Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

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If Tottenham do sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, they could play him centrally as the attacking midfielder in Thomas Frank’s 4-2-3-1 system, filling the creative void left by James Maddison’s knee injury.

Maddison and Eze both created two chances per 90 minutes in the most recent Premier League campaign, though Maddison’s passing range means he is perhaps better suited to stretching play. He averaged 3.9 long passes and 8.6 passes into the final third per 90 last season, compared to corresponding figures of 2.3 and 4 for Eze.

Eze, meanwhile, has the edge in terms of running with the ball, averaging 4.6 dribbles to Maddison’s 3.4, with a similar advantage when it comes to taking on players in the opposition half.

Another option would be to use Eze as a replacement for the departed Son Heung-min on the wings. One of Son’s biggest strengths was his finishing ability with either foot. The South Korean attempted 33 shots with his right in the league last season and 24 with his left. Though not quite at that level, Eze is also relatively ambidextrous, registering 72 right-footed efforts and 28 off his left.

Feel like a huge part of answering that question requires Lionel Messi to play against Stoke, in Stoke, on a cold, wet and windy night. But an exciting prospect nonetheless.

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This summer should have been a time for Newcastle to really kick on. I don't know how or why it has been allowed to happen, but right now it feels like much of that momentum has been lost.

Newcastle went into the summer with no chief executive or sporting director, which I find amazing.

I don't know why they haven't appointed anyone yet or if that has hindered them in the transfer market, because I am not inside the club, but from the outside it is not a good look.

It's a mess, and it begs the question about who has been making the big decisions.

Now they have to deal with Alexander Isak as well. There are two sides to every story and we haven't heard from Isak yet, or anyone inside his camp, other than him saying he wants to explore his options.

We don't know when he told the club that, how he told them, or what his feelings are about exactly why he wants out. What we do know is that Liverpool have offered £110m for him.

In recent years we have seen Enzo Fernandez, Declan Rice and Jack Grealish go for around £100m so, if that is the bar, they are never going to get Isak - a 25-year-old striker who has scored 44 Premier League goals across the past two seasons - for £110m. I don't think you'd get Dan Burn for that, to be honest.

Newcastle have named their price, which is nearer to £150m, so we will have to see what Liverpool do next. The top and bottom of it is that if Newcastle don't get the money they want, or the two strikers they need, then Isak stays.

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As we await official confirmation of Jack Grealish's loan move to Everton, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has posted a selection of photos of him with his team-mate, along with a blue heart on his X account.

Nottingham Forest

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The Athletic, external are reporting that Nottingham Forest are close to agreeing a deal for Manchester City's 22-year-old English midfielder James McAtee.

Nothing has been agreed at this stage but talks are moving in a positive direction, according to the report.

City are reportedly willing to let McAtee leave on a permanent deal this summer, with clubs from England and Germany showing an interest in the midfielder.

Asking a lot of a 50-year-old Jussi Jaaskelainen and 48-year-old Kevin Davies there, Jacob.

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

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After scoring nine goals as Girona finished third in La Liga in 2023-24, Savinho managed just one in his debut Premier League campaign.

That wasn't for the want of trying - only Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne had more attempts on goal for City. But a lack of ruthlessness resulted in the Brazilian underperforming his xG total by four, the worst figure of any Premier League player last term.

However, the 21-year-old did offer plenty of creativity, registering eight assists, more than any of his team-mates. His tally of 46 chances created was the club's third highest, while he also showcased his ability to run at opposition defenders, attempting 102 dribbles - second only to Jeremy Doku among City players.

Tottenham are well stocked in wide areas, despite the departure of Son Heung-min, with four players - Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert, Mathys Tel and Brennan Johnson - likely to compete for two starting spots in Thomas Frank's 4-2-3-1 formation.

But they are short of attacking midfielders - Maddison will take a long time to recover from his ACL injury, while Dejan Kulusevski is recovering from a long-term patella issue.

Savinho, who is left footed, made two-thirds of his league appearances for City on the right, while he predominantly played for Girona on the left. While there seems little prospect of him being deployed centrally by Spurs, his arrival could free up Kudus to play there. Kudus was occasionally used as a number 10 by West Ham and also has experience in that role for Ajax and Ghana.

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Simon Stone
BBC Sport chief football news reporter on BBC 5 Live

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Speaking on BBC 5 Live Breakfast, about Savinho's potential move from Manchester City to Tottenham...

I would say, having watching City quite a lot last season, he was in and out of games, he's a little bit inconsistent.

