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Tottenham Hotspur look set for somewhat of an attacking overhaul under Thomas Frank in the near future after the recent antics behind the scenes in North London.

Despite trying to sign him during his time as Brentford boss, the Dane has made the decision to sell Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace, recouping a fee in the region of £35m.

The manager stated that falling behind Mohammed Kudus was one of the reasons for his departure from the Lilywhites – something which could now be a mistake.

The Ghanaian limped off after just 19 minutes of the draw with Sunderland last weekend, with the severity of the winger’s injury yet to be revealed publicly.

As a result, the hierarchy have ramped up efforts to improve the forward department in the winter window to hand Frank the best chance of success in the role.

Spurs targeting move for £68m European superstar

In an attempt to bolster the front line this January, Spurs have constantly been monitoring the progress of Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo ahead of a possible transfer.

The Ghanaian currently has a £65m release clause in his contract and is expected to depart the Cherries this window after scoring nine times in his first 19 outings this campaign.

However, the Lilywhites appear to have missed out on the 26-year-old, with the forward set to undergo a medical at Manchester City this week after a deal was agreed in principle.

As a result, other targets have been drawn up by the recruitment team, with Juventus star Kenan Yildiz the latest name touted with a transfer to join Frank’s men.

According to the Daily Mail, the Turkish international is just one of the options shortlisted at present, after his incredible start to the season, which has seen him registering ten combined goals and assists.

The report states that no contact has yet been made with the Italian giants over a potential deal, but a move could be tricky with stiff competition expected for his signature.

Other sources have revealed that a deal would cost in the region of £87m this window – a figure that would break the club-record £65m paid for Dominic Solanke in 2024.

Why Yildiz is already a bigger talent than Semenyo

Missing out on a deal for Semenyo will no doubt be a bitter blow for everyone associated with Spurs, with his numbers in the Premier League this season nothing short of remarkable.

The Bournemouth star has proved to be a nuisance to countless backlines in 2025/26, subsequently making himself one of the most sought-after talents in England’s top-flight.

However, despite a move being agreed to join Pep Guardiola’s side, he’s set to feature against Spurs this evening at the Vitality, which could inflict further pain on Frank’s side.

Keeping the attacker quiet on the South Coast tonight will be one challenge, but convincing a player of Yildiz’s quality to make the move to North London could be another test.

Current Premier League champions Liverpool are just one other team in the race at present, with the Reds gaining a reputation for being heavy spenders in recent months.

However, despite the looming transfer battle, the thought of pursuing a move for a player of the Turkish international’s quality should be enough for the fans to get excited.

The 20-year-old, who can operate in a number ten or left-wing role, has made huge strides in recent years, subsequently becoming one of Europe’s hottest young stars.

Any move for the youngster would hand Frank the quality he’s craved after the recent setbacks, whilst also allowing the fans to forget about the disappointment of missing out on Semenyo.

When comparing the Juve star’s stats with those of the Cherries talent, he’s massively dominated in key areas – whilst also having the tools to improve further given his tender age.

Yildiz has registered more progressive carries and progressive passes per 90 so far this campaign, with his tallies of 5.8 and 4.1, respectively, massively better than those of Semenyo.

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Such numbers showcase his ability to take the ball into dangerous areas, subsequently having the ability to go alone and find the back of the net or even a teammate.

How Yildiz & Semenyo compare in 2025/26

Statistics (per 90)

Yildiz

Semenyo

Games played

18

19

Goals & assists

10

12

Progressive passes

4.1

3.4

Progressive carries

5.8

3.6

Pass accuracy

77%

68%

Key passes

2.3

1.3

Passes into final third

2.1

1.6

Take-on success

45%

41%

Carries into final third

3.1

1.7

Crosses completed

4.1

1.3

Stats via FBref

His creativity is further highlighted with his incredible tally of key passes and passes into the final third per 90 – with the latter ranking him in the top 15% of all players in Serie A.

The Juve star’s dominance over the Bournemouth star in attacking areas is clear for all to see, with his higher take-on success just adding to the argument that he’s a bigger talent at present.

As a result of his showings in Italy, the youngster has recently been dubbed “Mbappe-like” by European football writer Danny Corcoran – a real compliment to the attacker’s game.

The Frenchman has already registered 34 combined goals and assists in his first 27 outings this season – showcasing how big a compliment has been paid to Yildiz by Corcoran.

