Category Uncategorized

Everton are set to step up their interest in Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee, with the Toffees’ interest in Arsenal front man Gabriel Jesus hitting a dead end.

The Toffees have shown plenty of signs of promise so far this season, albeit whilst remaining inconsistent. Their 2-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday represented their first Premier League win in three games and first clean sheet in eight games, but David Moyes reiterated that he wants everyone to “keep believing” at Everton.

The experienced manager told reporters: “Look, we’ve wanted to try to become a much better footballing team and the players we’ve brought in have helped us to do that.

“We don’t want to lose what we’ve had – desire, heart, commitment – but I think we had to try to find a way of getting a little bit better at certain things and I think we have to build. Look, I trust the owners will help us in all the windows as we go forward and we’ll try to make things better as we go along.

“We need to get people believing in Everton like we do, like the supporters here do, and what we want us to be in the future. To do that we need to keep picking up the wins and attracting top players like Kiernan and Jack Grealish and players of that ilk. We need to keep attracting that level of players to come to the Club.”

What was apparent against Fulham, however, was just how much Everton’s forwards are still struggling. Whether it’s been Beto or one of their most expensive signings, Thierno Barry, the Toffees just haven’t been able to get their strikers firing and something needs to change.

Friekdin are already reportedly looking at potential solutions and have now reportedly made their position on signing Zirkzee clear.

Everton make Joshua Zirkzee position clear ahead of January

As reported by Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett, Zirkzee is now “high up” on Everton’s shortlist and those in Merseyside could make their move if the Man United striker becomes available in January. Ivan Toney is the second name in contention, with Arsenal set to refuse offers for Jesus.

0 minutes all season: "Generational" Everton star could be Branthwaite 2.0

David Moyes must consider unleashing this talented Everton youngster in the coming weeks.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 7, 2025

The Dutchman has made just five appearances all season and is yet to start a single Premier League game. This follows the arrivals of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha as well as his own disappointing debut campaign last time out.

But is Zirkzee the answer to Everton’s problem? They’ve already revived the best version of Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City and now there’s a chance they could get the same opportunity with Zirkzee.

Praised as “amazing with his back to goal” by Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski last season, the Man United man is still just 24 years old and has plenty of time to find his feet elsewhere in the Premier League.

Everton hatch striker plan as Moyes moves for star with 18 goals this season

During a Monday meeting with New York Yankees higher-ups, Juan Soto made one thing very clear.

Soto, the top free agent on the market, told Yankees chairman and managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner, team president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman, manager Aaron Boone and senior adviser Omar Minaya how he believes the club could improve, according to Bob Klapisch of .

The 26-year-old Soto is expected to command a lucrative deal that spans over the course of the next decade. As such, he sought confirmation from Steinbrenner that the Yankees would be committed to improvement year after year. Steinbrenner reportedly told Soto the club plans to upgrade the roster this offseason on the heels of an American League pennant victory and World Series berth.

According to Klapisch, Yankees brass made no contractual offers to Soto, but left the meeting encouraged that such discussions could take place over the course of the next few weeks.

Soto has met with the crosstown rival New York Mets, the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays. He is expected to meet with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers this week, and the Philadelphia Phillies also have designs on meeting with the free-agent slugger.

Soto enjoyed a career year in the Bronx, posting a .288/.419/.569 slash line with 41 home runs, 109 RBI, 128 runs scored and 129 walks in 157 games played. Represented by hard-driving agent Scott Boras, Soto is expected to land a deal in the ballpark of $600 million, and perhaps more.

While the Yankees are considered the favorites to sign Soto, the Mets, led by billionaire owner Steve Cohen, are major players to lure the Dominican slugger away.

It is believed that Soto will agree to a deal during the Winter Meetings, which will take place from December 8-11 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Tx.

Juan Soto on Wednesday night made New York Yankees fans hold their breath before he took their breath away.

Soto belted a two-run, go-ahead home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to help power the New York Yankees to a 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday. That blew Yankees fans away.

What made them hold their breath was that Soto, in a dramatic injury scare, fouled a ball off of his right foot and proceeded to hobble down the first-base line in pain before falling to his knees.

But the Yankees slugger dug back into the batter's box moments later and drilled a 79-MPH knucklecurve into the right-field seats, hopping on one foot as he watched it fly before jogging around the bases.

After the game, Soto admitted he was in a lot of pain before slugging the long ball.

