All posts by n8rngtd.top

Tottenham Hotspur "officials" have been sent to a club as Ange Postecoglou's side eye up a new forward option.

Spurs praised for brilliant January window

Following the captures of both defender Radu Dragusin and forward Timo Werner, the former in a £25 million deal from Genoa and the latter on loan, Spurs also beat Barcelona to the deadline day signing of Djurgardens IF sensation Lucas Bergvall – who'll spend the remainder of 2023/2024 on loan there.

Fabrizio Romano says Tottenham figure has nearly agreed to other club move

He’s set to join another club.

By
Emilio Galantini

Feb 7, 2024

Spurs acted swiftly and in a calculated manner during the window, sealing both Werner and Dragusin in the first fortnight, while the move for Bergvall was a surprise one which caught Barcelona off-guard.

As a result of their January heroics, Tottenham have been duly praised, with members of the media claiming they were the undoubted Premier League transfer victors of winter.

"For years Tottenham’s recruitment was poor, but it has markedly improved in recent years," wrote journalist Oliver Young-Myles in a piece for inews, praising Tottenham's transformed recruitment model.

"Paratici’s eye for talent is clear for all to see with Cristian Romero, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr and Dejan Kulusevski among his major success stories. Dragusin was also a Paratici favourite after being signed by him during his time at Juventus.

"New technical director Johan Lange, meanwhile, was key to the successful Bergvall pursuit, with the Dane using his Scandinavian connections to the club’s advantage. Levy famously acknowledged in 2021 that Spurs had “lost sight of our DNA” and reverting to a youth-orientated recruitment strategy has helped them rediscover it. In Postecoglou and Lange, he seems to have entrusted the right people to oversee an overdue rebuild.

"Spurs also managed to shift high-earning squad players, albeit without receiving fees. Hugo Lloris departed for LAFC and Eric Dier moved to Bayern, with numerous others heading out on loan. There is a freshness to the squad with Son Heung-min and Ben Davies the last remaining links to the Pochettino era."

Attention now turns to the summer market and how Spurs can build upon their newly-found success in luring Europe's very best. Reports suggest that Tottenham are still seeking an heir to Harry Kane, while the club are also appearing to stay true to their philosophy of signing the continent's brightest young prodigies.

Tottenham eyeing up Semih Kilicsoy

According to A Spor, a Turkish news outlet, Tottenham "officials" have been sent to Besiktas to run the rule over Semih Kilicsoy – an exciting young striker who's scored seven goals in just 11 Super Lig appearances this season.

The north Londoners are joined by a host of clubs keeping a watchful eye on the 18-year-old, who is being tipped for an international call-up to Vincenzo Montella's Turkey squad.

“I want to say that he will play for Beşiktaş for many years, but I don’t think we can keep him. He is one of the most talented Turkish players in recent years," admitted Besiktas chief Feyyaz Uçar in an interview with Fanatik.

"Vincenzo Montella will also invite him to the national squad."

Canada boss Jesse Marsch revealed his plan to stop Argentina ahead of their Copa America semi-final tie against the reigning champions.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Marsch reveals plan to counter Argentina
• Canada overcame Venezuela in quarter-final
• Messi going for second Copa America

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Canadians scripted history on Saturday as they reached the semi-final of Copa America 2024 in their very first appearance in the competition. Their quarter-final clash against Venezuela ended in a 1-1 draw, after which the match went to penalties. The North Americans eventually emerged victorious by beating The Wine-Red 4-3 in the tie-breaker.

Advertisement

• (C)Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The debutants will now face Argentina in the last-four stage on Wednesday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Ahead of facing the reigning Copa America and world champions, the former Leeds United head coach claimed that his team has to display their best-ever performance if they want to reach the final of the competition.

• WHAT MARSCH SAID

  Speaking to reporters after the game, the 50-year-old said, via OneSoccer's Oliver Platt: "Argentina will have to be the best match we’ve ever played and it still might not be enough. But, whatever. We’re going to go for it."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR CANADA?

