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Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder James Maddison is entering his fourth season at the club, and while he hs been one of their top creators when healthy and played a key role in the historic Europa League title win in 2025, there is a sense that the former Leicester City star has yet to meet his true standard at N17.

Maddison tore his ACL to end the 2024/25 season and only returned to action as a substitute at the end of the 2025/26 Premier League season. While the 29 year old did not play more than 34 Premier League minutes in total, he played a useful role in keeping Spurs up with his leadership and clearly had a different level of technical class and quality of the first touch from his teammates when he would come off the bench to try and change games.

Tottenham need more from Maddison in the 2026/27 season. They need the experienced attacking midfielder to be fully healthy and decisive. In his best season for Spurs so far, Madders had 16 goal contributions in 2024/25, and he had 2.4 key passes and 2.6 fouls drawn per game in his previous season.

James Maddison may be feeling some pressure now

There have been rumblings of James Maddison being expendable to Tottenham Hotspur or not pulling his weight, and some even feel it would be time to move on from the player this summer before he turns 30 and save on his wages.

But that ignores the technical quality and end product Maddison brings, the leadership he has, the way he understands this club, his work rate and determination, and, yes, the fact that Tottenham Hotspur really need Madders to be at his best especially when the season first starts and Xavi Simons is still recovering from his own ACL tear suffered at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

Even so, the point remains that Maddison has to play his best season for Tottenham in 2026/27 if he wants to keep getting minutes under Roberto De Zerbi and stick around beyond one more season. Everyone is rooting for him, but after missing almost a full season with a torn ACL and not quite having the overall influence he needed in 2024/25 as one of the stars of the team, Tottenham need to see real results from Madders and to see him step up as a force throughout the season. Minutes will be tough to come by once Simons is back from injury, but Maddison can still play an important role and ensure he is still central to De Zerbi's plans.

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Tottenham Hotspur center-back Cristian Romero remains a concrete target for Inter, but there’s a catch. According to TEAM Talk via Calciomercato, the Nerazzurri cannot pursue the Argentina international before making a high-profile sale in defense.

After helping Argentina win the 2022 World Cup, Romero is gearing up for another final, with La Albiceleste set to face Spain at MetLife Stadium tonight. Meanwhile, his impressive performances in North America have not gone unnoticed, with several European giants setting their sights on him.

In addition to Inter, La Liga champions Barcelona have also added the former Juventus man to their shortlist. Furthermore, Romero would reportedly favor a move to Camp Nou over a potential switch to Serie A. Yet, Barca’s financial difficulties could boost Inter’s chances of landing the Tottenham stalwart.

Meanwhile, Spurs value the 28-year-old at around €60 million, a figure out of reach for both Inter and Barcelona.

Our take on Inter & Romero

There’s little doubt that Romero would be a massive signing for Inter. However, the reigning Serie A champions would likely have to sell Alessandro Bastoni before making a move for the Argentine star.

Inter’s interest appears to be genuine, but Beppe Marotta is operating on a tight budget. As such, Romero would only arrive as a replacement for Bastoni, who continues to attract interest from Real Madrid.

Otherwise, Inter would likely have to settle for another low-cost addition to improve Cristian Chivu’s defensive options.

Cristian Romero transfer latest as Tottenham brace for £40m to £50m summer exit

Tottenham are moving with increasing clarity on Cristian Romero's future, and the direction of travel now looks difficult to ignore. As TeamTalk reports, Spurs are effectively planning for a summer in which the Argentina international departs, with a growing acceptance inside the club that a deal may need to be struck at a realistic level rather than an ideal one.

The key number is now taking shape. Tottenham are understood to be "targeting a fee close to £50million (€59m / $67m)", but there is also recognition that circumstances may force compromise. According to the report, there is "growing acceptance internally that Romero's injury record could ultimately see the club settle for a package closer to £40m (€47m / $54m) if the right opportunity arises." For a player of Romero's pedigree, that feels like a significant market development.

Tottenham planning points to exit

What stands out most is not simply the valuation, but the planning behind it. Spurs "fully expect the Argentina international to leave the club this summer", and their recruitment work appears to reflect that expectation. Roberto De Zerbi may admire Romero's defensive level, but the report states he "was not completely convinced by certain off-field aspects surrounding the player." That detail matters, particularly when placed alongside Tottenham's defensive reshaping.

