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In the 150-year history of MLB, certain individual achievements stand out above the rest. They are held in such high regard because they are the rarest of feats.

Only 24 pitchers have thrown a perfect game. Just 36 players have hit .400 in a season. In between the two is the accomplishment that's been attained by a mere 32 players—smashing 50 or more home runs in a single campaign.

The History of 50-Home Run Seasons

Fittingly, MLB has had 50 instances of a player hitting at least 50 home runs in one season.

New York Yankees legend Babe Ruth was the first major leaguer to reach the 50-HR plateau in 1920 when he hit 54. The all-time great went on to exceed 50 homers three more times, including the iconic number of 60 in 1927—the single-season record that lasted for 34 years until Yankees outfielder Roger Maris mashed 61 HRs in 1961.

After Maris, just three players enjoyed 50-homer seasons over the next 29 years. San Francisco Giants great Willie Mays hit 52 HRs in 1965, and Cincinnati Reds outfielder George Foster clubbed 52 homers in 1977. Detroit Tigers slugger Cecil Fielder went deep 51 times in 1990.

Ruth's record of four 50-homer seasons was matched by Mark McGwire, the power-hitting first baseman of the then Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa. The home run duels between McGwire and Sosa reenergized baseball in the late 1990s.

Complete List of 50-Home Run Seasons in MLB History

Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton entered the 2025 season with 429 career home runs. In 2017, he hit a career-high 59 homers, 22 more than his next-best total.

To reach 50 HRs, Stanton realizes now that he had to have a "synched-up year where a lot of things go right."

"You have to keep your balance and timing the whole year, not too many lulls," Stanton told . "And even when you’re not feeling good, you've got to be able to have your few hits be homers. Instead of having two singles in your 2-for-20-something stage, you’ve got to squeak out those as homers.

"The whole rhythm of your season has to go right."

The players listed below never missed a beat while hitting 50 or more homers in a season. Here is the full list of 50-HR campaigns.

Record-Breaking and Memorable 50-Home Run Seasons

Anytime a big leaguer began a season by hitting home runs in bunches, talk of chasing the HR record inevitably followed. Maris' pursuit of Ruth had the nation riveted, and the 1961 season is regarded as one of the most magical in baseball history.

Five days after tying Ruth, Maris set a new MLB single-season mark with his 61st homer in the Yankees' regular-season finale against the rival Boston Red Sox.

After a 1994 players strike led to the cancellation of the remainder of the season, including the playoffs and World Series, severe damage had been done to baseball's reputation. The goodwill of the fans was won back by the home run record chases of McGwire and Sosa in 1998.

That year, McGwire and Sosa captured the attention of sports fans as they went head-to-head to not only win the HR title but also to eclipse Maris' 61 homers. McGwire reached 62 home runs first. Sosa joined him five days later.

McGwire homered in his final at-bat of the season to finish with an incredible 70 home runs, four more than Sosa. The record would last only three years. San Francisco Giants outfielder Bonds, at age 36, set a new standard in 2001 with an outrageous 73 homers.

Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani didn't catch Bonds in 2024, but the Japanese superstar made history for becoming the first MLB player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in one season.

Interest in Ohtani's 50-50 bid intensified as he entered September on pace to achieve both marks. He notched his 50th steal and 50th homer in the same game in one of the greatest individual performances in MLB history—6-for-6, three HRs, two steals and 10 RBIs.

Trends and Era-Based Differences in 50-Home Run Seasons

When Ruth established a new MLB standard with 60 home runs in 1927, the Yankees icon hit more homers than all but three clubs in the 16-team major leagues. Starting with the first-ever 50-HR campaign in 1920, Ruth ushered in the Live Ball Era with his monumental individual displays of power.

Over the next six decades, MLB saw just 13 seasons of 50 homers or more by a player. Despite an attempt to help hitters by lowering the mound after the 1968 campaign—known as the "Year of the Pitcher" when St. Louis Cardinals ace Bob Gibson set a modern-day ERA record of 1.12—only one big leaguer surpassed 50 home runs (Foster's 52-HR aberration in '77).

The prevalence of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball had home run totals skyrocketing in the mid-1990s and early 2000s. During that period of the Steroid Era, a total of 18 50-homer campaigns took place. Also, from 1996 to 2002, MLB had multiple 50-HR sluggers in one season.