  The last time the Reds faced La Albiceleste was in their very first game of the tournament, where they went down 2-0. They will hope to avenge that defeat and continue their historic run in Copa America 2024.

In recent years, Tottenham Hotspur have never had to worry about goals with the presence of Harry Kane at the top end of the pitch.

However, after the 30-year-old left the club to join Bayern Munich for £82m last summer, it left new boss Ange Postecoglou with a huge void to fill in the final third.

The club splashed £47.5m on Nottingham Forest winger Brennan Johnson in a bid to spread the goals around the frontline – subsequently taking pressure off the player trying to fill the boots of clinical striker Kane.

Whilst Kane's departure from north London allowed for needed investment in other areas of the pitch, the question was always going to be whether the club would dearly miss his unbelievable goalscoring record.

During his 430 games for Spurs, the striker scored a staggering 213 goals – a tally that would make him the club's all-time leading goalscorer. Players such as Heung-min Son and Richarlison have often featured upfront for Postecoglou's side this season, but did they miss a trick with a former striker who has excelled this term?

Vincent Janssen's time at Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs signed Dutch striker Vincent Janssen from Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar for a fee in the region of £17m back in the summer of 2016 after the striker scored 32 goals in 49 appearances.

The striker joined the club with real promise after his spell in the Netherlands. However, his spell in north London was nothing short of a disaster.

Janssen made 42 appearances during his stint for Spurs, scoring six times – with his first open-play goal not coming until March 2017, eight months after his arrival at White Hart Lane.

He subsequently joined Fenerbache on loan for the 2017/18 campaign in the hope he could recapture his goalscoring form, but the move was unsuccessful with Janssen missing most of the campaign through injury.

He only made a handful of substitute appearances for Spurs after his loan spell in Turkey, before completing a permanent move to join Monterrey in Mexico for £8m during the summer of 2019.

Where are Tottenham's last 11 Eredivisie signings now?

Tottenham have signed some notable duds from Dutch shores over the last 20 years.

By
Matt Dawson

Dec 18, 2023

Vincent Janssen's stats so far this season

The now 29-year-old joined Royal Antwerp in Belgium back in 2022, with the striker finally starting to impress and showcase the talents he possesses.

This season alone, the Dutch striker has scored 16 times in 35 appearances, a tally that sees him rank within the top ten goalscorers in the country so far this campaign.

When comparing his stats to current Tottenham strikers Richarlison and Heung-min Son, Janssen remarkably beats the pair for total goals scored throughout the 2023/24 campaign.

Although Richarlison has started to justify the £50m fee the club forked out on him, the Brazilian's total of 11 goals sees him five goals behind Janssen this season.

Meanwhile, Son has been Spurs' most prolific goalscorer after Kane's departure, with the South Korean finding the net on 12 occasions under Postecoglou.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.

Although the Premier League is undoubtedly a tougher division than the Belgian Pro League, Janssen is showing Spurs what they're missing after selling him.

He might not have been a starter under Postecoglou, however, his goalscoring record in recent times proves that Janssen still possesses a lot of qualities that might've been of use to the Greek-Aussie.

The tactician has dragged himself from the bottom of English football to dine at the top table – and it's time he got the No. 1 job

So it's farewell, Gareth Southgate. You inherited a giant mess from Sam Allardyce and Roy Hodgson, and got people to believe in the England team again. You took the Three Lions to two European Championship finals, a World Cup semi-final and changed the culture around the team.

You fought the players' corner when the government got on their backs over taking the knee and you stood by their side when Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were racially abused after the penalty shootout defeat to Italy. You were like a father figure to many of the squad, and when they did not perform early in Euro 2024, you took bullets for them. Or more specifically, empty beer cups.

And despite having the best record of any England manager at major tournaments, you have had the humility to step down and let someone else have a go. But who should that someone else be? Look no further than Eddie Howe…

• (C)Getty Images
  

  Best English coach

  There is a wide range of candidates who could feasibly succeed Southgate as England boss, but Howe tops the list for a number of reasons. Primarily, he is the most talented and experienced English coach out there.

