Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly willing to launch a £70m offer to sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid after the Spanish giants weakened their sale stance ahead of 2026.

The Lilywhites are looking to make a statement move next year in a new era without Daniel Levy. They already stole headlines when they won the race to sign Xavi Simons in the summer, but signing one of Real Madrid’s attacking stars would take Thomas Frank’s side to a whole new level.

Tottenham informed of Everton's Ndiaye stance as club-record price named

The Lilywhites are looking for an attacking boost.

1 ByTom Cunningham Nov 9, 2025

Whether they’ll be in a position to convince Rodrygo to join is difficult to say, however. Whilst Tottenham sit as high as fifth and only four points off second place Manchester City, they’re also on a run of just one win in their last four games in all competitions. Life under Frank has simply shown promise but featured inconsistency.

Saturday’s frantic 2-2 draw against Manchester United summed things up. Spurs were toothless and then ruthless as they came from behind to lead 2-1 in the 91st minute only for Matthijs de Ligt to equalise for the Red Devils in the last minute.

The international break comes at a good time after such a dramatic game, but things don’t get any easier for those in North London. Up next, Spurs are set to square off against Arsenal in the North London derby. The Gunners haven’t lost since August and just conceded for the first time in over 13 hours against Sunderland.

Up against the best defence in the league, if not the world, questions will be asked about the star power in Tottenham’s frontline. They’ll already likely be without summer arrival Randal Kolo Muani through injury in a frustrating blow despite his goalscoring woes, and will be forced to turn to Richarlison to get their frontline firing on all cylinders.

It’s a problem that needs addressing in 2026 and one that Rodrygo could certainly help solve.

Tottenham now willing to launch £70m Rodrygo offer

According to reports in Spain, Tottenham are now willing to launch an offer to sign Rodrygo worth as much as €80m (£70m) in 2026. The Brazilian has struggled for game time under Xabi Alonso and could yet seek a move away ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Florentino Pérez and co. are now reviewing the winger’s future and are more likely to accept a big-money offer for a player who is becoming less motivated sat on their bench week in, week out.

Alonso’s trash would instantly become Frank’s treasure. Rodrygo would transform Tottenham’s attack as a multiple-time Champions League winner and as one of the best wingers in world football. The Brazilian is also a player who has received incredibly high praise and comparisons with Real Madrid legend Raul – that’s the level that he’s at.

At £70m, everything points towards a player that Tottenham should go all out to sign when the January transfer window swings open.

Spurs flop who's been "swallowed by PL" must be dropped for Odobert

It would be something of an understatement to say that Nuno Espírito Santo has a monster job on his hands at West Ham United.

The East Londoners are currently sat in the relegation zone, and while they did fight back for a point away to Everton, they then lost 2-0 away at Arsenal.

Moreover, German international Niclas Füllkrug is now injured, and while he hasn’t been great for the club, it’s one less option for the manager.

Fortunately, there are some potential solutions to his absence in the squad, such as starting a promising talent in a new position.

How Fullkrug compares to recent West Ham flops

Despite going away for international duty, Füllkrug was promptly sent back to West Ham before Germany’s first game after it was discovered that he had torn his thigh while training with the Hammers.

While it’s clear that the 32-year-old is going to be out for some time, it’s less clear just how much time, with Nuno telling reporters on Friday that the club “are waiting for the results” of a scan to determine how severe the problem is.

Now, losing players to injury is always a problem, and having fewer options is only going to make life more difficult for the former Nottingham Forest boss.

However, it’s also true that the German international has been a massive disappointment since moving to the London Stadium.

For example, in 27 appearances for the Claret and Blue, totalling 1262 minutes, he has scored just three goals and provided two assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 5.4 games, or every 252.4 minutes.

Appearances

27

27

69

Minutes

1262′

1342′

2072′

Goals

3

8

5

Assists

2

0

5

Goal Involvements per Match

0.18

0.29

0.14

Minutes per Goal Involvements

252.4′

167.75′

207.2′

For comparison’s sake, Gianluca Scamacca, who many would consider to have been a poor signing, left the London Stadium with a tally of eight goals in 27 appearances, totalling 1342 minutes, which is a goal involvement every 3.37 games, or every 167.75 minutes.

Even Danny Ings, who was a flop, produced ten goal involvements in 69 appearances, totalling 2072 minutes.

