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It’s sacking season in the Premier League, although Tottenham Hotspur are holding their nerve with regard to Thomas Frank, even amid a difficult spell for the former Brentford boss.

A frustrating 1-1 draw with Sunderland last time out again saw the Dane’s defensive-minded substitutions backfire late on, with the Lilywhites currently lacking that cutting edge and killer instinct in the final third.

It’s been pragmatic and cautious, an approach that might be a much-needed change from Ange Postecoglou’s tenure, although it is winning Frank few friends at N17.

Perhaps, however, patience is merely what is needed in north London, with it looking as if the club are ready to back their man in the winter window to try and improve upon their current malaise.

Spurs still holding talks over exciting January deal

The ongoing woes at Spurs were again encapsulated over the weekend, with Frank and co signing off on the sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace, only to then see Mohammed Kudus forced off in the first half against the Black Cats.

With Johnson having arguably been the most obvious understudy to Kudus on that right flank, it would be no surprise to see the north Londoners dip into the market, with a move for Manchester City’s Savinho still being mooted.

Reports last week also claimed that talks were advanced for West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta, although there is yet a third Brazilian target on their radar, in the form of Santos starlet, Souza.

Transfer Focus

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

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As per TEAMtalk, Tottenham have not given up on signing the 19-year-old even after seeing their initial bid rejected, having again been holding talks regarding a potential deal.

The report suggests that while rival interest is mounting from the likes of Newcastle United and Chelsea’s BlueCo owners, it is Spurs who appear to be the frontrunners still, having been described as the ‘most advanced’.

In terms of a price tag, with ENIC’s initial £8.7m bid having been rebuffed, the Brazilian outfit are looking for closer to £17.3m.

Why Souza could be Spurs' next Bale signing

It’s fair to say that Spurs’ high-profile, more marquee deals haven’t exactly paid off in recent years, be it Tanguy Ndombele, Richarlison or Dominic Solanke, the latter of whom has been riddled by injury over the last 18 months or so.

There has arguably been much more success and enjoyment gained from plucking out something of a bargain instead, not least the likes of Pape Matar Sarr and Dejan Kulusevski.

Plumping for young, high-potential talent in that mould appears to fit the ethos of Spurs, with that theme of the 21st century in north London, not least with the likes of Dele Alli and Gareth Bale.

As an exciting, teenage left-back, Souza could well look to follow in the footsteps of Bale at the club, with the legendary Welshman having joined as a 17-year-old back in 2007.

Signed by Daniel Levy for just £5m, the now-retired speedster endured a sticky start after failing to win any of his first 24 Premier League games, prior to exploding onto the scene following that night away at the San Siro.

From struggling full-back to explosive winger, the left-footer was the perfect example of what Spurs should be all about, ultimately racking up 124 goals and assists in 237 games across his two spells for the club.

Suggesting that Souza could follow in those footsteps might appear hyperbolic, although he is a “hugely impressive” figure in his own right, in the view of scout Ben Mattinson, catching the eye in his embryonic senior career at Santos.

Souza (Santos) – 2025 League stats

Stat (*per game)

Record

Games

24

Starts

19

Goals

1

Assists

2

Big chances created

4

Key passes*

0.6

Pass accuracy*

85%

Successful dribbles*

1.0

Total duels won*

55%

Stats via Sofascore

In all, the teenager has made 38 appearances for his current side at first-team level, racking up five goal involvements in that time as a mark of his attacking prowess.

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Bale, for comparison, had made just 45 appearances himself at Southampton, prior to moving to the capital, albeit while contributing 17 goals and assists for the Saints.

Souza is then arguably more of a natural left-back, although his potential is sky high, with Mattinson – who has also pointed to his “good athleticism” – suggesting that he will go “right to the very top”.

In the view of South American journalist Nathan Joyes too, his “attacking numbers would drastically improve” if placed in a “better squad”, with Joyes noting that the youngster is “tall, direct, athletic” – all attributes shared with a young Bale.

It is then clear to see why Spurs are so eager to get this deal done, with there likely to be another bargain to be had for the north London outfit this month.