  England have experimented with foreign managers before, but both Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello's tenures ended in disappointment. That is not to say that an adept coach from outside of England could not do great things with the Three Lions. Just look at Sarina Wiegman's work with the women's team.

  However, appointing a foreign coach would fly in the face of the work the Football Association have been doing behind the scenes to rebuild English football. Southgate was responsible for a lot of that work when he became head of elite development at the FA, drawing up the 'England DNA' dossier alongside Dan Ashworth and Matt Crocker.

  It set out how every level of the England team, from the youth sides to the senior men's and women's squads, should strive to play, establishing 'England DNA Coaching Fundamentals'. The development of St George's Park, the national training centre which houses all levels of the England team, was also a key part of Southgate's vision. Appointing a foreign coach would seem at odds with that.

  Fundamentally, a country with England's financial might and football heritage should be able to produce a coach who is able to lead the national team. And now Southgate has departed, Howe is the best man for the job.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Turning Newcastle around

  Howe has been a head coach for 15 years, dragging himself from the bottom rungs of English football to the elite. He now dines among the top coaches in the Premier League.

  When he was appointed by Newcastle in November 2021, they were 19th in the table and looked destined for relegation, sitting five points from safety. The Magpies had been left to rot by the Mike Ashley ownership, but Howe has turned them back into one of the top forces in the Premier League. He dramatically improved results when he arrived, lifting the team from the bottom three to finish the season in 11th place.

  The following campaign he led the Magpies into the Champions League for the first time in 20 years. They also reached the final of the Carabao Cup, their first major final since 1999. Howe might have had heavy backing from the club's Saudi owners, but the progress he has made has been well ahead of schedule.

  Newcastle may have missed out on European football last season, but they were handicapped by one of the worst injury records in the league. They staged a strong finish to the season, winning six of their last 10 games to come seventh, only missing out on the UEFA Conference League due to Manchester United winning the FA Cup.

  Howe also had a hugely impressive record with Bournemouth. He first tok over the club where he started and finished his playing career in December 2008, and within 18 months had earned promotion out of League Two. He left six months later to join Burnley, but after an underwhelming spell at Turf Moor, he returned to the Cherries in October 2012 and secured promotion to the second tier that season.

  After consolidating their place in the Championship the next year, Howe oversaw the Bournemouth's first-ever promotion to the Premier League. They remained there for five years despite a meagre budget, finishing a hugely impressive ninth in 2016-17.

• Getty
  

  Big-game pedigree

  At Bournemouth, Howe developed a knack for pulling off surprise results against the top sides in the league. His most memorable performance was a 3-0 win away to Chelsea when Antonio Conte's side were the reigning Premier League champions, while his team also staged unlikely victories over Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal.

  He has entrenched his reputation for upsetting the big teams while at Newcastle, as his side have won three and drawn two out of seven games against Manchester United. Last season, they knocked Manchester City (as well as United) out of the Carabao Cup, beat Arsenal, and destroyed both Tottenham and Aston Villa, winning 4-0 and 5-1, respectively.

  Newcastle also thrashed Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 in the Champions League and were desperately unlucky to lose to the French giants at Parc des Princes, falling victim to a truly woeful handball call which was so bad that UEFA stood down the VAR official who had made it.

  In other words, Howe is an expert at pulling off big results in big games, something Southgate largely failed to do with England. In the four major tournaments Southgate oversaw, the only time they beat a genuinely top side was when they overcame Germany 2-0 at Euro 2020. Howe has the potential to get England over the line and finally deliver a major tournament win.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Handling the pressure

  Howe lived a charmed life at Bournemouth, but has had to deal with immense pressure since taking over at Newcastle. And his experience means he is well placed to deal with the unbearable scrutiny of managing England.

  The 46-year-old has had to deal with probing questions from the media surrounding Newcastle's ownership, being pressed on human rights violations in Saud Arabia despite just being a football coach. He has navigated the very unfamiliar and uncomfortable waters well, staying calm and carefully toeing the party line.

