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Although he is overshadowed by Ballon d'Or level players Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, and, of course, actual reigning winner Ousmane Dembele on the French national team, Bradley Barcola still has a key role for Les Bleus and has been scoring and assisting already at the 2026 World Cup. Tottenham Hotspur have concrete links to other left wingers this summer transfer window, but for the fans, the PSG man is by far the dream transfer target.

And it is easy to see why. Barcola is more explosive, productive, and talented in front of goal than the likes of Cody Gakpo, Marcus Rashford, Savinho, and Crysencio Summerville who are actually being linked to Spurs this summer. Those four are all good players, but they do not pack the same punch as Barcola would.

The problem is that while Tottenham made huge statements by signing Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes, and Sandro Tonali as top Premier League players that Roberto De Zerbi begged for - and paid a premium price to get - they are still major underdogs to the other Premier League Big Six clubs for the marquee attackers. They always lose out on them.

Arsenal after Bradley Barcola

According to reporting from Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham Hotspur's arch rivals Arsenal are eyeing Bradley Barcola this summer transfer window, and if things were to fall apart between them and their top left winger target Morgan Rogers, another Tottenham winger target of yore, then Barcola could be an option for them.

Fab has mostly been banging the drum for Liverpool to go after Barcola as their new, dynamic left winger to replace Luis Diaz, as PSG are the ones destined to signed Yan Diomande, not the Reds. While PSG have not made Barcola available, nor even signed Diomande yet, there is a prevailing belief that Barcola could make himself available if the Ivorian joins the Ligue 1 giants.

From there, Cody Gakpo could become expendable if Liverpool manage to sign Barcola, but then Tottenham fans will wonder why should Spurs simply let Liverpool sign Barcola unchallenged when they coudl make an even bigger statement than beating Arsenal and Manchester City for 100 million pound midfielder Sandro Tonali by spending that money on Barcola to beat the Reds and Gunners to the punch.

Losing out on Barcola to Arsenal after the Eberechi Eze fiasco last summer would be a disaster, so maybe Arsenal being mentioned by Fab will get Roberto De Zerbi to think a little bit more about challenging to sign his old Ligue 1 foe from Le Classique.

Today's best reads

Bradley Barcola said what Tottenham fans have been whispering

Fabrizio Romano said the ugly truth out loud about Maghnes Akliouche to Tottenham

David Ornstein's latest Yan Diomande news opened a Bradley Barcola door for Tottenham

Tottenham have messed up Arsenal's midfield transfer plan

Tottenham Hotspur have secured three signings for Roberto De Zerbi thus far in the summer transfer window, upgrading the defense with Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, and veteran left back Andrew Robertson to give the manager more options and Premier League experience.

But the real big changes that need to happen are in the midfield and attack. So far, Spurs have not really gone after anyone in the forward positions besides Savinho, with talks seemingly cooling on that front, but they are ramping up interest in two center midfielders, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.

Tonali is the top midfielder of choice for De Zerbi, as the Brescia native would like to sign the former Brescia and AC Milan star, who won the Scudetto with the latter a handful of years ago. Tottenham are pushing hard for the Newcastle United star, and, so far, they are the betting favorites early on to land the Italian international.

Tottenham are serious about the signing

Now, The Athletic's top transfer insider David Ornstein is reporting that not only have Tottenham Hotspur opened talks for Tonali, but they are also showing "intent to get deal done" in their approach for the player. Though Ornstein also cautions that Tottenham have to be wary of interest from another top Premier League club, as Manchester City are also in an "ongoing" pursuit of the 26 year old star midfielder.

While Sandro Tonali has been very good for Newcastle since joining them from Milan, he has yet to truly progress to the heights he was destined for when he was first breaking out with the Rossoneri as a young player, and that is possibly because Eddie Howe is hiding his best traits as a creator and passer in the scheme.

A great athlete, leader, and technical player, Tonali should be one of the best center midfielders in the world, and it is surprising that Tottenham's only competition is Manchester City, though it is worth noting that Arsenal seemed to badly want him during the 2025/26 Premier League season - and Manchester United were rumored as well.

Tottenham appear to have real intent in the race for Tonali, and virtually every top transfer reporter has now put out positive news on the Spurs front, giving fans hope that this is a deal they could very well complete in conjunction with the 60 million euro Jan Paul van Hecke swoop for Roberto De Zerbi. Tonali is the kind of player who immediately changes Spurs midfield.