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The arrivals of Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi are presented as more than opportunistic additions. They offer cover, flexibility and, crucially, an indication that the club do not want to be left exposed if Romero exits late in the window. There is another strong pointer in the contract strategy. TeamTalk states that Spurs are "preparing fresh contract talks with Micky van de Ven in an effort to tie the Dutch defender to a new long-term deal". There are "No similar discussions are planned with Romero." In transfer terms, that is often as telling as any formal decision.

Real Madrid and Inter Milan join battle

The market for Romero is active and, importantly for Tottenham, credible. Inter Milan have become "the latest club to enquire about Romero", with his name raised during talks involving Djed Spence. There is even mention of a structure in which one transfer could be "initially completed as a loan with an obligation to buy, effectively delaying the permanent transfer by 12 months." That sort of creative framework is increasingly common when clubs want quality now while managing short-term financial pressure.

Inter's interest appears linked to uncertainty around Alessandro Bastoni, but they are not alone. "Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have also held conversations regarding the Argentina international," while Atletico Madrid remain alert after tracking him for years. For Madrid, the fee is central. The report says that "should Tottenham's asking price move below the £50m mark, Madrid would view the deal far more favourably." That line may prove especially significant as the window develops.

Barcelona's position is more conditional, dependent on sales and squad space, but their admiration for Romero's profile is noted. Atletico's long-standing interest also makes sense, particularly with Diego Simeone said to value "his aggressive style and leadership qualities." In practical terms, this is now a four-club contest featuring Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, even if not all four are operating with the same financial freedom.

Timing now matters for Spurs

Tottenham would ideally like certainty before pre-season reaches its decisive phase. The report notes that "Spurs would ideally like Romero's future resolved before he reports back for pre-season." With Argentina's World Cup involvement delaying his return until August, there is obvious logic in trying to avoid a drawn-out saga heading into the final weeks of the window.

From Tottenham's perspective, a controlled exit at £40m to £50m may now be viewed as preferable to lingering uncertainty. Romero remains a high-level defender on his day, but if the club's internal stance has shifted and several major sides are monitoring the price, the coming weeks could become about timing, structure and who moves first.

Our View

As a Tottenham supporter, this is grim reading because it feels like another story where the club are reacting to a problem rather than imposing themselves on it. Romero has faults, and no fan would deny the frustrations around injuries and availability, but when you read that Spurs "fully expect the Argentina international to leave the club this summer", it lands like the club have already emotionally checked out.

If he goes for closer to £40m than £50m, that is hard to swallow. This is meant to be one of the most aggressive, front-foot defenders in Europe, a World Cup-winning centre-back, and yet we are talking about a discount because the situation has been allowed to drift. That is what annoys supporters most. Tottenham too often look like a club managing consequences.

The line about De Zerbi not being "completely convinced by certain off-field aspects surrounding the player" only deepens the sense of instability. Fine, if the manager wants a different profile, then be decisive and maximise the fee. Do not let every buying club know there is wiggle room.

And if Romero leaves, supporters will rightly ask whether this squad has actually improved enough. Van de Ven is excellent and deserves a new deal, but replacing presence, edge and big-game personality is not easy. Tottenham fans have seen too many summers framed as strategic resets. At some point, it has to translate into a tougher, more reliable team on the pitch.

England defeated France 6-4 in a high octane 2026 FIFA World Cup third place game, and even though the Three Lions surrendered four goals in the second half, starting defender Djed Spence had another whale of a ball game to make Tottenham Hotspur fans proud.

Spence was all over the place on both ends of the pitch, progressing the ball and winning possession like a man possessed. The Tottenham fullback started on the left side of the defense again and was among the best in the match with five tackles, adding an interception and three clearances to produce another defensive monster class against some huge stars on the French side.

On the ball, Spence had three dribbles completed and two fouls drawn for England, with only substitute Jude Bellingham having more combined dribbles completed and fouls drawn in the match for the English national team.

Djed Spence is playing his way into staying

As Inter Milan show considerable transfer interest in Djed Spence and Everton and other Premier League clubs remain monitoring the versatile left and right back from Tottenham Hotspur, Spence's performance against France with the world watching was a clear statement to Roberto De Zerbi and the other big decision makers at the club.

The statement was simple. Spence just showed that he can play elite defense against the best attackers in the world, and it was telling that the minute he left the pitch again with a possible injury, England conceded with a basic one on one defensive error that Spence would have never made.