"It was a lot of pain," Soto said. "At the end of the day, I tried to focus on the at-bat. Sometimes when you hit yourself like that, you kind of go away a little bit from the at-bat. So I tried to just focus, take my time, go in there and make good contact."

How long did it take Soto to realize he was fine and could continue the at-bat?

"A couple minutes," Soto said. "When I hit it, I knew there wasn't anything broke right when I hit it, but it was really painful and I tired to put weight on my foot but i just fell down."

Soto's teammate Jazz Chisholm Jr., who delivered a walk-off hit in the 11th inning, told reporters that he and his teammates could tell that the slugger was about to "do something special" right before his sixht-inning homer.

"The way he was looking around, you could see in his eyes, he was about to do something special," Chisholm said.

Nicholas Pooran opts out; Russell, Roston Chase and Brandon King to miss Ireland leg of tour

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jun-2025

Jason Holder is back in the T20I set-up•Getty Images

West Indies have recalled Jason Holder and Andre Russell to their T20I squad to face England, but they will be without Nicholas Pooran after he asked to be rested for the tour following his involvement at the IPL.West Indies will take on England in three T20Is following the conclusion of their ODI series at The Oval on Tuesday. They will then return to Ireland, where they began their white-ball tour last month, for another three-T20I series – although they have opted to rest several members of the playing and coaching staff, including Russell, from that leg.Holder last played T20Is for his country in February 2024, having been forced to miss the World Cup later in the year through injury. Russell’s most recent appearance came against England in Barbados in November, when he suffered an ankle problem that kept him out of the rest of the series.Related

Carty: 'I'm not just proud to be here, it's time to be impactful'

Shepherd, the most dangerous class of T20 finisher

The England series will be West Indies’ first since Shai Hope replaced Rovman Powell as T20I captain.Powell, who oversaw a 3-0 defeat at home to Bangladesh in his final series in charge, retained his spot in the squad but there was no room for allrounders Justin Greaves, Shamar Springer or Terrance Hinds.Sherfane Rutherford is back after missing the Bangladesh series, like Hope, while at the Big Bash League.Keacy Carty will only be involved in the Ireland T20Is, replacing Brandon King after the latter was granted leave, while new Test captain Roston Chase will also depart after the England series in order to return to the Caribbean ahead of Australia’s tour. Jyd Goolie, a former West Indies Under-19, won his first call-up in Chase’s place.West Indies will hold a Test training camp in Barbados from June 13-21 ahead of the first Test against Australia, starting on June 25. Daren Sammy, recently appointed as head coach across all formats, and assistants Floyd Reifer and Ravi Rampaul will also return home early, with Rayon Griffith taking the reins for the Ireland T20Is.West Indies men’s T20I squad to play EnglandShai Hope (capt), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario ShepherdWest Indies men’s T20I squad to play Ireland Shai Hope (capt), Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Jyd Goolie, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd

تحدث ميكيل أرتيتا مدرب أرسنال عن موقف جابرييل مارتينيلي وويليام ساليبا قبل مباراة بيرنلي في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويملك أرسنال فرصة لزيادة سلسلة انتصاراته إلى تسع مباريات، ويطمح الجانرز لتعزيز صدارته للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز في ملعب تيرف مور غداً السبت.

وحقق آرسنال الفوز على كريستال بالاس على ملعب الإمارات الأسبوع الماضي، ويتقدم الفريق بأربع نقاط على بورنموث صاحب المركز الثاني.

ويقدم بيرنلي مستوى جيدًا حيث حقق الفوز في آخر مباراتين ليبتعد بخمس نقاط عن منطقة الهبوط.

وقال أرتيتا في مؤتمر صحفي قبل مباراة بيرنلي في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “مترو” البريطانية :”لا إصابات جديدة، أعتقد أننا نعاني من نفس الإصابات”.

أقرأ أيضاً.. ماريسكا يكشف عن حديثه مع كول بالمر بشأن موعد عودته

وأضاف: “لايزال مارتينيلي غائباً ولا نعرف مدة غيابه بعد، لكنني أعتقد أن هذه المباراة ستقام مبكراً جداً لعودته”.

وسئل أرتيتا عن ساليبا: “علينا الانتظار لنرى، لدينا جلسة تدريبية أخرى بعد ظهر اليوم”.

وكان أرتيتا قد اعتمد على مارتينيلي من مقاعد البدلاء هذا الموسم، وسجل أربعة أهداف وصنع هدفًا واحدًا منها هدف التعادل ضد مانشستر سيتي في الوقت بدل الضائع في سبتمبر الماضي.