Related Spurs could see £87m bid accepted to sign Frank's new version of Mbeumo

Tottenham need to sign a talented new winger in the January transfer window.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair

Chelsea have already pulled the trigger with Enzo Maresca, but will 2026 also prove to be the end for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United?

It is gearing up for a potentially seismic period of change across the Premier League, with Thomas Frank and Arne Slot both under scrutiny at Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, respectively, while the word is that Manchester City are lining up replacements for Pep Guardiola ahead of next season.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has stated recently that Amorim will be given three years to impress at Old Trafford, although Tuesday’s dismal draw with bottom-side Wolverhampton Wanderers has again thrown his position into doubt.

With a pivotal month in store that includes away trips to Elland Road and the Emirates, alongside the Manchester derby, it is approaching make-or-break time for United’s Portuguese coach.

Why Amorim's position should be under threat at Man Utd

The midweek stalemate with Wolves marked Amorim’s 44th Premier League game in charge, since replacing Erik ten Hag in November 2024, with the 40-year-old picking up just 14 wins in that time and registering a woeful 1.2 points per game average.

For context, during his heady days at Sporting CP, the promising coach romped to a 2.47 points per game average, having remarkably won 129 of his 166 games in charge.

Such success – and the Portuguese’s 3-4-3 set-up – simply hasn’t been replicated in England’s top tier, however, with Amorim the man to have overseen the club’s worst-ever Premier League finish last time out.

Improvements, undoubtedly, have been made this time around, although it’s hardly been an ideal festive period, with the Red Devils winning just one of their last five home games, a run that has included favourable match-ups with the likes of Wolves, West Ham United and a ten-man Everton.

There is the caveat that Amorim has been hamstrung by injury and AFCON absentees, but his selection decisions are beginning to grate, notably reverting back to a back three last time out, despite appearing to find some rhythm with Patrick Dorgu as a right-winger in a 4-3-3.

Unfortunately, there are echoes of Ten Hag’s final days, with the Dutchman memorably hooking scorer Marcus Rashford at the break away in Porto, only for United to proceed to draw 3-3 in that chaotic Europa League clash.

Like with his predecessor, Amorim doesn’t appear to be helping himself, even with a depleted squad, with change in the dugout potentially in the offing.

Man Utd's perfect Amorim replacement could get Sesko firing

For all Ratcliffe’s public backing, behind the scenes it might well be a different story, with reports earlier this week indicating that INEOS are working on a possible succession plan.

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Indeed, the belief is that Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner is being discussed internally as a potential ‘safe pair of hands’, with the Austrian’s own future in doubt at Selhurst Park with just six months left on his contract.

The former Eintracht Frankfurt boss – who won the Europa League with the Bundesliga side – did actually steer Palace to a 2-1 defeat to Amorim’s side not too long ago, although that should not overshadow the fine work he has done with the Eagles in recent seasons.

An FA Cup winner last time out, Glasner has worked wonders to turn Palace into a real European contender, even while having lost the likes of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze in successive summers.

That is certainly the view of ex-Palace man Clinton Morrison, who has lauded him as a “top-drawer” coach.

The 51-year-old’s biggest success, arguably, has been overseeing the transformation of reported United target Jean-Philippe Mateta, with the towering Frenchman scoring 38 league goals since the start of 2023/24.

Indeed, 39 of the 28-year-old’s 55 goals for the club have come in just 87 games under Glasner, having played 180 times in total since arriving from Mainz in January 2021.

Mateta vs Sesko – 24/25 League stats

Stat (*per game)

Mateta

Sesko

Games

37

33

Starts

33

30

Goals

14

13

Assists

2

5

Mins per goal

190min

185min

Goal conversion

20%

19%

Big chances missed

19

10

Big chances created

7

5

Total duels won*

38%

45%

Stats via Sofascore

Perhaps, Glasner could work wonders with another 6 foot 4, Bundesliga import at Old Trafford, with Benjamin Sesko enduring his own slow start in English football, after scoring just twice to date.

Subscribe to the newsletter for Man United coaching insight Get deeper context on Amorim’s future, Glasner as a potential replacement, and how Sesko could be deployed. Subscribe to the newsletter for focused Premier League analysis, tactical breakdowns and transfer-linked player profiles that cut through the noise.

