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Tottenham Hotspur has often been the home to top-level attacking talents, with Harry Kane undoubtedly one of the best to ever do it for the club in North London.

The Englishman holds the record for the most goals scored in the club’s history, netting 280 goals for the Lilywhites before his subsequent departure back in 2023.

Dominic Solanke has been the man to fill the void in the last 12 months, costing a club-record £65m, but has only registered nine goals in the Premier League and has so far struggled to match his price tag.

Thomas Frank’s arrival will potentially shake things up at the club, potentially wanting to put his own stamp on the squad after taking the reins following Ange Postecoglou’s dismissal.

New additions are to be expected with the hierarchy likely to hand him the funds to make his own impact, with numerous names mentioned already during the off-season.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for a new striker this summer

Yoane Wissa is a player who has starred under Frank at Brentford, scoring 19 times in the league this season, but his £50m price tag may force other targets to be considered this window.

Evann Guessand has emerged as another option for the Lilywhites this window, potentially offering a cheaper alternative, but would still be a superb addition after registering 22 combined goals and assists this campaign.

However, another option from France has emerged as a key target, with Lyon’s Georges Mikautadze firmly on their radar after their pending relegation to Ligue 2, according to Tutto Juve.

Their report claims that Frank’s side are preparing a concrete offer for the 24-year-old who’s registered 17 goals and nine assists throughout the 2024/25 season.

It also states that the Lilywhites are front of the queue for his signature, looking to take advantage of the French side’s financial situation and land a bargain deal for the Georgian international.

Any move could cost around £25m, according to other reports.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be Frank’s answer to Isak

Alexander Isak has been a striker who has tormented countless sides in the Premier League, cementing himself as one of the leading talents in England’s top flight.

The Swede has registered over 20 goals in each of the last two campaigns, scoring six times against the Lilywhites – the joint most of any side in his professional career.

His subsequent form has caught the attention of various sides across the division, but the Magpies’ £150m price tag has prevented any side from making a move for his signature.

Any side across the world must wish they had an attacker as deadly as Isak, but players of his calibre usually cost a small fortune in today’s market.

However, Frank’s side could land their own version of the talisman this window in the form of Mikautadze, with the Lyon star labelled as a similar player to Isak by FBref.

When comparing the pair’s respective stats from this season, the Georgian has managed to outperform him in numerous key areas, highlighting how much of an astute piece of business he would be this window.

Mikautadze, who’s been labelled a “living legend” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has posted a higher shot on target accuracy rate this season, demonstrating his ability to be more clinical with the chances that have fallen his way.

He’s also completed more of the passes he’s attempted and made more passes into the final third, having the skillset to provide others around him with opportunities alongside his goalscoring ability.

The Lyon star has produced an impressive all-round nature to his game, winning more aerials and drawing a higher tally of fouls per 90, offering a constant nuisance to the opposition.

If he can replicate the levels produced by Isak in England, it would be a phenomenal piece of business by Frank and Co, handing the club a new dimension in the final third.

Whilst it’s unclear how much a deal for the 24-year-old would cost, it would likely be a bargain deal given Lyon’s finances, taking the Lilywhites to the next level if they can pounce this window.

Frank's own Kane: Spurs in talks to sign one of the "best STs in the world"

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be making moves to land a new talisman this summer.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 26, 2025

Everton are looking to strike on the market and could now have moved ahead of their rivals in the race to sign a midfielder with Premier League experience, according to a report.

Everton ready to bring in new recruits

The Toffees have added Carlos Alcaraz and Thierno Barry to their ranks as they begin to step up their hunt for reinforcements, and they could now look to fight Manchester United for the signing of Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi in a bargain £9 million deal off-set by his relegation release clause.

Shedding some light on the situation, Pete O’Rourke stated: “I think he will leave Leicester this summer. Obviously, this release clause in there makes it easier for clubs to try and sign Ndidi.

“I think it could be one of the bargains of the transfer window due to that £9million release clause. I’m not surprised Everton have been having a look at him. There’s also interest from Crystal Palace, Fulham and Manchester United as well. There will also be interest from abroad, as Juventus are very much interested in the midfielder.”

In recent weeks, Everton have also made an enquiry to sign Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn, though they were rebuffed in their approach despite being willing to pay £30 million for the Scotland international.

