The York Press

Oliver Boast, who turned 17 last month, has agreed to sign a first professional contract with Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

The young forward was born in York, and first broke into academy football at Leeds United, signing for the Whites aged just nine.

Rising through the ranks at Leeds, Boast established himself as one of United's most exciting prospects, earning the attention of fellow Premier League clubs.

He landed at Tottenham Hotspur last July, ending an eight year association with Leeds and beginning a new chapter with Spurs.

In his first full season with Tottenham, Boast has recorded 14 goals and 4 assists in 27 matches in the under-18's Premier League,

That included a sensational performance against Birmingham City under-18's, in which Boast scored a hat-trick and got one assist in a 4-1 dismantling of the Brum.

In all competitions, Boast scored 17 in total when contributing to Tottenham's run in the Premier League under-18's Cup.

Boast's impressive displays over the years with Leeds and now Tottenham has also earned him a regular spot in the England under-17's side, with the young man from York representing his country.

Scottish outfit Hearts have reportedly had a £750,000 bid rejected for the defender as they face a battle with a number of League One sides, including Oxford United.

Fagan-Walcott had been part of the York City team that won the National League in dramatic fashion this season.

Fagan-Walcott began his career in Tottenham Hotspur’s academy and made his senior debut during a 3-0 Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig in the 2019/20 season. After a loan spell with Dundee, he joined Cardiff City following his release from Spurs.

Opportunities proved limited in South Wales, leading to further loan moves with Dunfermline Athletic and York City.

It was at York where the defender found his footing, doing enough to earn a permanent switch ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

He went on to play a key role in York’s National League title-winning season, making 36 appearances as the club amassed 108 points to secure promotion back to the EFL.

Fagan-Walcott also made a significant impact in the final third, scoring eight goals and providing four assists from defence.

Fagan-Walcott was previously tight-lipped on his future, telling BBC York: "I don't actually know whose come in.

"I've spoken to my agent, but we're all on cloud nine at the minute and I don't know what's happening."

A year on from Europa League glory and Spurs’ first trophy in 17 years, the north London club face the prospect of a catastrophic first relegation since 1977 if they lose at home and 18th-placed West Ham get the better of Leeds.

The build-up to a seismic match in the history of Tottenham has been overshadowed by the controversial move of injured captain Cristian Romero to fly to Argentina to continue his rehabilitation from a knee issue ahead of the World Cup, but De Zerbi will not waste any energy on the topic.

He said: “I don’t want to answer about Romero, about (Dejan) Kulusevski.

“They can’t play, they don’t play and they are not here. My focus is on Djed Spence, on (Randal) Kolo Muani, on Richarlison.

“We have to play and to play with blood, with character and with spirit because it’s a final. They played a great final last season and they won a trophy.

“Maybe there was a bonus, no? After tomorrow, there is not a trophy, there is not a bonus, there is something more important than a trophy and a bonus, there is the future of the club.

“There is the history of the club, there is the pride of the players, there is the pride of the family of the players, there is the dignity of every one of us, and for that, I can’t lose energy thinking about the next season.”

Romero’s decision to go back to Argentina has sparked anger amongst the fanbase, but there will be support shown for those involved on Sunday with the team coach set to be welcomed to the stadium by thousands of Spurs fans.

De Zerbi was also happy to dish out praise to stand-in captain Micky van de Ven, he added: “I think he is the best centre back in the Premier League.

“We talk a lot of time because I think he suffered maybe too much for the situation of Tottenham this season. He’s a sensitive guy, he’s a good guy and in my time, I think he played amazing.

“And for that, I’d answer he’s the best centre back, left centre, in the Premier League.”

After Kolo Muani produced an abysmal display in a 2-1 loss at Chelsea on Tuesday, De Zerbi must ponder whether to give the Paris St Germain loanee one final chance, but he does have other options, including Spence after his a call-up to England’s World Cup squad.

“I love Djed as a guy,” De Zerbi reflected.

“He has a big heart, he is a big player and a big guy.

“Right wing we can play Kolo Muani, (Lucas) Bergvall, Souza like Liverpool game, we can play Djed Spence.

“We can play Mathys Tel in the right side and (James) Maddison on the left side, or Pape Sarr in the left side and Mathys Tel in the right side.

“We have to find the solution.”

Tottenham’s survival prospects have been significantly lifted by back-to-back away wins, but they remain without a home victory in the Premier League since December 6.

