We might only be 11 games into the Premier League season this year, but it’s already been a campaign full of ups and downs for Tottenham Hotspur.

In their usual fashion, the North Londoners have put in some outstanding performances, like the ones against Manchester United and Aston Villa, but have also looked utterly hopeless in games against Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace.

Ange Postecoglou has been able to get his team to play the ultra-attacking and entertaining football he wants them to, but he hasn’t been able to create a sense of consistency in their performances, and a player who perhaps encapsulates that best is James Maddison.

The former Leicester City ace has looked sublime in some games this season but like a complete passenger in others, and the club may well be running out of patience as recent reports have linked them to a young midfielder who could become his ideal rival.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report from Spain, Tottenham are one of several clubs interested in signing Gabri Veiga.

Alongside the Lilywhites, the report has revealed that Serie A sides Napoli and Fiorentina are keen to bring the Spaniard back to European football just a year and a bit on from his surprise move to the Saudi Pro League.

A potential price is not mentioned in the story, but given the fact that his £191k-per-week contract is only set to run until summer 2026, we can assume that Al-Ahli won’t be in a particularly strong position to demand too much more than the €36m – £30m – they paid for him last year.

Signing Veiga could still prove to be complicated and costly, but given his ability and potential, it would be well worth it, and he could be the ideal rival for Maddison.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

How Veiga compares to Maddison

So, if Spurs are successful in their pursuit of Veiga next year, his propensity to play in central and attacking midfield areas would put him in direct competition with Maddison for a place in the starting lineup, so how do the pair stack up against one another?

Well, the first thing to look at is their raw output, and to his credit, this is where the Lilywhites star comes out ahead, as over the last two seasons, he’s scored seven goals and provided 13 assists in 45 appearances, while his potential rival has scored eight goals and provided five assists in 37 appearances.

However, there are a few other reasons why signing the young Spaniard to rival the Englishman would be a good idea, and the first is his age.

Squad building is immensely important, and if the last transfer window is anything to go by, then Postecoglou and Daniel Levy are looking to build a team of young exciting talents.

So, at just 22 years old, the Porriño-born dynamo is at the perfect point in his career to become a core part of this evolving side.

Moreover, as his output suggests, he’s not too far behind the Englishman, and with transfers expert Fabrizio Romano describing him as “one of the best talents in the world” only last summer, he sounds like the ideal addition to the North Londoners’ forward-thinking project.

Furthermore, while the Coventry-born star is capable of going on a brilliant run of form, he cannot be relied upon to remain fit for an entire campaign. For example, across the last six seasons, he has suffered 16 injuries that have kept him sidelined for a total of 320 days and have seen him miss a whopping 56 games for club and country.

In contrast, despite making his senior debut four seasons ago, the Spain U21 international has only been sidelined for 15 games due to an ankle injury and a lack of fitness afterwards, so when it comes to availability, he’s far more reliable than the man he could rival in England.

Finally, if there are some of you out there who are still unconvinced by the possibility of Veiga coming in to challenge Maddison either in January or the summer, you only need to look at his final season of European football.

Appearances

39

Minutes

2482′

Goals

11

Assists

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.38

Minutes per Goal Involvement

165.4′

In the 22/23 campaign, the up-and-coming prospect made 39 first-team appearances despite being just 20 at the time and ended the year with a sensational haul of 11 goals and four assists, meaning he maintained an average of a goal involvement once every 2.6 games in a top five league.

Ultimately, there will always be an element of risk in signing talent from the Saudi Pro League, but Veiga was receiving rave reviews just over a year ago, and it seems incredibly unlikely that a season and a bit of football away from Europe would see that ability disappear. Therefore, while it might not be a move that gets the fans overly excited, Levy and Co should look to bring the 22-year-old to N17 in 2025.

Ange could ditch Dragusin at Spurs by signing £25m-rated "battleship"

The impressive international would be an excellent addition to Spurs’ squad.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 16, 2024

Former England international and now pundit Carlton Palmer has been left stunned by how much West Brom could a star player for, saying it would be “unbelievable business” by the club.

Latest West Brom news

The Baggies finally got back to winning ways in the Championship before the international break, securing a vital 2-1 victory away to Hull City. It was their first win since their 1-0 triumph at home to Plymouth Argyle on September 21st.

