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Brooklyn Beckham has broken his silence on the feud that has supposedly ripped an iconic sporting family apart. The eldest child of Manchester United legend David and former Spice Girls popstar Victoria has seemingly severed ties with his mother, father and siblings. Brooklyn was a notable absentee when his ex-England captain dad celebrated turning 50 in May 2025.

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  Are Brooklyn & David Beckham on speaking terms?

  Booklyn formed no part of the lavish parties thrown by David Beckham, who is now working with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi as a co-owner of MLS side Inter Miami. His brothers Romeo and Cruz were involved, along with sister Harper. Questions were being asked before that point of whether all is well in the Beckham family unit. It is claimed that Brooklyn is no longer on speaking terms with his famous parents.

  There have also been reports to suggest that he has blocked his brothers on social media, meaning that no communication takes place there either. Brooklyn did wish a happy birthday to Harper when seeing her turn 14 in July. His wife, Nicola Peltz, also passed on a message. The American actress has found herself at the centre of much of the Beckham feud rumour and gossip. Brooklyn and Nicola recently renewed their wedding vows without inviting David, Victoria and Co to that ceremony.

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• What Brooklyn said about supposed Beckham feud

  Brooklyn is focused on his own life for now, with the 24-year-old forming part of the pre-Ryder Cup activities in New York – ahead of that epic golfing showdown between Team USA and Team Europe taking place at the iconic and notoriously difficult to navigate Bethpage Black course. Beckham lined up for an A-list European side against American opposition in a celebrity event.

  Brooklyn was inevitably quizzed on the apparent breakdown in his relationship with David, Victoria, Romeo and Cruz, but was quick to shrug off that probing and play down the intense speculation that he continues to generate. He told the : “There's always going to be people saying negative things but I have a very supportive wife. Me and her, we just do our thing, we just keep our heads down and work. And we're happy.”

  Brooklyn went on to say, while pointing out that he “never” worries what people outside of his close circle of friends have to say in the global media and online: “Everyone is always going to say rubbish. I just try and do this, play some golf with some friends. It's good fun.”

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  Beckham taunted by fans at 2025 Ryder Cup event

  Brooklyn and his family were last pictured together on Boxing Day 2024. He does not appear to have rubbed shoulders with them since, instead choosing to focus on his own work and lifestyle commitments.

  He paired up with former NBA star Toni Kukoc at the Ryder Cup event, as they faced off against comedian Colin Jost and Super Bowl-winning ex-New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Unsurprisingly, Beckham found himself becoming an easy target for those in the crowd – not that he has any issue with that.

  He said of attracting taunts on the tee box and fairways: “I feel like they didn't like me at all – but it was amazing. They gave me a bit of rubbish but I kind of expected it – being in New York, going against Eli… they were just laughing. But it is what it is, I was having fun out there. I did the best I could. It was honestly just really fun. Honestly, it was really nerve-wracking… but it was such a cool experience – I couldn't say no. It was amazing.”

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• What does Brooklyn Beckham do for a living?

  Brooklyn said he is now planning to head back to Los Angeles, rather than hang around on the east coast, with his wife being left at home in California with their four dogs. He also stated that he needs to “get back to work”.

  Beckham worked as a model and a photographer before building a hot sauce brand called Cloud 23. That number offers a nod towards the shirt that his father wore when representing Real Madrid and first moving to the United States and joining the LA Galaxy.

Gian Piero Gasperini was left astonished as AS Roma missed three penalties in a row and went down 1-0 against Lille in the Europa League on Thursday. The incident happened after Roma were awarded a penalty. Artem Dovbyk had to take his penalty twice after Berke Ozer came out of his line to stop both efforts. Finally, Matias Soule took the spot-kick in the third attempt and Ozer once again saved.

