Dane Van Niekerk’s late blitz on the back of a sedate half-century from Faye Tunnicliffe helped South Africa beat Ireland by 65 runs in the second T20I in Paarl and take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.Opting to bat, South Africa racked up 201 for 5 in their 20 overs. In reply, allrounder Orla Prendergast scored an unbeaten 43-ball 51 while Leah Paul hit 40 off 29 balls, but Ireland could only manage 136 for 3, falling well short.In her comeback series, van Niekerk thrashed a 19-ball 41 in the back half of the first innings, taking South Africa past their second consecutive 200-plus total of the series. She struck three fours and three sixes in her knock. By the time van Niekerk fell to Arlene Kelly, South Africa’s run rate had jumped past ten an over. Chloe Tryon’s unbeaten seven-ball 16 in the final overs took them to 201, as she also broke Lizelle Lee’s record for most sixes by a South Africa batter in women’s T20Is (49).Van Niekerk’s cameo complemented a slower – but equally crucial – knock by Tunnicliffe at the top of the order. She reached her maiden T20I half-century off 40 balls: the majority of her innings was played alongside fellow opener, Sune Luus, as the two put up a 78-run opening partnership to lay the foundation.Aimee Maguire dismissed both of them, as well as captain Laura Wolvaardt, returning 3 for 43 in her four overs.Ireland’s batters were slow in their response, scoring 33 runs in the powerplay despite losing no wickets. Tryon sent back both openers – Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis – as Ireland were reduced to 35 for 2 in the seventh over.Their run-rate never picked up, but Prendergast and Paul stayed solid in the middle to share a 76-run partnership for the third wicket. Paul finally fell for 40, but Prendergast stayed around till the end to bring up her half-century in the final over, off 39 balls. By then, the result of the match was a foregone conclusion.
قال البرتغالي ألكسندر سانتوس، المدير الفني لنادي الجيش الملكي إن مواجهة الأهلي، التي تقام بينهما اليوم الجمعة، في بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، ستكون صعبة للغاية.
الأهلي يحل ضيفًا على الجيش الملكي، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من دور مجموعات لبطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا الموسم الحالي 2025-2026.
وقال سانتوس خلال تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “هسبورت”: “مواجهة الأهلي مباراة غاية في الصعوبة، بالنظر إلى التاريخ الكبير الذي يحمله النادي المصري في المسابقة، بعد تتويجه بأربعة ألقاب في آخر ست سنوات”.
طالع | القناة الناقلة لمباراة الأهلي والجيش الملكي اليوم في دوري أبطال إفريقيا
وأضاف: “الفريق متحفز لتقديم مباراة كبيرة أمام نادٍ يملك وزنا قارياً، ركزنا في التدريبات على إبراز نقاط قوتنا وتصحيح أخطاء المباراة الأولى، علينا استغلال عاملي الأرض والجمهور لإعادة الثقة إلى المجموعة”.
وأكمل: “جماهير الجيش دائماً تعرف الفوز فقط، وأثق بأنها ستدعمنا في اللحظات الصعبة كما اعتادت”.
وواصل: “في هذا الدور، من الضروري جمع النقاط، وسنظهر قوتنا في مواجهة الأهلي”.
وأتم: “جميع اللاعبين جاهزون، سنحاول اللعب بأسلوبنا، مع إدراكنا أن الأهلي سيُشكل لنا متاعب كثيرة”.
ويتواجد النادي الأهلي في المجموعة الثانية من دوري أبطال إفريقيا، مع الجيش الملكي وشبيبة القبائل الجزائري ويانج أفريكانز التنزاني.
وكان النادي الأهلي، حقق الفوز في لقاء الجولة الأولي على شبيبة القبائل الجزائري، بنتيجة 4-1، في اللقاء الذي أقيم بالقاهرة يوم السبت الماضي، بينما الجيش الملكي كان قد خسر في مباراة الجولة الأولى أمام يانج أفريكانز التنزاني بهدف دون رد.