It put an end to a hugely frustrating run of six draws in a row for Carlos Corberan’s side, taking some of the pressure off the shoulders of the manager in the process.

Next up for West Brom is a home clash with Norwich City on Saturday afternoon, as the hosts look to not only stay in the playoff positions come the end of the weekend, but also get closer to Sunderland and Sheffield United in the automatic promotion positions.

There have been plenty of key players on show at the Hawthorns this season, not least striker Josh Maja, who has scored nine goals in 15 Championship appearances. Now, a key claim has emerged regarding his future.

Pundit stunned at West Brom ace's price tag

Speaking to Football League World, ex-England man Palmer admitted his shock at West Brom striker Josh Maja’s £17m price tag, amid interest in him from La Liga side Celta Vigo, who want to sign him in January. Palmer said cashing in for £17m on the forward would be “unbelievable business” for West Brom.

“West Brom going along nicely in the Championship, their player Josh Maja, who is having a fantastic season so far, [has] interest from Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad. Both looking for £17 million. West Brom signed him on a free transfer, so this would be unbelievable business for the football club, to get that type of money for him.

“I think it’s a fee that they wouldn’t be able to turn down. Obviously you can do a lot with £17 million, but if your people know you’re getting £17 million, then they’re going to up the ante if you want to buy a player. It’s always difficult circumstances, and this is the problem that sometimes comes with the transfer window. He’s doing really well for them, it’s going to be really difficult for them to turn down an offer of that magnitude if that offer actually materialises.”

The idea of West Brom selling the £17,000-a-week Maja may horrify some supporters, considering what a vital member of Corberan’s team he is. The 25-year-old has matured into an excellent Championship striker and his best years should still be in front of him.

That said, the opportunity for the Baggies to receive as much as £17m for one of their most prized players could be too great to turn down, considering it would be one of the most significant financial boosts in their recent history.

Josh Maja’s 2024/25 Championship stats

Total

Appearances

15

Starts

15

Minutes played

1227

Goals

9

Assists

1

Shots per game

2.3

Key passes per game

0.9

Aerial duel wins per game

0.8

In fact, it would be more than the £15.2m that Salomon Rondon departed for back in 2019, which remains the biggest sale in West Brom’s history, highlighting why moving him on would be hard to say no to.

Granted, it would affect their promotion hopes midway through the season, but the money would be there to spend on a top-quality replacement.

A Test century continued to elude Rachael Haynes but it was not a milestone she was worrying about despite the fact this match against England in Canberra could be her last in the format.With the one-off Ashes Tests, which form part of the multi-format series, the only guaranteed games in the format Australia get – although this is their second of the season after the game against India in October – and most nations not playing them, Haynes admitted it might be the final time she pulls on the whites for her country.Her 86 was the third occasion she had got within touching distance of a Test century following her 98 on debut in Worcester in 2009 and the 87 in Taunton two years ago. Having taken advantage of being dropped on 44, she was closing in on triple figures until receiving a terrific delivery from Katherine Brunt which bounced to take the glove.”It’s probably a fair assumption, think it probably will be my last Ashes Test,” she said. “I just want to enjoy it. It’s a really special occasion, not just for me but for the whole team. This series is one that’s held in really high regard. First and foremost I just want to focus on tomorrow and get another good day’s play.”Haynes combined in a 169-run stand with captain Meg Lanning – who was dropped on 0 and 16 – which lifted Australia from 43 for 3, and things had been even more uncertain when Haynes watched from the non-striker’s end as Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney edged to the wicketkeeper inside the first four overs.As much as the missed landmark, it was the fact Haynes’ departure came just three balls after Lanning had also fallen narrowly short of a century that frustrated her, although the partnership between Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath ensured Australia ended on top despite McGrath falling to the last ball of the day.”I wasn’t thinking about it [the hundred] to be honest,” she said. “I was more just disappointed to lose two wickets in a row. It just opened the door a little bit but think our batting order rallied really well and had a good counterpunch. It was pretty good to watch as well, the contest between Ash and Katherine [Brunt], it was good fun. It was a really positive way to finish the day.”If the chance had been taken off Lanning before she had scored, edging low to second slip, Australia would have been 43 for 4 and if she had been held by Heather Knight at slip in the last over before lunch it would have been 78 for 4.However, Nat Sciver said that overall England were satisfied with seven wickets on the opening day having opted to bowl in conditions where she felt runs could be scored at a good rate throughout the game. Four wickets in the final session kept them in the hunt after Australia had scored 120 without loss between lunch and tea.”All the bowlers can do is create them [the chances]. We have to take them really,” Sciver said. “We’re frustrated with the drops and maybe we lacked a bit of energy in the middle session.”We brought it back at the end and feel pretty positive…probably buoyed a little more with the wicket on the last ball. When they got in it seemed a lot easier to score so hopefully that’s what we can do.”