• Roma go down after missing three penalties in a row

  Lille took an early lead in the sixth minute of the match through Hakon Arnar Haraldsson's strike, which proved enough for the French side to seal crucial three points in an away fixture. Roma had the opportunity to restore parity in the 82nd minute when they were handed a penalty. However, Lille custodian Ozer made back-to-back three saves to keep the scoreline unchanged. 

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  Gasperini left astonished

  Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, the AS Roma boss said: "It had never happened to me before to miss three penalties in the same situation. We went behind early, which gave them the best conditions. Roma, despite some technical errors, played with desire and rhythm until the end. Maybe we weren’t strong in taking advantage of the chances but from these games you come out with something more. It was almost unique and accidental. But it happened and undoubtedly compromised the result. The team, in terms of spirit, gave a lot."

• 'We must make fewer mistakes'

  On Roma's overall performance in the game, Gasperini added: "In the second half we had continuity in attack. They are fast and technical, it wasn’t easy, but we had spirit and intensity. Of course we must make fewer mistakes but I have to look at the good things too. This is a competition where there are eight games, not a direct elimination and the team stayed focused until the end. We are sportsmen. Mistakes happen, but there is no such thing as getting discouraged. Luckily we play every three days, so we move on quickly."

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  Roma made a bright start under Gasperini

  The former Europa League-winning Atalanta boss took charge of AS Roma this summer and so far under his tutelage, the Italian side has made a bright start to their 2025-26 campaign, as they have won four out of their first five Serie A games. The loss against Lille was only the club's second defeat in the new season.

West Ham United “could move” for an “incredible” England international as a replacement for Nayef Aguerd, who may be set for an exit before the transfer deadline.

West Ham eyeing new defender after Aguerd refuses to travel

After spending the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Real Sociedad, Aguerd has come back into the fold this season, starting the opening two Premier League games, during which West Ham conceded a combined eight goals.

However, it is clear the Moroccan has little intention of remaining at the London Stadium for much longer, with the 29-year-old pushing to leave before the deadline, amid interest from the likes of Sunderland, AC Milan and AS Roma.

In fact, the Keinitra-born defender is well-known to have refused to travel to Nottingham Forest for yesterday’s Premier League clash, with the centre-back taking drastic action to try and force through an exit.

However, ExWHUEmployee has now revealed that the club could be hesitant to sanction a departure, should they be unable to find an adequate replacement in time, with Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis among the potential options.

The West Ham insider said: “The club have yet to confirm any bid as yet from Marseille or Sunderland and even if they did would have to make a decision as to whether it is worth accepting and whether a replacement could be lined up in time.

“The club have looked at other defenders and one we exclusively revealed at the start of the window and we still have interest in us Charlie Cresswell, ironically he plays in France for Toulouse.

Aguerd upgrade: West Ham plotting late move to sign "excellent" £18m star

Following the signings of Soungoutou Magassa and Mateus Fernandes, West Ham are targeting an “excellent” £18m defender…

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By
Ben Gray

Aug 30, 2025

"Incredible" Harwood-Bellis could be solid Aguerd replacement

Although the Saints were relegated without putting up much of a fight last season, the 23-year-old clearly enjoyed a decent campaign on a personal level, having picked up his first cap for England, scoring on his debut against Ireland.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola also singled out his former player for high praise last season, saying: “He’s an incredible threat for Southampton from set pieces and a composer when they have the ball because the manager insists the way they have to play, they have to be close, to move differently.”

With Aguerd clearly eager to leave, West Ham shouldn’t stand in his way, should a deal for Harwood-Bellis be possible, and a move wouldn’t break the bank, with a £20m price tag being touted earlier this summer.

Ruben Amorim has explained why he dropped Altay Bayindir from Manchester United's starting lineup against Sunderland in the Premier League. After a series of disappointing performances for the Red Devils, Amorim benched the Turkey international as he handed a debut to deadline day signing Senne Lammens. The Belgian custodian was finally handed the chance to play more than a month after moving from Royal Antwerp.