Abdoulaye Doucoure and Orel Mangala have left vacancies to be filled within David Moyes’ engine room, and the Friedkin Group have their sights on premium arrivals to replicate their impact at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

With that in mind, the Toffees could now burst ahead of their rivals to bring in a midfielder who has already enjoyed plenty of success in the Premier League.

Everton in active negotiations to sign Douglas Luiz

According to TEAMtalk, Everton are in active negotiations to sign Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz, and they could now leap ahead of several rival suitors in the race for the Brazil international.

Moyes views the former Aston Villa man as an ideal addition to solidify his engine room due to his top-flight experience and quality in possession, and he may be available for a bargain fee of £21.6 million after a disappointing campaign in Turin.

Everton now want to sign new Premier League 26 y/o with Moyes a "big fan"

The Toffees are in the market for reinforcements.

By
Tom Cunningham

Jul 9, 2025

After a return of 27 appearances across all competitions, Olympic gold medallist Luiz is also being tracked by Fulham, Manchester United and Aston Villa. Still, Everton appear to be the ‘most active’ club when it comes to pursuing a transfer with the Toffees ‘serious about making a move’.

Now, it is expected that they will up their bid to bring him to Merseyside in the coming weeks and hope to convince the Rio De Janeiro-born star that his future lies under the guise of Moyes.

Previously, Luiz has been labelled “amazing” by Roy Keane and clearly has a lot left to give at the elite level and a change of clubs could be the perfect tonic to reignite his career.

Tottenham Hotspur are “contenders” to sign an “unbelievable” defender who’s now set to cost £50m, reporter Pete O’Rourke has revealed.

Spurs looking to bolster defensive options

Spurs completed the signing of West Ham United winger Mohammed Kudus last week, with the Ghanaian arriving for a fee of £55m, while they also remain confident about sealing a deal for Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.

That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who said: “They want to proceed with the deal, they want to sign the player. Nottingham Forest are prepared to fight. So, let’s see what’s going to happen there.

“But, for sure, the Gibbs-White deal now has an issue to be solved between the two clubs. That’s going to be one to watch in the coming days and hours, with Tottenham still hopeful and confident to get the player.”

Should Spurs get a deal for Forest star over the line, they may turn their attentions to bolstering their backline, given that they had the fifth-worst defensive record in the Premier League last season.

Speaking to Football Insider, O’Rourke has now dropped an update on one of the centre-back’s Tottenham could target, Burnley’s Maxime Esteve saying: “Everton showed a lot of interest in him as well, now Tottenham are being mentioned as contenders for a signature if he leaves Burnley this summer.

“Spurs did try to sign him in the January window when he was doing so well; Burnley don’t want to lose Esteve, and they’ve put a £50million price tag on his head.

“I don’t think Spurs would go near that level to try and sign Esteve, but Burnley are in a really strong position to negotiate here. He’s under contract until 2029 and they can demand a substantial fee because of his contract – that price tag will probably scare off most clubs.”

"Unbelievable" Esteve could allay Spurs' defensive problems

At this stage, Burnley hold all the cards in the negotiations, but should the French defender push for a move this summer, there are clear signs that he could help allay Spurs’ defensive problems.

Remarkably, the Clarets shipped just 16 goals in the Championship en-route to promotion last season, and the Frenchman played every single game, during which time he managed to impress manager Scott Parker.

Tottenham make contact for "world-class" £47m maestro alongside Gibbs-White

Spurs have made an approach to sign another midfielder, having also come forward for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.

3

By
Dominic Lund

Jul 13, 2025

Parker said: “First and foremost he’s a great kid and an unbelievable professional. Just his general aura about him and his humility about the boy and his professionalism, just everything about him is a top, top boy and of course you see his quality as well.”

That said, £50m would be a huge fee to pay for a player yet to prove himself at Premier League level, and with Burnley in a strong negotiating position, it would not be a surprise if Tottenham decide to move on to other targets.

Ex-Germany defender Mats Hummels has sounded the alarm over football’s relentless calendar, warning that elite players risk being “worn down” by the strain. The ex-Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich star believes the workload has hit its “maximum,” raising concerns that big names could soon miss key matches due to fatigue and injuries.