Tottenham Hotspur have offered £75 million for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, according to Sky Sports Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium club want the Italian and have reportedly agreed personal terms over a contract.

However, Newcastle want £85m for the services of the Magpies star and it is unknown if Spurs will return with an improved offer.

Di Marzio claims an agreement between the two clubs for around £80m could be reached in the next few days.

The Lilywhites are offering Tonali a deal which would see him earn at least £275,000 per week every season the North London club qualify for the Champions League.

Tottenham are not the only club keen on the Toons star, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City also linked with him.

However, it appears they are the favourites to sign him and Spurs will hope to secure an agreement with Newcastle.

Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi will look to finish in the top-five next season and play in the elite European competition and he needs quality players capable of getting the job done.

Tonali fits the bill and he is willing to work with the Tottenham boss from the look of things.

Spurs’ current club-record signing is the £65m they paid Bournemouth to sign Dominic Solanke in August 2024, and they are now willing to break it for the 26-year-old Italian.

They could do with such a player in the middle of the park and talks will likely progress in the coming days going by the recent reports.

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali over the week and they are edging closer to a possible move.

Get Italian Football News have looked at how the London club are willing to meet the Magpies’ asking price for the midfielder.

Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that Tottenham have now initiated contact with Newcastle United over a deal and have made some progress in a deal as well.

Eddie Howe’s side demand £85 million to sell Tonali, with Tottenham currently offering £75 million. The report is confident that a middle ground can be reached and Spurs can strike an agreement for £80 million in the next few days. Clearly, things are going in the right direction and Roberto De Zerbi’s side are making key progress.

Huge coup for De Zerbi

This is the sort of signing which indicates Tottenham’s trust in De Zerbi and his ideas. Usually, despite being a traditional top six club, they don’t go overboard with signings but this is the first time they are truly flexing their muscles and backing a manager to the hilt.

That is a sign of promise and it could yet get better.

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Argentina World Cup star Cristian Romero is one of the best players at the tournament that is available on the summer transfer market, and it is almost certain that Tottenham Hotspur will sell their captain after a disappointing 2025/26 season and clear signs from the player, especially by the end of the season, that he wants out.

Even before he was named captain, Romero was flirting with La Liga giants Real Madrid and especially Atletico Madrid last season, and many fans are expecting him to head to Spanish football this summer, with Atleti looking like the most logical destination as Real are looking for, quite frankly, better defenders to give to Jose Mourinho.

But when Manchester United started to emerge as the first concrete link of the summer to Romero, Tottenham fans got worried. It is one thing to sell Romero to a La Liga side or another club outside of the Premier League, but it would be another thing entirely to send Romero to another Big Six club and then watch him burn them in the Premier League for a few years to come.

Cristian Romero's next destination likely isn't Man United

Fabrizio Romano says not to worry, though. The world's foremost transfer expert states that Manchester United actually did not make a formal approach for Cristian Romero despite the rumors from the English press. Instead, Romero is actually being courted by other clubs, and most importantly, Fab says that Romero's priority is to play outside of England and get a fresh start in another country.

It makes a ton of sense for Romero to want out. Not just because of the Spanish language, but La Liga makes a lot of sense for Romero's aggressive playing style, and Diego Simeone loves center backs like this who are comfortable with the ball at their feet but willing to mix it up physically. And even though Romero was good for Tottenham over the years, he was actually even better in Serie A before that for Atalanta, where he was able to play a lot more aggressively - even more than under Ange Postecoglou.

Tottenham Hotspur have already signed compatriot and World Cup teammate Marcos Senesi to replace him as a ball playing center back, and Roberto De Zerbi's personal favorite Jan Paul van Hecke is a 60 million euro investment with similar qualities on the ball. Tottenham will hope they can sell Romero for a similar amount, and they will love that Fab is saying Man United and other Premier League clubs are not the main ones in the picture.

Tottenham Hotspur have seemingly surged ahead in the race to sign West Ham United in-demand midfielder Mateus Fernandes, with the club now close to reaching an agreement with the player on personal terms.

The North Londoners moved quickly to propose an attractive long-term contract, establishing clear common ground with the 21-year-old’s representatives as manager Roberto De Zerbi seeks to rebuild his midfield ahead of his first full season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Fernandes has attracted interest from several elite clubs following an outstanding individual campaign at the London Stadium.

Despite West Ham’s relegation to the Championship, Fernandes consistently impressed with his press resistance, elite defensive metrics, and excellent distribution.

