Newcastle United are ready to pay £55m to sign a Premier League star ahead of both PSG and Tottenham Hotspur.

Newcastle’s transfer window going from bad to worse after Sesko snub

The Magpies have so far had a transfer window to forget, missing out on numerous targets to bolster Eddie Howe’s side ahead of their Champions League return.

PIF have tried and failed to bring Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Bryan Mbeumo, James Trafford and Hugo Ekitike to Newcastle, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City all beating them to deals.

New Gordon & Isak: Newcastle in talks for "special" £70m Sesko alternative

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1 ByAngus Sinclair Aug 6, 2025

Now, it looks as if those at Old Trafford are about to pip them to a transfer for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, with both clubs making offers. Sesko wants to move to Man Utd instead of Newcastle, despite the Magpies having a €85m proposal accepted by the Bundesliga side.

Time is ticking ahead of the opening Premier League weekend and the transfer deadline on September 1, with Anthony Elanga the only real marquee signing to shout about at St James’ Park.

Now, it looks as if they are willing to make a move for another target who is also wanted by numerous clubs.

Newcastle ‘ready’ to pay £55m for Zabarnyi

According to reports in France, Newcastle are now willing to hijack PSG’s move to sign Bournemouth star Illia Zabarnyi.

The Cherries have been holding out for €70m but are reportedly willing to accept PSG’s offer of a €60m fee, should they also include €3m in add-ons, which takes the total package to £55m.

However, the report adds that Newcastle are ‘ready to immediately meet’ Bournemouth’s demand, if they get wind that Zabarnyi is willing to make the move to St James’ Park. Tottenham have also been linked and are in the same position as Newcastle.

Those at the Parc des Princes are still expecting to sign the Ukraine international, but it appears as if PIF are ready to complete a hijack of their own after experiencing multiple transfer blows in recent weeks.

Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool

Manuel Akanji

Man City

Levi Colwill

Chelsea

Jonathan Tah

Bayern Munich

Maxence Lacroix

Crystal Palace

As can be seen, Zabarnyi has been compared to numerous high-profile defenders after starring on the south coast for Bournemouth, including Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

Still just 22 years of age, Zabarnyi could partner Sven Botman in the long run at St James’ Park, but it looks as if any attempted deal would be tough to complete given PSG’s optimism.

South Africa have qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) final after beating Pakistan by two wickets in a high-drama encounter at SuperSport Park. Set a modest but challenging target of 148 to win, they were 99 for 8 just before lunch and it was left to Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen to score the remaining 51 runs in a tense ninth-wicket stand against a Pakistan attack with their tails up.Mohammad Abbas, on a comeback from a three-year absence from the Test side, bowled a marathon 19.3 overs spell from the Hennops River End and took a career best 6 for 54 but could not end Pakistan’s lean run in South Africa. This is the eighth successive Test they have lost in the country, dating back to 2007.Pakistan gave themselves every chance by running through South Africa’s middle order on a morning of mayhem, where South Africa lost 5 for 37, including four wickets for three runs in 12 balls, which put the onus on the bowlers to finish the job.Related

• 'You just can't script that' – SA breathe easy after a 'Camel classic' in Centurion

• Stats – Jansen, Rabada and SA's ninth-wicket partnership for the ages

• Abbas, Shahzad give Pakistan hope of defending 147

• Jansen urges SA to be 'disciplined' as WTC final beckons

• The tale of a Babar fifty that could have been so much more

Jansen and Rabada are both capable with the bat but with the pressure turned up fully, every ball was an event, from the second one Rabada faced, that he hit up and over point for four, to the final one, steered delicately by Jansen through point to secure the winning runs.Those strokes are also screenshots of the way the pair approached the chase: Rabada backed himself to play his strokes while Jansen was more conservative and happy to wait for scoring opportunities.Between them, they offered only once chance, when Rabada, on 12, fished outside off and edged but the chance fell short of Mohammad Rizwan. That came post-lunch, the break South Africa went into needing 32 to win.By the time Abbas found Rabada’s edge, they needed 28. Rabada went on to score five boundaries in his 31, the third-highest score by a batter at No.10 or lower in a successful chase.A normally nervous character, Jansen, who spoke about his game plan on the third evening, was solid in defence and then struck two of the sweetest fours of his career, first when he got on top of the bounce from Abbas and then to seal a famous win.While Rabada and Jansen held their arms up in celebration on the field, South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma and coach Shukri Conrad embraced in the changeroom. The pair came together at the end of the last WTC cycle to lead South Africa through this one. Mission accomplished.Mohammad Abbas ran through South Africa in the morning session•Gallo Images