Today's baseball is dictated by analytics, with MLB team front offices looking to leverage the launch angle of hitters' full-force swings against the unprecedented high velocity of pitchers that registers well past 100 mph. The combination has produced a perfect recipe for strikeouts—but also home runs.

The feast-or-famine style of ball caused MLB's season HR total to exceed 6,000 for the first time. In 2017, 6,105 homers were hit league-wide, and in 2019, a new all-time high was set with a combined 6,776 home runs, according to Baseball Almanac.

Generational sluggers like Aaron Judge have emerged to add to MLB's 50-homer season total. The Yankees outfielder crushed 52 HRs in 2017, an American League-record 62 in 2022 and 58 in 2024.

Sonny Baker, the Hampshire fast bowler, will make his international debut in the first match of England’s ODI series with South Africa at Headingley on Tuesday.Baker, 22, has only played 11 List A games but caught the eye during the Hundred, where he took nine wickets in seven appearances for Manchester Originals. Capable of pushing the speed gun up to 90mph/145kph, he impressed with the Lions over the winter and was handed an England development contract earlier this year.He will be joined in England’s pace attack by Jofra Archer, playing his first ODI since the Champions Trophy, and Brydon Carse. Harry Brook captains the XI in his second series since taking charge, while Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett will continue to bed in their opening partnership.Related

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• Baker, Tongue and Buttler seal victory for Originals

Brook said that England were “excited to see where he goes” after Baker’s performances in the Hundred, noting in particular his duels with Kane Williamson, David Warner, Steven Smith and Jonny Bairstow while playing for Originals.”He’s been awesome in the Hundred,” Brook said. “We’ve seen him bowl at some of the best batters in the world and he had them on toast, so it’s been really good to see. He bowls at high pace and he can swing it both ways with exceptional death skills as well. To have him in the team and for him to be opening up tomorrow is awesome. I think there’s quite a lot of people excited to see where he goes.”There have been a few moments. The spells he bowled to Williamson and Warner and then Smith and Bairstow, all four are world-class batters in the shorter format and he was all over them. He bowled with high pace and high skill. He was awesome to watch this year and everyone was talking about him.”On the day that Jamie Overton shelved first-class cricket, Brook agreed that Baker could potentially force himself into the equation for the Ashes: “I don’t select the red-ball side, but yeah, he’s obviously done really well this summer and we’ll see how he goes tomorrow. He’s bowling at high pace with a lot of skill, and it looks like he has quite a lot about him as well.”England XI for 1st ODI: 1 Jamie Smith, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Joe Root, 4 Harry Brook (capt), 5 Jos Buttler (wk), 6 Jacob Bethell, 7 Will Jacks, 8 Brydon Carse, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Sonny Baker

Tottenham Hotspur have now entered talks to sign an “elite” new striker, with sporting director Fabio Paratici a big fan, it has been revealed.

Spurs looking to sign new striker amid Tel and Solanke concerns

Dominic Solanke has struggled on the injury front ever since his arrival at N17, with the striker suffering knee, thigh and ankle issues during the 2024-25 campaign, and he has been unable to put the problems behind him at the beginning of this season.

Solanke is set to be out of action for a prolonged period, with it emerging that Thomas Frank may not be particularly fond of the English striker, who was Ange Postecoglou’s first-choice option at centre-forward last season.

With the 28-year-old on the treatment table, Mathys Tel has led the line for Frank’s side in recent weeks, but Jamie O’Hara has not been impressed, and the former midfielder singled the Frenchman out for criticism after the 2-1 loss against Aston Villa.

As such, Tottenham are now ramping up their pursuit of a new striker, according to a report from Caught Offside, which states they have now opened talks over a deal for FC Porto star Samu Omorodion.

Paratici is a big fan of Omorodion’s versatility, and Spurs have held discussions over the possibility of an initial short-term deal with an option to buy, but the Portuguese club’s huge asking price has proven to be a major issue.

Indeed, the Liga Portugal side are set to hold out for a huge fee for the 21-year-old, with it being revealed they are unwilling to let him leave for below the €100m (£87m) release clause in the youngster’s contract.

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Posts ByTom Cunningham Oct 26, 2025 "Elite" Omorodion could take Tottenham's attack to next level

Scout Ben Mattinson has made it clear he believes the Porto striker is able to play at a much higher level, having already established himself as a Liga Portugal star.