“What I have alluded to is the way the modern game is played and the strike rates required, particularly in good conditions”
Shashank Kishore11-Sep-20252:08
Samiuddin: Hesson clear with his plans for Pakistan
Halfway through his press conference ahead of Pakistan’s Asia Cup opener against Oman on Friday, coach Mike Hesson was asked where he got the “courage” to openly comment about Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam’s shortcomings.Slightly taken aback by the question, Hesson asked for it to be repeated. This time, the question was toned down and Hesson’s response was measured.”Being honest about your assessment of players is pretty important,” Hesson said. “Coming from a place where you have no agenda is also very important. Looking at things objectively is important. I haven’t talked about anyone’s frailties.Related
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“What I have alluded to is the way the modern game is played and the strike rates required, particularly in good conditions. All players ask for from coaches is to be honest with them. That is the responsibility you’ve got. Just because you like a player or have a relationship with a player, it doesn’t mean you can’t be honest.”Having tackled that topic, Hesson was asked whether he is confident about Pakistan’s batting. Was Mohammad Haris their best bet in the lower order? Why were Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan inconsistent, and Hasan Nawaz not doing well? Do Pakistan’s batters struggle to pick spinners from the hand? The context was the challenge of Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav, when Pakistan play India in Dubai on Sunday.”I don’t know where that has come from,” Hesson said about the perceived struggle against spin. “We have played against Rashid [Khan] and Noor [Ahmed]. We have played against possibly the best wrist-spin attack in the world [in the tri-series final on Sunday] on a [Sharjah] surface that has spun square and managed to score 75 more runs than the opposition. I’m not sure where that has come from.”Hesson then addressed the question about Pakistan’s young batting line-up.”It is very much a developing batting line-up,” he said. “There are a number of batters who can win you the game on their day, but they don’t have as many good days as you’d like at the moment. That is very fair. The thing for us is the sum of the parts as a batting group.”Every game bar one in Sharjah, we were probably 20 runs above par. Even though there are a number of players who didn’t do well on particular occasions, I’m more interested in what we end up with and how we get there. In the tri-series final, we got 140 when 120 was plenty on the pitch.”Then he was inevitably asked about being part of the great spectacle – India v Pakistan – as a coach for the first time. “Look I’ve certainly watched many games from afar with other teams or while commentating,” Hesson said. “Being part of a highly-charged event is going to be exciting. From my perspective, just like anytime you enter the final of a world event or whatever, it is about keeping everybody focused on the job at hand. That will be no different.”We know India are obviously hugely confident and rightfully so. But we are very much focused on improving as a team day-by-day and not getting ahead of ourselves. We are well aware of the challenge of the task ahead and we are certainly looking forward to it.”Mike Hesson has thrown his weight behind Pakistan’s ‘developing’ batting order•Getty Images
Pakistan have had a solid lead-in to the Asia Cup, having played five games over 12 days during the tri-series against Afghanistan and UAE in Sharjah. While the players had a day off on Thursday, Hesson had a close look at the pitch at the Dubai International Stadium.”This is very different to Sharjah in terms of the abrasiveness of the grass,” Hesson said. “We are playing on the same surface as the India vs UAE game. We have got the balance in the squad to deal with it. We have got plenty of multi-skilled players which gives us a bit of flexibility.”I don’t think this pitch is going to spin as much as Sharjah. And even yesterday [India v UAE match], when Kuldeep bowled, it didn’t spin a huge amount. But when you have wristspinners, the surface doesn’t matter as much.”The beauty of our side is we have got fine spinners. We have got Mohammad Nawaz, who has been ranked No. 1 since coming back into the side six months ago. And obviously we’ve got Abrar [Ahmed] and Sufiyan [Muqeem] do as well as they have. Saim Ayub is in the top 10 allrounders in the world and Salman Agha has hardly bowled.”We have got five seamers as well, which allow us to go for either air speed, change of pace or reverse swing depending on what the surface will provide.”
With teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius set to open with him, Rickelton could be thrust into the senior role
Firdose Moonda06-Aug-2025
Ryan Rickelton has played 13 T20Is for South Africa•Associated Press
There’s no Quinton de Kock, or Temba Bavuma, or Reeza Hendricks. While it has not been confirmed that the first of those has retired from the T20Is and the other two are completely out of the picture (though Bavuma probably is), South Africa will be looking at a new opening pair for the next T20 World Cup. Enter Ryan Rickelton and Lhuan-dre Pretorius.Both are left-handed and both are wicketkeepers. They have 18 T20I caps, two half-centuries and a decade in age between them. That means Rickelton, who enjoyed a breakthrough summer in Tests and ODIs for South Africa and played in his first IPL, could be thrust into the senior role even as he looks to cement himself in the side. How might that alter his usually aggressive approach to batting? Not at all, he said.”I’m still trying to establish myself in the T20 side but I don’t think there’ll be any expectation for me to change anything that I’ve been doing in these last two years,” Rickelton said from Darwin, where South Africa are set to play a three-match T20Is series against Australia starting Sunday. “It’s just an opportunity for me to hopefully claim that opening spot for this South African side, going into the World Cup and further on past that.”Related
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South Africa play three T20Is and will have the experience of regular captain Aiden Markram back in the top order and Rassie van der Dussen in the middle order, which Rickelton believes will allow him to continue to play his natural game. “The way the team is structured fits the mould of how they want me to play too, so I’m pretty comfortable with what’s required,” he said. “I am always looking to land that first punch and get the side off to a good start no matter who’s alongside me at the top.”Rickelton, Markram, as well as other returnees Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada, were all rested from the tri-series tournament in Zimbabwe as South Africa gear up for eight months of almost non-stop cricket. After the Australia tour, they will play white-ball cricket in England before starting their World Test Championship defence in Pakistan. That will be followed by an all-format tour of India, the SA20, a brief home series against West Indies and the T20 World Cup. Those five, and some others, will then go on to play in the IPL which will extend their active time to ten months. For someone like Rickelton, who did not play the MLC this year, the schedule has already provided lessons in workload management which he will draw on as the next busy period looms.”This was my first IPL year and it’s long three months in India which can really stretch you, mentally more than anything,” he said. “I would still like to play leagues when the opportunity comes along and next year there’s a break after the IPL so there’s some space in between.”Once you get to the groove of playing a lot of cricket, it can be really nice when you’re playing quite well but it can also be quite dark if you’re not playing too well. It’s more trying to manage the space mentally. That’s probably the balance that I’m trying to walk at the moment.”Ryan Rickelton opened for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025•AFP/Getty Images
Rickelton can already see the challenge of that task. Since being part of the squad that won the WTC final at Lord’s in June, Rickelton has had six weeks off while Pretorius made his Test debut against Zimbabwe (and scored a century) and was moved around the T20I batting order from opening to No. 5 and back up.”I haven’t been hitting the ball too well these last couple of days but I’m not too worried. We’ve played a lot of cricket this year already and it’s not something that you just lose full stop. It will take a few more sessions for me to get going,” he said. “But I’m watching the rest of the guys, they’re really hitting the ball quite nicely and you can see the guys that have been playing are moving a lot better than a few of the guys that have taken a little bit of time off.”All of that changes from this week when South Africa press play on what is set to be an important period as they build under all-format coach Shukri Conrad, with two ICC tournaments and a new WTC cycle ahead of them.”If you look at the fixtures lined up for the T20 World Cup, we’ve got some big competition and some big rivals,” Rickelton said. “If we can put a good foot forward and play quite well and match what we want to try and replicate in a few months’ time, especially against quality opposition, that’s really important to the team and the individuals as well. We spoke about it as a group, we have an opportunity to try and win a series in Australia, which doesn’t come around that often, and we’re looking forward to obviously cementing our own places and playing well for South Africa.”