• Lammens handed United debut

  Lammens, who moved to Old Trafford from Royal Antwerp on deadline day, was finally handed his maiden start for United as Amorim picked the Belgian goalkeeper over Bayindir against Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.

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  Amorim explains decision to bench Bayindir

  Speaking to ahead of the Premier League game at Old Trafford, Amorim said: "It's rotation. Everybody has to be ready to play. We need to win this game, every opponent is different, so we try to find the best characteristics to win every match."

• Bayindir's poor record at Manchester United

  Bayindir was picked as United's first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Andre Onana at the start of the 2025-26 campaign after the Cameroonian goalkeeper had a fallout with Amorim and was eventually sent out on loan to Turkey. With Bayindir between the sticks, United conceded a whopping 11 goals in their first six matches and won just two.

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  Cunha starts on the bench

  After featuring in Amorim's lineup against Brentford last week, Cunha was surprisingly left on the bench as Mason Mount started ahead of the Brazil international. Mount featured alongside Bryan Mbeumo just behind lone striker Benjamin Sesko in the Portuguese coach's 3-4-2-1 formation.

Leeds United are looking to finish the transfer window in strong fashion, but not everyone is convinced about the latest name who is set for a move to Elland Road.

Leeds United agree deal to sign James Justin from Leicester City

With their Premier League comeback now underway, Mike McGrath has confirmed that Leeds are set to sign James Justin for £10 million as he enters the final year of his contract at Leicester City.

He stated on X: “Leicester have agreed a deal worth £10m with Leeds for James Justin. The England-capped full-back, 27, having medical at LUFC.”

Earning an instant return after the Foxes’ relegation last season, Justin registered four goals and two assists in 36 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25, though couldn’t help his side reverse the tide under Ruud van Nistelrooy.

More recently, he has featured in two of Leicester’s three opening fixtures, starring in their win against Sheffield Wednesday and 2-1 loss to Preston North End. Still, not everyone is convinced by his arrival at Elland Road.

News UK journalist Charlie Carmichael has claimed the Foxes have done an “unbelievable” job to take in £10 million given his contract situation and recent form at the King Power Stadium, believing he was “miles off” top flight level.

Putting that to the test, there are plenty of conflicting opinions on Leeds’ latest capture as they look to stay in the top-flight for the foreseeable future.

Should Leeds United be bringing Justin to Elland Road?

After a 5-0 defeat to Arsenal that exposed Leeds’ defensive frailties, news that Justin is on his way hasn’t pleased the Yorkshire giants’ support in their entirety, it is fair to say. First of all, his £10 million price-tag is steep, in context, considering he would’ve been available for free next summer.

Albeit, the Whites have spent £91.3 million and he would come in as their joint-sixth most expensive addition of the window alongside Gabriel Gudmunsson. Still, shelling out a reasonable fee for someone out of form is hardly inspiring, especially in a world where adhering to PSR regulations is becoming pivotal to clubs that can establish themselves in the Premier League.

Last term, Fotmob calculate that Justin was dribbled past 23 times and lost the ball 15 times in the top-flight, picking up six yellow cards in the process, with his defensive frailties highlighted by a video circulating on social media. Of course, plying his trade for a side who were nailed-on relegation candidates from the start didn’t help, but he also delivered a dribble success rate of 40.9%, which is hardly ideal when it comes to structuring build-up play efficiently.

Despite possessing significant talent, Justin lost almost 45% of his aerial duels in the same timeframe, emphasising that he still has much to improve on at the elite level if he wants to become a success at Elland Road.

Availability is the greatest ability, according to some, though the fact he has missed 100 matches since 2020/21 due to Achilles issues and a cruciate ligament tear leaves alot to be desired ahead of his involvement at Leeds.

Ultimately, Farke will know Justin has strong traits as a full-back due to his speed and ability to intercept oncoming attacks, though his deficiencies could outweigh his strenghs in the Premier League if recent indications are anything to go by.