The three-time Spain international has made a flying start to the campaign, scoring eight goals in ten matches in all competitions, off the back of scoring 19 league goals, in what was a very impressive 2024-25 campaign.

With Tel struggling, and Richarlison finding the back of the net 23 times in 103 games for Tottenham, it would make sense for Frank’s side to bring in a new striker, and Omorodion has proven he could be a fantastic option.

Newcastle United are always on the lookout for exciting talent to bolster their ranks and could now be set to press ahead in their pursuit of a star loved by Lionel Messi.

Newcastle appoint Ross Wilson as Director of Football

After the international break is over, the Magpies face a trip to face Brighton & Hove Albion on the South Coast as the Premier League gets back underway following a two-week hiatus.

On the news front, Ross Wilson’s appointment as Newcastle’s new Director of Football has signalled another interesting move from PIF as they look to assemble a side capable of competing with the elite of the English game.

Opening up on conversations he has held with Eddie Howe, he told Sky Sports: “This is such a special club, and I fully understand the passion, ambition and expectations of our incredible supporters, as well as the ambition and desire of our ownership to keep developing and building an even stronger Newcastle United.

“My conversations with ownership have been extremely positive, and I’ve also been in regular contact with Eddie Howe and David Hopkinson. The trust, cohesion and alignment we’re building already feels strong, and we believe that being united as a team will be so important as we continue to move the club forward together.”

Looking to make an early mark, Wilson could look to bring Brentford striker Igor Thiago to Newcastle after his impressive early showings at the Bees this season. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if Keith Andrews will cooperate after losing Yoane Wissa to the Magpies.

With his feet now under the table, Wilson is now eyeing an exciting winger who could soon be on his way to Tyneside if recent developments are to evolve.

Newcastle keen on Spain international Ansu Fati

According to reports in Spain, Newcastle are keen to sign Spain international Ansu Fati, who is on loan at AS Monaco from parent club Barcelona.

Scoring six times in his first five matches at the Ligue 1 outfit, he could be captured permanently by Les Monégasques for around £9.5 million in the summer. Meanwhile, Barcelona have the chance to buy him back for a fee in the region of £24.5 million.

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Crystal Palace and Everton are also keen on his services and it is easy to see why, given he has already created five chances this term in the French top-flight, per Fotmob.

Praised by Lionel Messi for his rise to prominence, Fati may have had to take the long way around after falling out of favour at Barcelona, but he now seems to have rediscovered his mojo and appears well on his way to stardom.

Newcastle are on a similar upward trajectory, creating a merging of paths that could be positive for everyone at St James’ Park.

Visitors collapse to 51 for 6 and never recover, with Finch claiming 2 for 19

ECB Reporters Network01-Jun-2025Brett D’Oliveira’s scintillating 79 off 48 balls sent his team on their way to a first Vitality T20 Blast win of the season, as they swept aside Yorkshire at Visit Worcestershire New Road.Adam Hose, (54), joined his skipper in finding form at the right time as their partnership of 117 propelled the Rapids to 201 for 5.The visitors failed to get going in reply, with a middle order collapse leaving Yorkshire at 51 for 6, a position from which they never recovered.Adam Finch (2 for 19) starred with the ball, as Worcestershire’s excellent performance saw them wrap up a convincing 60-run win by DLS as rain brought a premature end to proceedings.After losing the toss, Captain D’Oliveira confirmed an unchanged side and, after being put into bat, set the tempo for his side early on.The captain was given an early reprieve when Dom Bess dropped a sharp return chance off his own bowling, but the visitors had their breakthrough that same over when Ed Pollock mistimed a cut shot off the same bowler and was caught at backward point for 12.The Rapids’ fifty was brought up in the fifth over, as the hosts looked to build on a fast start, but hopes were soon dashed as Kashif Ali (17) was dismissed when his attempt to clear the infield could only find Will Sutherland at mid-on.D’Oliveira continued to express himself, landing some mighty blows down the ground as he and new partner Hose, maintained the positive Worcestershire start by bringing up their fifty partnership and the Rapids’ 100 in quick time.Both Hose and D’Oliveira reached their respective fifties as Yorkshire captain Dawid Malan changed his bowlers frequently. Chances were few and far between for the visitors. Bess returned the best figures for Yorkshire, taking 3 for 25 from his three-over spell.Heading towards a big score, D’Oliveira’s sensational innings was brought a close as he was caught by Malan, off the bowling of Will Sutherland for an outstanding 79 off 48 balls.When Hose was eventually removed for 54, Yorkshire battled their way back into the game during the final few overs to restrict the Rapids to 201 for 5 at the completion of their 20 overs.After a brief pause for rain, the Yorkshire chase got off to a far from ideal start as Malan was bowled by Jacob Duffy in the second over, moments before Tom Hinley took a superb boundary catch to dismiss Will Luxton and leave the visitors two down for 16.In a remarkable period, Yorkshire’s chase fell apart as their middle order were dismantled, losing three wickets for just three runs in the space of just five balls.Wharton, Duke and Sutherland all came and went in quick succession, before any lasting hopes were quashed when opener Adam Lyth became Ethan Brookes’ (1 for 26) first victim of the day for a valiant 38.Coming together at 51 for 6, Dom Bess and Matty Revis added 63 for the seventh wicket, as the Worcestershire bowling attack looked for the breakthrough to wrap up a big win.Jacob Duffy (2 for 30) returned to break the partnership when he beat Matty Revis (33) with a searing yorker, to all but spell the end for Yorkshire.When the rain came in with four balls left in the innings, the visitors left the field 135 for 8, and the Rapids’ win by 60 runs was confirmed via Duckworth Lewis.