Whilst a deal may be tricky to complete during the winter transfer window, it’s certainly one the recruitment team must be going all out to complete in an attempt to improve the squad.

Semenyo may have been one of the club’s dream targets this January, but after missing out on his services, Yildiz must now be the player whom a big fee is splashed out on to bolster any chance of success.

Related A dream partner for Gray: Spurs open talks to sign £26m English star

Tottenham Hotspur look set to make a move for a new midfield talent in the January window.

Posts 1 ByEthan Lamb

Scorecard
Points table

	Clint McKay’s three wickets, including Aaron Nye first ball, were essential to Victoria dismissing Queensland for 205 © Getty Images

Victoria experienced a few nervous moments before capping a fine preparation for Saturday’s Pura Cup final with a six-wicket victory over Queensland, who will finish with the wooden spoon. Ryan Broad’s century made sure the Bushrangers had to bat again and the target of 75 was looking uncomfortable when Scott Brant and Grant Sullivan dropped them to 4 for 34.Cameron White found a willing partner in Andrew McDonald and there were no further stumbles. White added 28 while McDonald got 13 to seal the three-day success.Broad’s 107, which included a six to bring up his century and another next ball before he was bowled by Bryce McGain, went with his 75 in the first innings, but he did not receive much assistance from his team-mates. Queensland started the day 119 behind and the task to stay competitive became even tougher when they lost five wickets before lunch. Clint McKay started the problems when he removed Nick Kruger (11) and Aaron Nye in consecutive deliveries – the hat-trick effort to Shane Watson was a no-ball.Watson skipped to 32 before falling to a diving take from Adam Crosthwaite and McDonald added to the damage when he captured the lbws of Nathan Reardon (1) and the captain Chris Simpson (0). The Bulls were 5 for 71 and struggling to force a second Bushrangers’ innings.Broad achieved that with help from Chris Hartley’s 17 and Daniel Doran’s 23, but when the tail exited quickly Queensland did not have much to defend. McKay grabbed 3 for 69 while McDonald and McGain earned two wickets each in a strong warm-up for the final against New South Wales in Sydney.

Kevin Pietersen has been withdrawn from the Hampshire squad and added further injury concerns to the England camp © Getty Images

Kevin Pietersen has handed England another injury scare ahead of the first Test against West Indies after being ruled out of Hampshire’s County Championship match against Lancashire with a calf strain.Pietersen picked up the injury while fielding during a match against Ireland in the Friends Provident Trophy on Monday. He batted with a limp but still went onto score an unbeaten 66 without the aid of a runner as Hampshire chased down their target. However, after an MRI scan he has been withdrawn from the four-day match. The ECB said a further assessment of his injury will be made later in the week.Pietersen wasn’t scheduled to play any more cricket before the first Test following the Lancashire match so even if the injury doesn’t prove serious he will be short of match time. The contest had been billed as a head-to-head with his England team-mates Andrew Flintoff, James Anderson and Sajid Mahmood who are all due to line-up for Lancashire.England are set to name their squad for the first Test at Lord’s on Sunday with Michael Vaughan expected to miss out with the broken finger picked up against Hampshire last week.