GOAL ranks the top soccer players from each of the country's four regions, including USMNT players both past and present

From Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey to Brian McBride and Christian Pulisic, decades of groundwork have given rise to great American soccer players. With the 2026 World Cup less than nine months away, the United States has steadily progressed into a genuine force in the global soccer scene. 

Some regions in the U.S. have deeper player pools than others, so who is the best of the best? And who were some of the top players from those soccer-rich states that didn't make the cut in the top of three, given the stiff competition?

GOAL ranked the top three men's soccer players from each of the 50 states, and now ranks the best from each region.

STATE RANKINGS: Northeast | South | Midwest | West

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  Northeast: Christian Pulisic

  Hometown: Hershey, Pennsylvania

  Clubs played for: Dortmund, Chelsea, AC Milan

  USMNT caps: 80

  Why he's No. 1: The East is arguably America's premier soccer region when it comes to producing talent. From legendary players such as Tim Howard and Jozy Altidore to Bruce Arena, a Hall of Fame manager, the region is stacked. What sets Pulisic apart is his unprecedented club success in Europe. 

  He is the face of AC Milan, traditionally one of Europe's top six clubs, and he's the only player U.S. player to win the Champions League. While his USMNT legacy might not be as strong as some of the legends, his talent is undeniable. As analyst and former USMNT star Stu Holden once said, success seems inevitable for the 27-year-old. 

  "I think he'll go down as the best U.S. Soccer player by the time he's done, and he might be already in terms of what he's achieved on the club level," Holden told GOAL. "Talent alone, he will be the best U.S. Soccer player of all-time." 

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  Midwest: Brian McBride

  Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois

  Clubs played for: Wolfsburg, Columbus Crew, Preston North End, Everton, Fulham, Chicago Fire 

  USMNT caps: 96

  Why he's No. 1: The race for best player in the Midwest involves three players: Brian McBride, Tim Ream, and Cobi Jones. While Jones is widely considered to be a top-five all-time USMNT player, Ream has also had long-term success, largely in England's second division, and a late career breakout.

  But ultimately, it's McBride, who is neck and neck with Altidore as the best striker in national team history. 

  McBride was a revolutionary talent for the USMNT, playing in three World Cups and becoming the first American to score in two tournaments. On the club level, it's hard to imagine Pulisic or Clint Dempsey being entrusted to be the faces of European clubs without McBride blazing the trail.

  He is the first American with back-to-back double-digit scoring seasons, accomplishing that in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 campaigns for Fulham. The striker's work rate and role in keeping Fulham in England's top flight during his five seasons for the club elevated him to iconic status – he even had a bar named after him at Craven Cottage.

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  South: Clint Dempsey

  Hometown: Nacogdoches, Texas

  Clubs played for: New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham 

  USMNT caps: 141

  Why he's No. 1: Clint Dempsey's path to success wasn't always easy. He grew up in a small town, 140 miles from Houston. Dempsey famously mentioned if it wasn't for his parents driving hours at time to attend camps and practices, he wouldn't have been a professional player. Thankfully for U.S. fans, they did. 

  Dempsey wasn't fleet of foot, didn't have a locked-in position, and wasn't necessarily prolific at any particular skill, but as Arena famously once said "He tries sh*t." The Texan was gritty, relentless, and persistently had a chip on his shoulder that helped him to defy the odds. 

  He once famously used criticism from then-manager Roy Hodgson as motivation to help Fulham – traditionally one of European soccer's smallest clubs – stun Italian powerhouse Juventus in the Europa League with arguably the best goal scored by an American on the continent.

  The goal, a lobbed chip, had no business going in. But it did. In many ways, that moment was symbolic of Dempsey's career. He also had incredible success on the national team, winning three Gold Cups. He is on the short list of America's greatest soccer players. 