وتحدث أرتيتا عن أنباء إيجابية بشأن إصابات آرسنال طويلة الأمد: “اللاعبون الآخرون مازالوا يقتربون من المشاركة، أعتقد أنهم في الاتجاه الصحيح لكنهم غير متاحين بعد”.

وأكمل :”أعتقد أن الأمر سيستغرق أسابيع، وإذا استمروا في التطور بنفس الطريقة، من الصعب تحديد مباراة كما تعلمون لدينا فترة توقف دولي لمدة أسبوعين”.

وأتم: “بعد ذلك، أعتقد أننا سنستعيد بعض اللاعبين، لا أعرف إن كانوا جميعهم أو بعضهم لكننا سنكون قريبين جداً من العودة بحلول ذلك الوقت”.

واختتم أرتيتا عن مشاركة اللاعبين في لقاء آرسنال ضد توتنهام على ملعب الإمارات بعد فترة التوقف الدولي: “أنا متحمس لأنهم لاعبون رائعون، أراهم يعملون بجد كل يوم وأرى مدى حرصهم على الانضمام للفريق، ستكون عودة هؤلاء اللاعبين دفعة قوية للفريق، بعد فترة طويلة جداً وأنا سعيد جداً لأنني أعتقد أنها ستكون قريباً جداً”.

Mohamed Salah has started the 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a goal and an assist across three fixtures. The Egyptian King has played a starring role in Liverpool’s perfect start to their title defence, claiming nine points from nine.

Jurgen Klopp’s illustrious tenure ended with a Carabao Cup title and restored qualification to the Champions League, but for a superstar like Salah, it was another year without one of the game’s biggest prizes.

He made a promise, and he kept that promise. Salah scored 34 goals and provided 23 assists for Liverpool across all competitions last season, a paragon of perfection in Arne Slot’s team, breaking the record for goal involvements in a 38-match Premier League season.

Alan Shearer

441

260

Harry Kane

320

213

Wayne Rooney

491

208

Mohamed Salah

304

187

Andy Cole

414

187

Salah is not just a Liverpool legend, but one of the greatest forwards to have ever plied their craft within the English game. However, all good things must come to an end, and Salah turned 33 in June.

The £400k-per-week forward is contracted to Anfield until the end of the 2026/27 season, but whether he can maintain his jaw-dropping output remains to be seen.

However, FSG will rest easy with the knowledge that they have redefined Liverpool’s frontline this summer and eased their veteran hero’s burden.

On transfer deadline day, Liverpool signed Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for a British record £125m fee. Isak is one of the best strikers in the world, and he joins Hugo Ekitike in having made the move to Merseyside this summer.

While sporting director Richard Hughes made the call to sell Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, who played crucial roles in winning the league last term, the recent months of spending suggest Liverpool have gone from strength to strength, and that’s without even talking about Florian Wirtz, who is anticipated to grow into one of the best players in the world under Slot’s wing.

Salah has so much robust quality to work with this season, but the fact remains that Hughes and co will need to start considering the future on Liverpool’s attacking right flank.

Liverpool's top target to replace Salah

It’s not going to come as a surprise that Liverpool have already started planning for the future. Such is FSG’s way. There is a reason Liverpool’s model is so envied: years of painstaking progress and thriftiness culminating in the summer window we have just witnessed.

And while the new contract awarded to Salah in April was provided with the belief that he would continue to play a focal role at Liverpool this season and next, it’s likely that his output will begin to dwindle as he reaches the autumn of his Premier League career.

And with that in mind, it might be worth heeding rumours that Liverpool have registered their interest in Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise nice and early.

According to Liverpool correspondent Lewis Steele, Olise has been earmarked by the Reds’ hierarchy as they compile a succession plan, with the France international believed to be right at the top of the shortlist.

Olise only joined Bayern from Crystal Palace for a £47.5m fee one year ago, but he has carried his immense form from London over to the Bundesliga.

Now considered by those at Bayern to have a value closer to £100m, Liverpool would have to break the bank once again to seal this marquee signing, but then they have shown a newfound willingness to make such a payment of late.

What Olise would bring to Liverpool

Olise scored 20 goals and set up 23 further strikes for Bayern Munich last season, instrumental in reclaiming the Bundesliga title from Bayer Leverkusen. His 43 goal involvements were far ahead of Isak’s own return of 33 goals and assists.

This term, the 23-year-old has so far scored four goals from as many matches for Die Roten.

