Ashley Phillips has become the latest Tottenham Hotspur youngster to leave the club on loan this summer, joining Stoke City in the Championship for the 2024-25 season.
The 19-year-old joined the Lilywhites from Blackburn Rovers last year and spent the second half of 2023-24 on loan at Plymouth Argyle, where he established himself as a key player.
Phillips was involved in Spurs' pre-season campaign under Ange Postecoglou, but he is yet to make his competitive first-team debut, finding himself behind Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Radu Dragusin in the pecking order.
Tottenham still feel that Phillips can have a bright future at the club, but the teenager has now joined Stoke in search of regular minutes in 2024-25, telling the Potters website: "I'm really excited to be at Stoke City and can't wait to get started.
"I've done my pre-season work, had some great minutes playing, training and learning so much from some fantastic players with the first team squad at Spurs, now I'm ready to kick-on and raring to go."
Phillips made 18 Championship appearances for Plymouth last season and could make his Stoke debut in Saturday's Championship contest with West Bromwich Albion.
Mats Hummels 'in talks' to join La Liga powerhouses
© Imago
At the other end of the defensive experience scale, Mats Hummels is apparently in talks to join La Liga powerhouses Real Sociedad on a free transfer.
The 35-year-old left Borussia Dortmund at the end of his contract in June, despite shining for the Bundesliga giants during their run to the 2023-24 Champions League final.
Despite his age, Hummels was never expected to be short of offers to continue his career in Europe, and Fabrizio Romano claims that the defender is discussing a switch to La Real.
The former Bayern Munich defender was also rumoured to have been in talks with Mallorca, although Romano adds that such speculation is wide of the mark.
Hummels made a mammoth 508 appearances for Dortmund across two separate spells, in addition to playing 118 times for Bayern, whom he rejoined in 2016 after coming through their youth system.
The 1988-born centre-back could arrive in the Basque country as a replacement for Robin Le Normand, who left Real Sociedad to join Atletico Madrid earlier this summer.
Sergi Roberto pictured in Italy ahead of Como move
© Reuters
From a veteran defender moving to Spain to one heading for the La Liga exit door, Sergi Roberto has been all smiles in Italy as he prepares to finalise his move to Como.
The 32-year-old could not come to an agreement over a new deal with Barcelona, leaving Camp Nou as a free agent this summer after an 18-year spell in Catalonia.
A Premier League move was briefly mooted for Roberto, who was believed to have been keen to test himself in England's top flight and could have proven a useful option due to his versatility.
However, as reported by Gianluca Di Marzio, the Spaniard has now touched down in Italy ahead of his switch to Como, whom he is expected to join on a two-year contract.
Roberto was quoted as saying "Very happy to be here! Forza Como," as he was greeted by the Italian media at the airport, as he prepares to become the latest high-profile player to sign for Como.
The newly-promoted Serie A side - who are managed by Cesc Fabregas - have already added Raphael Varane, Pepe Reina, Alberto Moreno and Andrea Belotti to their ranks, and they are also thought to be close to a permanent deal for Real Madrid's Nico Paz and a loan agreement for Manchester City's Maximo Perrone.
Brentford 'reach full agreement' to sign Brazilian talent
© Imago
Finally, Premier League mainstays Brentford have reportedly reached a full agreement to sign 18-year-old winger Gustavo Nunes from Brazilian giants Gremio.
The 2005-born attacker has already made 40 appearances for the Gremio first team, contributing seven goals and four assists, including two goals in the current Copa Libertadores.
Nunes is still contracted to the South American side until New Year's Eve 2028, but according to Romano, Gremio have now shaken hands with Brentford on a permanent transfer.
Thomas Frank's side will reportedly pay €12m (£10.2m) to sign Nunes, who will soon undergo his medical with the Bees, and Gremio will also retain a 20% sell-on clause.
Nunes will follow the likes of Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho to the Gtech Community Stadium this summer and will compete with the latter, Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa and Kevin Schade for starts in the wide areas.
Ben Knapton
