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XHAKA PARTNER: MATTEO GUENDOUZI KEY TO SUNDERLAND'S TOP-THREE PUSH

Sunderland are reportedly ahead of rivals Newcastle in the transfer race for Lazio's Matteo Guendouzi. Manager Regis Le Bris knows the midfielder well from Lorient.

Xhaka Partner: Matteo Guendouzi Key to Sunderland's Top-Three Push
Le Bris Edge Secures Guendouzi for Black Cats

Sunderland is reportedly in the lead to sign a midfield player that Regis Le Bris knows well, ahead of Newcastle United.

After a loss against Fulham, Le Bris's team definitely wants to bounce back against Bournemouth.

Le Bris said that they have always been able to respond to a loss, and he hopes that will be the case this time also. He says that they are on a new road, facing new opponents and situations, and they need these experiences to get better. He added that they don’t have experience right now, so it is a new lesson, especially when they are trying to figure out problems.

He also mentioned that rotation will happen in a natural way. When they play well, keeping the same starting lineup is important, and it was normal to do that because of the results they had.

If the other games go their way, three points could push the Black Cats up to third place. Those at the Stadium of Light are doing a similar job to what Bournemouth have been doing since they were promoted.

Le Bris said that he admires Bournemouth, stating that Bournemouth is a good example for them, and the way they have grown in the league over the past four seasons is interesting for them.

Sunderland could win their next Wilson Isidor by going after this player in January.

Sunderland might sign Matteo Guendouzi ahead of Newcastle in January.

Sunderland ahead of Newcastle in Guendouzi race

TeamTalk says Sunderland is now ahead of Newcastle in the race to sign Guendouzi in 2026, in a deal that could be worth up to £26m. Le Bris knows the Lazio midfielder from when they were together at Lorient and said that he was still in contact with him a few weeks ago.

It would be a big move if the Black Cats signed a transfer target ahead of their rivals. That's where they are after a great start to the Premier League season.

Sunderland is chasing a reunion between Le Bris and Guendouzi because the Frenchman has been compared to Granit Xhaka so far this season. The transfer report also says that the Black Cats see Guendouzi as the right midfield partner for Xhaka, adding experience to their midfield.

Guendouzi, who was called a great professional by Arne Friedrich, also has something to prove in the Premier League after leaving Arsenal in 2021 and could get a second chance at Sunderland.

CONOR GALLAGHER CONFIRMED AS "VITAL" STARTER FOR SPURS FOLLOWING BENTANCUR’S INJURY LAYOFF

Conor Gallagher proved the doubters wrong against Man City. Discover why his €40m move to Tottenham is finally paying off for Spurs.

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Conor Gallagher secured first Spurs assist as Tottenham snatched a point at City

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid both decided Conor Gallagher wasn’t worth the trouble. At Chelsea, he had his moments—Pochettino liked him, but the fans never really warmed up. When Chelsea shipped him off to Atletico, it made sense. Enzo Fernandez stepped up, took over Gallagher’s role, and fit in perfectly next to Caicedo, with Cole Palmer adding that extra spark up front.

Things didn’t get much better for Gallagher in Spain. He barely got a chance at Atleti, lost his spot in the starting eleven, and pretty much ended up on the transfer list before anyone had time to blink. Interest was lukewarm at best until the winter window rolled around. Aston Villa wanted him and went after him pretty aggressively, but then Tottenham swooped in late. Spurs needed someone to patch up the midfield after Bentancur’s injury, so they just paid up—40 million euros, no hesitation.

His start at Tottenham? Rough. Honestly, that was to be expected. He’d played well at Palace before, but after his struggles at Atleti, he needed time to adjust. Sitting on the bench in Spain didn’t do him any favours.

Then Gallagher showed up. People doubted whether he could really add creativity and move the ball forward for Spurs, so his early struggles got people worried. But then came the 2-2 draw against Manchester City. He suddenly looked like the player both Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank were so desperate to sign.

Against City, Gallagher flipped the script. He set up a crucial assist, drove play forward on the dribble, and kept drawing fouls—everything the Spurs needed. Defensively, he was all over the place in a good way: two tackles, three interceptions, a full 90 minutes, and a huge part of the Spurs clawing their way back into the game.

Tottenham fans loved it. They saw the effort, the attitude, and the hunger to win. Gallagher just wouldn’t quit, and in that second half, he, Xavi Simons, Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke ran the show. Four of those guys have been carrying Spurs lately, so Gallagher is fitting right in with them. That’s a pretty good sign he’s going to work out just fine in North London.

AC MILAN MEDICAL FAILURE: THE HIDDEN KNEE INJURY THAT CRUSHED MATETA’S £30M MOVE

Jean-Philippe Mateta's £30m move to AC Milan is OFF. Discover why a failed medical has put his France World Cup dreams in jeopardy.

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Mateta’s "dream move" suddenly turned toxic.

Jean Philippe-Mateta’s got a real headache right now. The Crystal Palace striker just watched his £30 million dream move to AC Milan blow up at the last minute, all because a knee problem showed up during his medical.

The thing is, Mateta’s been carrying this injury for a while. Now he’s stuck: should he go under the knife and try to recover in time for the World Cup? He wants to make the France squad this summer, but nothing’s guaranteed. Even if he has surgery, there’s no telling if he’ll be fit enough—or have enough time on the pitch—to convince Didier Deschamps he deserves a spot.

The injury’s been dragging him down anyway. It’s messing with his form and his game time, and he’s worried he won’t get a real shot at proving himself for France if he isn’t at his best.

It’s tough because he’s coming off a fantastic year at Palace. FA Cup winner, big goals, helped the club reach Europe—it’s been a dream run. But now he might have to go back to Selhurst Park, even though he’s made it clear he’s had enough and wants out.

Honestly, it feels like only a matter of time before he leaves. His contract runs out next summer, and Palace can’t risk losing him for nothing. They’ve already watched Marc Guehi go to Man City for a bargain, just because his deal was running down.

Now Mateta has to sit down with Palace and the doctors to figure out what to do about his knee. Surgery would sideline him for months, probably killing his World Cup chances.

He’s gutted about Milan falling through, especially after Juventus cooled their interest and Nottingham Forest had an offer turned down. Over the weekend, he even unfollowed Palace on Instagram and posted a fed-up emoji. No one really knows if he’ll even make the squad for the Brighton game.

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