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Tottenham are always active in monitoring defensive reinforcements, especially with the January transfer window fast approaching.

However, their name has recently been linked with a player whose circumstances may raise eyebrows among fans.

While the North London side are known for their meticulous approach to transfers, reports surrounding this potential addition have been anything but clear.

One moment, the player is touted as a target; the next, it's suggested the club were approached instead. Amid the speculation, Fabrizio Romano has provided some much-needed clarity.

The Italian transfer expert has shed light on the future of a player who was once a rising star in the Premier League but has seen his career take an unexpected turn.

Tottenham target Ben Godfrey is no longer part of Atalanta's plans

Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Ben Godfrey, currently at Atalanta, is no longer part of the Italian club’s plans.

The former Everton defender moved to Serie A last summer but has struggled to secure consistent game time under Gian Piero Gasperini.

His exclusion from Atalanta’s Super Cup squad was the clearest indication yet that his time in Bergamo is coming to an end.

Although some outlets initially linked Tottenham with a potential move for the versatile defender, Romano clarified that Ipswich Town are now leading the race for his signature.

Talks between Ipswich and Atalanta are underway, with a loan deal being discussed as the most likely outcome.

Romano took to X (formerly Twitter) to state, “Ipswich Town are in talks with Atalanta for Ben Godfrey. Discussions will follow.”

Whether this means Tottenham’s interest was overstated or their priorities lie elsewhere remains unclear.

Tottenham's perspective and fan reactions

For Tottenham, Godfrey’s availability may seem appealing at first glance. The 25-year-old offers pace, versatility, and Premier League experience.

However, his recent struggles raise valid questions about whether he fits the calibre required for a team aiming for silverware.

Fans have voiced skepticism over a potential move, citing the defender’s decline in form over the past 18 months.

Tottenham’s past success with high-quality defensive signings like Cristian Romero further highlights the gap between Godfrey’s current level and what the club demands.

While Ipswich Town appear to be the frontrunners, Tottenham fans can rest assured that their club seems focused on higher-profile targets to strengthen their backline.

Tottenham has also been linked to PSG defender Milan Skriniar, although as we can read in Paris Saint-Germain News, the Slovak is close to being loaned to Galatasaray.

To begin with, Tottenham Hotspur were hit with a ludicrous injury crisis. After the win over Manchester City in November, it was confirmed that first choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario would be out “for months”, after an ankle injury he suffered in the game.Â

Then we saw Ben Davies pick up an injury in the defeat away to AFC Bournemouth. Three days later, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero picked up injuries at home to Chelsea, having both just returned from their previous injuries. All three are not expected back until the end of the month.

Since then, we saw Radu Dragusin pick up an injury against Nottingham Forest, but be forced to play through it three days later vs Wolves, a game where Destiny Udogie picked up an injury of his own, which will keep him out for at least six weeks, and potentially up to ten.Â

Throughout all of this, Spurs have been without their back up for Dominic Solanke in Richarlison, who had returned from injury against Aston Villa, got an assist, and re injured himself in the process. That day, the 3rd of November, was also the last time we saw Mikey Moore.Â

Then, just to somehow make things twice as worse, a sickness bug began to go around the first team squad. It was reported earlier that Fraser Forster, Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, and James Maddison have fallen ill this week.

Brandon Austin set to make his unexpected Tottenham debut

This marries up with a report from talkSPORT, who have suggested that Forster will not feature against his boyhood club Newcastle United tomorrow lunchtime, and that Brandon Austin — at 25 – is set to make his first ever competitive appearance for the Tottenham Hotspur first team instead.

Back in 2015, Austin joined the club from Chelsea, but has had to wait until now for his opportunity in the first team. His only experience of first team football was a loan spell at Danish side Viborg FF in 2019, and MLS side Orlando City in 2021 — with a combined 19 appearances across both loan spells.

There is one thing being thrown into your unexpected debut with a back four of an on form; Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie— but with the beyond makeshift back four that will be wheeled out tomorrow, well, talk about being thrown straight into the deep end.

Poor fella. Get through tomorrow’s game with no more injuries or suspensions and it will almost feel like a win no matter what the score is.

Tottenham fans have reason to look ahead with excitement as the club welcomes another promising young talent into its fold.

Amidst a challenging season, the arrival of Yang Min-Hyeok, a dynamic teenager from the K-League, signals the Spurs’ ongoing commitment to building for the future.

At just 18 years old, Yang has already garnered attention for his impressive performances in his home league.

Now, he embarks on the next chapter of his career in North London, aiming to establish himself at one of the Premier League’s most high-profile clubs.

But as with any young talent making such a significant leap, the question remains: how soon can he make his mark?

The young winger, capable of playing on both flanks, is seen as a potential asset for a squad in need of depth in wide positions.