While this resulted in a worse average of a goal involvement every 6.9 games, it led to a better average of 207.20 minutes per goal involvement.

In short, while losing the option of Füllkrug isn’t ideal, Nuno should be able to replace his output by playing someone else up top, someone who hasn’t played there for the club before.

The West Ham gem who could replace Füllkrug

There are a few potential solutions to Füllkrug’s injury, from starting Callum Wilson up top to moving Jarrod Bowen in from the wing.

Chalkboard

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

However, the former has been no more impressive than the German, and moving the latter out of his favoured position seems counterintuitive.

Instead, Nuno could be bold and hand Luis Guilherme a rare start, and his first chance to play up top for the side. =

Now, it is true that the young Brazilian is primarily a winger, but as respected analyst Ben Mattinson points out, he is a “complete” and “electric” attacker and, before moving to West Ham, did play as a second striker on occasion for Palmeiras.

Moreover, while the youngster certainly doesn’t shoot enough, when he did take a shot during his time in Brazil, it was one “of a high calibre.”

Furthermore, one of Füllkrug’s biggest drawbacks is that he offers little to no mobility in attack, and if he’s not able to bring the ball down and allow the winger to run past him, he’s more of a hindrance than help in attacking situations.

That shouldn’t be the case with the Aracaju-born gem leading the line, as while he isn’t as physical, he’s fast, agile and could be a nightmare for opposition defenders to keep track of.

For example, Mattinson has described him as a player who “thrives on transitions” and can “can turn past players with ease” thanks to his “elite ball manipulation.”

Ultimately, it would be a gamble, but with few other standout options, starting Guilherme in the nine might be one worth taking for Nuno and West Ham.

West Ham hope of signing "special" striker amid Nuno's damning Fullkrug update

Nuno’s fears around the German have been realised.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 17, 2025

The Los Angeles Dodgers were able to beat the New York Mets, 9-0, in Game 1 of the NLCS on Sunday night in Los Angeles. And while it was an easy victory for the NL West champs, they are lucky that Shohei Ohtani didn't get injured on what looked like a very dangerous moment in the fourth inning.

In case you missed it, Ohtani slid safely into second base after hitting a double off the wall in right field. After he stood up, Mets star shortstop Francisco Lindor fired a relay throw to home that came very close to hitting Ohtani in the head.

This looks like it could have done some damage if it hit the Dodgers star:

Yikes.

Here's the full play:

Ohtani and the Dodgers will be back in action Monday afternoon in Game 2, which starts at 4 p.m. ET.

Yorkshire 301 for 9 (Wharton 118, Imam-ul-Haq 70, Ekansh 3-42) beat Kent 225 (Jaydn Denly 77, Ekansh 71, Bess 4-43) by 76 runsYorkshire secured a home semi-final in the Metro Bank Cup after coasting to a 76-run victory over the Kent Spitfires at Canterbury.James Wharton hit a century as Yorkshire posted 301 for 9 and Dom Bess then took four for 43 as the Spitfires were dismissed for 225.Wharton hit 118 from 106 balls, while Imam-ul-Haq was the next highest scorer with 70, while Ekansh Singh took three for 42 before making 71 during the Kent reply.Jaydn Denly was the hosts’ top-scorer with 77 but they lost wickets too frequently to sustain a chase and were all out with 5.4 overs remaining.Yorkshire chose to bat and put on 71 for the opening wicket before Corey Flintoff sent Adam Lyth’s off stump flying, bowling him for 28.Mo Rizvi then bowled debutant Will Bennison for a fifth ball duck, but Wharton and Imam-ul-Haq put on 59 for the next wicket, Ekansh breaking the partnership when he had the latter lbw.Finlay Bean made a useful 39 before he was run out by Ollie Curtiss and George Hill made just seven when Klaassen had him caught by Jaydn Denly.Harry Duke hit Ekansh almost vertically and was caught by wicket-keeper Harry Finch for 3 and Ekansh struck again two overs later when he caught and bowled Bess for four.Dan Moriarty went in similar fashion to Klaassen and Wharton finally fell in the final over when Fred Klaassen had him caught behind, leaving Cliff to take the visitors past 300.The chase got off to a rough start when Ben Dawkins went for 1, chipping Ben Cliff to Lyth but Kent responded with a 97-run stand that only ended when Bess had Denly caught by Imam-ul-Haq.Chris Benjamin was then the victim of a brilliant rope-juggle catch by the sub fielder Noah Kelly, after he drove Bess and Joe Denly went for just two, miscuing Dan Moriarty straight to Fin Bean at long off. Curtiss went next ball, lbw for a golden duck on only his second appearance for the Spitfires.Ekansh also fell to Kelly when he skied Hill and Lyth got revenge on Flintoff when he bowled him for 13.Bess came back and bowled Finch for a run-a-ball for 32, then got Klaassen two balls later playing on, leaving Mattie Firbank to seal win when Rizvi pulled him to Lyth, his team mates mobbing him in celebration.