Having previously turned the English scene over with Crystal Palace, leading talent scout Jacek Kulig to hail him as “one of the Premier League’s best players”, Olise has proven himself across various plains and would surely prove a stunning Salah heir.

Looking at how Olise compares to Salah over the past 12 months, the Les Bleus star’s advantage in terms of physicality and underlying athleticism is underscored through the metrics.

This is only natural, of course, for Salah is getting on and has tweaked his game to retain his first-class output.

Goals scored

0.53

0.65

Assists

0.45

0.43

Shots taken

3.54

3.08

Shot-creating actions

6.31

4.11

Touches (att pen)

6.18

8.91

Progressive passes

7.37

3.87

Progressive carries

4.67

4.00

Successful take-ons

2.67

1.33

Ball recoveries

4.20

2.84

Tackles + interceptions

1.64

0.73

But Liverpool could go up a gear with Olise in the mix, more dynamic and electric up top. Of course, having signed Isak, this should be the case already, but Bayern’s new hero could prove a different demon.

His ridiculous success as an Eagle suggests that he could potentially even outperform Isak in Liverpool’s first team, shining like Salah as a winger whose skill stretches beyond simply world-class.

A few years back, pundit Micah Richards predicted that Olise is “going to be a superstar”, and it’s fair to say that he was on the money with that one.

Olise’s sheer range from his right-winged berth suggests he could add a new kind of quality to Liverpool’s frontline, providing a balanced output that would be reminiscent of Salah in his prime while adding so much to the build-up and fluency of Slot’s outfit as a whole.

Isak scored 27 goals for Newcastle last season, and there can be no doubt that Liverpool have signed one of the most formidable number nines out there.

However, Olise simply has so many instruments from which to work on opponents that he might just turn out to be the cream of the crop in Liverpool’s extraordinary frontline.

Bellingham repeat: Real Madrid eyeing move to sign Liverpool's top target

The Spanish giants could deal the Reds another blow…

ByTom Cunningham Sep 4, 2025

Arsenal are now expected to rival Liverpool for the signature of an “elite” player, who Declan Rice is a big fan of.

Gunners lay down marker with victory against Nottingham Forest

The Gunners suffered an early setback in the Premier League title race at Anfield before the international break, with Liverpool emerging as 1-0 victors, but they got right back on track against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium.

A Martin Zubimendi brace either side of Viktor Gyokeres’ third goal of the season ensured the north Londoners picked up all three points, sending Mikel Arteta’s side back to the top of the Premier League table.

As expected, Arteta’s side have looked particularly impressive from a defensive point of view up to this point, with Dominik Szoboszlai’s arguably unstoppable free-kick the only goal they have conceded in the opening four games.

Arsenal intensify interest in signing "special" gem ahead of Liverpool

He’s a future star…

ByTom Cunningham Sep 13, 2025

However, there has now been a suggestion that Arteta remains keen on strengthening his backline even further, with a report from The Boot Room revealing Arsenal are now expected to rival Liverpool for the signature of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

Arne Slot’s side are still the favourites to sign Guehi, despite missing out on a £35m deal during the summer transfer window, but there could now be stiff competition for the centre-back’s signature, with a whole host of Europe’s top clubs, including Chelsea, also keen.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey adds: “He is a fantastic person and everyone who meets him relays that fact – I was told by one high ranking Premier League executive that signing him is one of the ‘least risky’ transfers that anyone could do.

"Elite" Guehi would provide incredible depth for Arteta

Arteta is already blessed with a number of top-quality options at centre-back, with William Saliba and Gabriel forming a formidable partnership, which led to the Gunners boasting the best defensive record in the Premier League last season.

Having also signed Cristhian Mosquera in the summer transfer window, there are doubts over whether signing another defender is necessary, but the Crystal Palace star clearly has the ability to be a success at the Emirates Stadium.

Lauded as an “elite” centre-back by writer Eddie Gibbs, the 25-year-old is now an established England international, picking up 25 caps, with Statman Dave recently singing him out for praise for his performance in the 5-0 victory against Serbia.

The Englishman, who Rice is a big fan of, scored his first goal for the Three Lions in the thrashing, while he has also made a flying start to the season at club level, particularly impressing in a 3-0 victory against Aston Villa.

Guehi stats vs Villa

Number completed

Goals

1

Duels won

5

Clearances

5

Tackles

3

That said, it could be very difficult for Guehi to displace Saliba or Gabriel in the starting XI, so a move to Anfield could make more sense, especially if Ibrahima Konate doesn’t sign a new contract.