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  West: Landon Donovan

  Hometown: Ontario, California

  Clubs played for: Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, Everton, Leon

  USMNT caps: 157

  Why he's No. 1: Dempsey has a case. So does Pulisic. But in the end, Donovan is the best player in American soccer history, due to his consistent success on the national team level, paired with his dominance in MLS. At the peak of his powers, Donovan was the face of U.S. Soccer, a box office draw that put fans in seats.

  He is tied with Dempsey for all-time national goals with 57 and holds the record for assists with 58 – the next closest is Michael Bradley with 22. Donovan had a way of delivering in key moments for the U.S., from the Go Go USA goal against Algeria to a being a consistent thorn in Mexico's side over nearly two decades. 

  Yes, there's an argument that he should have tested himself more on the global stage, instead choosing to stay in MLS while others continually played in Europe. And he frustrated some with his decision to retire from international soccer, and then try to play in the 2014 World Cup.

  But ultimately, he is the closest thing the U.S. had to a world-class outfield player – with Pulisic still in contention to take that title. 

Four draws from four in the Premiership, amid a dismal Champions League exit, has ensured that the jury is still out on Rangers boss Russell Martin, with the former Scotland international facing an uphill task to win over the Ibrox faithful.

That said, regardless of whether or not the under-fire coach is the right man for the job, the Gers are evidently in need of further reinforcements before the window slams shut, with the centre-forward berth a particular area of concern.

Indeed, the Light Blues have seen Hamza Igamane already catch fire at new club Lille, amid a stunning brace on debut in Ligue 1, while Martin admitted that Cyriel Dessers has likely played his last game for the Glasgow giants.

With Danilo also continuing to underwhelm, amid his return of 13 goals in 58 games in Scotland, the pressure is on new man Bojan Miovski to hit the ground running. To ease that burden, however, a new addition now looks to be imminent.

Latest on Rangers' deadline day dealings

There is much to be done and little time to do it in, with reports emerging on Sunday evening that Rangers are in the race for Crystal Palace starlet Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, having been linked with the 22-year-old throughout the summer window.

Elsewhere, meanwhile, Portuguese journalist Sebastião Sousa-Pinto has revealed that Everton striker Youssef Chermiti is heading to Scotland amid his impending Ibrox switch, with the final touches being made on that deal.

As per Sousa-Pinto, that switch – which previously had looked set to be an initial loan – will be a permanent deal for a fee in the region of €15m (£12.7m), eclipsing the £12m previously dished out on Tore Andre Flo.

Transfer Focus

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

Such a hefty price tag would heap instant expectation on the former Sporting CP man to perform, with there perhaps concerns that the 21-year-old could head in a similar direction as that of Adam Idah at rivals Celtic.

Why Rangers could be targeting their own Adam Idah

In one of the more surprising moves of the window so far, Swansea City have pounced to take Idah back to the Championship on a £7m deal, thus ending his turbulent 18-month stint at Parkhead.

Signed on an initial loan deal in January 2024, the Republic of Ireland international was an instant hit in Scottish football, having scored nine goals in just 19 games during that temporary spell, including the winner in the Scottish Cup final.

While 20 goals followed in all competitions last term, following a £9m permanent switch, the 24-year-old divided opinion among those of a Hoops persuasion, having since failed to score in the early weeks of the new campaign.

Despite his early hot streak, the ex-Norwich City man has perhaps returned to his former levels, having arrived in Glasgow after registering just 17 goals in 116 senior games at Carrow Road, as per Transfermarkt.

There could well be fears of Chermiti enduring similar struggles at Ibrox, with Martin and co gambling on a player who has also yet to prove himself at first-team level, after failing to score at all in 24 games for the Toffees.

While the young marksman did net three times in 22 first-team outings in Lisbon, there remains little evidence that he can thrive at the elite level, with analyst Kai Watson even suggesting that he could be “[Umar] Sadiq 2.0”.