A Seleção Brasileira treinou em Montevidéu-URU na tarde deste domingo (15), de olho no duelo com o Uruguai, nesta terça-feira (17), pela quarta rodada das Eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo de 2026. E o time titular de Fernando Diniz terá novidades, já que o treinador apontou três mudanças para o clássico sul-americano.
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O Brasil, que está na capital uruguaia desde sábado (14), treinou novamente no estádio do Peñarol e o técnico novamente não escondeu o esboço da escalação que pretende usar na próxima partida.
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Uma das alterações já era esperada, que é a entrada de Yan Couto no lugar de Danilo, cortado por lesão muscular. Emerson Royal, que foi convocado para essa vaga, vai ficar no banco de reservas.
Já as outras duas mudanças serão por opção técnica. Guilherme Arana deve perder a posição para Carlos Augusto, assim como Richarlison deve ceder lugar para Gabriel Jesus. Tanto Carlos quanto Gabriel treinaram entre os titulares neste domingo (15).
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Casemiro, que ficou fora do treino de sábado (14), trabalhou sem restrições e deve seguir como titular para enfrentar o Uruguai. Outra novidade na atividade foi a presença de Adryelson, que foi convocado para a vaga de Nino, cortado por lesão.
O provável Brasil para esta terça (17) é: Ederson; Yan Couto, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães e Carlos Augusto; Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães e Neymar; Rodrygo, Vini Jr e Gabriel Jesus.
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Para encerrar a preparação, a Seleção treina na tarde desta segunda-feira (16). O Brasil é o segundo colocado nas Eliminatórias com sete pontos em três jogos, atrás apenas da Argentina, que tem nove pontos e 100% de aproveitamento.
Eden Hazard has become the latest former player inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, joining a star-studded line-up of the competition's greats. The Belgian, a two-time Premier League champion with Chelsea across seven seasons with the club, also received a special message from former manager Jose Mourinho, who called him "one of the most amazing players" he has ever worked with.
Hazard's Premier League journey
Hazard arrived from Lille in 2012 and instantly became the main man at Chelsea. Over seven seasons, he made 245 Premier League appearances, scoring 85 goals and grabbing 54 assists. His close-quarters dribbling and speed were the standout features of his game in the capital, and the winger also had an ability to change games on his own, making him a nightmare for defenders.
His first league title at Stamford Bridge came in 2014-15. He played every game, scored 14 goals, and assisted nine more. That season, he won the Premier League Player of the Season, the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, and the Football Writers’ Player of the Year awards. In 2016-17, he lifted the league trophy again, scoring 16 goals, including jaw-dropping solo run and finish against Arsenal. Beyond the Premier League, Hazard helped Chelsea claim an FA Cup, a League Cup, and two Europa League titles.
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Mourinho's message
On top of receiving the prestigious award, Mourinho, who was in charge of Hazard and Chelsea during the 2014-15 title run, left a heartwarming message for his former player. "Eden, many congratulations on joining the Premier League Hall of Fame. Everybody knows that you belong there," he said. "You are one of the most amazing players that I ever worked with and of course you have to be there. You are in the Hall of Fame so now you stay in our memories – and by the way thank you so much for helping to win my last Premier League title!"
Mourinho's message is a clear sign of the respect he has for Hazard. Not just for the trophies he won, but for the way he played the game. Mourinho has had the luxury of working with some of the greatest players of all time, so for Hazard to receive a special mention from the now-Benfica boss will add a little something extra to the recognition.
Hall of Fame recognition
This year, Hazard joins Manchester United icon Gary Neville as the two new inductees, chosen by the 24 existing Hall of Fame members. Previous inductees include legends such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Paul Scholes, Dennis Bergkamp, Vincent Kompany, and Didier Drogba. The Hall of Fame honours players and managers who achieved 'exceptional' success and made significant contributions to the Premier League since 1992. Fans also had a say through a public poll.
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Hazard reflects on his career
Speaking about the induction, Hazard said: "For a small Belgian guy from Braine-le-Comte just playing football for fun, being inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame with these great players at 34 years old is incredible. My dream was to play at the highest level and I did it, so I am really happy. Week after week, you have big games, and at the end of the season you lift a trophy with your teammates. It’s a beautiful feeling.