This has drawn attention from continental heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, as well as strong domestic interest from Manchester United. While Old Trafford is believed to be the Portuguese international’s preferred destination, he is reportedly open to signing for Tottenham.

However, finalising a deal with West Ham remains a significant challenge. Despite major progress on personal terms, Tottenham have yet to open official negotiations with West Ham, who have set a firm valuation close to £85 million.

With personal terms virtually agreed, Tottenham hold little leverage heading into the next phase of negotiations but will still need to be wary of competition from Manchester United.

West Ham could sanction a sale before the June 30 accounting deadline, after which a new financial year begins.

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has revealed he is receptive to the idea of international management, though his primary focus remains a return to club soccer.

Spurs dismissed the Dane back in February after he oversaw just two victories in 17 games, with the Lilywhites ultimately narrowly avoiding Premier League relegation.

Roberto De Zerbi was confirmed as his permanent successor following the unsuccessful interim tenure of Igor Tudor. Frank has remained absent from the dugout since his dismissal by Tottenham, though he has taken up a new role as a BBC analyst for the FIFA World Cup.

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As part of his broadcasting duties, he appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live, where the topic of managing a national team was raised. He responded, as per football.london: "I think it'd be appealing to me, definitely, one day.

"When? You never know with timing and everything. I think my first priority will be to take a club again at one point, but I always love the Euros and the World Cup.

"Of course, I'm from Denmark, so that would probably be the top priority to be the head coach of Denmark, if it should be national teams. But I'll be open, I'm an open guy, so let's see what will happen."

Ahead of the World Cup, the 52-year-old released a detailed statement addressing his spell in North London, the opportunities that have emerged since his dismissal, and his immediate plans in coaching.

He wrote: "I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has reached out over the past few months. Your support and encouragement have been greatly appreciated.

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"Leaving Tottenham has given me the chance to step back and reflect on my journey so far. Football management is a profession that demands complete commitment every single day, and periods like this are a rare opportunity to assess, learn and gain a fresh perspective.

"From the outside, it may have looked like a time of many challenges at Tottenham when results were not what we wanted. From within, however, it becomes clear why the club is so special - full of talented people who work tirelessly every day. I have no doubt Tottenham has a bright future.

"I am also looking forward to covering the World Cup for Danish television and the BBC, as well as experiencing the Tour de France. Time away from the touchline is allowing me to broaden my perspective and gather insights that I look forward to bringing into my next challenge.

"There have been conversations and opportunities since leaving Spurs, but I have decided not to rush into the next role. For me, this summer is not the right time to go back into management.

"When the time is right, I will look forward to my return as a manager, ready to embrace the job with great energy and dedication."

Tottenham’s Luka Vuskovic Problem Highlights Bigger Roberto De Zerbi Challenge

Tottenham’s summer rebuild is accelerating, but every ambitious project eventually creates difficult decisions. According to Sky Sports, Spurs have arrived at one of those moments with Luka Vuskovic.

The arrival of Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for £52 million and the earlier addition of Marcos Senesi underline Roberto De Zerbi’s determination to reshape Tottenham’s defence. Yet progress in one area can often complicate another.

Vuskovic’s future has suddenly become one of the most intriguing subplots of Tottenham’s transfer window.

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Defensive Overhaul Creates New Questions

Spurs clearly have a vision.

Van Hecke brings Premier League experience and familiarity with De Zerbi, having played 50 games under the Italian at Brighton.

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Combined with Senesi, Tottenham are investing heavily in creating a more robust defensive platform.

That strategy is understandable after several inconsistent campaigns at the back.

However, there is an unavoidable consequence.

If Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero remain at the club, Vuskovic effectively becomes fifth choice.

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For a player coming off an impressive loan spell at Hamburg, that scenario is difficult to accept.

Brighton Interest Refuses to Disappear

Brighton recognise an opportunity.

Sky Sports report that two bids have already been rejected, including an offer worth £35 million.

The attraction is obvious.

Brighton can offer something Tottenham currently cannot, regular first team football.

That matters enormously for a 19 year old defender entering a crucial phase of his development.

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Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic also highlighted that importance, believing Vuskovic must play consistently.

Spurs agree in principle, but their preferred solution remains another loan move.

Unfortunately for Tottenham, that is not what the player wants.

Saliba Comparison Offers Encouragement

There is an interesting parallel emerging.

Sky Sports point towards Arsenal’s handling of William Saliba, who completed three separate loans before eventually becoming one of the Premier League’s finest defenders.