Somerset 184 and 103 for 1 (Dickson 55*, Fuller 1-23) trail Hampshire 336 (Gubbins 82, Dawson 72, Pretorius 5-64) by 49 runs Migael Pretorius’ bowling and Sean Dickson’s batting swung the advantage away from Hampshire in their Rothesay County Championship fixture with Somerset.South African Pretorius picked up 5 for 64 as Somerset only allowed the hosts a first innings lead of 152, despite Nick Gubbins’ 82 and Liam Dawson’s 72.That edge was whittled down to 49 for the loss of just Archie Vaughan as Dickson ended his start-of-the-season drought with a calm unbeaten half-century before the dingy light descended on the Utilita Bowl.Hampshire began the day with a 10-run lead and the hopes of a large extension of that, which would mean they could win the match without batting again.But Tom Lammonby’s work with the old ball and then Pretorius’ with the new stymied them – despite managing to pick up two batting bonus points.Gubbins and Dawson had ground out a 76-run partnership the previous evening, but opened up a little in the morning – with the former taking a particular liking to Alfie Ogborne.The stand grew to 125 in a demoralising first half an hour of the day for Somerset – which also saw Dawson dropped by Tom Abell at midwicket – before the visitors began to fight back.Left-armer Lammonby had only bowled five wicketless overs in the opening two matches of the season, but his two maiden overs on the second evening had been the best on show for his side. He found good movement with the old ball and struck three times before the 80th over.Gubbins got stuck on the crease and was plumb lbw, Dawson couldn’t keep a cut shot down and was well held by Vaughan, and Brett Hampton lasted three balls before he was leg-before to a ball that swung back.Ben Brown was the constant as three of the last four batters reached double-figures in quick time but couldn’t stick around. James Fuller went first and hit 15 in 21 balls, including two stunning cover drives, but departed in the fifth over of the new cherry, as Pretorius nibbled one in to take the edge to second slip.Toby Albert – who dropped down the order because a back spasm – was lbw while falling over an angled in ball from Pretorius.And after Kyle Abbott had whacked an 11-ball 20, Pretorius completed his second five-wicket haul for Somerset with a legside catch behind to James Rew.Ogborne ended the innings when Brad Wheal – after 19 off 16 – had his stumps rearranged, leaving Brown on 30 and still yet to be dismissed on his home ground as club captain.A lead of 152 would have been below Hampshire’s hopes, but still large enough to mount a victory effort. But an increasingly flat pitch and a stout top-order batting performance quelled their hopes of a quick victory, and made the draw the favourite result, especially with rain forecast on the final day.Vaughan and Dickson’s opening partnerships list had read a dismal: 21, 14, 4 and 14 but they roused to 50 with little fuss. Vaughan departed after looping a catch up for deep square leg for the second match in a row, but Dickson battened down the hatches and refused to give away his wicket.The former Kent batter had a top score of 11 in five innings this season but never looked in danger – except for a wild unprovoked swing which barely missed his leg stump – to reach his fourth fifty for Somerset in 108 balls.Bad light brought tea forward by 10 minutes, and when they belatedly returned, only four overs of spin were possible before things turned terminally dark.