Durham batter hits final ball over long-on with five required to end Southern Brave’s perfect start

ECB Media13-Aug-2025A last-ball six from Graham Clark saw Northern Superchargers defeat Southern Brave on their home turf in a nail-biting finish.Put into bat, the Brave were soon in all kinds of trouble. Kiwi Jacob Duffy, fresh off the plane from a Test series with Zimbabwe, decimating their power-packed top-order, reducing them to 26 for 3 off 24 balls by dismissing Leus du Plooy, James Vince and Jason Roy.James Coles and the evergreen Laurie Evans rebuilt steadily then violently, putting on 87 in 57 balls to put a defendable total in sight despite spin twins Mitchell Santner and Adil Rashid keeping things in check, the Brave finishing with a middling 139 for 5.Jacob Duffy celebrates an early breakthrough•Alex Davidson/Getty ImagesCraig Overton replicated the work of Duffy, taking three relatively inexpensive wickets for the Brave, but Zak Crawley sparkled alongside England team-mate Harry Brook, both of whom scored quickfire 20s.When Chris Jordan pulled up with a groin injury, it felt like a game-changing moment but the Brave rallied, Jofra Archer bowling a brilliant penultimate set, going for just one run and taking two wickets to finish with 2 for 15.The Superchargers needed 10 off the last set, bowled by Tymal Mills. Dots off balls three and four left five needed off the last, at which point Graham Clark hit a back-of-the-hand slower ball over the ropes at deep midwicket to send the away fans into a frenzy.Clark, only playing due to a David Miller niggle, said he felt “euphoric” after sealing the points. “I thought I’d messed it up when I left that wide one and then missed a slot ball, but it’s such a good feeling to get over the line,” he said.”Batting in the middle order role is something I’ve never done before. I’ve spent the last few days with [batting coach] Neil McKenzie trying to improve my power-hitting. We thought it was a really good wicket, where you could play proper shots. Santner really took the pressure off: he’s a quality operator, when he fields, bowls or bats; such a calm character, and hits the ball so cleanly.”

Callum McGregor and substitute Callum Osmand scored in extra-time as Celtic emerged victors in an epic Premier Sports Cup semi-final against 10-man Rangers at Hampden Park.

With former Hoops boss Martin O’Neill back in the dugout as interim manager after taking over from Brendan Rodgers last Monday – along with Shaun Maloney – Celtic took the lead through Johnny Kenny after 25 minutes and then Gers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard was shown a straight red card by referee Nick Walsh for a reckless challenge on Anthony Ralston.

The Ibrox side, with new head coach Danny Rohl taking charge of his first Old Firm game, fought back in the second half with captain James Tavernier levelling from the spot in the 81st minute to take the game to extra-time.

However, McGregor thundered in a goal three minutes after the restart, before teenager Osmand scored his first Celtic goal 15 minutes later for a 3-1 win which sets up a meeting with St Mirren in the final on December 14 at the national stadium.

An exhausting afternoon began with Celtic quickly into their stride. Japan striker Daizen Maeda was through and shot straight at Jack Butland but the Gers goalkeeper was as bemused as anyone seconds later when Ibrox defender Nasser Djiga’s attempted clearance cannoned off midfielder Nicolas Raskin and ended up in the Rangers net, only for VAR to confirm Maeda was offside in the build-up.

Moments later, Gers striker Youssef Chermiti missed the target from six yards after Mohamed Diomande had picked him out.

However, when Kenny jumped highest in the box to head in an Arne Engels corner with barely a challenge from four blue jerseys around him, Celtic were deservedly ahead.