The north London club have won only twice at home in the division all season and were seconds away from a third victory in De Zerbi’s debut in N17 before his old team Brighton produced a last-gasp equaliser.

Asked if the atmosphere at their ground might be part of the problem, De Zerbi insisted: “No, because there are a lot of big stadiums and very nice stadiums, like theatres in the Premier League.

“Tottenham’s stadium is hot. When I was in this stadium with Brighton, in the bench of Brighton, or against Brighton two weeks ago, the stadium was very, very hot.

“And for us, we are lucky to play in this stadium.

“The atmosphere against Brighton was amazing. The bottom of the (table), 60,000 fans to support you, to push you, to stay before the game, during the game, after the game, we have been very close with the (fans) and I think it’s luck for us.”

De Zerbi also pointed to Spurs’ 25-match unbeaten home record in Europe as evidence this season is a one-off.

He added: “I think it was a coincidence, because against Atletico Madrid, they won at home. Against Borussia Dortmund in January, they won at home.

“If you ask me against Brighton? We won, but we didn’t take three points. We took one point, but we won in my head as a performance and if we analyse the game against Brighton, it’s like a win. I think it’s a mistake if we keep the focus on this (poor home form) part.”

For Spurs to secure safety after a terrible campaign they will have to exorcise any demons at home in a similar manner to goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who suffered a nightmare display in Madrid last month but has bounced back admirably.

With Guglielmo Vicario still sidelined after hernia surgery, Kinsky will continue against Leeds and De Zerbi cited him as an example to the whole squad.

“He has a big character, a big personality, a great guy, a great professional and a great keeper. He’s playing very well. He has to stay focused and don’t take risks in any situation, but he’s playing very well. He’s very important for us now,” De Zerbi explained.

“Of course he is an example. Of course what he felt after Madrid, for sure was a big motivation for him.”

De Zerbi described Vicario as still “first choice”, but the Italian could miss the rest of the season and that is almost certainly the case for Dejan Kulusevski, who has targeted a place in Sweden’s World Cup squad despite making no appearances in 12 months after a right patella injury.

“For me it is difficult to understand how he can play the World Cup if he didn’t play any game this season, but I texted him after (Aston Villa),” De Zerbi said.

“He told me the next week I think he will come back (in the country) and I hope he can be available to stay with us (to watch) in the last game because he’s an amazing player.”

Netherlands playmaker Xavi went down clutching his right knee in the 58th minute of Saturday’s 1-0 win at Wolves, which earned Spurs a first Premier League victory of 2026.

After Xavi fell to the floor following a collision with Wolves defender Hugo Bueno, the 23-year-old attempted to run off the injury but collapsed in front of Tottenham’s medical staff and subsequently left Molineux on a stretcher.

It increased fears over potential anterior cruciate ligament damage and, while Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi acknowledged Xavi was feeling “better” in the dressing room after a first league win in 16 matches, he is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

During an Instagram post late on Sunday night, Xavi revealed he would not be fit enough to take part in Tottenham’s final four league matches or represent the Netherlands at the World Cup this summer.

“They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way. My season has come to an abrupt end and I’m just trying to process it,” the former Paris St Germain player said.

“Honestly, I’m heartbroken. None of it makes sense.

“All I’ve wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me, along with the World Cup.”

https://x.com/OnsOranje/status/2048644780624678949

The absence of £52million attacker Xavi is a significant blow to Tottenham and De Zerbi, who has already lost captain Cristian Romero and winger Mohammed Kudus to season-ending injuries during his first month at the club.

Xavi had endured a frustrating debut campaign in England, only showing flashes of his class under Thomas Frank before being bizarrely frozen out by Igor Tudor, but looked set for a key role with De Zerbi, especially after a wonder strike in a 2-2 home draw with Brighton.

Instead, Xavi can play no part in Spurs’ desperate efforts to overturn a two-point deficit to 17th-placed West Ham in order to avoid their first relegation in 49 years.

Xavi added: “It’ll take some time to find peace with this but I’ll continue to be the best team-mate I can be. I have no doubt that together we’ll win this fight.

“I’ll walk this path now, guided by faith, with strength, with resilience, with belief as I count down the days to getting back out there. Be patient with me.”

Spurs are 17th after a 13-match winless run in the Premier League and with seven games left have turned to Roberto De Zerbi in a bid to retain top-flight status.