When it comes to top-level academies around England, it is hard to think of many that are outdoing Arsenal’s Hale End at the moment.

Carrington has its stars, and Cobham has produced an outrageous number of top-flight players, but when it comes to genuinely world-class talent, the North Londoners have it.

For example, Bukayo Saka has already hit that level, Ethan Nwaneri racked up double digits for goal involvements last season, and Myles Lewis-Skelly is now a regular starter for England.

Moreover, at just 15 years old, Max Dowman looks likely to become the youngest player in Champions League history this year, and as if that wasn’t enough, Hale End may already have the next Dowman coming through.

Dowman's rapid rise

While those in the know would have been aware of Dowman for some time, fans first began to hear talk of this wonderkid in the making around this time last season, when he was still just 14 years old.

The teenage prodigy had just become the youngest goalscorer in UEFA Youth League history, and by the time the club’s injury crisis hit its peak in February, there was talk of making a special request for him to be allowed to be included in their Premier League squad.

It was probably a good thing that such a request was never made, though, as it allowed him to finish his stellar campaign with the youth sides, which saw him score 19 goals and provide five assists in just 23 appearances, totalling 1945 minutes.

Appearances

23

Minutes

1945′

Goals

19

Assists

5

Goal Involvements per Match

1.04

Minutes per Goal Involvement

81.04′

In other words, despite playing at age levels well beyond his own, the Chelmsford-born gem averaged 1.04 goal involvements per match, or one every 81.04 minutes, which helps to explain the clamour for him to play first-team football this year.

Unsurprisingly, he has not disappointed, winning a penalty at home to Leeds United on his Premier League debut and then being trusted to come off the bench at Anfield when the team were in need of a goal.

Overall, while some of the talk around the young Englishman might sound a little hyperbolic, he is undoubtedly one of the most exciting youngsters to come out of Hale End in years, which is really saying something when you consider the academy graduates already tearing it up in the first team.

Therefore, it’s more than a little exciting that the club might already have another Dowman-level talent on their hands in another 15-year-old prospect.

Arsenal's next Dowman

Arsenal are blessed with a number of promising youngsters in their academy set-up, but in this instance, the gem in question is Marli Salmon.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Now, for those of you who keep up to date with Hale End developments, you’ll know that, unlike Dowman, Salmon is primarily a centre-back, not an attacking midfielder or winger.

However, when we compare the two teenagers, we are not doing so based on their positions, but on the potential they possess and how those in the know perceive them.

For example, Hale End expert Will Balsam has not held back in his assessment of the player, describing him as the academy’s “best defensive prospect in recent memory” and the “perfect combination of freak physical attributes and technical composure.”

Respected analyst Ben Mattinson went even further, claiming that the teenager is a “top top prospect” and the “best CB Hale End has produced.”

It’s not just those on the outside that rate the young Englishman so highly, either, as even though he is still just 16 years old, the club have already moved him up to the U21s.

Moreover, while his fellow Hale Ender grabbed the headlines during pre-season, the promising defender was also given a chance to play for the first team.

He got 13 minutes of action against Newcastle United and 24 against AC Milan, and neither team scored a goal while he was on the pitch.

Ultimately, while Dowman is the talk of the town and looks like he could be a genuine world-beater, we might be talking about Salmon in the same way next season.

Arteta can ignore Merino by unleashing Arsenal star a "bit like Wilshere"

The sensational talent could be the better option for Arteta and Arsenal than Merino.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 9, 2025

It’s a brilliant time to be an Arsenal fan at the moment.

Mikel Arteta’s side have won their first two games of the Premier League season without conceding a goal.

Moreover, the Gunners looked sensational against Leeds United on the weekend, and Viktor Gyokeres got off the mark with a sublime solo goal and an emphatic penalty.

The Swedish goalscorer could be the difference-maker for Arsenal this season, and in exciting news, the club are closing in on another signing who could make him even more effective.

Arsenal target dream signing for Gyokeres

While fans will always want another signing, and understandably so, Arsenal have already done an excellent job in the transfer market this summer.