MatériaMais Notícias

Coritiba e Santos se enfrentarão neste sábado (10), às 16h (de Brasília), no estádio Couto Pereira. O jogo é válido pela 10ª rodada do Brasileirão.

RelacionadasSantosSem lesão, Deivid Washington será poupado de jogo do Santos; entendaSantos09/06/2023SantosOi, sumido? Ângelo volta a ser reserva do Santos e vê outra joia da base ganhar espaçoSantos09/06/2023SantosPor que o Santos banca Odair Hellmann após eliminações na Sul-Americana e Copa do Brasil?Santos09/06/2023

Ambas as equipes ocupam a chamada ‘segunda página’ da tabela, abaixo do 10º colocado. O Peixe está atualmente na 12ª posição, com 12 pontos em nove jogos. Ao todo, são três vitórias, três empates e três derrotas.

+ Santos perde milhões em premiações após decepções na fase de grupos Sul-Americana

+ Eliminado da Sul-Americana, Santos vê vaga na Copa do Brasil ficar ‘por um fio’

Por outro lado, o Coxa segue na lanterna da classificação. O time de Antônio Carlos Zago ainda não venceu no Brasileirão: são três empates e seis derrotas nos mesmos nove jogos disputados.

As novidades do lado santista ficam por conta dos retornos de Joaquim na zaga e Gabriel Inocêncio na lateral-esquerda. O primeiro estava suspenso e não podia entrar em campo na partida da última terça-feira, pela Sul-Americana. O segundo não está inscrito na competição, pois foi contratado após o início da fase de grupos.

Além dos retornos, o Alvinegro terá o desfalque do atacante Deivid Washington, poupado pelo Núcleo de Saúde e Performance do clube para trabalhos de força e reequilíbrio muscular.

Pelo Coritiba, a principal preocupação do técnico Antônio Carlos está na defesa: os zagueiros Bruno Viana e Benjamin Kuscevic estão suspensos. Os possíveis substitutos são os jovens Jean Pedroso, que retorna da Seleção Sub-20 após disputar o Mundial da categoria, e Thiago Dombroski, que se recuperou de lesão e volta a ser relacionado para um jogo depois de aproximadamente um mês afastado.

CORITIBA X SANTOS
Campeonato Brasileiro – 9ª rodada

Data e horário:10 de junho de 2023, sábado, às 16 horas (de Brasília)
​Local:Estádio Couto Pereira, em Curitiba (PR)
Árbitro:Bruno Mota Correia (RJ)
Assistentes:Rodrigo Figueiredo Henrique Correa (FIFA/RJ) e Thiago Henrique Neto Correa Farinha (RJ)
VAR:Emerson De Almeida Ferreira (MG)
Onde assistir:Premiere e em tempo real do Lance!

PROVÁVEL CORITIBA: Gabriel; Thiago Dombroski, Henrique, Jean Pedroso; Natanael, Liziero, Bruno Gomes, Marcelino Moreno e Jamerson; Robson e Zé Roberto.Técnico:Antônio Carlos Zago.

Desfalques:Bruno Viana e Benjamin Kuscevic (suspensos).

PROVÁVEL SANTOS:João Paulo; Nathan, Messias, Joaquim e Gabriel Inocêncio; Alison, Dodi e Lucas Lima; Mendoza, Marcos Leonardo e Soteldo.Técnico:Odair Hellmann.

Desfalques:Deivid Washington (poupado); Lucas Braga e Sandry (transição); Luan Dias (lesão muscular); Felipe Jonatan e Leonardo Zabala (lesão no ligamento cruzado anterior do joelho esquerdo).

كشف صحفي شبكة سكاي سبورتس، فابريزيو رومانو، عن آخر تطورات إصابة نجم نادي ريال مدريد، وذلك عقب نهاية الجولة الثامنة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى.

ريال مدريد عاد من جديد إلى سكة الانتصارات، وذلك عقب الانتصار الثمين الذي حققه الفريق الملكي على حساب فياريال يوم السبت الماضي بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف واحد.

واستغل ريال مدريد خسارة برشلونة القاسية أمام إشبيلية بأربعة أهداف مقابل هدف واحد يوم أمس الأحد في ملعب رامون سانشيز بيزخوان، ليتصدر الميرنجي الترتيب.

ويفتقد ريال مدريد إلى عدد من اللاعبين في تشكيلة الفريق الأساسية، ومن بين هؤلاء اللاعبين ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد، وأنطونيو روديجير، وداني كارفاخال، وفيرلاند ميندي.