Pakistan have also named five reserves – including Yasir Shah and Naseem Shah – for the Tests, which are set to begin in Rawalpindi from March 4

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Feb-2022Pakistan have called up right-arm quick Haris Rauf, while opening batter Shan Masood, who played a Test in January 2021, has been recalled in the 16-member squad for the three home Tests against Australia. Offspinner Bilal Asif, who was part of the squad for the series against Bangladesh, has been dropped.Rauf, who has played ODIs and T20Is for Pakistan but is uncapped in the longest format, was earlier called up for the Tests against South Africa and Zimbabwe in 2021 but did not debut. Masood meanwhile replaces Abid Ali, who is currently in rehabilitation after being diagnosed with a heart condition in December last year.Pakistan have also named five reserves – Yasir Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah and Kamran Ghulam – for the Tests, which are set to begin in Rawalpindi from March 4.According to a PCB release, the players named in the Test squad who are not involved in the ongoing season of PSL will assemble in National Stadium in Karachi on February 16 for a training camp.”We have opted for consistency for the important home series against Australia and changes have only been made where absolutely necessary,” chief selector Muhammad Wasim said. “This is to give the boys confidence, reward them for their impressive performances in the longer version of the game in 2021 and continue to build the side for the future.”These are the best available, most talented and in-form players in the domestic circuit. I am confident they will put up an impressive performance against a formidable Australia side.”The second and the third Tests are scheduled to be played in Karachi from March 12 and in Lahore on March 21 respectively.Pakistan squad: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood
Reserves: Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah

تمكن فريق تشيلسي من تحقيق الفوز على نظيره توتنهام هوتسبير بهدف دون رد، في إطار منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وواجه تشيلسي نظيره توتنهام هوتسبير ضمن منافسات الجولة الثلاثين من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز على ملعب “ستامفورد بريدج”.

اقرأ ايضاً.. ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي بعد فوز ليفربول وآرسنال ومانشستر سيتي

انتهى الشوط الأول سلبي النتيجة بين الفريقين في شوط شهد أفضلية في السيطرة والاستحواذ لصالح أصحاب الأرض.

في الشوط الثاني ومع الدقيقة 50، تمكن إنزو فيرنانديز من إحراز الهدف الأول بضربة رأسية لصالح تشيلسي من صناعة كول بالمر.

وبحلول الدقيقة 56 أضاف مويسيس كايسيدو هدفاً ثانياً لأصحاب الأرض عبر تسديدة قوية، لكنه تم إلغاء الهدف بداعي التسلل على كولويل.

باب سار نجح في تسجيل هدف التعادل لصالح توتنهام بالدقيقة 69، لكنه تم إلغاء الهدف بداعي وجود مخالفة لصالح كايسيدو.

وكاد سون أن يخطف هدف التعادل لـ توتنهام بالدقيقة 89، لولا تألق روبرت سانشيز حارس مرمى تشيلسي الذي منع هدف مؤكد للضيوف.

وبهذه النتيجة، ارتفع تشيلسي رصيده إلى النقطة 52 في المركز الرابع في سلم ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بينما تجمد رصيد توتنهام عند النقطة 34 في المركز الرابع عشر. هدف تشيلسي الاول في مرمي توتنهام بالدوري الانجليزي

إنزو فرنانديز يفتح باب التسجيل لتشلسي برأسية مركزة#الدوري_الإنجليزي_الممتاز #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/VAJdJImTFE — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) April 3, 2025

BCCI president expects the tournament to be “as big and grand a success as men’s IPL”