• Hummels warns of danger from packed calendar

  Hummels has spoken out against the ever-increasing demands on top players, insisting that football’s fixture calendar is pushing athletes to their breaking point. The ex-Bayern and defender fears many stars could soon miss decisive games due to exhaustion and argued that players are being stretched beyond reasonable limits and that governing bodies need to address the issue urgently.

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  What Hummels said about the 'maximum' workload

  Speaking ahead of the Champions League season in his new role as a pundit for Amazon, the 2014 World Cup winner said: "This continues to be an issue that needs to be addressed in football. You can't completely overburden the players. The workload is at its maximum. I’m always very worried that in the coming years, many, many top players will no longer be on the pitch in important games because they will eventually be worn down by the strain.”

  Despite his criticism, the 36-year-old also offered praise for UEFA’s revamped Champions League format, which now features a league phase. 

  “I think the new version is really cool. There are many more different games, and that’s what I like,” he said, admitting he has revised his initial scepticism about the changes.

• Player burnout debate intensifies

  Hummels’ remarks add weight to a growing chorus of voices warning about fixture congestion. From Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp to players like Toni Kroos and Kevin De Bruyne, many within the game have criticised the expanding schedule, with domestic leagues, UEFA competitions and FIFA tournaments all increasing their demands. Most recently, Kylian Mbappe warned that the quality of matches will suffer because of the strain on players. The introduction of a revamped Champions League, a new Club World Cup, and international tournaments every summer means rest periods are becoming virtually non-existent.

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  What next for Hummels after retirement?

  The former German international officially hung up his boots this summer, marking the end of a decorated career that included spells at Bayern, Dortmund and Roma. He bid farewell to Dortmund fans in a friendly against Juventus, where he received a standing ovation and a guard of honour. In total, he made 508 appearances for Dortmund, another 118 for Bayern, and 20 for Roma, while collecting five Bundesliga titles, three DFB-Pokal cups, and six German Super Cups during his career. Now, he has transitioned into punditry with Prime Video, covering the Champions League.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has just overseen two pre-season friendlies in one day, but off the field, technical director Johan Lange is working to back his fellow Dane with more new signings.

Tottenham advancing move for £24m defender after 'emerging' as favourites

Spurs have been told what it would take to get a deal done.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 23, 2025

Spurs battled against both Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town today, with the senior squad split into multiple sides as Frank looked to hand as many minutes to his players as possible.

The Lilywhites are now set to travel to Asia for a pre-season tour of the Far East, where they face off against north London rivals Arsenal in Hong Kong before taking on Newcastle in the South Korean capital of Seoul.

Spurs have a final pre-season game against Bayern Munich in Germany before their highly-anticipated UEFA Super Cup clash against European champions PSG – a match that gifts Frank an opportunity to win silverware almost immediately after his predecessor, Ange Postecoglou.

A surprise win against the Ligue 1 heavyweights would be the perfect start to Frank’s tenure in charge, and he’d ideally have a few more summer recruits through the door before they battle Luis Enrique’s men at the Stadio Friuli.

Tottenham are still trying to sign Morgan Gibbs-White despite Nottingham Forest blocking his once-imminent move to N17 earlier this month.

Forest threatened both the north Londoners and Gibbs-White’s agent with legal action for what they deemed to be an ‘illegal approach’ for the playmaker (Sky Sports), but there remains an expectation that Frank could eventually welcome him to Hotspur Way (Fabrizio Romano).

Tottenham were set to welcome Gibbs-White and Mohammed Kudus in quick succession, with a medical scheduled over two weeks ago (BBC). However, Frank is now having to wait a lot longer for the 25-year-old’s arrival with the legalities involved.

According to reports, Spurs are targeting a new centre-back too and have shortlisted a variety of targets for the number six role, including Bayern Munich’s Joao Palhinha (Alasdair Gold).

This comes after they confirmed the signings of Kudus, Kota Takai, Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel on a permanent deal from Bayern Munich earlier this window.

Mathys Tel shares conversation with Harry Kane about joining Tottenham

Speaking of Tel, the Frenchman has now lifted the lid on a conversation he had with Spurs legend Harry Kane about joining the club.

After initially backing out of a transfer to N17 in January, Tel ultimately U-turned and agreed a move to England on an initial loan deal, which included an option to buy for around £45 million.