  He has also successfully managed relations with Newcastle's supporters, who have never been shy about showing their opposition to managers when results start to slide. Despite not repeating the feats of his first full season, Howe remains immensely popular on Tyneside.

Everton finally received a verdict this week on their appeal regarding their Financial Fair Play charge earlier this season, which led to a deduction of 10 points. That verdict was mostly a positive one with the Toffees' deduction taken from 10 to six points, leaving them five points clear of the Premier League's relegation zone. And since then, they've been handed a further boost by the fitness of Dele Alli, who could now get a new contract at Goodison Park.

Dele Alli update

Struggling with injuries and difficult issues away from the pitch, Alli is finally on course to eventually make his return to action. The England international revealed in an open interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap the troubles that he has been facing away from the game, detailing his traumatic upbringing and his problems ever since, much to the shock of the football world.

Sean Dyche spoke about the timeline of Alli's return back in December, saying via The Guardian: "He still has a bit to go because he has been out for a long time, he needs a game programme, but to get him back with us would be really pleasing for him because he has been so unlucky.

"The last time, 12-13 weeks ago when he was going to join in, he was so unlucky with the damage that was done. But the good news is that everything is settling down and he is feeling good. I saw him earlier and he said: ‘I’m feeling great.’”

Now, almost three months later, the former Spurs star has reportedly taken a significant step towards a return. According to Patrick Boyland of The Athletic, Alli is back at Finch Farm to step up his rehabilitation, and Everton are now open to offering him a new contract at the club with a return to action before the end of the season not ruled out.

It is more likely he returns in pre-season, with his return to the club's training ground only the first major step towards full fitness and participation in full training still some way off, but nonetheless it is great news for Alli and Toffees fans that he is finally close to doing what he loves most.

777 Partners: Net worth, Everton takeover latest, football clubs, owner

FFC has all you need to know about Everton’s prospective new owners.

By
Mark Marston

Feb 28, 2024

Before anything, however, Everton will have to negotiate a way past the reported £10m fee that they will owe Spurs if Alli reaches 20 appearances for the Merseyside club. Having already made 13 appearances, those at Goodison Park will see their financial troubles dealt another blow if they fail to renegotiate their deal with Spurs and Alli reaches 20 appearances.

Alli could yet rediscover best form

Whilst it remains to be seen whether Alli will be able to kick on at Everton upon his return to fitness, there's no doubting the player that they'll have on their hands if he does rediscover his best form.

Still yet to secure their safety, having a player who once stood alongside the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the history books could go a long way in not only keeping Everton up but also potentially taking them onto bigger and better things in the Premier League.

Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke has warned Erik ten Hag that his reconciliation with Jadon Sancho could "blow up in his face".

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Sancho set for a fresh lease of life in Manchester
• Has put aside his differences with Ten Hag
• Rashford's future in doubt

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The English winger has sorted out his differences with Ten Hag and is already playing an important role during pre-season. However, former United striker Yorke believes that things could sour again between the two men if the Red Devils do not start winning matches when the new Premier League kicks off in mid-August.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  WHAT DWIGHT YORKE SAID

  “It’s a really bizarre scenario there with Jadon Sancho and one I don't think either party expected to be in," Yorke said in an interview with BoyleSports, who offer the latest

  “Ten Hag wasn't meant to win the FA Cup, but he did. Jadon Sancho wouldn’t have expected Ten Hag to win, which would’ve led to the manager being sacked and his return. But Sancho has got three more years on his contract and he's one of the highest-paid players. There are only very few clubs around the world that will be able to afford his salary, so he's not going anywhere so that's caused a little bit of a dilemma.

  “How do you settle this? You have a man-to-man conversation and try to settle the whole disagreement. The problem is if they don’t get off to a good start and they’re losing football matches. I think fingers will start to be pointed at each other again. It’s a situation to watch and it’s all well and good trying to make up but if things go belly up then these things can blow up in the face of the manager.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Yorke also warned United against putting Rashford up for sale, with it widely reported they are ready to listen to suitable offers. The England international endured a bleak run of form that saw him score just eight goals in 43 appearances in the 2023-24 campaign.