Transfer Focus

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

Despite it being his first window in the job, Sporting Director Andrea Berta has made seven additions to Arteta’s side so far, with the most exciting being Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze and, of course, the goalscoring extraordinaire, Gyokeres.

However, the North Londoners are not done there, as they’re now closing in on another superb signing, one that could help get even more out of the prolific Swede.

At least that is according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has claimed that Arsenal are still very interested in Piero Hincapié.

More than that, the Italian journalist has revealed that the Gunners have agreed personal terms with the player and are now accelerating talks with Bayer Leverkusen.

Interestingly, Romano has claimed that the North Londoners’ preference would be a loan with an obligation to buy, which perhaps isn’t that surprising when other reports are claiming the Ecuadorian’s release clause stands at £52m.

However this deal is eventually structured, it will be worth it for Arsenal as Hincapié is an incredible player and someone who could make Gyokeres even better.

Why Hincapie would be incredible for Gyokeres

So, even though Gyokeres can drift out wide at times and even drop back to help with link-up play at times, he is fundamentally a striker who likes to spend most of his time in and around the penalty area, something he showcased against Leeds United last weekend.

This is also clearly evident when examining his shot map from last season, as the vast majority of them came from inside the penalty area.

In other words, to maximise his effectiveness, Arsenal need to get the ball to him in these dangerous areas, either through carrying the ball up the pitch or passing it into these areas.

Fortunately, these are two things Hincapie is brilliant at doing.

The Leverkusen star may be a defender, and a great one at that, but one of his real strengths is his ability to maraud up the byline and fire in crosses for his teammates to get on the end of.

In fact, he has become so adept at doing this that respected analyst Ben Mattinon has described him as “a left-sided Ben White,” which, given the Englishman’s partnership with Bukayo Saka on the right, should excite fans.

Don’t just take our word for it, though, as the 23-year-old dynamo’s underlying numbers also paint the picture of a rampaging full-back who could get the ball up to the striker with relative ease.

Shots Blocked

0.65

Top 1%

Touches (Mid 3rd)

42.07

Top 2%

Total Passing Distance

1022.32

Top 3%

Progressive Passing Distance

359.66

Top 3%

Live-ball Passes

64.43

Top 3%

Aerials Won

2.25

Top 3%

Passes Completed

61.71

Top 4%

Pass Completion %

88.1%

Top 5%

Touches

81.35

Top 5%

Carries

45.99

Top 5%

Progressive Carrying Distance

137.22

Top 5%

Total Carrying Distance

230.70

Top 7%

Passes into Final Third

5.20

Top 8%

SCA (Shot)

0.18

Top 8%

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 3% of full-backs in Europe’s top-five leagues for progressive passing distance, the top 5% for progressive carrying distance and overall carries, the top 8% for passes into the final third, and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while he is no slouch when it comes to defending, Hincapie’s biggest strength is his ability to fly up the pitch and get the ball into dangerous areas, which is also why he would be a dream signing for Gyokeres.

Therefore, even if the final price is higher than Arsenal would like, they should do all they can to secure the exciting full-back’s signature.

Fabrizio Romano: Club trying to replace £39m star who wants to join Arsenal

The north Londoners are after a versatile young player.

ByEmilio Galantini Aug 28, 2025

Heung-min Son’s decade at Tottenham Hotspur will be coming to an end in the coming days, after he confirmed he will be departing the club this summer.

The South Korean international has registered a staggering 454 appearances for the club, scoring on 173 occasions, after joining from Bayer Leverkusen back in 2015.

However, ultimately, the time has come for a new challenge for the 33-year-old, looking set to move to the MLS and link up with former teammate Hugo Lloris at LAFC.

It appears to be the perfect time to leave the Lilywhites for the forward, departing after helping the side end their 17-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League at the end of May.

There’s no denying that the winger will go down as one of the best players to ever wear the shirt, but his pending departure now leaves Thomas Frank with a huge task to replace him before the end of the window.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Attackers have been the priority for Frank already this summer, as seen by Spurs’ move to sign Mohammed Kudus in a £55m deal from West Ham United.

However, other options are still being considered, with Arnaud Kalimuendo and Matias Soule also being considered before the September 1st transfer deadline.

The pair are just one of multiple options currently in their sights, with Real Madrid star Rodrygo another player they’ve considered, according to AS via Sport Witness.