Chairman Daniel Levy, following a mixed start for the 20-year-old, then negotiated a cut-price £30 million deal for Tel, who’s now signed for them indefinitely ahead of his first full season at the club.

Speaking to Sky Germany, as transcribed by Sport Witness, Tel says that Kane played a role in convincing him to sign for Spurs – with the club’s all-time top scorer offering a helping hand through emotional support.

“Yes, I spoke to him [Kane] beforehand,” Tel said.

“He told me, if you need anything, send me a text, give me a call. I spoke to him; he’s a top guy. (Now it’s a) new challenge, I’m ready for my team, the clubs and also the fans.”

The versatile attacker was tipped for a 40-goal season one day by ex-Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann, with supporters hoping the still-raw Tel can deliver on that glowing prediction.

Xabi Alonso called Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal’s battle for Real Madrid’s right-back spot “healthy competition”.

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Madrid boss Alonso addressed the competition between Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold ahead of Los Blancos’s return to La Liga action against Real Sociedad. The head coach described their battle for the right-back spot as a case of “healthy competition” and confirmed that team selection will depend on merit. The remarks came in his pre-match press conference as he prepared for an emotional first return to San Sebastian since leaving Real Sociedad B for Bayer Leverkusen in 2022.

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  WHAT ALONSO SAID

  During his recent pre-game press conference Alonso addressed the situation in defence: “Fortunately, we have healthy competition within the team, and they're challenged internally because there are teammates who are ready… It also happens in other positions, like centre-back or winger. Whoever deserves it will play; it's going to be very repetitive all year.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Carvajal, the captain and long-standing figure at the club, has been Alonso’s preferred starter in the opening games. But Alexander-Arnold, signed from Liverpool this summer, offers attacking flair and has already shown flashes of his quality in comeback wins. Alonso’s public insistence on meritocracy reflects his approach to building a competitive squad where no position is guaranteed. The balancing act will define Madrid’s right flank across domestic and European campaigns.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MADRID?

  Madrid head into a crunch September run with seven games before the international break, including the Champions League opener and the Madrid derby. Alonso will be forced to rotate, meaning both Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold are set to share opportunities. How he manages that competition could shape not only Madrid’s defensive solidity but also their attacking balance on the right. For Alonso, Saturday also carries a personal weight as his return to San Sebastian since his coaching days at La Real, a reminder of where his managerial journey began.

Chelsea are in advancing talks to sign RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons, but according to a new report, they’re also speaking with another winger as BlueCo keep their options open.

Burnley make approach to sign £200k-a-week Chelsea player, he "will leave"

The Clarets are determined to retain their Premier League status.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 25, 2025

Enzo Maresca and his squad are due back at Cobham for the week commencing August 4, and they have precious little time to prepare for the new season, given they take on Crystal Palace in their first Premier League game just 13 days later.

In the meantime, Chelsea are working to back Maresca with much-needed reinforcements to his squad, especially in the attacking third.

The west Londoners struggled against sides in the low-block last season, which is a key reason why Maresca has identified Chelsea’s forward line as the main area of improvement before transfer deadline day on September 1 (Simon Phillips).

They’ve already sealed Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro this summer for a combined fee of around £145 million, but Maresca is rumoured to want another major attacking signing to give his side the best possible chance of challenging for the title next season.

Amid their advanced talks for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, who has already agreed personal terms, Chelsea are actively working towards signing Simons.

There are even some reports that a deal for the Netherlands international is actually even further along than the likes of Fabrizio Romano are reporting (Simon Phillips), but until he’s signed on the dotted line, anything can happen.

“The last our sources heard on Simons to Chelsea was that it was very close but had some final details to sort out,” wrote journalist Simon Phillips, via his Substack.

“As I said yesterday, I’ll be shocked if this doesn’t get done now, but it doesn’t mean it 100% does get done. I’ve been in this industry now long enough to know that a deal is never done until you see the player holding the shirt or a club announces it! So don’t get excited yet.”

Chelsea still speaking to Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho

Taking this into account, journalist Graeme Bailey has told TBR Football that Chelsea are still talking to Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho and his representatives.

The Argentine, who can play both on the left and in central attacking midfield like Simons, bagged 11 goals and 10 assists in all competitions last season. United want to sell, as is common knowledge at this point, so much so that they’ve now slashed his price tag from £70 million to around £40 million.