  “If it’s £40 million or £50 million then it would be nothing in the modern game and he’s so much better than that, with the ability he has shown us in the past," Yorke said.

  However, the former striker believes that a £100 million bid would be difficult for new part owners INEOS to turn down.

  "United should keep Rashford, but £100 million would create a dilemma," he added.

  "If PSG for instance are to bid £100 million, it would really stir up the pot because that is a huge amount of money even though he is still one of United’s best players.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  While Sancho has been rediscovering his form under Ten Hag, Rashford struggled against Rosenborg and was subsequently rested against Rangers due to an alleged niggle. The Red Devils will now fly to the United States for the next phase of their pre-season where they will lock horns against Arsenal, Real Betis and Liverpool respectively before flying back.

Celtic have identified a priority signing during the summer transfer window, as Dermot Desmond looks to oversee more important business.

Celtic transfer news

The Hoops have been linked with plenty of potential new signings of late, as the club look to bolster the squad, regardless of what happens in the Scottish Premiership title race.

Desmond is reportedly keen on bringing in a new striker in the summer, with Celtic even willing to set aside "huge funds" to bring in a top-quality player to lead the line. Liel Abada's exit to MLS side Charlotte FC has heightened the need to bring in attacking reinforcements.

There is also the potential for Adam Idah's loan move to become a permanent one at the end of the current campaign, although his situation appears to be a little unclear at the moment. That's because Mark Lawwell didn't include an option for Celtic to buy the striker in his contract at Parkhead, having arrived on loan from Norwich City in January.

FC Twente left-back Gijs Smal is another player who has been backed to seal a move to the Hoops in the coming month, having been compared to AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini in the past, which is incredible praise.

Whatever happens this summer, it certainly looks as though the Hoops have identified their attack as a primary area of focus, and now a new update has emerged.

Celtic's priority summer target revealed

According to a fresh update from Football Insider, Celtic have made a new winger in the summer window a top priority, following the recent exit of Abada. They are keen to "fill the void" that the 22-year-old has left "as quickly as possible" come the end of the season, ensuring they look healthy in attacking areas.

While no specific player is mentioned in the update, it is encouraging to see Desmond clearly sanctioning moves for attacking stars, given the aforementioned report about a new striker also arriving at Parkhead.

This is a crucial period in Celtic's recent future, at a time when rivals Rangers are threatening to become more of a force again, and the Hoops cannot afford to let their high standards drop.

Brendan Rodgers is far from secure in his job, with a new claim suggesting that those high up at the club don't see him as the long-term answer as manager – he will likely have to win the league in order to stay in the job – and it is imperative that funds continue to be available to strengthen the squad.

Reporter drops “huge” Celtic transfer plan involving marquee striker

Dermot Desmond is not messing around.

By
Henry Jackson

Mar 9, 2024

If Celtic can pip Rangers to title glory, though, keeping Rodgers on as manager in the process, and then sign both a winger and a striker, it could only enhance their hopes of more success moving forward, adding some much-needed firepower to a squad not littered with goals this season.

Newcastle United are interested in signing an "incredible" Premier League star in the summer transfer window, with his current club valuing him at £60m.

Newcastle in need of new attackers

The Magpies have often been frustrated in attack this season, due to constant injury problems suffered by strike duo Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson. They have been limited to 24 starts between them in the league in 2023/24, highlighting their lack of involvement.

Due in part to that, Isak (11) is the only Newcastle player to have reached double figures for goals in the league this term, and more firepower is needed once the summer transfer window arrives.

Juventus winger Federico Chiesa has been backed to seal move to St James' Park, for example, ahead of a potential from his current club in the summer. A direct and powerful wide man, the Euro 2020 winner with Italy has an overall tally of 51 goal contributions (29 goals and 22 assists) in 117 appearances for Juve, showing the end product he could add to Eddie Howe's team.