Spence's performance was a great two way display at left back, winning the ball and helping the attack, and the latter was a major criticism of his displays for Spurs last season. As Tottenham ponder his future and the transfer offers from Inter Milan and potentially others, Spence is screaming at De Zerbi without saying the words, "Look at me. Don't sell me. I am untouchable, and you are not going to be able to find someone who can bring what I can against the world's best."

Andy Robertson has joined Spurs, but he was nowhere near Djed Spence this World Cup. Destiny Udogie is a favorite of De Zerbi's and arguably better than Spence at full strength, especially for Spurs, but he is too injury prone to trust. And Souza is going to go out on loan. Spence may be more valuable to Spurs, especially in this form, than 30 to 40 million euros.

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Benfica Move for Yves Bissouma Offers Tottenham Fresh Questions Over Midfield Exit

Benfica have made an approach for Yves Bissouma after the midfielder became a free agent this summer, with the Portuguese club exploring what could become one of the more intriguing value deals of the market. According to Mais Futebol, contact is already underway as Benfica weigh up a move for a player they regard as a high-upside opportunity.

From Benfica’s perspective, the logic is easy to follow. Bissouma is available without a transfer fee, he has extensive Premier League experience, and at his best he has shown the athleticism, aggression and technical quality to influence games at a very high level. For clubs operating carefully in the market, those profiles are difficult to ignore, particularly when European competition places extra demands on squad depth.

His time at Tottenham, though, leaves a more complicated picture. Across four seasons in England, including his earlier spell at Brighton, Bissouma built a reputation as a midfielder capable of controlling transitions and adding intensity in and out of possession. Yet his final campaign in north London was badly interrupted, with discipline concerns and inconsistent availability undermining any chance of sustained momentum.

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Benfica Transfer Strategy Centers on Market Value

That is where Benfica may feel there is space to act decisively. Portuguese clubs have often targeted players seeking a reset, and Bissouma clearly falls into that category. The report suggests he wants to revive his career after a difficult closing period in the Premier League, and Benfica may believe their environment can offer the platform for that recovery.

There is also recent pedigree on his side. His most memorable contribution in a Tottenham shirt came in May 2025, when he completed the full 90 minutes in the Europa League final victory over Manchester United. Performances like that explain why there remains interest despite the issues that followed.

Yves Bissouma Future Could Move Quickly

Negotiations are expected to continue over the coming days, with Benfica working on personal terms and aware there may be rival interest. For now, this feels like a deal driven by opportunity, timing and a belief that a talented player can still be recovered in the right setting.

If Benfica can get it done, they may feel they are signing a midfielder with Champions League-level quality for £0, which in any market is a significant opening.

Our View

As a frustrated Tottenham supporter, this report is maddening because it feels like the story of the last few years in one player. You could always see the talent with Bissouma. On his day, he could dominate midfield, win duels, carry the ball and give Spurs the sort of authority they have too often lacked. Then, just when it looked like he might finally put everything together, something would derail it.

That is the real annoyance here. Tottenham are watching a player who should have been a major midfield presence leave for nothing, and another club may now benefit if they can steady him and rebuild his confidence. Benfica are looking at a market opportunity. Spurs fans are looking at wasted potential.

It also reflects badly on the club’s squad building. Too many signings in recent years have arrived with obvious ability but without the consistency, availability or focus required to push Tottenham on properly. Bissouma was supposed to be a difference-maker, not a cautionary tale.

If he thrives in Portugal, plenty of Spurs supporters will probably feel a mix of frustration and resignation. The Europa League final showed what he could contribute when everything clicked. The problem was that those moments became too rare. In the end, Tottenham needed reliability as much as talent, and they never truly got enough of either from him.

Tottenham have been in direct talks with Manchester City over Savinho for several weeks and remain confident of getting a deal done.

The Brazilian winger has been Roberto De Zerbi's clear top target since June. Fabrizio Romano reports that any agreement now depends on City's plans for a replacement.

The player's stance is not the issue. Savinho is keen on the move and was ready to join Spurs a year ago, only for City to keep him and hand him a new contract. His enthusiasm this time is said to be just as strong.

Spurs confident of Savinho deal but City hold the key

His situation at the Etihad has shifted, though. Savinho barely featured last season, managing four goals and three assists in 36 appearances, and is not viewed as central to Enzo Maresca's plans. That has opened the door to an exit.