Bavuma would have also been a relieved man after he worked his way to 40 and then walked when he did not hit the ball. He was given out off what seemed to be the inside-edge and walked. Replays showed the ball had brushed a part of his clothing and, with all three reviews available, South Africa could have asked for a second opinion.Instead, Bavuma, who had received treatment on his elbow shortly before that, left the middle order to finish the job.This is the second time Bavuma has walked at SuperSport Park – in 2020 against Sri Lanka, he was on 71 when he thought he had under-edged Dasun Shanaka and left the field before the umpire had raised the finger. This time, Alex Wharf had given Bavuma out but he chose not to review to the surprise of the South African changeroom. His dismissal triggered the collapse that left the tail at the crease.Kyle Verreynne could not get behind the line of a Naseem Shah delivery and chopped it onto his stumps. In the next over David Bedingham chased an Abbas ball and was caught behind, and Corbin Bosch did almost exactly the same thing to give Abbas his sixth wicket and South Africa had crumbled from a position that felt comfortable: 96 for 4 after teetering precariously on 27 for 3 overnight.Bavuma got the first runs of the morning, and his first runs, off the fifth ball, off a Abbas half-volley that he clipped through square leg. Abbas adjusted to back of a length and in his next over, thought he had found Bavuma’s edge. Rizwan indicated the ball had brushed Bavuma’s thigh but Shah Masood reviewed anyway. Rizwan was proved right and Bavuma, on 5, could continue.Aiden Markram looked slightly more in control but got a streaky boundary off the edge before Bavuma creamed Khurram Shahzad through mid-on to leave South Africa with 100 runs to get.Off the next ball, Bavuma, on 13, was given out lbw to Shahzad but reviewed immediately. Replays showed an inside edge and Bavuma survived again.South Africa scored just three runs off the next 27 balls before Bavuma released the pressure with a hook shot off Abbas that Naseem thought he could get under. Naseem got hands under the ball but the momentum carried him over the boundary rope and not only did Bavuma get away with the shot he has fallen to several times this season but he got six for it.Temba Bavuma pulls away a short one•AFP/Getty Images

To add insult to injury, Markram smashed the second ball of Naseem’s next over over extra cover for four. Fourteen dot balls followed before a Markram single took South Africa to the first drinks break with no damage done and 35 runs scored in the first hour.Three balls after the interval, Markram was bowled by an Abbas delivery that kept low as he tried to jam his bat down and keep it out. That ended a 43-run fourth-wicket stand between Bavuma and Markram and brought Bedingham, who has a top score of 35 this summer, to the crease.He started with a wristy flick for four before Bavuma reeled off an exquisite cover drive but the eye-catching shots were followed by risky ones.Bavuma could not resist another hook, despite not being able to extend his elbow fully, but the chance fell safely. He went on to advance on Shahzad, brought back to replace Naseem, and hit over the covers but could never get comfortable.Two balls later, Shahzad thought he found his outside edge but Rizwan saw it was pad and Masood listened. Bavuma faced eight more balls before he required treatment on his right elbow – the left was injured before this season – but continued. In the next over, he drove expansively and loosely against Abbas and walked but his team-mates had enough in the tank to guarantee South Africa’s place at Lord’s next year and take a 1-0 series lead. South Africa will play one more Test in this cycle, against Pakistan, at Newlands next week.

Chelsea were handed their first loss of the Premier League this season, as the Club World Cup holders slumped to a dismal 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday. After the game, Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah was extremely critical of his team's performance, claiming that it was "the worst we've played all season."