Yang Min-hyeok has officially joined Tottenham following the conclusion of the K-League season. However, manager Ange Postecoglou has made it clear that Yang will not be rushed into action.

Ange Postecoglou said Yang Min-Hyeok needs time time to settle

Speaking to Football London, Postecoglou emphasised the importance of allowing Yang to adapt to his new environment.

"No real plan at the moment. He is still very young and has come in from the other side of the world where the level of competition is nowhere near what he is going to face here," Postecoglou said.

"It helps that Sonny is here and kind of helps him around when he is at the club and outside the club. We are just trying to get him settled early and give him the chance to settle in," he added.

With 12 goals and 5 assists in his last K-League campaign, Yang has demonstrated an impressive ability to perform at a senior level.

Yet, the transition to English football is a steep one, particularly for a player moving so far from home at such a young age.

Ange Postecoglou preaches patience

Beyond his on-field talent, Yang’s journey will involve adapting to life in London and the rigours of the Premier League.

Postecoglou’s mention of Son Heung-Min, Tottenham’s star, and Yang’s compatriot, suggests that Son’s mentorship could be a key factor in easing the teenager’s adjustment.

Yang’s skill set and maturity at 18 are reasons for optimism. However, Spurs fans are urged to temper their expectations.

This season will likely serve as a crucial acclimatisation period, setting the stage for Yang to shine in seasons to come.

With Tottenham continuing to rebuild and refine its squad, Yang Min-Hyeok's development is one to watch—a story of talent, patience, and the promise of a brighter future.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly eyeing up a move for a rising star in the Premier League, as the club seeks to reinforce its attacking options during the upcoming January transfer window.

The young striker in question is Evan Ferguson, a promising talent who has already impressed despite his tender age.

But Tottenham are said to be keen on securing him on one important condition – and it's not just about bringing him in on a loan deal.

As Spurs prepare to bolster their squad, reports indicate that one of the positions they are targeting is centre-forward.

With current striker Dominic Solanke their main option, Tottenham is looking to bring in competition for the role, especially given the struggles of Richarlison due to his injury woes.

Tottenham could sign Evan Ferguson

Ferguson, a 20-year-old forward from Brighton & Hove Albion, is reportedly now on Tottenham’s radar.

Tottenham’s interest in Ferguson comes after the striker’s injury-plagued season so far, with the young forward having faced a series of setbacks.

According to TEAMtalk, the Republic of Ireland international is expected to be available for a loan move, and Spurs have been monitoring his situation closely.

However, the club is hesitant to pursue a loan deal that would only benefit Brighton in the long run.

Spurs are reportedly only willing to complete a deal if Brighton agrees to include an option or obligation to buy Ferguson after the loan period.

This stipulation is seen as crucial for Tottenham, as they don’t want to develop a player for another club.

Ferguson's potential has already caught the eye of several other Premier League sides, which could see the North London club act quickly to secure his signature.

Competition for Evan Ferguson's signature

While Tottenham are keen on bringing Ferguson to the club, they face stiff competition from other Premier League teams.

Chelsea, long-term admirers of the young striker, have reportedly identified him as one of their top targets for January.

Leicester and West Ham are also said to be in the mix, having already approached Ferguson’s agent regarding a potential move.

Tottenham will need to act swiftly if they hope to secure the talented forward, as the competition for his signature is heating up.

With other clubs vying for his services, Ferguson’s next move could be a highly sought-after one.

The current injury crisis that Tottenham Hotspur are enduring is very well documented. It's like something you have never seen before. Their three first choice central defenders, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Ben Davies are set to miss at least the vast majority of the packed January schedule. First choice keeper Guglielmo Vicario is expected to be back in February or March.

Then, first choice left-back Destiny Udogie picked up an injury, which will rule him out for at least six weeks. Oh, and third choice central defender Davies is also Udogie's deputy at left-back. So there is that. Oh yeah, and other left-back option, Djed Spence, is not registered for the Europa League until the knockout stages.

In attack, Mikey Moore has been ill for two months, whilst Richarlison has barely kicked a ball. As a result, the likes of Heung-Min Son and Dominic Solanke have been used like a bar of soap, and are running on empty.

So, it cannot get any worse - can it? Well, Ange confirmed that there has been a sickness bug within the squad, and a report has now suggested that Fraser Forster, Radu Dragusin, Archie Gray, and James Maddison have been ill. The report also says that "Forster is not nailed on to play tomorrow."

Spurs potentially without another four players on Saturday

Perhaps this is clutching at desperate straws, but perhaps name dropping Forster as not a guarantee to play, means that the others are? Admittedly a bit of wishful thinking though. Even just that feels like a bit of a nightmare, as dodgy as he has been at times. 25-year old Brandon Austin has never played a senior, competitive game in his career.