A player believed to have been “inspired by [Alexander] Isak”, as per The Athletic, Chermiti is yet to showcase that he can get anywhere close to the levels of the Liverpool-bound £130m sensation.

Of course, much like Idah in his early Celtic days, the Portuguese giant could surprise a few if he makes an immediate impact under Martin, although he will have to go a long way to repay his hefty transfer fee.

As was the case with Idah, the pressure on a young, marquee striker can be overpowering – time will tell to see whether the same applies for Chermiti.

Imagine him & Miovski: Rangers make last-gasp offer for "devastating" star

Rangers have reportedly made a last-gasp offer to sign a star who could shine alongside Bojan Miovski.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 1, 2025

The international break may have come at a perfect time for Tottenham Hotspur, subsequently handing Thomas Frank an extended period to work closely with his first-team squad.

After winning both of the first two Premier League games of 2025/26, the Lilywhites fell to a 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth on home soil in the game before the break.

Such a showing was an uncharacteristic one from the Dane’s side, only registering five shots in 90 minutes, one of which, from Lucas Bergvall, was on target.

However, this evening’s clash against London rivals West Ham United hands the side the perfect opportunity to return to winning ways, facing a side who have already conceded eight times in England’s top-flight in their first three outings.

Such a fixture has proved fruitful for Spurs over the last couple of years, with Frank hoping that he’s able to replicate such feats in the clash at the London Stadium.

Spurs’ recent history against West Ham United

In the last eight meetings with West Ham across all competitions, dating back to December 2021, Spurs have only tasted defeat once – often getting the upper hand over the Hammers.

The last clash took place in May, with the Lilywhites only able to secure a 1-1 draw with Graham Potter’s men, with Wilson Odobert’s goal cancelled out by Jarrod Bowen.

However, the previous outing back in October saw the side dominate under Ange Postecoglou’s guidance, coming out of the clash as 4-1 victors in North London.

Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, Heung-min Son and an own goal from Alphonse Areola secured all three points and further strengthened the Lilywhites’ dominance in such a fixture.

There’s no denying that given the contrasting form of the two clubs so far this campaign, Frank’s men will enter the clash as favourites, which could see one player have a point to prove.

The Spurs star who would be perfect for Kudus against West Ham

Mohammed Kudus joined Spurs this summer in a £55m transfer, arriving at the club from today’s opposition, West Ham, something which will no doubt add further spice to the local derby.

The Ghanaian was seen as one of the Hammers’ star men, previously scoring against the Lilywhites in such a clash, but thankfully for the club’s supporters, he will be on their side this time around.

After leaving the Irons in the summer window, the 25-year-old will certainly have a point to prove – hopefully finding the net for the first time after his big-money transfer.

He’s often been the provider for others this season, as seen by his tally of two assists in three outings, but he could be about to be bolstered in his efforts to open his account in North London.

Xavi Simons completed a late move to join Spurs in the transfer window, joining the club in a £52m transfer from German side RB Leipzig to bolster the attacking midfield department.

The Dutchman has undoubtedly arrived with high hopes, given the transfer fee, but also his numbers from last season – which saw him register 19 combined goals and assists in 2024/25.

His underlying stats are just as impressive, with many of which aiding Kudus in his chances of haunting his former employers at the London Stadium this evening.

Simons, who’s been labelled “world-class” by Rafael van der Vaart, managed to notch a total of 2.2 chances created per 90, along with 1.4 successful dribbles per 90.

Such numbers are impressive alone, showcasing his ability to transition the ball into dangerous areas, but he’s also managed to put an end product to such mazy runs.

He completed 83% of the passes he attempted, with 4.8 of which per 90 played into the final third – numbers which could provide Kudus with the ammunition needed to threaten the opposition.

The prospect of the pair linking up together is one for the fanbase to get excited about, with such a duo having the tools to push Frank’s men closer to victory against the Hammers.