Following consistent links to the 21-year-old, Bailey reports that Chelsea remain in dialogue with Garnacho despite their fast-progressing negotiations with Leipzig. They also remain big fans of Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, who would actually be their first-choice, so it appears Chelsea are still open to different scenarios if they cannot strike a deal for Simons.

Garnacho, in terms of being an excellent alternative to the 22-year-old, could really fit the bill, with Red Devils legend Rio Ferdinand branding him the “real deal”. As well as his excelling reputation, the South American also boasts proven Premier League experience.

Newcastle United are looking at a “faultless” striker as an alternative option to Benjamin Sesko this summer, according to a new update from journalist Craig Hope.

The latest on Sesko to Newcastle

Sesko has emerged as the Magpies’ leading option to come in and lead the line moving forward, with the Slovenian seemingly considered an ideal replacement for Alexander Isak.

Newcastle are remaining stubborn when it comes to the future of their current star, rejecting Liverpool’s opening offer of £110m, but the situation may change if they acquire the signature of a new striker.

In terms of Sesko’s situation, it now looks as though the 22-year-old has a straight choice to make out of the Magpies and Manchester United, with the two Premier League clubs the front-runners to sign him before the end of the summer transfer window.

Newcastle will be aware that they can’t solely move for the RB Leipzig star this summer, should United get him instead, so it is vital that other options are looked at, from Yoane Wissa to Ollie Watkins. Now, a new target has been thrown into the mix.

Newcastle keen on signing "faultless" new target

According to the reliable Hope of The Daily Mail, Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos is a “new name” for Newcastle this summer. It is explained that the Portugal international is “on the list of alternatives to Sesko, should that deal not progress”, having looked at him before they signed Isak. The 24-year-old is further described as “one to watch” by Hope.

Ramos stands out as an eye-catching choice for Newcastle ahead of the new season, even though he isn’t necessarily as highly-rated as Sesko, with Nigel de Jong heaping praise on his ability to use both feet equally after his World Cup hat-trick against Switzerland. Interestingly, he actually shares the same agency as the man he so famously benched that day, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Dream Wilson upgrade: Newcastle remain confident about signing £50m star

Newcastle United could now land a dream Callum Wilson upgrade by signing this £50m star.

By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 4, 2025

Luis Enrique has also heaped praise on his qualities as a footballer: “If I have to talk to you about Ramos, I can only say that he has an iron spirit. He has a faultless ambition and he’s a very interesting player. I am happy to have him in my squad, he is always ready to help the team. His numbers are good, he has been putting in very good performances.”

Ramos struggled to be a regular starter for PSG last season, en route to winning the Champions League, so a move to Newcastle could appeal, having scored 33 goals in 86 appearances for the European champions.

Jobe Bellingham has found game time hard to come by at Borussia Dortmund despite a bright pre-season and debut goal at the Club World Cup. Coach Niko Kovac insists the new signing must be given time to adapt, stressing the need to protect him from pressure as he adjusts to life in the Bundesliga.

• Bellingham’s Dortmund start sparks questions

  Bellingham hasn't had the perfect start at Dortmund. Despite his strong performances in pre-season and an impressive debut at the Club World Cup, where he scored his first goal, he has struggled to get consistent playing time under coach Kovac.

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  Kovac calls for 'patience'

  Kovac urged supporters and media alike not to rush their judgement on the teenager, stressing that his role is still being defined.

  "We let him play there at the Club World Cup because we wanted to see how he would adapt. But I do think the number six role is where we see him long-term. I don't want to make comparisons, but he has a lot of potential. But that has to develop first; it's a process. You can't make the mistake of putting too much pressure on him because of his name. That's not doing the boy any favors."

  He added: "Jobe is a very talented young player who comes from the English second division and has to grow into his new role here. We know exactly what we expect from him and what the future holds. The jump from the English second division to the Bundesliga – that's a natural fit. He's getting good minutes and has played in every game. Everyone wants to play more. I'm happy with his development. When you sign a contract here, you know there's a lot of competition."