Furthermore, the ever reliable Paul O Keefe, who fans often go to for news regarding Spurs, was asked if there was any truth to this, in which he responded: "I'm avoiding this place when the team drops tomorrow. Happy new year." Which may just about tell you everything.

Imagine if those four players are genuinely all unavailable for the game against Newcastle United? In the absence of Maddison, Spurs could play Pape Sarr and Dejan Kulusevski as the two number eights. That doesn't feel too bad, although it would be a crying shame for Maddison personally, with new England manager Thomas Tuchel set to be in attendance.

At the back, though. Wow. Yves Bissouma had been a player who some had suggested could fill in at centre-back, but with Rodrigo Bentancur suspended, he will be needed in midfield. Alfie Dorrington, who made his debut at Southampton, will surely be one to come in. But who next to him? Youngster Dante Cassanova was on the bench for the defeat at Galatasaray, perhaps him.

Never, ever seen anything like this. Every club has had a depleted squad at some point before, but to this extent is just absolutely insane.

According to a recent report from journalist Santi Aouna, Tottenham Hotspur have shown an interest in Eintracht Frankfurt foward Omar Marmoush. He states that there is also interest from Liverpool and Manchester City, with the player preferring the latter option.

Spurs interested in the Bundesliga revelation of 24/25

The 25-year old is having his breakout year in the Bundesliga, having scored 13 goals and provided seven assists in 15 league games so far. Only Harry Kane has netted more goals so far. On top of that, he has also created nine big chances, completed 2.6 successful dribbles per game, and created over two chances per game.

His 13 goals come from an xG of just 7.58, and five of those goals have been direct free-kicks, a trait Spurs do not have much of it in the current squad, particularly outside of James Maddison. The above dribbling stat puts him miles ahead of anyone in the current squad too. At the moment, Dejan Kulusevski's 1.5 dribbles per game is the most of any player, yet still 1.1 fewer a game than Marmoush.

The Egyptian forward is a versatile player, capable of playing off the left, as a number ten - or up front. So far this season, he has generally played as a striker in a front two, playing off of Hugo Ekitike, who provides an outlet in a similar way to Dominic Solanke.

Not only has he been impressive this season in the Bundesliga, but he has also carried this form into Europe - scoring four goals and providing two assists in 408 Europa League minutes so far this campaign, as Frankfurt sit in 5th place in the league phases, four places ahead of Ange Postecoglu's side.

As it stands, the forward has two and a half years left on his current contract in Germany. These middling contract scenarios are often hard to guage in terms of a price. It isn't what you would describe as a long term deal, but neither one that is soon running out. Whatever he ends up going for, they will make a nice profit - having signed him on a free transfer from VFL Wolfsburg in the summer of 2023.

As per a recent report out of Spain, Tottenham Hotspur are considering cutting Alejo Veliz' season long loan at RCD Espanyol short this January, with the club already looking for new clubs to send the striker to the finish the 24/25 season.

Alejo Veliz to be recalled and sent on a different loan

It has been a difficult loan for Veliz to date, with just one La Liga goal in 756 minutes. His solitary goal was back on the 31st of August, a last minute winner against Rayo Vallecano. He did score a hat-trick in the Copa Del Rey, though that should be caveated by the non league opposition that they were playing against.

Although he was not scoring goals, the beginning of his loan spell did at least bring some consistent game time, with the forward often named in the starting XI. However, over the last couple of months, he has found those regular minutes harder to come by. He has only started one game in La Liga since the 19th of October, and has been an unused sub in four of their last six league games.

Mind you, this situation is not as bad as last season, where Veliz played 47 minutes of league action during a six month loan to Sevilla. It does feel like the club chose the loan destination a bit more wisely this time, and have been a bit unfortunate in the last couple of months. That too, and they appear to be proactive in terms of sending him elsewhere for the second half of the season.

He is not the only loanee that has been reported to be sent on another loan for the second half of the season, with the same said to be happening with Matthew Craig, after seeing game time incredibly limited of late during his spell at League One outfit Barnsley.

These six months do feel important for the forward, who found himself below Will Lankshear in the pecking order during pre-season, with the Englishman also two years junior. Without trying to be too harsh, it is probably hard to see a future for him in N17 should this potential new loan not go very well for the player.

Tottenham Hotspur run the risk of not signing Patrick Dorgu, as Lecce have upped their transfer fee to £30m this January. It is due to increased interest.

Tottenham Hotspur would like to strengthen their defence. Ange Postecoglou cannot keep relying on the same handful of players who, while they clearly ooze quality, cannot maintain fitness levels. To combat this, the solution is clear - Money must be spent in January.

In Tottenham's last match, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies were forced to miss out through injury. Further salt was rubbed into the wounds when Destiny Udogie was forced off the pitch due to injury too.