Real Sociedad ace Takefusa Kubo has also been linked with a summer switch to Newcastle, with the Japanese primarily a right-sided attacking player, but also capable of thriving in a central role. The 22-year-old has seven goals in 19 La Liga starts this season, and could be considered an upgrade on Miguel Almiron, should he depart at the end of the current campaign.

Newcastle want to sign "incredible" Premier League ace

According to a fresh report from The Daily Mail, Pedro Neto has emerged as a new target for Newcastle this summer, though Wolves are unlikely to let him leave on the cheap as they look to raise funds against their own FFP issues.

In fact, the report states that "a fee of around £60m would be needed to do a deal" at the end of the season, and Liverpool also "hold an interest" in the Portuguese winger. While Chiesa and Kubo represent exciting options, Neto is a player who can be considered a primary target for Newcastle in the summer window. The Wolves man is arguably one of the most sought-after Premier League players outside the traditional big clubs, and his impact this season sums up his brilliance.

The 23-year-old has registered nine assists in just 17 league starts, with his dribbling ability and final ball a nightmare for defender, according to Gary O'Neil.

Neto already knows the Premier League well, so he wouldn't have an issue taking time to adjust at Newcastle, and given his age, there should still be so much more to come from him. Injuries have been an issue, which does make signing him a slight risk, but the positives comfortably outweigh the negatives.

Star sold by Newcastle is now a "remarkable" £100m machine

He’s been a huge hit in the Premier League for his current club in recent years.

By
Ethan Lamb

Mar 8, 2024

Wrexham star Arthur Okonkwo has explained how a desire to “p*ss people off” and “annoy strikers” led to him becoming a goalkeeper.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Joined Arsenal's academy ranks aged eight
• Needed loan spells in order to game games
• Rejoined ambitious Dragons as a free agent

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The highly-rated shot-stopper joined the academy ranks at Premier League giants Arsenal when just eight years of age. He graduated through the youth system in north London, but was always likely to see a route to the Gunners’ first team blocked off.

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  A desire to see regular game time led to the 22-year-old heading out on loan. One of those deals took him to Wrexham in 2023, with a string of impressive performances – which included suffering a badly broken jaw at one stage – helping the Red Dragons to secure promotion into League One.

• Getty
  

  WHAT OKONKWO SAID

  Okonkwo is back at SToK Racecourse after being snapped up for a second time by Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – this time as a free agent – and has told a live show from the podcast during Wrexham’s tour of the United States of the enjoyment that he gets from playing in goal: “It’s the same thing that I enjoy until today. I love making saves and just annoying strikers. That’s the joy I get from goalkeeping. I can’t put it any simpler than that.”

  When it was put to him that he takes pleasure in “p*ssing people off”, Okonkwo added: “That is the best part of my job. I have fun every day!”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

  Okonkwo agreed that he “loves ruining human beings’ days” when doing his day job, with the art of goalkeeping being mastered at an early age. Wrexham – who have one more friendly date with MLS side the Vancouver Whitecaps to take in before returning to Wales – will be hoping to see their new No.1 star again during the 2024-25 campaign.

Nottingham Forest are a club that has certainly had their ups and downs over the last decade under the ownership of former chairman Fawaz Al-Hasawi and now Evangelos Marinakis.

From a transfer embargo under boss Dougie Freedman, Martin O'Neill making the squad run around Wollaton Park in pre-season to a first promotion to the Premier League in over 20 years under Steve Cooper – the club have had it all.

The Reds ended their Premier League exile in 2023 after a 1-0 victory over Huddersfield Town in the play-off final, with owner Marinakis promising the fans he would invest in the playing squad to be competitive in England's top flight.

Fast-forward to 22 months after the Reds' day out at Wembley and the club have been deducted four points for breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR), dropping Nuno Espírito Santo's side into the drop zone.

Financial Fair Play: What is PSR, how does it work and who's in trouble?