During a hugely disappointing season Gray has been a standout performer, and David Howells – who helped Tottenham avoid relegation twice in 1994 and 1997 – believes others must follow the lead of the 20-year-old ahead of Sunday’s trip to Sunderland.

“You definitely would hope that some of the older players would look across at Archie in the changing room and say, ‘look at this young man, he’s stepping up and it’s not fazing him, this is where we all need to be in terms of attitude and performance’. Yeah, absolutely he’s been the one consistent shining light,” Howells told the Press Association.

“I thought he was our best player again (against Nottingham Forest). I did say after the game against Atletico Madrid that he looked like an England midfielder, I did because he really looked the part.

“It is a credit to himself because a young lad like that, playing in a team that’s really struggling, he could sink but he’s actually gone the other way and been the best player in most of the games he has played.

“Yeah, massive credit to him and really exciting to see a young player like that at this time thinking about what he could become because the sky’s the limit.”

Gray’s consistent form for Spurs has occurred despite being used as a Swiss army knife again – after he started 18 games at centre-back during the 2024-25 campaign.

Igor Tudor only lasted seven matches at Tottenham this term but initially used Gray as a right wing-back and then left-back before the Leeds academy graduate got a run in his favoured central midfield position.

It was a similar story under Thomas Frank, who did at least give Gray his first run in midfield, but England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley believes that versatility is a positive, especially at a time when senior boss Thomas Tuchel is assessing options for this summer’s World Cup.

“I think midfield is probably his favoured position, but I always say to young players and especially if you’re picking a squad for a tournament, if you have a player that can play right-back, centre-back and centre midfield, it’s highly valuable,” Carsley told PA.

“It is better to play than not so it is finding a way of staying in the team.”

Gray had nailed down a midfield spot under Tudor and started to show an improved passing range along with his supreme levels of fitness, but a clean slate will begin under De Zerbi.

Nevertheless, Carsley feels Gray has made a leap in his development and it should earn the teenager a starting berth during a high-pressure seven-match spell.

Carsley added: “With player development, it seems to happen in spurts… to then ‘where did that come from?’.

“Definitely Archie is in that form at the minute that he’s looking powerful, looking strong, he can run with the ball, move the ball really well and bearing in mind he’s playing in a team that is not playing well, he is standing out and that’s testament to him.”

The Paris St Germain loanee suffered a blow to his jaw in Spurs’ 2-2 draw with Manchester United on November 8 and subsequently missed international duty with France.

He joined a lengthy injury list for Tottenham, but Frank provided positive updates on a number of players and Kolo Muani can unexpectedly play after he was fitted with a protective mask in order to train this week.

“Pape (Sarr) trained today, ready and available. Lucas (Bergvall) trained today and is available. Kolo Muani, yes trained today, available – of course he has a mask he needs to play with,” Frank revealed.

Defenders Ben Davies and Kota Takai also returned to training this week and centre-back Radu Dragusin took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly earlier this month to step up his recovery after he sustained anterior cruciate ligament damage in January.

Archie Gray is another back and Mohammed Kudus, who missed international duty with Ghana, has also returned to training in a further boost for Frank.

James Maddison, Yves Bissouma and Dejan Kulusevski remain sidelined along with Dominic Solanke, who has not featured since August 23 and had minor surgery on his ankle last month.

Frank added: “Dom is not ready yet. We are very aware that when we put him out there, we want to be as sure as we can that there will be no setback going forward. I am comfortable he will soon be ready.”

The British billionaire, who handed ownership of the club to the Lewis Family Trust in 2022, was fined five million US dollars (£3.8 million) after he pleaded guilty in January 2024 to charges alleging he had committed securities fraud and conspired to commit securities fraud by insider trading.

A White House official confirmed the pardon and said Lewis, 88, requested it so that he could receive medical treatment and visit his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the US, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

He had initially denied the charges of securities fraud and conspiracy with which he was faced.

According to prosecutors, he passed secrets to romantic partners, personal assistants and friends.

The information allowed them to bet on companies in which he had invested, using information only those with access to the business could have known.

The Lewis family took full operational control of Tottenham this year, after former chairman Daniel Levy stepped down.

Lewis will not be returning to the club, which will continue to be run by the next generation of the Lewis family.