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Feb-2022

The BCCI is at the final stages of planning for a Women’s IPL, according to BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, who has said he strongly believes that the tournament should take off in 2023.”We are at the level of formulation to have a full-fledged WIPL. It is certainly going to happen,” Ganguly told PTI on Friday. “I strongly believe that next year i.e. 2023 will be a very good time to start a full-fledged women’s IPL which will be as big and grand a success as men’s IPL.”After India finished runners-up to England in the 2017 ODI World Cup, and then second-best to Australia at the T20 World Cup in 2020, the women’s game in the country has cornered a lot more attention than it had previously.But despite prominent voices asking for a T20 league for women in India along the lines of the WBBL or the now-defunct Kia Super League (the women’s Hundred has taken its place), the BCCI has opted not to go ahead, so far, choosing instead to only host a three-team Women’s T20 Challenge alongside the playoffs of the men’s IPL. This started in 2018 as a two-team event, with one exhibition match, and expanded to a three-team affair in 2019 and 2020, but was scrapped in 2021, even though the men’s tournament took place (in two parts because of the Covid-19 situation).The BCCI’s argument against the Women’s IPL has been that Indian cricket doesn’t possess the sort of depth in its domestic circuit that is required for the tournament to be worthwhile. In 2019, Ganguly had, in fact, suggested that a seven-team women’s IPL could well come to fruition in 2023, when he had said, “You need a lot more women players. I see that in four years’ time, to get a seven-team IPL with the best women players [in participation].”As such, there are at least 1100 registered women’s players in India in any domestic season, and around 40 players who have either played for India since the 2018-19 season or are on the fringes of selection.

As Newcastle United prepare for a busy summer transfer window, one wantaway player could be heading for the exit door amid a four-club battle to secure his signature.

Newcastle transfer news

Following a transfer window to forget last time out, sporting director Paul Mitchell has already made his first move of 2025. Getting off to the perfect start, Newcastle confirmed the news that 17-year-old forward Vakhtang Salia will join the club from Dinamo Tbilisi on his 18th birthday in a deal that could benefit the Magpies for years to come.

Speaking about the deal, Mitchell told Newcastle’s official website: “We’re delighted to get ahead of a number of other top clubs to sign Vakhtang. Scouting and recruiting emerging talent is an essential part of building a sustainable future, particularly within the current PSR framework, so the market is fiercely competitive.

“We continue to scout extensively, both domestically and overseas, with a view to securing players who can come through our talent pathway and, ideally, become part of the first team in future. We look forward to working with Vakhtang and wish him every success during his remaining time with Dinamo Tbilisi.”

Newcastle struck gold with star Shearer called "unbelievable"

Newcastle once played a blinder by cashing in on him for £35m.

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 1, 2024

However, as one striker arrives, another could be heading for the exit door. According to The Sun, Callum Wilson is the subject of a four-club chase and wants to leave Newcastle with his contract coming to an end this summer.

Southampton, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Brentford are all reportedly keeping tabs on the forward ahead of a potential January switch, which would see Wilson get one last Premier League move.

Newcastle would be wise to keep "brilliant" Wilson for now

Although losing him for free in the summer will be far from ideal, Newcastle simply do not have the squad depth to lose Wilson in the January transfer window. As we’ve seen this season, one injury to Alexander Isak would leave the Magpies without a natural No 9 to call upon. Add in their enforced makeshift backline at times and it’s a problem that Eddie Howe could do without.

With Wilson’s £46,000-a-week contract ticking down, he has a decision to make. Still battling back from yet more injury struggles himself, he should be keen to bow out of St James’ Park fit and firing.

At his best, Wilson has received high praise from Howe, who previously told reporters via Chronicle Live: “He was outstanding like he has been whenever he has played this season, but he’s a brilliant player to have in the squad and what an impact.

“He’s always had the desire to score, it’s what he lives for, the team has got him in good areas and it’s his job to finish that off. I’ve managed him for a long time and it’s great to see him get the rewards his performances deserve.”

Arsenal have been able to pride themselves on having an impressive crop of youth talent over the years, either starring within the senior team or making the club a huge payday.

Ashley Cole may have departed the Gunners in controversial circumstances, joining London rivals Chelsea back in 2006, but he managed to achieve some incredible things during his time in their first-team.

The left-back was part of the Invincible side of 2003/04 that claimed the Premier League title, whilst also winning three FA Cup trophies during his stint at Highbury.