ويعاني أرنولد من إصابة عضلية أبعدته عن تشكيلة ريال مدريد منذ مواجهة أوليمبيك مارسيليا الشهر الماضي، ضمن الجولة الأولة من مرحلة الدوري في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

اقرأ أيضًا .. جوتي ينصح لاعب ريال مدريد: عليك الرحيل

وأكد رومانو اليوم الإثنين، أن عملية تعافي أرنولد من الإصابة تتم بشكل جيد للغاية، حيث يبدو الظهير الأيمن واثقًا من العودة إلى صفوف ريال مدريد بعد نهاية فترة التوقف الدولي الحالي.

وأضاف الصحفي الإيطالي، أن أرنولد من المتوقع أن يتعافى بشكل تام من إصابته في غضون أسبوعين، وأن لاعب ليفربول السابق يهدف إلى المشاركة في الكلاسيكو أمام برشلونة.

ريال مدريد سوف يستضيف برشلونة يوم ال26 من شهر أكتوبر الجاري على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو، في قمة الدوري الإسباني، والتي سوف تكون حاسمة في صراع المنافسة على البطولة المحلية.

Tottenham Hotspur are in the market for an heir to club legend Son Heung-min, who waved an emotional goodbye in Seoul over the weekend.

Perfect Maddison upgrade: Spurs make immediate enquiry for £40m "magician"

Tottenham’s chief playmaker has sustained a worrying knee injury in pre-season.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 5, 2025

It was a tearful Sunday night in South Korea, as Son played what was his final game for Spurs before his MLS record-breaking near £20 million move to Los Angeles FC.

A sunken-eyed send-off befitting a club legend unfolded at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, where 64,773 fans packed in to honour the winger in a friendly against Newcastle. Tottenham drew 1-1, but the attention belonged almost entirely to Son’s farewell, even if it was marred somewhat by an horrific-looking injury to star midfielder James Maddison.

After ten years at Spurs – where he scored 173 goals in 454 games and led them to a long-awaited trophy with their Europa League triumph – Son was given a guard of honour from both sides before exiting in the 65th minute.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

His teammates lifted him shoulder-high, and even Newcastle players joined in the tribute, highlighting just how deeply respected he is.

Thomas Frank described the tributes last weekend as “unbelievable, beautiful scenes,” while Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said the reaction spoke volumes about Son’s character and the mark he left on the Premier League.

The curtain has closed on his golden era at Spurs. But for Son, his legacy lives on – in north London’s history books and the hearts of countless fans across the globe.

Unfortunately for Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange, the Lilywhites are now presented with an almighty task to somehow replace both his contribution on the pitch and his presence in the dressing room.

Son was often credited as a natural leader behind-the-scenes and someone who’d play a key role in helping to ease new players into the squad, which will be very hard to replicate, but the north Londoners are set to give it their best shot.

According to recent reports, Tottenham could attempt to make a real statement by signing Real Madrid forward Rodrygo to step into Son’s shoes.

The Brazil international has been linked with a Bernabeu exit ever since the summer window opened, with Levy reportedly targeting Rodrygo in what would be a very bold, exciting move.

Tottenham await reply to Rodrygo offer after Real Madrid star's U-turn

Spanish news outlet Marca have a very intriguing update on this.

The 24-year-old was apparently determined to stay and fight for his place under Xabi Alonso, but in a U-turn over his future, he’s now leaning more towards the exit door.

In response, various intermediaries have contacted Real to gauge the conditions of a potential deal, and Frank’s side are among the clubs who are offering the ex-Santos sensation a route out of La Liga.

Marca reports that agents are convinced Tottenham have already made a bid for Rodrygo as the N17 club await a reply from Los Blancos, but there’s no disclosure about the details of this alleged bid right now.

Real value their South American star at a minimum £60 million, which could rise to around £70 million, so Levy faces the prospect of potentially having to pay a club-record fee for Rodrygo’s signature.

However, as Son’s farewell leaves a hefty gap, Rodrygo could be the one to fill it.

The Real star has bags of Champions League experience, blistering pace and a flair for the spectacular – cut from a similar cloth to Son.

He already has multiple European titles to his name and thrives drifting in from out wide, bagging 14 goals and 11 assists last season despite falling down the pecking order in recent months.

At Spurs, he’d undoubtedly be the main man, and his versatility is another very attractive trait for Frank in particular.