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Like Mateta, however – who scored 27 goals in 71 games in Germany – there is a talent in there to be unleashed, with the £74m Slovenian having netted 39 times in 87 games at RB Leipzig.

Noted to be a stylistically similar player to Mateta among their Premier League peers, as per FBref, Sesko could be another physical focal point for Glasner to work around, having reaped the rewards of his own 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 set-up.

Those at United may be wary of turning toward another coach who typically favours a back three, although if utilised successfully – and with a Mateta-like figure leading the line – Glasner could replicate his Palace heroics up in Manchester.

He might well be the man to finally get Sesko firing too.

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Ireland have announced that RSA, formerly known as Royal & SunAlliance Insurance, will be their new sponsor for the 2008 season.Currently the deal is only for the one season, but discussions will be held to extend the agreement for a longer term. The sponsorship covers the men’s and women’s senior squads, as well as the men’s A team and Under-19 side.Cricket Ireland have been searching for a new sponsor since Bank of Ireland ended a long-term association last year. Warren Deutrom, the chief executive, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with such a globally recognised blue-chip brand as RSA. Our current arrangement is just for the year, although we are hopeful of extending our relationship further into the future.””Together with our new name, our new governance structure and recent agreements with the England and Wales Cricket Board and our kit supplier Kukri, this new partnership with RSA will assist Cricket Ireland to put the pieces in place to provide support to all areas of the game on our shores, from the grassroots to the international arena.”Ireland begin their season on Sunday with a Friends Provident Trophy match against Ireland against Nottinghamshire in Dublin.

Bishan Bedi on Gavaskar: ‘He’s always liked power without accountability’ © Getty Images

Bishan Singh Bedi, a former Indian captain, has delivered a scathing salvo against another, Sunil Gavaskar, in the wake of recent happenings in Indian cricket.Bedi termed Gavaskar a “destructive” influence and felt he “always liked power without accountability”. These comments come in the wake of Gavaskar criticising Dav Whatmore in one of his columns, despite being part of the committee that was to decide the next coach.”Cricket circles had immense and blind respect for him [as a cricketer] and he successfully used this to ensure that board officials remained in awe of him,” Bedi told , a weekly Indian magazine. “He wants the glamour, the position and if there are any financial gains so much the better … but he does not want any accountability. He’s always liked power without accountability.”Bedi was critical of Gavaskar’s role at the National Cricket Academy, where he was the director from 2001 to 2006. “I had a lot of time for his batting but never as a thought leader,” said Bedi. “You tell me what his contribution has been. He is destructive, there is nothing positive. I remember the time I was called by the then NCA director Brijesh Patel, along with Erapalli Prasanna and VV Kumar, to train spinners there. We did not hear at all from NCA chairman Gavaskar before, during or after the camp. I also recall his presiding over a captains and coaches meeting where he gave me the impression that he was not even listening.”I can’t forget the time he once told a team meeting ‘The day I stop thinking of money, I will stagnate’.”Gavaskar has been embroiled in a few controversies in the last few years, one of them involving writing about how John Wright, India’s former coach, was abused by the players only after Wright’s term ended. More recently he suggested John Emburey as a candidate for the job of Indian coach despite the fact that his coaching credentials were less than impressive.

Scorecard

Shahriar Nafees hammers a four en route to 57 © AFP

Bangladesh secured their third straight win against Kenya, and in so doing won the four-match series, but it was their least convincing performance to date, and for a time Kenya even threatened to pull off a remarkable comeback after being down and out halfway through their innings.In the end, Kenya’s middle and lower order were left with too much to do, but well-paced contributions from Collins Obuya (45) and Tanmay Mishra ensured that the home supporters had to endure more than a few anxious moments. Only when Mishra became the fourth of Mohammad Rafique’s five victims with 25 needed from 11 balls could they finally relax.A win is a win, but Dav Whatmore will be disappointed at what was a below-par performance after two games in which Bangladesh underlined the gulf in class between them and the Kenyans. At times today they appeared complacent, and they almost paid for that.Their innings stuttered in the early stages against some tight bowling, and it took some enterprise from Aftab Ahmed to ease the shackles. But his dismissal, chancing his arm once too often, triggered a wobble, engineered by the impressive Peter Ongondo, which reduced Bangladesh to 65 for 4. Shahriar Nafees steadied the ship, adding 70 for the fifth wicket with Mohammad Rafique, who chipped in with a 33-ball 31.