Leicester City have become the latest club charged with an alleged PSR breach, but what could happen next?

By
Stephan Georgiou

Apr 16, 2024

Under Marinakis' guidance, the club have made 34 signings since promotion, with the owner investing over £250m on players – a real reason why the club broke the PSR rules by nearly £35m.

Despite the news of the points deduction on Monday afternoon, The Times reporter Martyn Ziegler confirmed that the Reds may have to sell another key asset during the summer to comply with the PSR rules.

That being said, we are taking a look at three players who Forest could sell to avoid another points deduction next season…

1

Morgan Gibbs-White

The most obvious choice, but one that no Forest fan would want to become a reality, is midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. His signing raised eyebrows in 2022, with the Reds forking out £25m rising to £42.5m with add-ons for his signature.

Even some Reds supporters believed the club overpaid for Cooper's top target, but nearly two years on from his arrival at the City Ground the 24-year-old has been worth every penny and more.

Over the last two campaigns, the former Wolves midfielder has featured 71 times, scoring nine times and assisting 13 – with impressive stats helping the Reds secure survival last season.

He's grown as a footballer since his arrival, with Gibbs-White taking the armband on multiple occasions – further highlighting his importance to the club.

The "sensational" talent as described by journalist Josh Bunting now has a market value of £34m as per Transfermarkt, but it would take a fee much higher than that to make Forest part ways with their star.

His importance to the Forest side is reflected by his stats this season, with the 24-year-old averaging 4.5 progressive passes, 2.2 progressive carries and 1.3 successful take-ons per 90 – all stats that see him rank as number one at the City Ground.

Gibbs-White would arguably be the hardest player for the Reds to replace in the summer, with his confidence and talent in attacking areas impossible to replace – especially for a fee in Forest's ballpark.

2

Murillo

A player who has taken Forest fans by surprise this season is Brazilian centre-back Murillo. The 21-year-old joined the club in a £15m deal from Corinthians last summer, with his progress at the City Ground nothing short of sensational.

He had to bide his time before making his debut in the 1-1 draw against Brentford, with the defender progressing rapidly since his Premier League debut.

The ball-playing centre-back has excelled for the Reds, with his stats backing up his ability on the ball. The left-footed Brazilian has averaged 0.8 successful take-ons per game this season – a stat that sees him rank within the top 3% of all centre-backs in Europe's top five leagues.

Murillo also averages 3.6 accurate long balls per game – the highest of anyone in the Reds squad, with his importance to the club impossible to put into words.

His great form hasn't gone unnoticed; the youngster is already being linked with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona and PSG, with the Reds undoubtedly set for a huge payday when he eventually departs for a European giant.

The defender will easily break Brennan Johnson's record departure from the City Ground, which currently sits at £47.5m.

The 21-year-old has all the attributes to be a top defender in world football, with the club easily able to receive a fee in the region of £70m for Murillo, with the Brazilian still having four years left on his current deal.

3

Ibrahim Sangare

Out of the three players on this list, undoubtedly Forest fans would want midfielder Ibrahim Sangare to be the man to be sacrificed ahead of Gibbs-White and Murillo.

The Ivorian joined the Reds for a deal in the region of £30m, with the former PSV man arriving at the City Ground with a lot of potential given the interest from sides such as Bayern Munich.

He's shown glimpses of his talent since his summer arrival, but unfortunately, the 26-year-old has failed to show it on a consistent basis.

No question there is a talented player in there, with Sangare's tallies of 3.7 tackles and 2.1 blocks per 90 within the top 6% of all midfielders in Europe this campaign.

The Ivorian, who earns £75k-per-week at the City Ground, still has time to prove himself to be a great addition for the Reds, with Sangare still settling into life in the Premier League.

However, given the huge fee spent on the midfielder, he's yet to show any sort of value for money – with the club potentially using his current value of £27m as per Transfermarkt, to cut their losses and allow the club to keep talents such as Murillo and Gibbs-White for at least one more campaign should they secure survival.