Chelsea's winless streak at Old Trafford continues

Manchester United were the underdogs before they welcomed Chelsea at the Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim's side aggregating a paltry figure of four points from their opening four Premier League games. However, United won 2-1 in a game which was marred by red cards, injuries and early substitutions. Saturday's defeat marked 13 games without a win at the Theatre of Dreams for Chelsea, the longest they have gone without a victory against any opposition on the road.

AdvertisementAFPChalobah urges team to 'raise our standards'

Chalobah reflected on the loss while speaking to and was critical of his team after he pulled one back for the visitors in the 80th minute. "It wasn't good enough from us as a club, the first 15 minutes was the worst we have played all season. We struggled in the first half," the defender said. 

On playing with 10 men, he added: "Always difficult going to 10 men down. United were up for it and they put us under pressure. We have played in the Premier League long enough now so we just have to learn from this and move forward. Whether it is 10 men each, it is always difficult from 2-0 down. We need to reflect over not starting well and we need to raise our standards as a collective."

Records tumble as Chelsea handed Palmer bad news

United and Chelsea have delivered a lot of classics in the Premier League era, and Saturday's clash was no different. In the fifth minute, Robert Sanchez was shown a straight red for a mistimed challenge on Bryan Mbeumo in the 18-yard box. Soon after, the hosts pulled ahead thanks to Bruno Fernandes' 100th goal in United colours, as Blues boss Enzo Maresca was forced to make three substitutions inside a record 21 minutes. One of those three players brought off was Cole Palmer, who suffered an injury relapse in what will be a huge blow to Chelsea. 

In the 37th minute, taking advantage of having an extra man, Amorim's side doubled their lead through a Casemiro header. However, the Brazilian received his second yellow card in the fifth minute of stoppage time, effectively leaving the second 45 minutes to be an even 10v10 contest. Consequently, the first half between United and Chelsea entered history books, as it was the first time a Premier League game saw at least two red cards, two goals, and two substitutions in the first half.

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AFPWho are Chelsea's next opponents?

After three games without a win, which saw them draw to Brentford last weekend and lose 3-1 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Chelsea will be eager to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Lincoln City in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

حققت سارة سمير لاعبة منتخب مصر لرفع الأثقال، إنجازًا جديدًا للرياضة المصرية، بعدما توجت بثلاث ميداليات فضية في بطولة العالم المقامة في النرويج، ضمن منافسات وزن 77 كجم.

سارة سمير كانت قد نجحت في التتويج بإحدى الميداليات الثلاث، التي عادت بها البعثة المصرية من دورة الألعاب الأولمبية “أولمبياد” باريس 2024، إذ ظفرت بفضية رفع الأثقال وزن 81 كيلو جرامًا.

طالع | الرئيس السيسي يوجه رسالة للاعبي منتخب مصر بعد التأهل إلى كأس العالم 2026

ونجحت سارة في رفع 112 كيلوجرامًا في الخطف، و140 كيلوجرامًا في الكلين والنتر، لتحقق مجموعًا قدره 252 كيلوجرامًا، منحها المركز الثاني في الترتيب العام.

وتواصل سارة سمير بهذا الإنجاز، تأكيد مكانتها كإحدى أبرز نجمات رفع الأثقال في العالم، بعدما اعتادت رفع اسم مصر في كبرى البطولات الدولية.

If not the remaining two Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests, then Australia’s visit to Sri Lanka will decide who meets South Africa at Lord’s in June 2025