Tony Adams was also another key first-team member during his near 20-year stint at his boyhood club, amassing a total of 669 appearances second to only the iconic David O’Leary.

The centre-back claimed four top division trophies with the Gunners, with his leadership pushing the club to heights they hit during the 90s – with the now 58-year-old having a statue outside the stadium in North London to commemorate his time as a player.

However, fast forward to 2024, there’s an academy star who has filled the fanbase with excitement and rightly so after his emergence in Mikel Arteta’s first-team over the last few months.

Ethan Nwaneri’s time at Arsenal

After joining Arsenal at the young age of eight, youngster Ethan Nwaneri could never have imagined his rapid rise to stardom at his boyhood club – already making waves at senior level despite his tender age.

The 17-year-old has demonstrated talent way beyond his years in recent months, forcing himself into the Spaniard’s plans at the Emirates and looking to be the next in a long line of stars who have emerged through The Hale End Academy.

The midfielder holds the record for being the youngest-ever appearance maker in Premier League history, claiming his first minutes at the age of just 15 years and 181 days in the win over Brentford in the 2022/23 campaign.

However, over the last couple of years, the sensation has had to bide his time for another opportunity under Arteta – often featuring for the U21 side, before gaining his first real run under the Spaniard in recent months.

He’s already amassed nine appearances this time around, albeit with the majority coming from the bench, but he’s still made a huge impact on the pitch despite his limited minutes.

Nwaneri has registered four goals already in 2024/25, including a double in the Carabao Cup against Bolton Wanderers, before adding to his tally against Nottingham Forest over the weekend.

His strike off the bench at the Emirates was his first league goal for the Gunners, making him the second-youngest Premier League scorer in the club’s history – only narrowly behind the one and only Cesc Fàbregas.

However, despite his recent success in North London, he may have found game time even harder to come by had one other academy star stayed on the trajectory he was once predicted.

1. James Vaughan

16 years, 270 days

2. James Milner

16 years, 356 days

3. Wayne Rooney

16 years, 360 days

4. Cesc Fabregas

17 years, 113 days

5. Michael Owen

17 years, 143 days

6. Andy Turner

17 years, 166 days

7. Federico Macheda

17 years, 226 days

8. Lewis Miley

17 years, 229 days

9. Ethan Nwaneri

17 years, 247 days

10. Daniel Jebbison

17 years, 309 days

The player who was Arsenal’s original Nwaneri

Fellow midfielder Charlie Patino was another player within the club’s youth system that possessed serious quality and was once predicted by many to be a crucial player for Arteta at the Emirates, compared to players like Phil Foden.

So big was his potential that Sean O’Connor, the scout who discovered Jack Wilshere said: “Charlie is the best player who has ever walked through the doors at Hale End.” Fine praise indeed.

However, after just two first-team appearances, which included a goal on his debut in the Carabao Cup against Sunderland back in 2021, his career ultimately hasn’t hit the heights many expected it to as of yet.

Patino was sent on two Championship loan spells in recent years, joining Blackpool and Swansea City, amassing a total of 72 appearances during the respective stints and registering a total of 15 combined goals and assists in the process.

Undoubtedly, such a figure is a respectable one for a young prospect finding his feet in the professional game, but it wasn’t enough to catch the attention of the Gunners boss, unable to force himself into the first-team picture ahead of the current season.

Despite being just 20, the academy graduate was sold in the recent summer transfer window, with the club cashing in on Patino given his contract situation which saw his deal in North London expire in less than 12 months time at the time of his departure.

He would join Spanish second-tier side Deportivo La Coruna for just £1m, with the club retaining a hefty sell-on fee from any future transfer funds generated should he succeed away from the Emirates.

However, up to now, Patino has only featured for a total of 63 minutes in all competitions this season, once again struggling to make an impact in the professional game despite his fresh start in Europe.

Games played

3

Minutes played

63

Touches

49

Successful passes

25

Tackles won

1

Duels won

6

Pass accuracy

71%

It’s certainly a sad sight to see a once-promising young starlet match the potential he once demonstrated upon his emergence with his boyhood outfit.

Given his age, the midfielder still has plenty of time to turn around his recent fortunes, creating performances that could allow his former employer to regret their decision – but at present, he’s demonstrated no sign of that happening.

