On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite to potentially replace Cristian Romero
It has been a season to forget for Tottenham Hotspur and their fans, with injuries having plagued all the good work Ange Postecoglou did in his first year at N17. The glut of injuries, illnesses and suspensions have compounded the Lilywhites’ struggles, leaving them 14th in the table.
One of the most notable absentees has been Cristian Romero. Spurs’ defensive wall, the Argentine has missed a lot of action this season due to a combination of hamstring and quadriceps injuries. It has been a frustrating campaign individually for him, and the centre-back’s prolonged absence has hurt Ange Postecoglou’s side massively. It has left a gaping hole in a backline already lacking stability, leadership and continuity.
Amidst the defensive disorder, there is fresh uncertainty surrounding the future of Cristian Romero. La Liga side Atletico Madrid have made the Tottenham star a defensive priority for the upcoming summer transfer window. The Hotspur chiefs, until now, have always wanted to keep hold of the 2022 World Cup winner, but if he fails to agree on a new contract by the end of the season, they will reportedly cash him in this summer.
Tottenham have already drawn up a shortlist of defensive targets to potentially replace Romero. According to a report from Spanish outlet Fichajes, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite features in the shortlist of targets the North Londoners have formulated to sign as Romero’s replacement if he departs.
Jarrad Branthwaite has been one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League in the last 18 months. The 22-year-old has been a consistent performer for an Everton side that have narrowly avoided dropping from the top flight in the last two seasons. He has been a rock at the back, racking up 22 Premier League appearances.
The Toffees don’t want to lose Branthwaite as they view him as a key player for now as well as for the future. They are in line to hand the England international a new contract and extend his stay at Goodison Park.
Branthwaite has been a member of the Everton team that has battled against relegation in recent campaigns. So, if he is ambitious and wants to become a regular for England, the centre-back needs to push for a move away from the Merseyside club. And if Spurs do get a hint that the Carlisle-born talent is keen on a switch, Daniel Levy and Co. must go all out for him.
This is because Branthwaite will ideally suit the transfer policy that the Lilywhites have adopted of signing high-potential young players that have the capacity to create an impact now but also add value in the long term. Thus, he’d be a good fit at White Hart Lane, someone who has the tools to replace Romero in Ange’s roster.
More must-reads:
- Preseason breakout puts Arsenal teenager in the spotlight
- Liverpool set to sell big-name forward to finance Alexander Isak deal
- The 'NBA minutes leaders by season' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Ballon d'Or Nominations 2025: All Nominees, Categories, Awards, Date & Everything You Need to Know
How much Darwin Nunez will earn at Al-Hilal compared to Liverpool after ‘full agreement’ reached
Why Carlos Baleba Could Be the Midfield Catalyst Manchester United Desperately Need in 2025/26
The new Premier League season is upon us, and Manchester United fans are again walking a tightrope between hope and frustration. With Ruben Amorim, there’s a clearer tactical identity forming, and for the first time in years, United seem to be building with purpose. Their attack has been revamped with the signings of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and a deal very close for Benjamin Šeško deal that could be announced before the opening weekend. However, the engine room remains unfinished. United’s midfield, the weak spot of last season, still lacks the dynamism needed to support both the defence and the attack. There’s a reason why Carlos Baleba has emerged as the top name on Manchester United’s wish list. He is more than just a promising young midfielder. He might be the final piece of the puzzle that turns a newly structured side into one capable of actually competing on multiple fronts. United’s Attack Has Been Rebuilt, but the Midfield Remains Fragile Over the summer, INEOS sanctioned a major attacking overhaul. Matheus Cunha was brought in from Wolves for £62.5 million, and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo followed for £71 million with add-ons. The club is also on the verge of completing a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško, which is expected to cost around £70-75 million plus £9 million in add-ons. These additions give Amorim a faster, more mobile and technically sharper front line. Together, Cunha and Mbeumo contributed 48 goals and assists last season, while Šeško netted 18 goals in all competitions. It’s clear that Amorim wants his front three to press, combine, and finish, traits that were sorely missing last year. Even the most dynamic forward line needs a functioning midfield behind it. That’s where Manchester United have been lacking. A department that seems increasingly uncertain in Amorim’s setup. Casemiro was impressive, but is clearly declining. Ugarte, though energetic, struggled for consistency after his injury last season. A poor display against Everton a few days ago was enough for United to cash in for a midfielder. In that context, the chase for Baleba makes perfect sense. Carlos Baleba: A Modern Midfielder Carlos Baleba is only 21, yet he already feels like a Premier League veteran. Signed by Brighton from Lille in 2023 for €27 million, he has blossomed into one of the league’s most complete midfielders. Last season, he made 34 Premier League appearances, scored three goals, and won Brighton’s Young Player of the Season award. His 46 tackles and 46 interceptions were among the best for midfielders in the league. His performances were so impressive that his value has now ballooned to around £90 million, with Brighton reluctant to sell unless their price is met. He was originally brought in to replace Moises Caicedo, and he has done that job so well. What makes Baleba special is how he blends physicality with composure. He’s not just a ball-winner, he’s a carrier, a link between defence and attack. He thrives in chaotic moments, often emerging with the ball at his feet and looking to progress play forward. He idolisez players like Modrić, Kroos, and Rodri, and it’s clear he models his game on that archetype, a holding midfielder with brains and bravery. Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein have confirmed that United have made contact with Brighton through intermediaries and are seriously exploring the conditions of a deal. However, Brighton CEO Paul Barber insists that no formal approach has been made and that the club hopes Baleba stays for many more years. That stance could soften closer to deadline day if the right bid comes in. Baleba Could Unlock Ugarte and Mainoo One of the biggest appeals of signing Baleba is the immediate and transformative impact he could have on the players already at the club. Manuel Ugarte is a workhorse, but his passing can be erratic under pressure. Kobbie Mainoo is full of potential but lacks the support around him to truly dominate games. Baleba could change that dynamic entirely. With Baleba providing defensive coverage and taking on the responsibility of breaking up play, Mainoo could operate in more advanced areas, where his vision and timing would have far greater impact. Ugarte, meanwhile, would benefit from having someone equally athletic beside him, reducing his workload and mental pressure during transitions. It’s a trio that could finally give United the kind of midfield fluidity they’ve lacked since the days of Carrick and Scholes. Rio Ferdinand has gone as far as saying that United should forget about spending big on another forward and instead put all their focus on landing Baleba. He sees him as the engine United need, a player who doesn’t just fill gaps but elevates the players around him. A Signing That Would Define the Window If Manchester United manage to sign Carlos Baleba before the end of the transfer window, it would mark one of the most balanced and forward-thinking windows in the club’s recent history. They will have addressed all three zones of the pitch with quality and vision. The attack now has pace and purpose, the defence looks more structured under Amorim, and with Baleba, the midfield would gain stability, athleticism, and tactical intelligence. Brighton will not make this deal easy. They are holding out for a premium fee and know just how valuable Baleba is. United, in turn, may need to sell one or two players to balance the books, names like Sancho, Garnacho or Antony have been floated around. But if this move goes through, it will show that INEOS are serious about building not just a squad of names, but a team built on balance and functionality. Final Thoughts Carlos Baleba is not just a good signing. He is the kind of profile Manchester United have lacked for years. He offers control without sacrificing intensity, youth with experience, and potential that can be tapped into immediately. In a squad full of attacking firepower, Baleba would be the heartbeat. He would make United harder to break down, quicker in transition, and better equipped to handle the demands of modern football. If INEOS can pull this off, it won’t just be the biggest signing of the summer. It could be the one that finally brings structure and stability to a team that has spent too long running in circles. As the season begins, all eyes will be on whether United can land the player who might finally help them turn potential into consistency.
George Kittle delivered powerful comment about new Packers WR that sheds light on what Green Bay saw in the player
The Green Bay Packers are not done adding wide receivers. The team drafted Matthew Golden and Savion Williams, signed Will Sheppard, but also added another rookie—Isaiah Neyor, a big-bodied, undrafted receiver who had signed with the San Francisco 49ers right after the draft. Neyor spent three months in San Francisco and had a quiet training camp, which led to the team's decision to waive him, but it was enough time to catch the attention of star tight end George Kittle. Going back to June, in an interview with Bussin' with the Boys, Kittle talked about Neyor. "He's a good kid. I like him. He's a freak. He is really tall, and I watched him running a route, he got like nine and a half yards in two strides," Kittle mentioned. "It was insane. We watched it like ten times in the tight end room. We were like, how is he doing this? It's funny." The rookie has an insane athletic profile. He's 6-4, 218 pounds, and ran a 4.43 40-yard dash. With a 9.97 incomplete Relative Athletic Score, he had elite size, explosion, and speed grades—but no agility testing information. "If you're that tall, just make plays and do well on special teams. Right?," Kittle added. "At the bare minimum, you should make the practice squad." Positional battle With two weeks of training camp gone, Isaiah Neyor will have a hard time to make the 53-man roster. The Packers have Golden, Williams, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks as locks. Veterans Mecole Hardman and Malik Heath are also ahead of the rookies. Even players like Cornelius Johnson and Julian Hicks, who spent last season on the practice squad, have a natural advantage. Christian Watson is expected to start the season on PUP, so he won't count against the 53-man for at least four weeks. However, both undrafted rookies (Neyor and Sheppard) have a real shot at making at least the practice squad. In Neyor's case, the 49ers expected him to be around—so much that they guaranteed him $259,000 as an undrafted free agent signing. But with injuries all over the wide receiver room, the Niners needed spots for veteran guys—they have players like Robbie Chosen, Russell Gage, and former Packer Equanimeous St. Brown on the 90-man roster. As a consequence, they lacked space for developmental pieces. With two drafted rookies in Jordan Watkins and Junior Bergen, Neyor became an afterthought. On the Packers, though, the rookie will have another chance to prove that George Kittle was right.