Peter Ongondo troubled the Bangladesh middle order with a three-wicket burst © AFP

Steve Tikolo, back in the side after a viral infection forced him out of the previous match, dismissed Nafees for 57 just after the halfway mark, but that only increased the run-rate as Alok Kapali, possibly the last-ever Supersub, and Khaled Mashud (39 from 51) put on a breezy 89 to enable Bangladesh to post 231. Whereas in the first two matches Kenya’s bowling deteriorated in the latter stages, with Tikolo maintaining the pressure with his offspin, Bangladesh were bowled out with more than four overs to spare.Given the pattern of the first two meetings, that did not seem vital at the time, and Kenya’s start was equally unconvincing as they slipped to 79 for 4 midway through their innings. After losing the out-of-sorts Kennedy Otieno and David Obuya early, they made steady headway thanks to Tikolo and Hitesh Modi, but were never able to get on top of the bowlers.Syed Rasel, the pick of the Bangladesh attack in the first two games, was bowled through his 10 overs, but it was Abdur Razzak who took the key wicket of Tikolo, a superb catch off his own bowling. Tikolo stood his ground, probably more through disappointment as there was little doubt about that the low chance had been cleanly taken.Hitesh Modi followed soon after, trapped leg before by Mohammad Rafique, and as the asking rate crept past a run a ball, that appeared to be that. However, Obuya, whose bowling remains unconvincing despite time spent with Terry Jenner last year, showed he remains a useful batsman, and he found a doughty ally in the precocious Mishra. Together they not only ensured the margin of defeat was small, but also – briefly – threatened something more dramatic.

Warne: painting © Getty Images

Shane Warne joined a select band of cricketers when he unveiled a portrait of himself at Lord’s on Tuesday. The oil-on-linen painting of the legspinner will be hung in the ground’s famous pavilion where it will be only the third portrait of an Australia player – late cricket greats Sir Donald Bradman and Keith Miller are the two others – to go on display.”It’s taken a lot of sittings with Fanny. It’s a privilege for me. I feel very proud of the achievement. It (Lord’s) is a fantastic ground,” said Warne, after unveiling the portrait by London-based artist Fanny Rush. The portrait will initially be hung in the Pavilion’s Long Room, meaning Warne, the world’s leading Test wicket-taker, is set to walk past it when he takes the field for the first Ashes Test against England at Lord’s starting on July 21.Ever since bowling the ‘ball of the century’ to dismiss Mike Gatting at Old Trafford in 1993, Warne has tormented England batsmen. “Some of the members might want to throw darts at it,” he joked. “But seriously, I think they have respect for what I’ve achieved.”Warne was more concerned about the reaction of his Australian team-mates. “I hope they don’t let Brett Lee anywhere near it with a black pen because I might end up with a moustache like Merv’s (Hughes’s).” The former Australia batsman Mark Waugh recently suggested his old team-mate’s powers were waning. “I don’t think Warney is quite the bowler he was five to to 10 years ago,” Waugh wrote in .”He’s still very good but he relies more on accuracy, subtle variation and reputation these days than on vicious ripping leg-breaks and unplayable flippers.” But Warne, 35, countered by saying that he was still at the top of his game. “Mark’s a great friend of mine and he’s got to make a few quid somehow, even by joining you blokes (the media).”He’s got a great cricket brain and he’s entitled to his opinion. But the way I look at it, the last 25-30 Tests, I’ve played some of the best cricket of my career and I haven’t played against Bangladesh. My role in the team has changed, bowling behind Lee, (Jason) Gillespie, (Glenn) McGrath and (Michael) Kasprowicz.”We’ve been bowling first a lot lately and that means I’ve been bowling on day one, two and three wickets. Under Mark Taylor we’d always bat first and so I’d be bowling on day four of five when it turns more.”Warne has been in England since the start of the season, captaining Hampshire, currently top of the First Division of the County Championship. He is the county’s joint leading bowler so far this season alongside Chris Tremlett. Tremlett, the young seamer, also has 35 wickets including a hat-trick against Nottinghamshire that sealed an improbable win last weekend.”Chris Tremlett is dynamite at the moment and it wouldn’t surprise me if he played against Australia at some stage this season,” said Warne. He has also repeatedly called for Hampshire team-mate Kevin Pietersen to be given a Test debut.But the South African-born batsman was left out of England’s recent 2-0 series win against Bangladesh and Warne, while refusing to talk up his county colleague’s chances further, said that he should have played.Rush’s portrait shows Warne in cricket whites tossing up a ball in the air. “The painting took 10 months because Shane went back to Australia,” Rush said. “He was a good sitter. I didn’t feel intimidated but I got the sense he’s a great strategist.”Adam Chadwick, the curator of collections for Lord’s owners Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), said there was a simple reason for the commission. “He (Warne) is one of the greats of the game, the leading Test wicket-taker. Unfortunately, not long after the commission, he had his break (a one-year drugs ban) but now he’s back and bowling as well as ever.”