S Rajesh29-Dec-2024IndiaFor India to be sure of qualifying, they need to win both their remaining Tests in Melbourne and Sydney. Then they would finish on 60.53, which would be more than Australia’s 57.02 even if they were to win their upcoming two-Test series 2-0 in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s points ceiling for this cycle is 53.85 – a tally they would end up with if they were to sweep Australia at home.If India win one Test and draw the other, they’ll finish on 57.02; in such a case, they could lose out on the second spot to Australia, who would finish on 58.77 if they were to also win both Tests in Sri Lanka. For India to qualify with 57.02, Australia would need to get no more than 16 points in Sri Lanka (a win and a draw).A win and a defeat in Australia would put India on 55.26, which would leave them pinning their hopes on Sri Lanka beating Australia by at least a 1-0 margin.Two draws would leave India on 53.51. Sri Lanka can go past that with a 2-0 win, while Australia would need at least one win in Sri Lanka to beat it.If India draw a Test and lose the other they would finish on 51.75 and be out of the race; in such a case Australia would finish ahead of India even if they were to lose 2-0 in Sri Lanka.India still have plenty of work to do in Australia•AFP/Getty ImagesAustraliaIf Australia were to win the Melbourne and Sydney Tests against India, they would be certain of qualifying for the WTC final – in such a case, they would finish on 57.02 even if they were to go on to lose 2-0 in Sri Lanka.A win and a draw against India would leave them ahead of India even if they were to lose both Tests in Sri Lanka, but then Sri Lanka could go past Australia with a clean sweep.If Australia were to win one and lose one against India, they would need at least one win in Sri Lanka to stay ahead in the race. The same applies if both Tests against India are drawn.If they were to draw one and lose the other against India, they would need two wins in Sri Lanka.Defeat in both Tests against India would push Australia out of contention.Sri Lanka cannot afford any more slips, and still need Border-Gavaskar Trophy results to go their way•Associated PressSri LankaThe maximum Sri Lanka can finish on is 53.85, if they beat Australia 2-0. For that to be enough for a second-place finish, one of two scenarios have to play out in the remaining Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests: Both Melbourne and Sydney produce draws Australia win one of the two home Tests, while the other is drawnIn any other scenario, either Australia or India will finish higher than 53.85 and knock Sri Lanka out.

Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter reflected on his first USMNT appearance earlier this summer, recalling the emotions of stepping onto the field in June against Turkey. The 23-year-old described his debut as “overwhelmingly emotional” and voiced his determination to seize more chances with the national team.

Getty Images SportA lifelong soccer journey

The Vancouver midfielder discussed the indescribable feeling and physical reaction he experienced when stepping onto the field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in Hartford for his international debut

“I think it’s something I can’t even describe,” Berhalter told podcast. “Like it was goosebumps, it was like, I remember the first game in Hartford, Connecticut. I’m on the bus and I’m seeing like, everyone’s like tailgating right outside the stadium, and like kids are just running alongside the bus…

"I just felt so emotional and knowing that I was that kid chasing the bus, like I couldn’t control [my emotions] like I looked at Brian [White] and he’s [like] ‘Dude, are you crying?’ I was like, ‘I don’t know, I think so. ’ I just had like tears running down my face, I was like, 'wow.'"

AdvertisementFighting for more caps

Berhalter expressed wanting to return to the national team environment, indicating that his debut had only intensified his desire for further international opportunities.

“I felt so fortunate and so proud that I got to represent my country, and just being there, obviously, I want to be back,” Berhalter admitted. “But being there was incredible. So again, I think it’s a feeling that you can’t really describe, and it’s something that you just want more of…And you want to help your country and make the people proud.”

Getty Images Sport'Fun group to be a part of'

The 24-year-old midfielder has enjoyed a good season with his club side, the Vancouver Whitecaps, with eight assists and two goals. They currently sit second on the Western Conference table, two points behind leaders San Diego FC, but do have two games in hand. Berhalter believes team chemistry has been criticial to that success. 

“It’s a good group,” Berhalter said. “We always have guys stepping up, and when people go down, we have the next guy always there. And sometimes you don’t get that because guys aren’t playing and are a little grumpy, but it's really been every guy’s wanted to play their role and done great. It’s guys that have been together for three or four years, so we know each other really well.

“And then you know, different pieces have kind of come in here and there, so yeah, it’s a fun locker room. Fun group to be a part of, and we want to win a trophy.”

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Getty Images SportRivalry match next

The Whitecaps face the Seattle Sounders next on Sept. 27, followed by the Canadian Championship final on Oct. 1 against Vancouver FC.