"When you score goals, when you win trophies, you just want more. I am proud to know I did a few good things for seven years in the Premier League. We don’t play the game alone, so this is for all the people who have supported me – my family, my teammates and the fans, my friends – this is for us all."
Hazard and Neville will be formally honoured at the 2025 Premier League Hall of Fame event on November 4, receiving engraved medallions and prompting a £10,000 donation to each player’s chosen charity. Even years after leaving Chelsea, Hazard’s legacy remains as strong as ever. You only need to watch a short highlight reel to remind yourself why he is rightly among the league’s finest.
Manchester United once had a Zinedine Zidane-esque midfielder, who legendary Red Devils midfielder Paul Scholes compared to Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard.
Man Utd looking to sign new midfielder in January
After missing out on a new central midfielder during the 2025 summer transfer window, Man United have set their sights on signing one in January, and a number of potential targets have already been identified.
Target
Current club
Potential cost
Carlos Baleba
Brighton
£115m
Adam Wharton
Crystal Palace
£50m+
Conor Gallagher
Atletico Madrid
£45m
Elliot Anderson
Nottingham Forest
Unknown
There are clear indications that Ruben Amorim needs to bolster his options in the engine room, with Scholes suggesting Bruno Fernandes isn’t cut out to be a central midfielder, while also singling Casemiro out for criticism.
The 50-year-old said: “Fernandes [and Casemiro], they’re the two he’s [Amorim] going with, and Fernandes for me, he’s someone who fills in as a midfielder, he might get away with it for one, two or three games. He’s not got the discipline to be a central midfield player.”
“Bringing two No.10s (Cunha and Mbeumo) was that really necessary? You think you’ve got Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo can do that.”
Man Utd now eyeing January move for "unbelievable" £47m Baleba alternative
The Red Devils are looking to sign a central midfielder, who could be perfect for Ruben Amorim.
1
By
Dominic Lund
Sep 10, 2025
Having arguably gotten their priorities wrong in the summer, United look poised to make a move for a new central midfielder this winter, and they will be hoping the new signing can eclipse Paul Pogba’s achievements, with the Frenchman leaving on a free back in 2022.
Pogba’s career at United didn’t pan out the way anyone was hoping, but he received extremely high praise not long after returning to Old Trafford, with Gianluigi Buffon saying:
Scholes was also a keen admirer of the central midfielder, saying:
Pogba had the talent to be an all-time great
The 32-year-old’s time at Old Trafford was by no means a complete failure, having won two EFL Cups and the 2016-17 Europa League, but there is no doubt that the midfielder didn’t manage to hit the heights expected of him.
Given how highly the 91-time France international was rated by Scholes and Buffon, he had the ability to become an all-time great for Man United, but things didn’t work out that way, arguably due to his attitude, which Graeme Souness regularly criticised.
Souness said: “Paul Pogba plays for himself, it’s all about how cool he looks, showing us how clever he is. I reckon Pogba’s only in the team to maintain his transfer value until United can sell him, because he doesn’t merit his place for any other reason.”
With Pogba’s doping ban over, the former United man arguably has one last chance to get his career back on track, having now signed for AS Monaco on a two-year deal.
Leeds United will be hoping they can win successive Premier League games following their 3-1 away win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux last weekend.
Daniel Farke’s side picked up their second win of the campaign, thanks to goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anton Stach, and Noah Okafor.
On Saturday afternoon, they host Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth at Elland Road, in what will be a tough clash. It presents a good opportunity for the Whites to pick up another three points against a side flying high this season; the Cherries are already up to fourth in the Premier League.
It remains to be seen if Farke plays the same team that beat Wolves. Brenden Aaronson is one player who could be dropped from the side.
Aaronson’s start to the season
Based on Farke’s team selections over the last few weeks, it might come as something of a surprise if Aaronson were to lose his place in the side. The United States international has started three of the six games he’s played in this season.