Fewer touches than Raya: Arteta must drop 6/10 Arsenal star after Forest

Arsenal returned to form as they defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 on Saturday afternoon.

ByMatt Dawson Nov 24, 2024

Aston Villa are now winless in their last four games in all competitions after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Club Brugge on Wednesday night.

This was Villa’s first loss in the Champions League this season, and it will be a result that stings for Unai Emery’s men, owing to the comical nature of Brugge’s winner.

Tyrone Mings was front and centre of the Belgian side’s laughable goal in the contest, with the experienced 31-year-old lackadasically scooping the ball up after an Emiliano Martinez goal-kick, only for the referee to point to the penalty spot.

Mings' performance in numbers

It was a huge lapse in concentration from the Villa number five, who would have just been glad to be back out on the pitch getting more minutes after a serious injury layoff, away from the incident at hand.

Still, Mings’ moment of madness ultimately cost his side the game, with his entire display going down as one to forget.

Away from this freak incident, Mings struggled across the 66 minutes he was present on the Brugge turf, with only one duel being won from five attempted sticking out as a sorry statistic from his hour or so on the pitch.

Pau Torres will hope he is reinstated into Emery’s main XI for the next game Villa play away at Liverpool this coming weekend, as the West Midlands side aim to put this dire 1-0 defeat behind them as quickly as possible.

Whilst Mings’ performance stole all of the headlines for all of the wrong reasons, he wasn’t the only notable underperformer on the night, as Morgan Rogers also failed to impress out in Belgium.

Rogers' performance in numbers

Rogers was a bright spark for Villa the match before this sobering Champions League loss, with the ex-Manchester City youngster bagging his side’s only goal of the game in a demoralising 4-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in Premier League action.

The 22-year-old midfielder couldn’t raise any brief smiles in a similar manner away in Brugge, however, as Rogers failed to ever get going for his side on their European travels, with a drab 1-0 loss the unwanted final outcome.

Looking at the table above, Rogers was nowhere near his best against Nicky Hayen’s hosts, with only 29 touches mustered up amongst other worrying numbers.

Even Martinez in-between the sticks managed to register more touches at a hefty 46, as Rogers simply let the game pass him by far too often.

Alongside a meagre 26 touches, the out-of-sorts Villa number 27 also failed to notch up a single on-target effort at Simon Mignolet’s goal, as well as only managing one successful dribble and one successful duel, as Brugge celebrated their big win come full-time whilst Rogers and Co trudged off the pitch downbeat.

Goal journalist Harry Sherlock would give the 22-year-old a low 4/10 match rating ater the game consequently, labelling his display as ‘bitterly disappointing’ when contrasted with his usually electric displays for Emery’s men.

Villa are deep into a sticky patch of form now after last night’s defeat, with Emery wanting a major response when his Villans side travel to Liverpool next, in what could end up being another defeat for his despondent side.

Aston Villa had a star on loan who then became a "world-class" £50m ace

Aston Villa did not see the best version of the ace, who was then worth £50m.

By
Dan Emery

Nov 5, 2024

Manchester United are eyeing another cost-cutting measure as Sir Jim Ratcliffe continues his swingeing cuts to the club's operations.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• United considering terminating London lease
• Ratcliffe implementing cost-cutting measures
• Club recently announced redundancies

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per , United partial- Ratcliffe is considering terminating a 10-year lease on their London offices in Kensington. The club moved their London headquarters to the location around two years ago, after their lease on another building, in Mayfair, expired. Ratcliffe has overseen mass layoffs already, and up to 200 more redundancies are expected under the INEOS billionaire's ownership.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United have had offices in London since 2010 and multiple clubs followed their lead, but Ratcliffe is now keen for the majority of staff to work in Manchester. United's 10-year lease will need to be broken if they are to move away from Kensington and negotiation will likely be required.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  INEOS have made swingeing cuts to United's operations, mainly affecting the lowest-paid members of the staff, all the while reportedly forking out £171 million ($217m) per season in wages. Their cuts to youth staff reportedly left "children in tears". In January, they paid around £30m ($38m) to sign Patrick Dorgu.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  It is unclear when exactly United will be able to move out of London, or if the savings are going to be anywhere near enough to allow the club to sign some players. In the meantime, they face Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday, as they bid to forget their league position; they sit 14th and 16 points clear of the bottom three.