Patience can often transform exceptional talent into elite talent.

Within Tottenham there is reportedly genuine belief that Vuskovic could become one of the world’s best defenders.

That belief explains why the club are reluctant to sell despite sizeable offers.

The challenge is balancing long term planning with a player’s immediate ambitions.

Summer Strategy Faces Important Test

This dilemma speaks to a broader issue.

Tottenham want to spend heavily and will inevitably need player sales to fund parts of their squad rebuild.

Ideally, those departures come from players outside De Zerbi’s future plans.

Selling one of Europe’s most exciting defensive prospects now could create regret later.

For Tottenham, finding the correct compromise may become one of the defining decisions of their summer.

Our View, EPL Index Analysis

For years, Tottenham fans complained about a lack of depth, a lack of planning and a failure to build for the future.

Now there is a genuine debate about how to fit outstanding young talent into an improving squad.

That is progress.

At the same time, supporters will understand Vuskovic’s frustration. A player of his age and potential cannot afford another season sitting on the bench.

Football development is fragile.

Minutes matter.

Confidence matters.

Momentum matters.

The concern for Spurs fans is simple. Selling him now, even for £35 million, could become a decision that haunts the club in five years’ time.

The Saliba comparison feels relevant because elite defenders often require patience before exploding into top level performers.

Supporters will also appreciate De Zerbi’s influence here.

He has a track record of developing young players and building coherent systems. If he genuinely believes Vuskovic needs another year before becoming a Premier League regular, many fans will trust that judgement.

Ideally, Tottenham find a compromise.

Keep the player, send him somewhere he wants to be and bring him back stronger.

That outcome would feel like the smartest piece of business available.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, journalist Pete O’Rourke claimed that Manchester City winger Savinho is keen on joining Tottenham Hotspur this summer. O’Rourke said,

“Tottenham are expected to formalise their interest in the Brazilian with an offer in the coming weeks.

“Savinho is interested in making a move to North London as well. So there’s a willingness from Tottenham, and a willingness from Savinho as well to do a deal.

“I don’t think City would stand in his way if they do get a good offer for the winger this summer.

“There’s a willingness from all parties to get a deal done here, so I would expect things to move sooner rather than later, and Tottenham are confident that they can get a deal done for Savinho.”

Savinho’s Lack Of Game Time In English Football

Savinho struggled to earn a regular first-team spot at the Mancunian club in the previous campaign but managed to produce a few impressive displays for them in the final third. The 22-year-old registered four goals and three assists in 36 matches for Man City last season on all fronts.

The Brazilian talent is currently among the most talented wingers in the Premier League. Thus, Spurs would do well to get him on board this summer.

His current contract at the Etihad Stadium will expire in the summer of 2031, which could make it tough for Tottenham to land him on the cheap this off-season.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 24: Savinho of Manchester City looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on May 24, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Should Tottenham Hotspur Boss Roberto De Zerbi Go For Savinho?

Savinho has got the pace to cause a problems for his marker out on the flanks. He has got the eye to play some decisive passes in the final third and is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet.

The Brazilian wing wizard can shoot the ball with power from long range and can chip in by scoring and creating a few important goals for his team. Savinho is primarily a left-winger but can also play in the number ten position or as a right-sided wide player if required. He is already quite familiar with the Premier League and won’t take much time to adjust to life at Tottenham.

Savinho would add more pace and firepower to Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi’s attack. He has what it takes to fight for regular first-team football at the North London club.

At 22, Savinho has got a bright future ahead of him. Thus, De Zerbi would be wise to go for a player with his skill set in this transfer window.

Tottenham Hotspur have tabled a €26 million offer to Olympique Lyonnais for Malick Fofana, according to reports in France. The Lilywhites are admirers of the highly coveted 21-year-old, whose agents are expected in London on Wednesday, as manager Roberto De Zerbi looks to inject more dynamism into his attacking options. Despite securing European qualification, Lyon are reportedly facing severe immediate financial pressure before a mandatory review by the DNCG watchdog. The Ligue 1 giants are believed to require a major player sale before the June 30 accounting deadline to avoid severe institutional penalties, giving Spurs a distinct window of opportunity to bring a talented winger to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The North Londoners were plagued by injuries to several attacking players last season, when they only secured top-flight safety on the final day, and it is no surprise that they are looking to strengthen up front. While Everton and Liverpool have previously tracked Fofana, Spurs now look to be in a commanding position to bring the Belgian international to England.