The fee is expected to be significant. Reports place the deal at around £60-65m, echoing the offer Spurs prepared last summer. Personal terms are not believed to be a major obstacle.

City's own recruitment is the sticking point. They are reluctant to sanction a sale until they have secured a replacement on the wing, wary of thinning their options before a title challenge. PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye has been identified as a target.

The situation mirrors last year's saga. City shut down a sale in 2025 when they could not sign a replacement, and Romano suggests the same dynamic applies now. Spurs must therefore wait on City's business.

Savinho would add to a remarkable window for Tottenham. De Zerbi has already signed Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke and Martin Dubravka, spending well over £200m.

The forward line is now the focus. Spurs want two wingers and a striker before the deadline, with Liverpool's Cody Gakpo also under consideration alongside Savinho.

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Tottenham Hotspur center midfielder Lucas Bergvall has already submitted his transfer request to the club, making his intention to leave clear during the 2026 World Cup even while he should have been busy fighting for every last minute of action on the pitch for Graham Potter and the Swedish national team.

Bergvall was asking to leave Spurs even before the club officially signed Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali to overhaul the midfield and become immediate starters for Roberto De Zerbi, who prioritized these transfers above everything else. Clearly, Bergvall saw the writing on the wall and knew he could not compete with Fernandes and Tonali for minutes - nor did he have any intent to.

Aston Villa and Chelsea had been linked to Bergvall before, but the team most interested in stealing away the 20 year old gem from Tottenham right now is Nottingham Forest, which is something of a nightmare scenario for Spurs. And lately, Newcastle United, having just sold Tonali to Spurs, have also entered the fray with interest.

Lucas Bergvall is unswayed by Spurs

Although De Zerbi and Johan Lange have been trying to convince Lucas Bergvall that he can stay and that Tottenham Hotspur still have an important role for him in the present and future, it appears the player's mind is made up.

In his latest transfer update, Fabrizio Romano affirmed that Bergvall wants out and explained more of the reasoning why, stating that because Tottenham do not have Champions League or European football of any sort, the minutes Bergvall will get behind Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes will be even more limited.

Romano stated, via Chris Cowlin, "He is expected to leave the club this summer. Bergvall has told Tottenham he wants to play on a regular basis, he's ready to take a different step and leaving Tottenham this summer is something he has to do, according to the player, because he wants to play and at Tottenham, the feeling from him is that after signing Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali and they're not going to play European football, he does not want to spend the season on the bench or playing ten minutes every two weeks. So for Bergvall, there's been a bid from Nottingham Forest, talks with Newcastle and both clubs are working for Lucas Bergvall, both clubs are in contact. There is a conversation ongoing with both clubs, the situation with Lucas Bergvall is one to watch."

It is hard not to feel for Bergvall on some level, and Tottenham are going to have to address a big club problem now that they are actually filling out their squad with starting caliber players like Tonali and Fernandes who can compete in the top five. How do you balance the current stars with the stars of the future like Bergvall? Spurs did not think this through and have new changes, and now, that will cost them Bergvall.

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Tottenham Hotspur are U-turning on letting Lucas Bergvall go this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

Spurs' initial stance was that the 20-year-old midfielder was not for sale under any circumstances in this transfer window.

However, Bergvall's insistence on leaving the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has resulted in the North London club reluctantly changing their mind.

Nottingham Forest have been encouraged by this development, and are now expected to submie another offer for the Sweden international.

The Premier League outfit had previously had a £40million bid rejected by Spurs for the midfielder this summer transfer window.

Bergvall was a regular first-team player for Tottenham last season and made 23 appearances in the Premier League, scoring once.

Nottingham Forest eye Lucas Bergvall

Bergvall has emerged as one of Forest's biggest targets this window.

The midfielder is viewed as one of the best emerging talents in the Premier League and previously won Tottenham's Supporters' Player of the Season Award for the 2024-25 campaign.

However, the lack of game time at Spurs in the last campaign has now opened the door for Forest to complete a deal, with the midfielder clearly frustrated with his lack of game time.

The recent news will be a big boost to Oliver Glasner, who will be hoping that Bergvall can be brought in to help push Forest back up the Premier League table.

However, it remains to be seen if the East Midlands outfit are able to secure a deal for the youngster this transfer window.

Nottingham Forest 'working hard' to agree Lucas Bergvall deal Who else is linked to Bergvall?

Newcastle United are also reportedly interested in Bergvall this summer transfer window.