Yash Rathod’s century set Mumbai a target of 406, before Vidarbha ended the day with three key wickets

Shashank Kishore20-Feb-2025Yash Rathod struck a superb 151, his fifth hundred this season, as Vidarbha set Mumbai 406 for a place in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy final. Mumbai will be chasing history – the highest successful chase in the tournament’s history is 378 that Railways achieved against Tripura last season.But that job got that much tougher as they ended the day in Nagpur on 73 for 3, with Ajinkya Rahane, the captain, being dismissed in the last half hour. Shivam Dube, and not Suryakumar Yadav, came out to bat at No. 5 to join first-innings centurion Akash Anand. It wasn’t clear if Suryakumar was suffering from a niggle – he was off the field for the entire duration of Vidarbha’s batting innings.All three wickets fell to the left-arm spinners. Harsh Dubey, the season’s highest wicket-taker who surpassed the 60-wicket mark in the first innings, accounted for Mhatre and Lad, while Parth Rekhade, who triggered a mammoth collapse in the first innings with the wickets of Rahane, Suryakumar and Dube in the space of two overs, dismissed Rahane with one that kept low.But the story of Vidarbha’s day lay in how Rathod ground Mumbai’s bowling to construct his century, first with Akshay Wadkar and then with Rekhade. Rathod and Wadkar lifted a floundering innings from 56 for 4, adding 158 before Wadkar’s dismissal prior to lunch opened up the game again.Having dug in to make a half-century of 200 balls, Wadkar was out bowled off a beauty from Shams Mulani as he played down the wrong line to one that turned away sharply. Dubey and Darshan Nalkande soon fell to the spinners as it became clear the surface was now beginning to open up and aid spinners if they were prepared to bowl into the rough created at both ends.Not until the No. 10 was dismissed that Rathod looked to play a shot in anger – this partly stemmed from the confidence of having someone as accomplished as Rekhade, who was the No. 3 in the first innings, come in at No. 9. Rathod brought up his 150 shortly before being the last man out, by which time their lead crossed 400. Mulani finished with figures of 6 for 85 across 44 overs.Vidarbha quickly turned to their spinners with the new ball and Dubey got it to turn and kick off the rough, even as the odd ball kept low. This played a part in each of the three dismissals. All said, Anand, fresh off a century in the first innings, looked compact and showed a solid defence to finish unbeaten on 27, with Dube on 12 as Mumbai have to do something that has never been done before, on the final day, to try and gun for title No. 43.

Tottenham Hotspur will desperately want to make amends in the Premier League this season, after falling way below the high expectations they’ve set for themselves in recent times.

The Lilywhites ended the 2024/25 campaign in a measly 17th place, sitting just one place above the relegation zone – which ultimately cost Ange Postecoglou his job.

Such a departure has allowed Thomas Frank to take the reins in North London, taking the next step in his managerial career, after spending seven years in charge at Brentford.

The Dane has already added Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha to his ranks, but it’s likely that added reinforcements will be targeted before the September 1st deadline.

As a result of his ambitions in the market, numerous players have emerged on their radar in recent days, with the hope that they can join the club with just a couple of weeks left in the window.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Manchester City star Savinho has become a surprise target for Spurs in recent days, potentially leaving his current side after just one season at the Etihad Stadium.

It’s been reported that the 21-year-old would be open to a move to join the Lilywhites this summer, with Pep Guardiola’s side currently demanding around £60m for his signature.

However, the attacker isn’t the only Premier League talent currently in their sights this window, with Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze also being considered, according to GIVEMESPORT.

The report claims that talks have already been held between the player and Frank’s side, with Arsenal also firmly in the race for the 27-year-old’s signature this summer.

It also states that the manager is a huge fan of the player who’s also keen on a move to join the Lilywhites, with the Englishman having a £60m release clause within his current contract at Selhurst Park.

Why Spurs’ £60m target is better than Gibbs-White

Spurs’ hunt for new additions in the attacking department could’ve easily been solved by now, had they completed a deal for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White.

The hierarchy decided to trigger his £60m release clause in his deal at the City Ground, with the 25-year-old even set for a medical earlier in the summer window.

However, whilst a move seemed a formality at one stage, Reds’ owner Evangelos Marinakis intervened in such a deal, voicing his displeasure over an alleged illegal approach for his signature.