If the Ghanaian is to open his account and inflict more pain on Potter’s side, it’s crucial that the Dane hands a debut to Simons, with the Dutchman having all the tools to create endless opportunities in attacking areas.

Frank's new Wissa: Spurs striker sold for just £12m is now outscoring Kane

Tottenham Hotspur made a huge mistake in allowing one youngster to depart the club.

By
Ethan Lamb

Sep 12, 2025

Mason Greenwood’s Marseille have reportedly made an enquiry for Real Madrid’s teenage forward Endrick, with the Brazilian growing increasingly 'frustrated' over his lack of minutes under Xabi Alonso. The 18-year-old has not featured since recovering from injury and could be open to a January loan exit as he looks to secure game time ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

• Marseille show interest in Real Madrid's Endrick

  Olympique Marseille have officially enquired about signing Real Madrid’s rising star Endrick on loan in January, according to ESPN Brasil. The Ligue 1 outfit, home to former Manchester United star Greenwood, are keen to strengthen their attack with the Brazilian teenager, who has found opportunities hard to come by in Spain. Since returning from an early-season injury, Endrick has not played a single competitive minute for Alonso’s side, prompting speculation that he could seek game time elsewhere to boost his development and World Cup hopes.

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  Endrick has not played in five months

  Endrick’s lack of involvement has become a significant talking point in Madrid and Brazil alike. The youngster has now gone five months without seeing any playing time — an unfamiliar situation for a player once seen as a generational talent at Palmeiras. Sources close to Endrick insist there is no fallout with Alonso, but acknowledge that the manager’s stricter, system-based coaching approach has made it harder for him to break into the lineup. "All of this has affected him. He's frustrated, wanting to prove himself in every training session. He's giving his life," a person close to the player told reporters per ESPN.

  As a result, the forward is believed to be growing mentally fatigued by the lack of opportunities, though he remains fully committed to succeeding at Real Madrid in the long term. 

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  Endrick struggling to adapt to Alonso's style

  Endrick’s adjustment period under Alonso has reportedly been challenging. The ESPN report states that, unlike former coach Carlo Ancelotti, who nurtured young players with a “fatherly” touch, Alonso’s management is said to follow the “Jose Mourinho school” — focused on tactical rigidity and physical intensity. This has created a competitive environment where established names like Kylian Mbappe dominate the starting spots, leaving little space for young prospects.

  Behind the scenes, Mbappe’s unrelenting 'hunger' to play every minute has inadvertently made things more difficult for Endrick. The French star is known to resist rotation, and his presence has reduced opportunities for the teenager to showcase his talent. Those close to Endrick describe the situation as 'psychologically demanding,' though they also acknowledge that patience and perseverance will be crucial in adapting to Real Madrid’s high standards.

  In his first full season with the club (2024/25), Endrick logged just 847 minutes across all competitions — the equivalent of fewer than ten full matches. In La Liga, he featured in 22 games but played only 353 minutes, averaging around 16 minutes per appearance. Most of those cameos were late substitute appearances, and he managed only three starts in total.

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• Real Madrid could be open to sending Endrick away on loan

  Real Madrid are expected to receive several offers for Endrick once the transfer window opens, with Marseille in the race for a loan move. The French club believe a temporary spell in Ligue 1 could provide the young striker with the regular minutes he needs to continue his progression. However, Endrick’s representatives are in no rush, preferring to observe how the next few weeks unfold before making a decision.

  Still just 19 years old, Endrick is viewed internally as a long-term investment rather than an immediate starter. Madrid’s coaching staff are focused on his gradual integration, balancing his physical development and mental growth. Yet, the slow progression has led to growing speculation about a January 2026 loan move, with Marseille among the frontrunners to offer regular minutes.

  For Alonso and Madrid, the coming fixtures may determine the youngster’s immediate future. If he continues to sit out matches, a January loan could benefit all parties — offering Endrick experience abroad while relieving squad congestion in Madrid. For Marseille, meanwhile, landing the Brazilian alongside Greenwood could prove a statement move, adding flair and youthful energy to their attack as they aim to challenge Paris Saint-Germain for the Ligue 1 title.