The Athletic reported on Friday that the Magpies have had a £46m bid turned down for the midfielder.

As a result, Forest could now face direct competition for Bergvall's signature as both sides look to add him to their squad for the 2026-27 campaign.

Newcastle have had a tricky summer to date, and have already missed out on numerous targets to other Premier League clubs.

On top of this, many of their key stars have left St James' Park, including Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.

Therefore, this new development regarding the Bergvall transfer saga could provide a needed boost to Eddie Howe and the rest of Newcastle.

Tottenham Hotspur star right back Pedro Porro had a difficult 2025/26 Premier League season, particularly under Thomas Frank, but by the end of the campaign with Roberto De Zerbi taking over as manager, the Spanish international found himself again and delivered lights out defensive performances as Spurs survived the Premier League drop.

This summer transfer window, Porro has stepped up his game to heights never seen before in his career. He is fulfilling the potential the world saw in him a few years ago when he was a prospect at Sporting CP, tabbed as the next big thing as the right back position.

Porro has been the best right back in the world this summer at the World Cup, shutting down superstars on France and other countries and leaving other names at right back like Achraf Hakimi in the dust with elite defensive performances - and even a clutch goal against the French in the World Cup semifinals.

Pedro Porro is committed

When the summer transfer window started, Tottenham Hotspur had some Pedro Porro transfer worries, as Manchester City and Real Madrid - the same two clubs who fought Spurs for Porro's signature at Sporting - showed renewed transfer interest in the 26 year old after his strong end to the 2025/26 campaign.

But Roberto De Zerbi told them all to leave Porro alone and got Spurs to sign Porro to a lucrave contract extension. That has not stopped the transfer rumors from popping up again, though, as Man City, Madrid, and others are being linked to Porro amidst his incredible World Cup campaign.

According to a report from Mundo Deportivo in Spain, via The Spurs Express, Porro made a clear statement to his agent that any transfer away from Tottenham needs to be rejected this summer. The right back has no intention of leaving N17 this year. He signed his contract extension with Spurs this summer, and his wish is to stay at the club and play for De Zerbi.

Tottenham did not have much doubt about Porro's allegiance to them after he signed the deal, and the charisma of De Zerbi has clearly won out for Spurs again. But it is nevertheless wonderful for Tottenham to hear that one of their most valuable players is directly telling his agent that any of these lingering transfer rumors needs to be shut down. His full focus after the World Cup will be on winning more trophies with Spurs.

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PSG superstar left winger Bradley Barcola was not one of the true standouts of the 2026 World Cup for France, but he still had a great tournament, capping it off with another goal to the good in the third place game against England. Barcola has not been closely linked to Tottenham Hotspur this summer yet, but he is one of the best left wingers potentially available on the market and among the biggest dream targets for the Spurs faithful, with other Premier League Big Six clubs already linked.

Now that the World Cup is over for France, the battle for Barcola is expected to heat up, especially if PSG decide to go after Yan Diomande this summer after Diomande made it clear to RB Leipzig that he wants PSG and only PSG (not Liverpool).

So if Barcola decides to go with a crowd of wingers in Paris coming, then Liverpool are expected to be among the biggest players for the PSG man. According to a new report from Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are still very much interested in Bradley Barcola and will be making an offer for him if PSG give the green light that he is available - and if PSG make him affordable enough.

Bradley Barcola would be a big get for Spurs

But there is another detail Fab is reporting that will be welcome for Tottenham Hotspur. Despite losing Mikel Arteta's dream left wing target Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa to a transfer hijack from Arteta's former Real Sociedad teammate Xabi Alonso and Chelsea, Arsenal have not made any fresh contacts with either Barcola's reps or PSG for the player.

That is great news for Tottenham. Although Spurs fans still have not heard of any interest from the club in Barcola, Arsenal not making an approach for the player means that things are still very wide open with only Liverpool lurking if PSG decide to sell the player.

As with his French teammate Michael Olise, Barcola's future depends on the player himself telling his club he wants to pursue an opportunity. At that point, Tottenham may show concrete interest, but with Arsenal yet to go after Barcola, Spurs might as well throw their hats into the ring to gain the early advantage.

Barcola is the caliber of player who can score double digit goals from the wings and change the entire complexion of a match with his athleticism and explosiveness. He knows how to get into goal scoring situations and destabilize defenses. Arsenal are not after him yet after the Morgan Rogers blow, but that does not mean this will change.

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