Sharad Ghai, the chairman of the Kenyan Cricket Association, has called on the International Cricket Council to push for Kenya to be given more matches against major nations, arguing that the lack of exposure is hampering their development.”How are we expected to improve without a chance to play the likes of Australia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, England, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh?" he asked. "You can see the progress Bangladesh has made because they have a chance to play the top teams.”Ghai added that Kenya only has seven guaranteed one-day internationals ahead of the 2007 World Cup. Since reaching the semi-finals of the 2003 tournament a year ago, Kenya have played three ODIs – all in Sharjah – against leading countries. They have also met Sri Lanka A as well as participating in the Caribbbean’s Carib Beer Series.The next competitive matches will be against Pakistan A and India A in Nairobi in August.The KCA has severe financial difficulties and is still seeking a major sponsor to fund either the senior team or any of the domestic competitions.

Sunday saw the Prince of Wales Country Club (PWCC) take on La Dehesa at Craighouse. Batting first, La Dehesa accumulated 212 from their allotted 40 overs. Opener Julian Dowling showed good application in compiling 48, before being run out by Clinton Porteous (2 wickets), who along with PWCC’s seam bowlers Mark Rosevear (3), Dean Ilott (2), Ian Scott and Dave Kitley (1) generally kept a lid on the scoring, supported by some solid fielding. Khaalid Moradd (21) was removed by a spectacular jack-in-the-box catch by Ricky Salas at midwicket just as he was looking dangerous.But La Dehesa’s wicketkeeper-batsman Clinton Larson picked up the pace, smacking a quickfire 58. Two overs of Stuart Nelson’s slow left-armers disappeared for 44 runs, and the fielding began to look ragged towards the end, as La Dehesa’s batting depth told.PWCC’s run chase faltered early, with both openers back in the pavilion with the score on 30. Ilott (14) and Salas (57) added 50 for the third wicket before Ilott failed to get over a cut shot and was caught at point. Scott (10) and Salas then took the score to 123, when Scott became Cameron McGovern’s third victim, who then compounded PWCC’s worries by removing Dave Kitley without scoring.McGovern was the unlikely hero with the ball for La Dehesa, with no less than four PWCC batsmen contriving to get themselves out to his straight-breaks. He finished with 4/43 from eight overs.When Salas was unfortunately run out for a typically hard-hitting 57, his team were still 80 short. Some intelligent lower-order resistance from Nelson (16) and Rosevear (19 not out) was appreciated, but was never enough to get them home, and the tail capitulated quickly (184 all out). Again, La Dehesa’s bowling depth was on show, with Bruce and Luke Phillips bowling out the final overs.PWCC will be looking to win against Las Condes next weekend to prove that their victory against Santiago was no fluke. Meanwhile, La Dehesa will square up with Santiago in two weeks.Points awarded La Dehesa:23,PWCC:12