Such a move was put on hold, which cast doubt over a deal to sign Gibbs-White, leading to the England international penning a new three-year deal with Nuno Espírito Santo’s side.

As a result, other options have had to be considered in North London, leading to their potential move to sign fellow Englishman Eze in the coming weeks.

When comparing his stats to those of Gibbs-White from the most recent campaign, the FA Cup winner managed to outperform him in multiple areas, offering a better option for Frank’s side ahead of 2025/26.

Eze, who’s been labelled “sensational” by talkSPORT’s Rory Jennings, posted more goals and assists along with more shot-creating actions per 90, possessing more of a threat when in front of goal.

Games played

34

34

Goals & assists

16

15

Key passes made

2.1

1.6

Passes into opposition box

1.4

1.3

Take-on success

49%

40%

Progressive carries

2.4

2.1

Shot-creating actions

4.7

3.7

Fouls won

1.8

1.2

He also completed more key passes and more passes into the final third per 90, able to provide more chances to other attackers around him in North London.

The Palace star’s dominance over Gibbs-White is further highlighted in his take-on success rate and progressive carries completed per 90, having the tools to take the ball into dangerous areas on a more consistent basis.

Missing out on the Forest star will undoubtedly be a huge disappointment for the Lilywhites fanbase, but the hierarchy can’t rest on their laurels for the remainder of the window.

A deal for Eze would be an excellent piece of business, undoubtedly handing the side a better option in attacking areas, allowing the club to have the best chance of success in 2025/26.

Their answer to Eze: Spurs to trigger release clause of "elite" £22m star

Tottenham Hotspur look set to make a move for a star who could thrive in North London.

2 ByEthan Lamb Aug 12, 2025

Pakistan captain scored just 46 runs off 77 balls during a middle-overs slowdown which cost his side

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Feb-20251:31

Urooj Mumtaz: Rizwan chewed up too many dot deliveries

The loss to India has all but pushed Pakistan out of their home Champions Trophy, and it had a lot to do with a middle-overs slowdown. They ended the first ten overs at 52 for 2, but the next 14 overs netted them just 42 runs. Urooj Mumtaz lay the blame squarely on captain Mohammad Rizwan, who, she said, had played too many dot balls in that period.”Rizwan, time and again, is at fault of chewing up too many dot deliveries. Then there is one release shot that comes out,” she said on ESPNcricinfo Match Day. “He was on 40-odd from something like 70 deliveries at the point where he looked like taking another release shot. He was 30 off 68 [24 off 53] at one point when he hit that one four. Saud [Shakeel], on the other hand, is not the normal aggressor; it is Rizwan who is normally the aggressor when he does get going and does get set.”During the period in question [overs 11 to 24], Rizwan faced 45 deliveries, and 29 of those were dots. He didn’t hit a single boundary, and got only 16 singles. Eventually, Rizwan struggled his way to 46 off 77 balls. He fell when he skipped down the pitch to try and loft Axar Patel, but missed and was bowled.Related

Rizwan after India loss: 'We can say for now that it is over'

Pakistan slide feels like a terminal, slow decline

Kohli 100* headlines India's comprehensive win over Pakistan

Rizwan had slog-swept Kuldeep Yadav for four off the first ball he had faced. His next boundary only came on the 49th delivery he faced off Ravindra Jadeja in the 25th over. Another – the third and last – came off Jadeja in the 27th. When he was dismissed by Axar in the 34th over, Rizwan’s partnership with Shakeel was worth 104, but it had taken 144 balls.”I think Rizwan, in his 46 off 77 – strike rate of 59 – just wasn’t good enough because we’re talking about a team where the best batter in the team [Babar Azam] is obviously out of form, hasn’t been churning out those big runs… and he got out early,” Mumtaz said.”Imam [had] that unfortunate run-out. So it was down to Rizwan as captain to put his hand up and show that brave attitude. Maybe even not just trying to botch everything down, but maybe just better strike rotation, [the lack of] which I thought was a massive fault, and probably applied a little bit more pressure on Saud as well.”