Obviously for a long period last season, City weren't playing at levels we know they're capable of, but Guardiola also has a long standing policy that if players don't want to be there then he won't stand in their way.

City have also been very good over the years at maximising the amount that they can generate from the transfer window.

So, I wonder if Savinho has looked at the situation and thought 'where am I going to play?, Am I going to play every week? Am I going to be a central component of this team?'

And obviously when you're looking at the situation where Erling Haaland is clearly going to play, and then you have all these other top players as well, does Savinho think he's going to play and, if he's not going to play, then he wants to leave and go somewhere that he is.

Then City and Guardiola will just say we'll allow that happen, but we want the most that we can get for you and that is the way that City operate.

I just think it's quite interesting that Rodrygo at Real Madrid, a player I rate really highly, his name is suddenly being mentioned. If you were to say, 'we're going to let Savinho go but we might get Rodrygo in', well I think most City fans will accept that.

Who doesn't love a bit of transfer gossip? Well, we've got some more for you here.

Man City are considering a move for Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo - who is valued at £87m according to Fabrizio Romano.

That comes after yesterday's news that Tottenham are potentially eyeing a move for City winger Savinho.

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We asked you get in your weirdest predictions for the new Premier League season. Here is a selection of the best ones so far:

We want more! Remember guys the weirder the better - click the 'Get Involved' at the top of the page to have your say.

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport

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With Alexander Isak looking increasingly likely to depart, Newcastle are set to kick off their Premier League campaign at Aston Villa on Saturday without their talisman.

Eddie Howe must hope other players can contribute goals in his absence. Isak scored 23 goals and provided six assists in last season's Premier League, meaning he was directly involved in more than 40% of Newcastle’s total league goals, scoring 33.85% of them.

No other Newcastle player scored more than nine league goals last season – and that was winger Harvey Barnes.

Jacob Murphy is likely to once again play a key role after scoring eight goals and registering 12 assists last season, while new signing Anthony Elanga was involved in nearly 30% of Nottingham Forest’s league goals in 2024-25.

However, like Murphy, the bulk of Elanga’s contribution was in setting up team-mates, rather than finding the back of the net. He recorded six goals and 11 assists.

So Newcastle’s biggest quandary remains - who will take any chances at Villa Park come Saturday lunchtime and who can replace a player of Isak’s quality should he depart, with the transfer window just under three weeks from closing?

Newcastle fans, would you take Yoane Wissa and Ollie Watkins if it meant losing Alexander Isak?

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It seems obvious that Liverpool have got into Alexander Isak, or his agent, to turn his head and make him want to go there. From a players' perspective, rather than a fan, I get the mentality where he has made his mind up about what is best for his future too.

But it is the club that matters most here and, whatever happens next, the crux of the matter is that Newcastle United are far bigger than any one individual - it always has been, and always will be.

So, Newcastle have to look after themselves, which means that if they are contemplating letting Isak go for whatever price they want for him, then they also need to get two strikers they want in before they can do that.

If they are available, Brentford's Yoane Wissa and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins are proven Premier League strikers and probably the best-case scenario from Newcastle's point of view.

Wissa's situation, in particular, sounds very similar to Isak's. It just shows you that this is something that happens in football all the time, and of course it is frustrating when you are on the wrong end of it.

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Simon Stone
BBC Sport chief football news reporter

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I am not getting the impression Brighton's stance on midfielder Carlos Baleba is weakening.

Manchester United are prioritising their midfield now they have strengthened their striking ranks, which suggests no immediate move for PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has been left out of the squad for tomorrow's Super Cup clash with Tottenham and seems certain to leave the French club.

Brighton have been keen to stress they have no desire or interest in selling Baleba, whose contract runs to 2028. They are sticking to their mantra. Whether the player accepts that fact is another matter.

United feel their signing of striker Benjamin Sesko was done on favourable terms, which felt like an indication they could do more business before the transfer window closes on 1 September.

However, they do need to sell players. There is still no sense Rasmus Hojlund has changed his mind about being determined to fight for his place, while Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrrell Malacia remain in limbo.

Real Betis president Angel Haro Garcia has confirmed the club are still trying to bring Antony back to the club after his successful loan stint last year but, as yet there has been no breakthrough in talks.

Do keep your weird and wonderful Premier League predictions coming in, too.

Those inklings that are by no means likely, that nagging doubt that something strange might happen...

They've been excellent so far, from RB Wrexham, to VAR fashion police, and Slot's new hairstyle to Manchester City United.

Great work.