The news that England’s first-choice spinner, Ashley Giles of Warwickshire, will be fit to play if required in the First Test, which starts tomorrow at Edgbaston, will hearten an England team buffeted by injuries, illnesses and lack of fitness.Michael Vaughan and Graham Thorpe are definitely out, almost certainly for the first two Tests. Nasser Hussain has played little first-class cricket since breaking a thumb, Craig White has been recovering from a back injury, and Andy Caddick will wear a protective pad on his left hand after breaking a finger.With Robert Croft and Matthew Hoggard both sent home today, it appears that the selectors are close to their final team, with the only remaining option being between fit-again Giles and a fourth seamer, Dominic Cork.The biggest blow to the home side has been the loss of Graham Thorpe with a calf problem. Steve Waugh, the Australian captain, has said that “if Thorpe was playing he would have been the key batsman”.The absence of Michael Vaughan, who is undergoing keyhole surgery on his knee tomorrow, and who will be unavailable at least until the Third Test at Trent Bridge, leaves England with an inexperienced batting line-up. Yet Waugh has pointed out that the younger players are “ones we don’t know and are unpredictable”.Australia, on the other hand, have a settled line-up with no injury worries but Waugh will not be taking England’s challenge lightly. “They’ve got some good players in the side and we are going to respect all of them. They’ve had two wins on the subcontinent which is very hard to do. They must be doing something right.”A few weeks ago, a victory at Edgbaston in the First Test was England’s aim, whereas now many would settle for avoiding defeat. But Hussain insists: “We’ve picked a side which I’m fully behind and one which can do well. Because of the injuries and preparation we may be more underdogs than before but we know how much the Brits love the underdog”.Hussain is fully prepared for the sledging that is bound to come England’s way. “They give you a bit of stick and they say words to you,” he says, and so it is imperative that England “show them we’ve got the character we have worked on for 18 months – then we can beat them”.”I would love the crowd to get behind us because it’s very important to our side”, continues Hussain, describing the atmosphere in 1997 as “unbelievable”. On that occasion, the home side won by nine wickets before the Australian machine kicked into gear to win the series 3-2, and tomorrow’s play will, both captains agree, be the most important of the summer.Waugh points out that “whenever you lose a Test, it’s because you have one really bad session. Generally if you win the first session, you win the first day, and if you win the First Test you normally win the series. It really is crucial, the first morning session of the First Test”.England (from): N Hussain (Essex, capt), MA Atherton (Lancashire), ME Trescothick (Somerset), MA Butcher (Surrey), IJ Ward (Surrey), AJ Stewart (Surrey, wkt), U Afzaal (Nottinghamshire), C White (Yorkshire), DG Cork (Derbyshire), D Gough (Yorkshire), AR Caddick (Somerset), AF Giles (Warwickshire).Australia: SR Waugh (capt), ML Hayden, MJ Slater, RT Ponting, ME Waugh, DR Martyn, AC Gilchrist (wkt), SK Warne, B Lee, JN Gillespie, GD McGrath.Umpires: SA Bucknor (WI) & G Sharp.

Another day, another transfer rumour to keep the Liverpool fans interested at the Transfer Tavern. 

Jurgen Klopp will want to try and forget last year’s defeat in the Champions League Final by bringing some silverware back to Merseyside. Liverpool have already got off to a brilliant start this transfer window by signing Monaco midfielder, Fabinho combined with the arrival of Naby Keita. Liverpool must continue their summer spending and bringing in Xerdan Shaqiri would be an astute signing.

The Breakdown

The Liverpool Echo reported earlier this month that the Reds will push to sign the Switzerland forward following the end of the World Cup.

Liverpool did try to seal a deal for Nabil Fekir before the reported £53 million deal broke down. Since then, Liverpool have been put off any future deal for the Lyon man and have been linked with the Stoke City winger.

At the World Cup, Shaqiri has been one of the standout performers and has been a huge reason for Switzerland’s progression out of the group stages. A talented winger, Shaqiri is valued at £12.6 million by Transfermarkt due to Stoke’s relegation to the Championship.

If Liverpool are to capture any form of silverware next season, they must add a goalkeeper, another defender and some attacking depth. Klopp needs more reliable forward options other than Ings, Sturridge or Solanke. At 27, Shaqiri is entering the prime of his career and could be a potential steal for Klopp.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

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A £12.6 million move for the talented winger is a low-cost alternative to Fekir and a signing Liverpool should make.

Liverpool fans – should Klopp push this deal through?