Lewis said: “I am pleased all of this is now behind me, and I can enjoy retirement and watch as my family and extended family continue to build our businesses based on the quality and pursuit of excellence that has become our trademark.”

A source close to the family added: “Joe and the Lewis family are extremely grateful for this pardon and would like to thank President Trump for taking this action.

“Over his long business career, Joe has been a visionary, creating businesses across the world which multiple generations of his family are now taking forward.

“This is why there is so much more to the Joe Lewis story than this one event.”

Lewis built his wealth through the investment company Tavistock Group, and bought a controlling stake in Tottenham Hotspur in 2001.

In 2022 he ceded control of the club and formally handed his stake to a family trust and has no day-to-day involvement with the club.

Spurs is now run by Joe Lewis’s daughter Vivienne, his son Charles, and Vivienne’s husband Nick Beucher, as well as non-executive chairman Peter Charrington and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.

Mr Levy stepped down as chairman of the club in September after nearly 25 years.

The announcement on Thursday morning is the latest statement of intent by the Lewis family Trust, which invited Daniel Levy to step down as chairman on September 4 in an effort to achieve more on-field success at Spurs.

Three expressions of interest in buying a stake in Premier League club Tottenham have been “unequivocally rejected” during the last month by the Lewis family Trust and further funds are available to help Thomas Frank, the PA news agency understands.

A source close to the family told PA said: “This is initial additional funding.

“As the club’s management decides what’s needed to deliver success, more money will be available. The Lewis family is committed to backing the club to be successful.”

A statement on the official club website claimed “this equity injection will further strengthen the club’s financial position and equip the club’s leadership team with additional resources to continue the focus on driving long-term sporting success”.

New Spurs boss Frank has made a strong start to life in north London, winning six of his opening 11 matches in charge and guiding the club to third in the Premier League going into the October international break.

Peter Charrington, who was named non-executive chairman in the wake of Levy’s sudden departure, said: “As I stated a few weeks ago, our focus is on stability and empowering the management team to deliver on the club’s ambitions.

“I know the Lewis family are also ambitious for the future. Today’s capital commitment reflects that ambition and I would like to thank them for their ongoing support.

“We will continue to do all we can to ensure that Vinai (Venkatesham, CEO) and his team are supported in the best way possible to take this club forward.”

Uruguay international Bentancur joined Spurs at the start of 2022 from Juventus and has gone on to make 122 appearances for the Premier League club – including starting their Europa League final triumph in May.

The 28-year-old had entered the final 12 months of his previous deal but has committed his long-term future to Tottenham.

Ahead of Spurs’ trip to Leeds on Saturday, Frank said of Bentancur: “I am very happy with him as a player and as a character.

“I think when he plays at his best level he is a top-level midfielder here in the Premier League and I probably need to see a little bit more consistency there.

“I also want him to – and I told him myself – dictate the game a bit more and get on the ball when it’s tough because he’s so good on the ball.

“He is so composed and so good to get the ball in tight areas and get out of situations. That I would like to see a little bit more.

“So, I think that is the first bit and he can easily add goals to his game, but the more we can control the middle of the pitch with him, the better.”

Bentancur was surprisingly left out of the leadership group named by Frank later on Friday.

Captain Cristian Romero is joined in the five-player group by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, long-serving defender Ben Davies, Micky van de Ven and James Maddison.

Pedro Porro, who captained Spurs against Doncaster last week, was also left out, but Frank talked up the importance of the duo.

Frank explained: “First and foremost, there is quite a few with leadership potential in them. The more we can have that want to speak up and take responsibility for the bigger picture, the better. That’s what creates the best teams.

“I agree with Rodri Bentancur and Pedro, especially the two of them. They are two I want to take a lot of responsibility.

“I think they do very well, but I also think this group also covers the squad to make sure we get around to everyone, make sure all the groups, even though we’re one big group, are touched and in sync, so lots of factors into that.”

Romero missed the midweek 2-2 draw at Bodo/Glimt as a “precaution” but Frank revealed he is available to play at Leeds in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.

Paris St Germain loanee Randal Kolo Muani has also returned to training after a dead leg, although he is not fit enough to feature at Elland Road.

“Yes, Romero is fit and available and he will start tomorrow. Promising news. I think there was a contact to the foot and the medical team did a good job to get him turned around,” Frank revealed.

“Kolo Muani has been on the pitch the last two days, so that’s very positive.”