Their report claims that the Lilywhites have already made contact with the Spanish giants over a move for the Brazilian, who’s been allowed to depart the club this summer.

It also states that it would take a pretty penny to agree a move for the 24-year-old, with Xabi Alonso’s side currently wanting a fee of over £80m to part ways with the attacker this window.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be the dream Son replacement

Replacing a player of Son’s quality will be extremely difficult for Spurs this summer, with the board needing to back Frank to land a suitable replacement.

The 33-year-old has undoubtedly made himself a fan favourite during his decade in North London, producing countless moments of magic during his spell at the club.

From his superb solo effort against Burnley to his outrageous long-range strike against Arsenal in 2020/21, he’s managed to get the supporters off their seats on a consistent basis.

However, there’s no denying that age has taken its toll in recent months, scoring just seven league goals, which has led to his pending departure from the club this window.

Whilst losing him this summer will be a big loss, a move for Rodrygo would massively soften the blow, with the Brazilian able to fill the void left by the South Korean international.

When delving into his stats last season, he showcased he is capable of thriving at the top level, which could see him be the perfect addition for the Lilywhites this summer.

Rodrygo, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, managed to register 24 combined goals or assists across all competitions last season – a tally higher than that of Son from 2024/25.

Games played

30

Goals & assists

11

Pass accuracy

91%

Progressive passes

5.1

Progressive carries

5.3

Successful take-ons

2.3

Shot on target accuracy

50%

Key passes made

1.6

He also managed to register 5.1 progressive passes and 5.3 progressive carries per 90, having the tools to constantly get the ball into forward areas and hand the side an added threat in the final third.

The Brazilian’s excellence within attacking areas is further highlighted by his tally of 2.3 successful take-ons per 90, with such numbers showcasing his ability to glide past the opposition – something which Son has demonstrated many times in North London.

Although Rodrygo would be an expensive signing this summer, it would be a deal that would allow Frank to fill the void vacated by the South Korean for many years to come.

It would be a phenomenal addition, especially considering his performance level at the pinnacle of European football, something which will be vital if the club are to be successful in the near future.

A bigger coup than Palhinha: Spurs make contact for "incredible" £50m star

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be making a move for another new signing after progress was made on a deal for João Palhinha.

1 ByEthan Lamb Aug 3, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Yuri Alberto quebrou o jejum de gols pelo Corinthians. O centroavante não marcava há nove jogos e vivia sua maior seca de gols pelo Timão, e saiu do banco para sacramentar o empate por 1 a 1 com o Fortaleza, pela 5ª rodada do Brasileirão.

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+ ATUAÇÕES: Yuri Alberto entra no segundo tempo e impede derrota do Corinthians para o Fortaleza

Após o jogo, o centroavante agradeceu a Deus, seus companheiros e a família por ter voltado a marcar.

– Gol muito importante. Primeiramente, quero agradecer a Deus. Fazia nove jogos que eu estava lutando, lutando para buscar esse gol, mas infelizmente não estava saindo. Só agradecer a Ele e a meu companheiros que têm me ajudado, além da minha família, que tem me dado esse suporte – iniciou o camisa 9 ao Premiere.

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

Yuri admitiu que vinha desanimado durante o período sem gols, se mostrou contente com sua atuação na derrota por 2 a 1 diante do Independiente del Valle, disse não ter entendido a substituição de Luxa no jogo pela Libertadores e valorizou o ponto conquistado contra o Leão do Pici, que tirou o clube alvinegro do Z4 do Brasileirão.

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– Contra o Del Valle eu fiquei muito feliz comigo mesmo, minhas atitudes foram diferentes. Eu estava desanimado durante os jogos, recebendo poucas bolas, mas contra o Del Valle eu estava diferente. Infelizmente, saí no segundo tempo, no início, não entendi, mas a decisão é do professor. Hoje ele me colocou, pude ajudar a equipe, esse empate foi muito importante

Antes do duelo contra o Leão do Pici, o técnico Vanderlei Luxemburgo teve uma conversa individual com Yuri Alberto e decidiu deixá-lo no banco para tentar diminuir a pressão e recuperar a confiança do camisa 9.

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+ Veja tabela e a situação do Timão no Brasileirão

O centroavante pode ser opção no duelo de quinta-feira (11), contra o Botafogo, líder do Brasileirão.

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