Published Aug 11, 2026, 7:10 AM GMT+1

Matt specialises in football analysis, transfer insight and original feature writing across the Premier League, EFL and Scottish football.

A sports writer for 15 years, Matt graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in 2018 and has developed particular expertise in Arsenal and the wider Premier League while also reporting on clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United, Celtic, Rangers and teams across the EFL. He joined Football FanCast as part of its writing team in 2019 before progressing to Assistant Editor and then becoming a Senior Editor in 2021.

His work combines authoritative reporting with data-led analysis, tactical insight and informed transfer assessment. Matt regularly examines how players fit into different systems, what their underlying numbers reveal about their performances and whether transfer targets represent realistic solutions for clubs. His analysis aims to go beyond the headline, explaining not just what has happened but what it means for a team, manager or player.

Matt's journalism has also appeared through the Press Association, with his work featured by Sky Sports and the Daily Mail. He previously served as Arsenal and Premier League Editor at VAVEL and gained first-hand club-media experience with Chesterfield FC. Over his career, he has interviewed figures including Arsène Wenger, Ray Parlour, Alan Smith, Lucy Bronze and Steph Houghton. Matt's voice has been heard across Arsenal Fan TV and Love Sport Radio.

Through his reporting, analysis and features, Matt brings readers credible football insight grounded in research, statistics, tactical understanding and years of experience covering the professional game.

Today, Matt leads Football FanCast's features team as Senior Editor, overseeing the publication's opinion coverage while helping shape its overall editorial standards and content strategy.

Before Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi was ruled out for the first four months of the new season, Spurs were ready to break the bank once more to lure the Frenchman to north London.

A striker is clearly on the agenda with a sensational move also lined up for Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen.

A bid had been launched according to reports on the continent but a move at this stage still feels farfetched.

Why Spurs need a striker like Victor Osimhen

Defence? Check. Midfield? Check. Striker? Well, that problem still remains.

For Roberto De Zerbi, has has nearly ticked every single box this summer in his quest to strrengthen the Spurs ranks but they are still missing a set of elite forward players, attackers who can really take Tottenham to the next level.

It's been a challenging period for Spurs and while they may have suffered plenty of injuries, they have also struggled to replace Son Heung-min and Harry Kane. Any team in world football would miss those two.

The fact is that their replacements have not amounted to much. Dominic Solanke signed in the summer of 2024 and had a productive maiden campaign in north London, scoring 16 times. However, his second term was an injury-hit year that saw him score just six times.

The feeling is that Solanke is not the long-term answer to the club's woes. The trouble is, they do not really have many other options. Mikey Moore, Mason Melia and James Wilson are all promising young strikers but it is too soon for them.

It's why Osimhen has been targeted. He's been one of the best strikers in world football over recent years and after moving to Turkey, has continued to flourish.

In Naples, the Nigerian led Napoli to a historic Serie A triumph. He bagged 18 goals in 2021/22 and then a whopping 31 in 2022/23. He has continued that sort of form at Gala, netting 37 in 39 games throughout 2024/25. The most recent season saw the 27-year-old bag 22 in all competitions.

He's a prolific centre-forward and the Premier League has long been waiting to see him light up English football. As the figurehead of a De Zerbi side, it could well bring about a huge amount of success for Spurs.

That said, there's an even better striker out there and he's someone the Londoners really want.

How Spurs could sign an upgrade on Osimhen

Whether Spurs finally get a forward over the line remains to be seen. Kroupi is off the table for now, Savinho's move is progressing but there is still work to be done and Cody Gakpo remains a target.

With Savinho and Gakpo in tow, the forward line would be bolstered considerably but they still need a regular goalscorer, someone to replace the aforementioned Solanke.

Osimhen would be a remarkably good replacement for the Englishman but how about Kane? Now, we all know what you are thinking, this one is never going to happen. Indeed, we would be surprised if it did. However, it's a move that Tottenham have been exploring.

Harry Kane's Premier League goal tallies per season

That's according to TEAMtalk who reported on Monday afternoon that, amid talks over a new contract at Bayern Munich, Spurs and Barcelona have held recent talks with the player's camp over a possible move.

Kane has a year left on his deal in Munich and they are confident of extending it but with the situation still unclear, it has prompted other clubs to look at the terms of a deal.

The 'pull of a return' is still there for the England hero and what a return it would be. This is not just a player who is better than Osimhen but he's better than most players on the planet. In the words of journalist Daniel Storey, the 33-year-old is the "best player in the world" and it is hard to argue with that.

Osimhen is a phenomenal goalscorer but he is no Kane. The numbers over recent years tell you all you need to know.

Kane is the greatest goalscorer in Tottenham history and it is incredible to think that he has soared to even greater heights in Germany.

The centre-forward ended his trophy drought with the Bundesliga winners and has cemented himself as one of the best strikers the game has ever seen.

After a haul of 61 goals at club level last term, he is now firmly in the running to win the Ballon d'Or and it would not be a surprise to see him lift the famous individual award ahead of players like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe later this year.

It feels like Kane will be at the top for quite some and even if a move does not materalise now, do not bet against the great England captain from returning to Tottenham in a few years.