Everton have entered the summer transfer window with a clear mission: reinvigorate their squad after a campaign that demanded both patience and pragmatism.

The club has already made notable additions, including Carlos Alcaraz, whose loan from Flamengo has been made permanent, Thierno Barry from Villarreal, and a headline-grabbing move for Jack Grealish from Manchester City.

This flurry of activity comes amid a period of departures, as several senior players have left on free transfers, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucouré, and Ashley Young.

These exits have created opportunities for the Toffees to bring in Premier League talent seeking a fresh start.

Moyes appears to be targeting players who, much like Grealish, have been cast out or underutilised at bigger clubs and now need a platform to reignite their careers.

The player in question offers a blend of defensive tenacity and midfield intelligence, and, like Grealish, he represents a gamble but could be someone who could transform the spine of a team when given the right environment and playing time.

Everton eyeing move for Spurs midfielder

According to Sacha Tavolieri, Yves Bissouma is the midfielder at the centre of Everton’s interest, a player who has found himself on the fringes at Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs paid £25m to acquire him from Brighton in 2022, but the midfielder has struggled to consistently secure a starting spot.

Despite these challenges, pundits like Adam Smithy have lauded Bissouma as “world-class,” praising his ability to control the game from midfield and break up opposition attacks.

Football Insider revealed that Tottenham are unlikely to stand in his way this summer, but any move will depend on the club finding a suitable replacement.

Spurs have already invested heavily in Mohammed Kudu, who joined from West Ham United for £60m. Additionally, Spurs have secured Palhinha on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich and are eyeing Atlético Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, who could potentially be available for around £40 million, although Madrid are reportedly reluctant to sell.

At Tottenham, Bissouma has competed with Rodrigo Bentancur, Archie Gray, and Pape Sarr in a crowded central midfield.

For Everton, Bissouma represents the chance to acquire a Premier League-proven midfielder who is hungry to prove himself again.

His contract at Spurs runs until summer 2026, meaning Tottenham will want to recoup part of their £25m investment rather than risk losing him for nothing.

Why he could be a Jack Grealish repeat

The parallels between Bissouma and Jack Grealish are striking.

Both players arrived at their respective clubs with strong reputations, only to find themselves needing a fresh start to reach their full potential.

Grealish, who joined Everton from Manchester City, faced limited game time at City and struggled with injuries, ultimately playing just 721 minutes last season, representing 21.1% of squad minutes, per Transfermarkt.

Thomas Tuchel reportedly told him he needed regular football to maintain his World Cup ambitions, prompting the move to Goodison Park. Similarly, Bissouma has the capability to dominate matches when given trust and continuity.

Over 100 appearances for Spurs, he has contributed six goals and three assists while maintaining exceptional defensive metrics: 91st percentile for tackles (3.09 per 90), 83rd percentile for interceptions (1.39 per 90), and 92nd percentile for clearances (2.65 per 90), per FBref.

He also boasts a 83rd percentile pass completion rate of 88.6%, highlighting his dual ability to break up attacks and distribute effectively.

Bissouma’s profile evokes comparisons with Boubakar Kamara and Edson Álvarez, two players who provide balance in the centre of the park and thrive in roles where they can cover ground, intercept play, and initiate transitions.

Age is another factor that favours Everton’s pursuit.

At 28, Bissouma combines maturity with peak athleticism, offering immediate value rather than a long-term developmental gamble.

Furthermore, Everton’s summer recruitment strategy reflects a clear intention to blend experience and ambition.

With departures opening up space for new arrivals, the club is seeking players who have Premier League experience and can make an immediate contribution.

Bissouma fits this mould perfectly. His experience in England’s top-flight, combined with European competition exposure at Spurs, ensures he arrives ready to adapt and lead.

For a player already acclimated to Premier League demands, this represents a low-risk, high-reward investment, just like Grealish.

Finally, Bissouma’s move could serve as a statement of intent.

Everton are signalling that they are prepared to offer players a platform to succeed, encouraging other talented professionals seeking a new start to consider Goodison Park as a destination where their abilities will be maximised.