Tottenham Hotspur’s squad has come a long way in such a short space of time, with Thomas Frank the current beneficiary of the hierarchy’s impressive recruitment.

Managers like Antonio Conte have tried and failed to transform the club, subsequently being unable to bring the success the fans have desired to North London.

The Italian ultimately left the club back in March 2023 despite achieving a 53% win percentage, with Ange Postecoglou taking over ahead of the following campaign.

In the last couple of years, the hierarchy have spent big on the transfer window to try and take the club to the next level and achieve a sustained period of success – whether that be in the Premier League or Europe.

One of the players brought in during such a period has demonstrated his talents for the Lilywhites, but has also come under fire for his lack of impact at certain times of his spell at the club.

The ups and downs of Brennan Johnson’s Spurs career

Brennan Johnson joined Spurs for a reported £47.5m back in the summer of 2023, arriving with high expectations after netting 10 goals and registering three assists for Nottingham Forest the year prior.

The Welshman has endured a topsy-turvy time in North London to date, only scoring five times in his first season at the club – leading to unjustifiable abuse from the supporters.

Such a situation would lead to the winger deleting his social media accounts, but it would lead to a huge upturn in form and securing his place as a regular starter once again.

Johnson would score 18 times across all competitions last campaign – the most of any player in the squad – even netting the winner in the Europa League final against Manchester United.

The goal against the Red Devils ended the Lilywhites’ 17-year wait for any form of silverware, subsequently handing a generation of supporters memories to last a lifetime.

Whilst scoring twice in as many outings at the start of 2025/26, Johnson has since fallen down the pecking order of late, failing to make a single start in the Premier League since the end of August.

As a result, he’s subsequently being outperformed by one former Spurs star who may have been harshly sold given his lack of first-team action in North London.

The former Spurs star who is playing better than Johnson

Whilst Spurs have spent big in the transfer market over the last couple of seasons, numerous players have had to be sacrificed to help balance the books to avoid any financial implications.

Harry Kane has been the biggest player to depart North London over recent windows, leaving in a mammoth £82m transfer to join Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

The Englishman has left a huge gap in the first-team squad, unsurprisingly so given his tally of 280 goals for the Lilywhites – the most by any player in the club’s history.

He wasn’t the only attacker that was sacrificed by the club to raise funds, with former boss Conte deciding to offload winger Jack Clarke to Sunderland back in the summer of 2022.

The winger joined the club from Championship side Leeds United for a fee in the region of £10m, with his addition seeing the club land themselves a star for the future.

However, it’s safe to say his time in North London failed to live up to expectations, as Clarke was restricted to only four senior appearances for the club – none of which came in the Premier League.

After countless loan spells away from the Lilywhites, he would move on a permanent basis to join the Black Cats three years after his transfer – subsequently unable to have the impact he desired.

Fast forward to the present day, the 24-year-old now plies his trade for Ipswich Town after joining them for £15m last summer, now becoming a key member of their current first-team squad.

Clarke has now scored three times and registered one assist for the Tractor Boys, a tally higher than that of Johnson, who’s only scored twice in the 2025/26 campaign.

There’s no denying the Englishman is achieving such heights in a lower division, but it’s clear that he’s a player full of confidence at present – but the same can’t be said for the Welshman.

Frank needs to give Johnson the support he needs to get back to the levels he produced last season, with his drop in from in recent weeks a huge concern to everyone involved with the club.

As for Clarke, it’s great to see a former player finally fulfilling the potential he arrived with, but it’s a real shame that he’s not doing so in the whites of Tottenham.

His departure may have been a tad premature, but unfortunately for the fanbase, he will now remain a case of what could’ve been with their loss now Ipswich’s gain.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 1, 2025