In the last couple of games, the forward, who was born in Medford, New Jersey, has started twice for Leeds, operating on the right-hand side. He even played 90 minutes in their win in the West Midlands last weekend.
Yet, despite featuring for the full game, the 24-year-old did struggle at times. Leeds Live journalist Isaac Johnson gave the attacker a 6/10 for his efforts at Molineux, and said he was “chastised by teammates or his manager of being either too erratic or too cautious” in possession.
This season, Aaronson has yet to score or assist for Farke’s side. In the Premier League, he’s only played three key passes and created two big chances. It certainly feels as though his slow start to the season needs to pick up soon, to both help the team and cement his place in the side.
If Farke does decide to drop Aaronson from the starting lineup this week, it could be perfect timing with one possible replacement back from injury.
The Leeds star who could replace Aaronson
In the last few weeks, the Whites have had to deal with a couple of injuries. Farke confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Wilfried Gnonto and Lucas Perri would both remain sidelined, but there is more to come at Elland Road.
One of those is full-back Jayden Bogle, who picked up a slight knock. The other is winger Daniel James, the man who could step in for Aaronson. Farke confirmed the Welshman “has a chance to be involved” at the weekend, but it “will take a late decision” to determine how ready he is.
It could well be the case that James is ready to play from the start. The 27-year-old would certainly add a different dynamic to the Leeds attack, thanks to his “unstoppable” direct threat, as Statman Dave once described him.
Although the former Manchester United star is yet to score this season, his form in the Championship last term was impressive. He scored and assisted 21 times in just 36 games, 10 more than Aaronson’s tally in 46 games.
The Leeds number seven also edged out Aaronson in key stats from last season. For example, the Welshman averaged 1.3 crosses completed and 8.7 forward passes per 90 minutes, compared to the USA star’s 0.4 completed crosses and 8.4 forward passes each game.
James & Aaronson key stats from 24/25 Championship
Stat (per 90)
James
Aaronson
Goals
0.5
0.3
Assists
0.4
0.1
Chances created
1.5
1.9
Crosses completed
1.3
0.4
Forward passes
8.7
8.4
Stats from Squawka
James’ pace on the counterattack could play into Leeds’ hands against Bournemouth. According to Sofascore, the Cherries average 48.8% possession this season compared to 43.8% for the Whites.
If they have less of the ball, James’ pace and direct dribbling would surely be more potent in transitional situations. Elland Road could see a lot of that if Bournemouth dominate the ball, as the stats suggest they will.
On top of that, the 27-year-old’s superior crossing ability would suit Calvert-Lewin far better. The Englishman has already scored a header this season, and with James’ proficiency from those areas, a similar opportunity could well arise.
If James is fit to start against the Cherries this weekend, it might well be the case that Farke chooses to start him over Aaronson.
He can steal #9 from DCL: Leeds star looks like the best since Archie Gray
Leeds might have another gem on their hands to rival Dominic Calvert-Lewin…
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is still looking to bolster Spurs’ attacking ranks before the transfer deadline in four days’ time, and given their previous luck this window, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them scrambling till the eleventh hour.
Thomas Frank watched on as his side failed to secure the signings of Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, both in spectacular fashion.
Gibbs-White saw his once-advanced move to N17 blocked by Nottingham Forest, who wrote a letter to Spurs threatening legal action, as weeks of back and forth between the clubs ensued before the 25-year-old signed a new contract regardless.
Meanwhile, Tottenham were convinced they’d land Eze at one stage – having agreed personal terms with the player and the finances of a deal with Crystal Palace – only for Arsenal to swoop in and hijack the transfer.
Their need for a number 10 is glaring, having lost both Dejan Kulusevski to a knee injury earlier this year and James Maddison to an ACL rupture in pre-season.
FFC Spurs – James Maddison
At one point, Frank was planning to head into 25/26 with a fully fit Maddison and Gibbs-White, only to now have neither. In an ideal world, it’s been reported that the Dane would like two new playmakers (Gary Jacob), but that scenario looks near-impossible barring a last-gasp miracle.