Hashim Amla sounds a positive rallying call to his teammates © AFP

Fresh from a maiden Test century at Cape Town, Hashim Amla told reporters before the third and final Test against New Zealand at the Wanderers that his team will be doing everything it can to win the match and secure the series.South Africa already lead the series 1-0 but Amla said: “Our first objective is to win. If you go out just looking for a draw, you can very easily land yourself in hot water. So we will be playing positive cricket, which has been the team’s motto, and we are hoping to come away with a two-nil series win.”The Test will be Amla’s first at the magnificent Wanderers ground and he is excited by the prospect of playing there. “It’s a fantastic thought,” he said. “It’s known as the Bullring, and there’s a fantastic atmosphere. The outfield is always ‘blitz-vinnig’ and it’s great for batting if you can get in, and I’m really looking forward to it.”Concern has been expressed at the conditions at this time of the year in South Africa, well beyond when its regular cricket season generally ends. Time was lost in the second Test due to fog and Johannesburg has greeted both teams with chilly weather. Amla, though, thought the cold might suit the visitors more. “I think their guys might be a bit more used to it than we are. I went to New Zealand a couple of years ago, and it was exactly like this. But you play in whatever conditions you get.”Amla wasn’t the only one in a positive frame of mind; James Franklin, who also scored a maiden century last week, reiterated the obvious that New Zealand would also be playing to win the last Test. New Zealand’s situation, unlike South Africa’s, is borne of necessity as they need to win to level the series.”We’re very confident that we can win this one. Obviously the pitch in Cape Town didn’t do quite what we expected it to, but we believe the two teams are very close,” said Franklin. However, he dismissed talk that conditions would suit his side better. “It’s pretty cold here at the moment. There’ve been a few jibes that these are New Zealand conditions, but it does get warm there sometimes.”We’ll just have to see what the conditions are like and take it from there. Any international cricketer has to adjust to conditions and play the game from there. But we are hoping it will warm up a bit – it’s pretty nippy, and all cricketers like playing in warm weather.”How the conditions are likely to affect the pitch nobody is sure just yet though both sides will hope that a more even contest between bat and ball awaits them. Bowlers dominated the first Test and batsmen the second so halfway between the two will suit everyone. reported that Chris Scott, the local curator, has spent 10 days – twice as long as usual – to prepare a suitable wicket.Because of the chilly weather and lack of sunlight, Scott has been forced to use gas heaters to dry out the pitch, which is already enclosed in a tent, in a bid to artificially replicate a warmer climate. Scott, who has prepared the Wanderers for 32 years, said “In a nutshell, I’m trying to prepare a wicket in between Centurion and Newlands. I don’t want a flat pitch or one that does too much but the weather hasn’t made it easy. Pace and bounce is important at the Wanderers but the conditions at this time of year aren’t conducive to hard wickets. You can do as much rolling as you want but you still need the sun to bake down on the pitch (to make it firm).” The wicket, he said, was 90% ready.Though it is not the strip on which South Africa chased Australia’s 434 with their own record-breaking effort in March, it has a recent history of run-making. The strip was last used in January for two domestic one-day games that produced an aggregate of over a thousand runs. Chris Martin, after inspecting the pitch, told the newspaper there was some reason to be optimistic as a fast bowler. “There’s going to be a little bit of moisture so it should be good (bowling) for the first day or so.”

The Intercontinental Cup match between Kenya and Namibia has been rescheduled for June 3-5 in Windhoek. It was originally postponed by the ICC due to the controversies which engulfed the cricket administration in Kenya.The match was meant to take place from February 26-27 but was delayed because of the dispute between Cricket Kenya, KCA and other stakeholders. This was resolved on April 3 by a delegation from the Africa Cricket Association (ACA), led by Peter Chingoka the Zimbabwe Cricket Union boss.Kenya won their first match of the Intercontinental Cup, beating Uganda by 161 runs in Kampala after an impressive performance from Steve Tikolo, their captain, who scored 203 runs in the match. But he is one of three players who have now left to play club cricket in England. Tikolo has signed for Haverigg Cricket Club in Cumbria, Thomas Odoyo has joined Reads in Lancashire and Hitesh Modi is also in England.However, they will rejoin Kenya for the Namibia match. Sammy Obingo, a Kenya cricket official told : “There is no problem in the players going abroad. Once selected in the team to face Namibia, we will call them back.”

India 143 for 3 (Jain 55) trail New Zealand 201 for 9 dec (Tiffen 66*) by 58 runsScorecard
India established their stranglehold over New Zealand on the second day of the one-off women’s Test at Vapi. New Zealand’s lower order were rallied by a determined 66 from Haidee Tiffin, made in more than five and a half hours. A ninth-wicket partnership of 33 with Louise Milliken saw New Zealand past the 200 mark.Neetu David and Nooshin Al Khadeer were the most successful Indian bowlers with three wickets each. Seventy-two overs were left on the second day when India began their chase. Anju Jain hit a fine half-century to give India the advantage.The Indian reply showed more application after a shaky start, and they finished the day at a comfortable position of 143 for 3. Sunetra Paranjpe, one of the openers, was forced to retire hurt very early on when she injured her shoulder having been forced to dive back into her crease to avoid being run out. Anjum Chopra hung around for 71 balls without too much of a contribution. But a 65-run partnership between Jain, the other opener, and Mithali Raj put India on a firm footing. Both struck four boundaries apiece and hustled the singles with a great deal of urgency.However, both fell as stumps approached and New Zealand made sure they were still in the contest. Raj was unlucky to get a leading edge to a wide, full ball down leg-side and was caught at mid-wicket. Hemlata Kala and Jhulan Goswami were at the crease when stumps were drawn. New Zealand had a good last session with the ball and would look to carry on in a similar vein tomorrow. As far as India are concerned, application will be the buzzword.Rebecca Steele, the left-arm spiner, was the pick of the New Zealanders, bowling Chopra, the former Indian captain, with a ball turning back into the left-hander from wide outside off stump. She also had Jain’s wicket, caught and bowled.