Jerry Jones takes another jab at Micah Parsons over contract stalemate
The Dallas Cowboys have a big problem on their hands right now. Micah Parsons has formally requested to be traded, and he took to social media to vent his concerns and frustration with his contract extension situation. However, team owner Jerry Jones isn't ready to budge. If anything, the controversial business mogul doesn't sound too worried about that. Talking to the media, he implied that he had already shaken hands on an extension with Parsons, so he just has to wait now: "I bought the Dallas Cowboys with a handshake," Jones said, per The Athletic's Jon Machota. "It took about 30 seconds. I gave the number, shook hands, the details we worked out later." Jones, one of the most successful businessmen of his generation, pretty much stated that he wouldn't change the way he does business. "Just so you understand the way that I communicate with people that I negotiate with. Let's leave it at that," Jones continued. "There's is no question that in the case of a player contract, you have to have it in writing. All parties do. We have a contract in writing, yet we're still talking about renegotiating, so so much for that." Parsons has every right to feel frustrated. He's one of the best pass-rushers in the game, and he's the youngest in the short list of superstars at the position. The Cowboys have a long history of dragging out negotiations for as long as they can, and that's usually rubbed their players the wrong way. Parsons is still under contract, and the Cowboys can technically wait to give him an extension because the market isn't likely to go any higher after T.J. Watt already got a deal done. But sometimes, it's not just about money, and these power struggles are terrible for team morale.
NFL Hall of Famer reveals why he chose to join Deion Sanders' Colorado coaching staff
Steelers QB Skylar Thompson Makes Direct Statement About Will Howard's Injury
The Pittsburgh Steelers fan base was crushed on Tuesday when they saw rookie quarterback Will Howard go down with an injury. While Howard wasn’t expected to start in 2025 with Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph ahead of him, he had been turning heads in training camp with his poise and strong arm. Many fans were looking forward to watching him in the preseason, but those hopes were put on hold when NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Howard had suffered a fractured small bone in his hand, according to sources. Howard is expected to miss at least three weeks, which means he will likely miss the entire preseason. That is a tough blow to his development, especially after climbing the depth chart and passing Skylar Thompson thanks to his impressive camp performances. The reps he would have gotten in preseason games were seen as crucial for building confidence and gaining experience at the NFL level. With Howard out, Thompson suddenly has a chance to reclaim the backup role he lost. Speaking to Pittsburgh media on Wednesday, Thompson addressed the injury and the opportunity in front of him. He said he felt for Howard and wished him a speedy recovery, but also added that he is ready to compete and take full advantage of the reps coming his way. "You know, yeah, I have just been preparing this whole time as if I am the guy getting the reps," Thompson told the Pittsburgh media via video from 93.7 The Fan. "Really nothing is going to change other than me getting the reps physically now. So I am looking forward to the opportunity and getting out there to go and play football." It was a normal and direct response from Thompson. It’s a tricky spot for the veteran, who can’t be thrilled about being the fourth quarterback on the Steelers' depth chart. Thompson previously served as a backup with the Miami Dolphins and has had a handful of opportunities in the NFL. Unfortunately for him, he hasn’t capitalized on those chances the way he had hoped. Now, with a fresh opportunity in Pittsburgh, he has a real shot to climb the depth chart and claim the third-string job. Howard had been gaining momentum quickly during training camp, and there’s no question this injury, while not serious in the long term, raises concern about his progress being stalled. Missing valuable preseason reps is a blow for any rookie, especially one trying to solidify his role behind experienced quarterbacks like Rodgers and Rudolph. With Howard sidelined, Thompson will look to take full advantage of the opportunity in front of him. He knows he needs to prove he is good enough to avoid being passed over by a sixth-round rookie. For Thompson, this could be one of his last real chances to stick on an NFL roster and show he belongs. Steelers' Preseason Games Get A Lot Less Interesting Without Will Howard No one is truly banking on Thompson to be anything other than the third-string quarterback in Pittsburgh. There was some slight optimism that Howard could get off to a hot start in the preseason and show he might be worth taking a deeper look at, possibly even being the franchise savior. For a sixth-round rookie, missing valuable preseason reps is a major blow, especially with the fact that Pittsburgh will be drafting a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. This is adversity for Howard, but it’s nothing he’s not used to. Steelers fans are disappointed that they won’t get to watch Howard in the preseason.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