• Family incident adds unwanted spotlight

  The 19-year-old was introduced in the 71st minute of the Champions League clash against Juventus in midweek after replacing Felix Nmecha. This was his second consecutive game coming off the bench for Dortmund, sparking questions about Kovac's trust in him. After Bellingham was substituted at half-time in Dortmund's 3-3 draw with St. Pauli, his parents confronted sporting director Kehl in the tunnel to discuss his early withdrawal. The heated exchange prompted BVB to issue a firm reminder that family members are barred from restricted areas and that such incidents must not be repeated.

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  Wolfsburg test looms amid media scrutiny

  Die Borussen will now be facing Wolfsburg in their next league game on September 21, with the media keeping a close watch on Bellingham's selection. Whether the young midfielder earns a bigger role or continues from the bench could shape the early narrative of his Dortmund career.

One Premier League game down, 37 to go. Liverpool made it a winning start, as they so often do on the opening matchweek of a top-flight campaign, but the victory over Bournemouth wasn’t exactly smooth sailing.

Indeed, the Cherries exposed structural flaws in the Arne Slot machine, though it’s not worth panicking, with Liverpool’s defensive fragilities solved, at least in part, by the signing of Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.

Ryan Gravenberch’s return from suspension will add a further layer of balance and coherence to the Reds squad, but it’s the frontline that is being considered an area of importance as we drag into the final stages of the transfer window, with depth lacking.

And with that in mind, it would appear, and be of little surprise, that Liverpool are not yet done at the front end of the field.

Liverpool targeting forward signings

Hugo Ekitike is off to a flyer in a Liverpool shirt, scoring excellent goals against Palace in the Community Shield and then Bournemouth during the league opener.

But with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez sold, and with the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, Liverpool are left without options across the frontline, and it’s clear that Slot could hit the jackpot if FSG manage to secure the most coveted signature on the market.

You would be on the money to have guessed that the signature belongs to Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, and according to a recent update from TEAMtalk, Liverpool intend to bid again for the Sweden striker after seeing an opening £110m offer rejected at the start of August.

Isak, 25, is on strike at St. James’ Park, and Fabrizio Romano has chipped in to reveal that the Magpies have tried everything to convince him to stay, offering a new contract with a release clause active from 2026.

However, this still isn’t deterring the Reds with further reports indicating that Michael Edwards has just returned from a trip to Boston, where he discussed the club’s efforts to sign the centre forward with FSG.

Transfer Focus

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

Isak only wants Liverpool and is fighting hard to get his move, releasing his first statement since talks over his future commenced on Tuesday evening.

How Alexander Isak compares to Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool have potentially broken the British transfer record already this summer, with the £100m fee paid to Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz potentially growing into a record £116m package through add-ons.

Isak would cost north of that, with sources close to Newcastle maintaining that the £120k-per-week talent is valued in the ballpark of £150m.

While Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes would hope to shave something off that mountain of money, there’s no chance FSG would catch their quarry for anything less than a record-breaking fee. Even so, Isak would be the cream of the crop, a better deal, even, than Ekitike.

Eintracht Frankfurt received £79m from Liverpool for the 23-year-old Frenchman in July, and his start to life in England suggests that Slot has hit the jackpot.

However, Ekitike remains unrefined and untested across the span of a campaign at a club like Liverpool, whereas Isak proved himself to be “the best striker in the world” last season, as commented by BBC Sport analyst Raj Chohan.

A more prolific marksman and with a similarly athletic and energetic style of play, you might say that Isak is the hallmark, the player whom Ekitike is seeking to emulate and rank alongside through positive progress at Liverpool.

Isak is also creative and inventive in his play, with Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope remarking that he can be “like a wizard” when on the ball.

What’s more, Isak has proven himself a deadly and consistent finisher across multiple Premier League seasons, bespeaking his quality as one of the best of the best.

Ekitike is currently Liverpool’s sole out-and-out first-team striker, and so signing Isak makes a whole lot of sense. Moreover, the two players have the athletic range to compete alongside each other.

But make no mistake, Isak would be the kingpin of Liverpool’s frontline, and even for more money, a better and more impactful signing than this rising version of Ekitike, which simply makes a thrilling comment on the calibre of attacking talent Slot is packaging the team with.

Wirtz will love him: Liverpool chasing "world-class" £86m Isak alternative

Liverpool have earmarked this European superstar as a potential signing before the end of the window.

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 19, 2025