Tasmania’s finals prospects suffered a bad setback and Victoria’s hopes of even remaining in the race were just as adversely afflicted. That was the wash-up, literal and metaphorical, as poor weather caused the teams’ Pura Cup clash to end in an unfulfilling draw here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today.After some sleepy cricket at times over the last four days, it was probably inevitable that rain should cut short the dreams of outright points for both sides. But it remained a bitter pill to swallow for them all the same.What was initially a sunny and humid day underwent a transformation shortly after lunch. With the match almost certainly bubbling toward a conclusion that would have delivered an outright verdict, it meant that the heavens opened at a miserable time for both teams – and a propitious one for each of the other four states in the competition.Even with the addition of further overs at the end of the day’s play, as many as 27 overs in total were still wiped out.Faced initially with the eminently reasonable victory target of 250 from a minimum 59 overs, the Tasmanians were no chance once overs began to be reduced. They found themselves courting further frustration when they slumped to be 2/4 by the time that the rains sent the players and the umpires scattering for the first time from a soon-to-be-drenched MCG.Ironically, the first interruption occurred just as the game appeared to be exploding into life after 10 straight sessions of fundamentally risk-averse cricket.Another burst of seven overs then reduced the Tigers to 3/22 before Daniel Marsh (40*) and Michael Di Venuto (38) returned – in front of a crowd optimistically numbered at 18 – to stave off any possibility of an unlikely Victorian win.Play was eventually brought to a merciful halt at 7:29 pm. But outright points were not even vaguely under threat by then, and the chances of the Tasmanians making it to the airport to catch a flight home tomorrow were probably as much in danger.It all left Tasmania in fourth place on the competition table with two rounds to be completed, equal on points with Western Australia and two behind second-placed South Australia. The Victorians, six points adrift of their southern cousins, meanwhile find themselves in fifth spot and needing a miracle to play off for the title late next month.At 1/120 overnight, and with senior batsmen Brad Hodge (109) and Matthew Elliott (72) at the crease, the Victorians had held high hopes of injecting life into the game with brisk scoring on the way to an eventual second innings declaration at 7/252.Yet, much like the pitch, the outfield and the pace of the scoring through long periods of the match, the Bushrangers’ progress was generally slow. Just 87 runs were gleaned from 31 overs in a dreary morning session before the anticipated acceleration finally arrived amid a clatter of wickets to Marsh (4/70) upon the resumption after lunch.Elliott spiced the early going with evidence of trademark cover drives and cuts but, once he edged to slip, the Bushrangers found it difficult to score quickly. Though Hodge ultimately notched his third Cup century of the summer, he attained it at a far slower clip than expected. Ian Harvey’s absence on account of a strained ligament in his back also mitigated against the Bushrangers.But there was almost a look of forlorn resignation about the Tasmanians’ pursuit even as the last innings of the match began. Under charcoal-coloured skies, the task of surviving against the lively swing and seam of debutant Will Carr (3/34) was not one to savour – and Jamie Cox (2), Scott Mason (0) and Michael Dighton (4) all underlined that problem in playing down the wrong line at the Dandenong right armer.Admittedly, Cox received his second dubious decision of the match – this one an lbw appeal that was upheld by umpire Tony Soulsby as he assessed the merits of a delivery that struck the Tasmanian captain high on the pad as it cut sharply toward leg.Mason’s dismissal, which arrived as he speared a full outswinger off the edge to third slip, was less contentious and even more exultantly greeted by the Bushrangers.And first innings century maker Dighton, dropped three times on the way to that score, was snapped up at the first bite this time when he brushed at a ball well away from his body to hit a catch to Elliott at second slip.Yet the home team’s fifth dropped catch of the game – this one a caught and bowled offering to Mick Lewis (0/30) as Di Venuto, on 30, spooned back a drive – soon arbitrated against any lingering idea that something, anything even, might be extracted from the ruin.