Butland saved a powerful Kenny drive before Hoops keeper Kasper Schmeichel blocked a Raskin drive with his leg after a Gers counter, then Chermiti failed to connect properly with Tavernier’s free-kick when only two yards from goal.

When the hitherto anonymous Aasgaard was sent packing for a needless lunge at Ralston, Rangers’ task became even more difficult.

There were loud and angry Gers shouts for a red card when Celtic defender Auston Trusty left his boot on Butland’s face after the keeper had gathered the ball but Walsh produced only a yellow.

What VAR said on Trusty yellow card in Celtic vs Rangers

Talking about the incident at half-time on Premier Sports, it was confirmed that “VAR said” Trusty’s challenge was “reckless” but was still only worthy of a yellow card.

Better than Ange: Celtic reach out to hire "tactically unbeatable" manager

تحدث كمال درويش، الرئيس الأسبق لنادي الزمالك، عن أهمية التخصص والكفاءة في العمل الإداري داخل الأندية، مؤكدًا أن الإدارة الرياضية علم قائم بذاته.

وقال كمال درويش في تصريحات عبر أون سبورت: “أنا أستاذ متخصص في الإدارة الرياضية، وبدأت مسيرتي الأكاديمية منذ عام 1983، أي أنني (شيخ) هذا المجال”.

وأكمل: “ومن ثمّ يجب الالتزام بقواعد الإدارة السليمة، وقواعد الإدارة السليمة تعني منح الصلاحيات وجلب أشخاص أكفاء، وهذه هي الطريقة التي تُدار بها الأمور بشكل صحيح”.

وتابع: “كنت حاضرًا بنفسي عندما كنت رئيس نادي الزمالك في ملفات التعاقدات، لأنني رجل متخصص، ولست مجرد أستاذ أكاديمي فحسب؛ فأنا أيضًا مدرب منتخب مصر لكرة اليد ونادي الزمالك سابقًا، ولم يستطع أحد التفوق عليّ في الدوري، إذ حققت اللقب لمدة 15 سنة”.

وأردف: “الآن، أين المدير الرياضي؟ وما هي مؤهلاته؟ نحن بالفعل بدأنا في كليات علوم الرياضة إعادة تصحيح هذا الوضع، لأن هناك احتياجات كثيرة لا يتعلمها البعض، وبالتالي لا يُتقنون العمل الاحترافي كما يجب”.

طالع | مصدر بـ الزمالك يكشف لـ “بطولات” حقيقة رحيل حسام عبد المجيد في يناير

وواصل: “هناك أيضًا من يعتزل كرة القدم ثم يتولى الملفات الإدارية لمجرد حصوله على دورة قصيرة أو شهادة من النقابة بممارسة المهنة، وهذا ما يحدث حاليًا”.

وزاد: “الاتجاه العالمي، وفي الجامعات عمومًا، ويقوم على تجهيز برامج متخصصة للوظائف، وإما من خلال سنوات دراسية كاملة، أو بكالوريوس، أو دبلومة، أو مجموعة من الدورات التدريبية، ولذلك جرى تغيير اسم كلية التربية الرياضية إلى كلية علوم الرياضة، لأن المحتوى العلمي أصبح متداخلًا ومتطورًا، وينتج عنه في النهاية أخصائي على مستوى عالٍ”.

وأضاف: “أما من لم يدرس لكنه (شاطر)، فعليه أن يستكمل تعليمه ليصبح أكثر كفاءة؛ قد يكون شاطرًا بالخبرة أو العلاقات أو موقفه داخل النادي أو الاتحاد خلال الانتخابات، لكن وجود العلم يُعطي دائمًا نتيجة أفضل”.

وأتم: “لا أعرف تحديدًا إمكانيات جون إدوارد، لكن الفكرة نفسها من حيث الشكل جيدة، وأنا أوافق عليها، ولكن يجب أن تكون تحت مراقبة شديدة”.

Christian Pulisic hailed Mauricio Pochettino’s effort to instill a more combative, unity-focused identity in the U.S. Men’s National Team, saying that emphasis on fighting for one another is already showing in camp. The AC Milan forward added that the 2026 World Cup continues to fuel both his personal ambitions and the team’s desire to inspire the next generation of American players.

Getty Images SportPochettino’s culture change

Pulisic framed Pochettino’s influence as cultural and tactical, arguing the Argentine coach wants the USMNT to mirror the collective toughness seen in elite international teams. 