In terms of who they could bring in, Spurs are in the market for a new centre-back, number 10 and a winger.
One of the playmakers on their radar is West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta, and the Hammers are reportedly open to selling, if their asking price is met, and they can source a replacement (Paul O’Keefe).
The Brazil international would be Spurs’ second signing of the window from their London rivals after a £55m deal for Mohammed Kudus, which also ended an unofficial transfer embargo between the two clubs spanning 14 years.
Tottenham offered Yves Bissouma in swap deal for Lucas Paqueta
According to TBR Football and journalist Graeme Bailey, Levy and the Spurs recruitment team actually made a unique proposal for Paqueta recently, involving Galatasaray-linked Yves Bissouma.
Bailey reports that Tottenham offered Bissouma in a direct swap deal for the Brazil international, and the talks centered around Paqueta going the other way on a straight loan.
Bissouma also would’ve departed for the London Stadium on a dry temporary deal, but it is believed that negotiations didn’t progress to the final details and the Mali international has now agreed to join Galatasaray instead.
According to other reports, West Ham want £60 million to part company with Paqueta, so Spurs will need to head back to the negotiating table.
Rasmus Hojlund has opened up on his admiration for Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and the hard work that has driven his career. The Napoli striker, back in Serie A after two seasons at Manchester United, highlighted Erling Haaland and Viktor Gyokeres as the world’s best behind CR7. Hojlund also reflected on his early sporting life, and ambitions at Napoli.
Cristiano Ronaldo as a role model
Despite rocketing to global fame by joining United in a whopping £72 million ($92m) deal in 2023 after an impressive spell in Serie A with Atalanta. However, the Denmark international was unable to live up to the demands of the number nine role at Old Trafford, and soon saw his hopes of leading the attack under Ruben Amorim fade. The 22-year-old had initially resisted pressure to leave the Red Devils in the summer transfer window, but eventually relented by returning to Serie A to join Napoli on an initial loan deal.
Those struggles will not keep him down, though, as he takes inspiration from his idol Ronaldo to overcome any doubts about his quality. He told "In my career, I've never felt like the most talented player in the group, even though you have to be a top-notch striker to play for United or Napoli. But I've always had to work harder than others, and I'm aware of that. That's why Cristiano is my idol: he always wants to improve and works hard to become better."
AdvertisementGetty Images SportHojlund names Haaland & Gyokeres among his favourites
Alongside Ronaldo, Hojlund highlighted his admiration for Manchester City hero Haaland and Gerd Muller Trophy winner Gyokeres, both of whom he considers among the very best in the world. New Arsenal signing Gyokeres won the coveted award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony on Monday after a strong 54-goal season for Sporting CP and Sweden.
Asked for his favourite players beyond Ronaldo, he said: "In my opinion, the best players in the world are Cristiano Ronaldo, Haaland, [Robert] Lewandowski, and Gyokeres. In Serie A, I'd choose [Romelu] Lukaku, [Dusan] Vlahovic, Lautaro Martinez, and then there's me, Rasmus."
Adaptation to Serie A and immediate impact
Settling quickly at Napoli, Hojlund made an instant impact, scoring on his debut in a 3-1 victory over Fiorentina. Napoli’s strong start to the 2025–26 season, topping Serie A with 12 points after four matches, has highlighted his integration into the squad. The Danish striker emphasised the differences between leagues, saying: "[Serie A] is still the same as I remembered it from my season with Atalanta. The football here is very tactical, with lots of man-on-man duels. In the Premier League, however, the pace is a bit higher: everyone is fast, strong, and physically explosive. If I had to point out one difference between the two leagues, it's precisely that."
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GettyAC Milan test up next for Hojlund and Napoli
While, the next test for him is surely going to be challenging as Napoli line up against an AC Milan team that includes Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot on September 28. The reigning champions are leading the Serie A table, but the Rossoneri are just three points behind.