White: brilliant century for England Photo © CricInfo Ltd. Mueenuddin Hameed

A large first innings total, the backbone of which was a brilliant ninth first-class century by Craig White, has put the balance of play in England’s favour.At stumps, the Pakistan Cricket Board Patron’s XI, having scored 49 for one in their second innings, were trailing by 147 runs.The highlight of the day’s play was the entertaining innings by White. He had excellent support for the sixth and eighth wickets, each yielding 83 runs.Earlier, the day began with the loss of Graeme Hick’s wicket in the second over. He had added only four to his overnight score of 77 and the total was 223 for five.The stand between White and Paul Nixon then took the total past the 237 runs of the opposition’s first innings. England continued to build a substantial lead with White playing attacking strokes on either side of the wicket.Nixon was more patient during his hundred minutes at the crease, compiling 31 from 84 balls before the leg spin off Shafiq Ahmed found a gap in his defence.The bowler then struck again in his next over, bowling Dominic Cork for the seventh wicket, without an addition to the total of 306.Shortly before the fall of the last two wickets, White had reached his half-century from 79 balls with 36 of his runs coming from boundaries.White and Ashley Giles then scored at a little over a-run-a-minute before Giles went for 39. White progressed rapidly towards his hundred taking 14 in one over from off-spinner Munir Ansari.Two consecutive fours took him into the 90’s and the next ball was sent over the long off boundary to take him to 97.In the next over he reached his hard-hitting century with a drive to the extra cover boundary. It came from 168 balls with fourteen fours and a towering six.When he finally fell for 120, caught behind off Mohammad Akram, the England total had reached 433 for nine and the next ball ended the innings on the stroke of tea with England taking a lead of 196.The Patron’s XI wicket that fell in the final session went to Ian Salisbury. He had Imran Abbas caught behind for 12 with 26 on the board. England are now in a position to force victory on the final day.

Leeds United secured their first win under manager Jesse Marsch in dramatic fashion after young substitute Joe Gelhardt fired home in stoppage time to beat relegation rivals Norwich City at Elland Road.

In what was his third game in charge, having taken over from Marcelo Bielsa only a few weeks ago, the Whites finally ended a run of six straight defeats with a crucial win in the dogfight at the foot of the table.

The Yorkshire giants now move four points clear of the relegation zone with only nine games left to play.

Marsch will be encouraged to have finally picked up three points but there is still a long, long way to go. His late move to bring on Joffy paid serious dividends but despite the last-gasp winner, there was another hero on the day – Raphinha.

It was the Brazilian international who remained ever so composed to provide the 19-year-old with the perfect assist in the game’s dying embers, having gone close multiple times himself.

He hit the crossbar twice and was a constant thorn in Dean Smith’s side.

As per SofaScore, Raphinha was amongst the most influential players on the pitch, registering 72 touches of the ball (third-most) and with those, he contributed four key passes (the most) and created two big chances.

The £36m-rated dynamo also fired off three shots, recorded four dribbles and even did his defensive duties, managing to win eight duels, two interceptions and one tackle.

That late moment was another reminder that, on his day, he walks into most teams across Europe and that’s the Raphinha that Marsch will need if Leeds are to remain a Premier League outfit heading into the summer.

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On another day, he’ll have undoubtedly bagged himself a goal or two but his ice-cold assist with seconds to spare was enough for him to be the true hero for the American head coach this weekend.

SofaScore clearly agreed as he was graded as the best performer on the pitch, as per their ratings, after the game. It’s no wonder he’s regarded as a “magician” around these parts.

AND in other news, Leeds could have future star in “fiery” teen who’s shades of Alan Smith…

	Harbhajan Singh has not endeared himself to many Australians in recent months © Getty Images

Matthew Hayden has stirred already troubled waters by calling Harbhajan Singh an “obnoxious weed”, a comment that will only serve to deepen the animosity between the two sides that has surfaced during India’s tour.Speaking on a Brisbane radio station, Hayden said: “It’s been a bit of a long battle with Harbhajan, the first time I ever met him he was the same little obnoxious weed that he is now. His record speaks for itself in cricket.”There is a certain line that you can kind of go to and then you know where you push it and he just pushes it all the time. That’s why he has been charged more than anyone that’s ever played in the history of cricket.”The pair clashed during Sunday’s CB Series game at the SCG when the Indians complained that Hayden had called Harbhajan a “mad boy”.Hayden played down the incident, accusing the Indians of making an issue of it because “they are losing every game they are playing”. He said: “I called him a bad boy.””He took offence to that. I thought that was quite funny. I said mate, you should be flattered, it’s a clothing range.”