“I mean I would say when we’re in camp and leading up to games, I think he has a real focus on just the fighting spirit of the team,” Pulisic told CBS Sports Golazo. “I think kind of with the South American background too, the Argentinian is very, I mean, you can see when they play. They have the best player, potentially ever, but they have 10 other guys around them to run through a brick wall and do all those things.

“And I think that’s kind of what he wants to instill within the team. And that fighting kind of nasty spirit, and I think that’s his main focus.”

While Pulisic acknowledged it is hard to measure a wholesale transformation without a steady run of competitive matches, he believes the seeds of that identity are beginning to take hold.

 “I think it has, it’s tough without the competitive, the more competitive games. [of World Cup qualifying] to really know," Pulisic said. "I think even in some of the friendlies we’ve played, I feel like the team does have a togetherness about them. And I feel very positive about where we are going.”

AdvertisementWorld Cup as motivation

Beyond tactical change, Pulisic described the 2026 World Cup as a personal driving force: a chance to help elevate the game in the United States and to give young American players tangible role models to emulate. 

“Like truly, it’s one of my biggest inspirations is to kind of push the game back in the US and especially to inspire the next generation,” Pulisic explained. “I mean, like we talked about, having an American player in Europe and being able to look up to a guy who’s doing incredible things, it pushed me so much to want to do that, to want to be that much better. To believe and see, ‘Okay, he’s done it now, I can do it too.’

“And I hope that some people have watched me play and maybe thought that….I hope that I can inspire a lot of people around the world especially American kids because it’s a an incredible life, an incredible journey that I’ve been on. And I hope that people can see that.”

GettyOut of USMNT’s November 2025 international camp

The American forward won’t be with the USMNT for the November international break as he continues his recovery back to full fitness.

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(C)Getty ImagesU.S. balance expectations

As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, Pochettino faces the challenge of balancing player development with tactical implementation. The November international window represents one of the limited opportunities remaining for the coach to work with his full squad before the tournament begins.

The New York Mets aren't done adding to their roster and adding a specific big name would make them very happy.

On Thursday, ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney took to X (formerly Twitter) to discuss the Mets' interest in landing All-Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Olney said, "In the Mets' perfect world, they'd love to find a deal for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who, like Juan Soto, is a slugger who makes contact. 199 hits and 96 strikeouts last year. If they pulled off a trade for him, they could sign him before he hit the market, as they did with Lindor."

Guerrero is headed into his final season before free agency and is coming off an excellent, bounce-back season.

In 2024, Guerrero slashed .323/.396/.544, with 30 home runs, 103 RBIs, an OPS of .940, a wRC+ of 165 and produced 6.2 WAR. He was named All-MLB First Team for the second time and took home his second Silver Slugger. The four-time All-Star is projected to be the top available free agent next offseason.

For their part, the Blue Jays reportedly have no intention of trading Guerrero.

The Mets already made a splash this offseason by signing Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract. Finding a way to add Guerrero would be a massive coup.

As Rob Manfred continues to look for ways to spice up Major League Baseball, he apparently is considering a new out-of-the-box idea.

MLB's commissioner recently told Puck's John Ourand that the "Golden At-Bat" rule has been discussed throughout the league.

"There are a variety of [rule change ideas] that are being talked about out there. One of them—there was a little buzz around it at an owners' meeting—was the idea of a 'Golden At-Bat.'" Manfred said on podcast.

Most probably haven't heard of the proposal for a "Golden At-Bat," but the basic concept is that a team could choose one at-bat in every game to use its best hitter regardless of where they are in the lineup. So if, say the New York Yankees had the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, they could bring Aaron Judge to the plate even if it wasn't his turn in the order. It would be a one-time replacement, not a substitution like a pinch hitter.

There could be variations on it. As Jayson Stark points out, restricting the rule only to teams trailing at the time could be an interesting constraint. It could also lead to scenarios where a hitter bats one spot before his turn in the lineup, so what would happen if he gets on base? Would the original hitter take his spot on the bases, for the Golden hitter to step back in the batter's box for a second consecutive at-bat? There is a ton to think through here.

"That rule, and things like that, are in the conversation-only stage right now," Manfred clarified on the podcast.

One thing is for sure: If the "Golden At-Bat" rule is eventually implemented, scorecards are going to be an absolute mess.