three shots on target, took 64 touches, completed three dribbles, played one key pass, won two fouls and, of course, scored the final goal.

Ultimately, for his goal and assist, Scarlett deserves all the praise he’s received since full-time, but for his efforts across the 90 minutes, Moore’s display was arguably just as impressive.

Their own Rogers: Spurs hold concrete interest in "unplayable" £60m phenom

The exceptional talent would be a game-changer for Spurs.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jan 30, 2025

Wrexham are reportedly ready to waive a transfer fee for Paul Mullin and allow the 110-goal striker to leave as a free agent in the summer window.

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• Frontman has slipped down pecking order
• Under contract until summer of 2027
• May be moved on to free up squad space

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 30-year-old frontman moved to SToK Racecourse in 2021, a matter of months after Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed their stunning takeover in North Wales.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mullin is a three-time Player of the Year at Wrexham and has formed part of squads that have rewritten the history books by securing three successive promotions. He did, however, tumble down the attacking pecking order in 2024-25.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Questions are being asked of Mullin’s future, with Wrexham expected to spend again ahead of a step up into the Championship, and Alan Nixon has posted on his account that the Red Dragons are prepared to let their iconic No.10 leave for nothing despite being under contract until 2027.

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  TELL ME MORE

  Phil Parkinson has said when asked about the role Mullin and fellow experienced forward Ollie Palmer have to play in his plans after finding game time and spots in matchday squads hard to come by: “Of course there’s always players who would have liked to have played more. Equally, contributions can come in many forms, so I’m delighted with everybody as a group. Mulls and Ollie will always be legends at this club for what they’ve done. They’re under contract next year and they’ll be back in pre-season ready to go again.”

Tottenham Hotspur chiefs are now believed to be weighing up the possibility of selling a key player in their squad, with under-pressure head coach Ange Postecoglou and co eyeing a potential summer revamp.

Postecoglou pressure grows as Tottenham crash out of FA Cup

Spurs crashed out of the FA Cup fourth round after a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the Midlands last weekend, meaning the Europa League is their only chance of winning any silverware this season.

Jonathan David makes Tottenham transfer decision after Spurs contact

The Canadian is one of this summer’s most in-demand free agents.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Feb 8, 2025

The Lilywhites’ solid summer transfer window, where they completed a £65 million deal for England striker Dominic Solanke, and their very promising 2023/2024 campaign under Postecoglou allowed supporters to go into this season with cautious optimism.

However, a torrid run of results, partly due to the thread-bare squad’s serious injury problems, have left Spurs 14th in the Premier League table with four defeats from their last five games.

Their latest hammer blow courtesy of Villa has prompted even more calls for Postecoglou to receive the axe from chairman Daniel Levy, even if the Australian is missing over 10 senior first-team players right now.

“One by one the safety nets protecting Ange Postecoglou from a catastrophic fall into footballing oblivion are falling away,” said journalist Ian Ladyman of The Daily Mail (via football.london).

“If Liverpool hacked at a cord in demolishing Postecoglou’s Tottenham in one domestic cup competition last Thursday, then Aston Villa methodically undid a knot or two in the other one at Villa Park.

“Now there is almost nothing left but a long drop down to the darkness for the Tottenham manager. Spurs remain in the Europa League, but that’s where the good news begins and ends. The Premier League became an embarrassing and soulless slog long ago. Tottenham, weighed down by diminished confidence and a long injury list, sit in 14th position.

“Tottenham have gone from a ‘must watch’ team to a ‘can’t bear to watch’ team, and it’s now up to chairman Daniel Levy in terms of what he wishes to do about it.”

Tottenham considering Son Heung-min sale this summer

Postecoglou also hasn’t been helped by a lot of his big-name players, with £190,000-per-week club captain Son Heung-min under-performing in recent months.

Son was praised for his stellar form at Spurs last season, and Postecoglou revitalised the South Korea star during his debut campaign in the dugout. However, the 32-year-old has often gone missing in big games recently – offering just one goal and one assist in his last eight Premier League matches.

Called a “leader” in the squad by Postecoglou, the former Bayer Leverkusen sensation hasn’t exactly lived up to that tag lately, and GiveMeSport now report that he could even depart this summer – despite the north Londoners’ decision to trigger his one-year contract extension clause.

Indeed, Tottenham are apparently thinking about selling Son this summer in a previously “unthinkable” move, with Levy, Postecoglou and the club’s board weighing up a squad revamp this summer as the rebuild continues.

The winger has made over 400 appearances for Spurs, racking up 172 goals and 92 assists in that time, but they need his very best now more than ever.