Tottenham run the risk of missing out on £30m transfer target

According to a report from Danny Rust and Dean Jones of GIVEMESPORT, Tottenham now run the risk of missing out on Patrick Dorgu of Lecce. This is due to the Italian side increasing their asking price to £30m, due to becoming aware of interest from many different clubs.

Lecce sit 17th in the Serie A table and they are walking on thin ice of walking the plank towards the second tier of Italian football. It is for this reason why many clubs are keeping an eye on Dorgu... But it's not the only reason.

Dorgu is one of the most versatile players in the world. It is difficult to pinpoint his best position because it's, well, everywhere. This season, he has played as a full-back on both sides, a winger on both flanks and in the midfield.

So, it's blatantly obvious why Ange Postecoglou wants to sign him. He is a player with the Postecoglou prototype plastered all over him.

The Aussie boss favours those players who can play in multiple positions at the best of times, let alone during an injury crisis. Indeed, Dorgu would make an immediate impact at Tottenham, slotting into those positions of need.

According to the report, Ange Postecoglou will operate with a measly budget of £25million in the January transfer window. Therefore, if Lecce really have upped their demands, then they have essentially priced Tottenham out of the equation.

But they have every right to do that, of course. For Lecce, it would make little to no sense to sell Dorgu, who remains their best asset. After all, if they are to remain in the top flight this season, then it'll be the core of key players such as Dorgu who are pivotal to that.

This weekend, Spurs will welcome Newcastle United to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as they desperately try to arrest the current slide in form, that sees them sitting in 11th place in the Premier League table at the exact midway stage of the 24/25 season. Â

Whilst the players will be wanting to win first and foremost, there will also be some individual motivation for this particular game for a few select players from both teams for this game. Â

New national team boss set to watch Tottenham Hotspur pair

According to a report from The Athletic, new England manager Thomas Tuchel, who was appointed back in October, and officially started his post on New Year’s Day, will be in attendance at the game – seemingly the first game he will be attending since his appointment.Â

They report that the manager will have his eyes on ‘the likes’ of Dominic Solanke and James Maddison – as well as Lewis Hall and Anthony Gordon for the visitors. It has previously been suggested that Tuchel is a big fan of Maddison in particular, and tried to sign him from Leicester City during his time in the Premier League at Chelsea.Â

Back in October, we saw Solanke get his first England call up for seven years, registering an assist off the bench against Greece. In November, he added cap three against the same opponents, and cap four against the Republic of Ireland, where he partnered former Spurs striker Harry Kane. Â

Ironically enough, you do fear both Hall and Gordon impressing Tuchel, the thought of those combining to create opportunities in behind a clearly out of sorts Pedro Porro, is pretty petrifying even to the most optimistic fan. Â

To go back to Maddison for a moment, the 28-year old will feel particularly incentivised to impress. Having been included in the March 2024 squad for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, as well as the Euros provisional squad – not making the final tournament squad, nor the subsequent three squads in the Autumn, will no doubt have hurt him.Â

The midfielder was in a good run of form heading into Christmas, before finding himself amongst the substitutes for the game against Nottingham Forest and Wolves. He will want to start every game, but particularly this one with Tuchel in attendance. Â

Let’s hope both players can impress their new manager by getting on the score sheet and helping Spurs to a vitally important win. Â

During the festive period, it is easy to lose track of time and what day it is, especially in the week after Christmas and before the New Year. This coupled with the amount of football that has been played over the last couple of weeks, it is easy to forget another weekend of football is on the horizon.Â

With this, there are plenty of games for Tottenham Hotspur loanees over the next couple of days. Let’s see how things are shaping up ahead of another slate of games. Â

How the first weekend slate of 2025 is currently looking

As always, we begin in the Championship. Despite talk about both players being recalled in January, as it stands, both Ashley Phillips and Dane Scarlett are with their respective loan sides. To begin, Phillips’ Stoke City side host Plymouth Argyle in the first game under new manager Mark Robins. This game is a 12:30 GMT kick off. Â

Then, Scarlett’s Oxford United side will travel North to face Preston North End. The U’s have won all three games under Gary Rowett so far, but Scarlett has seen the pitch for just four minutes across those games – hence the talk of a potential recall. 15:00 GMT kick off for this one.Â

In League One, Josh Keeley, Jamie Donley, and Leyton Orient will be looking to continue their superb run of form, as they host lowly Shrewsbury Town. Richie Wellens’ side could find themselves two points off a play off position with a game in hand should they collect maximum points in this one. 15:00 GMT kick off. Â

This one feels a bit null to report, but Matthew Craig has not been recalled by Spurs yet, despite his untenable position at Barnsley. As it stands, he is still on loan there, with his temporary side hosting Crawley Town at the same time. Â

Finally, in League Two – George Abbott and his Notts County side will host Swindon Town, as they look to bounce back from their defeat against Walsall last time out, which stopped a run of three consecutive wins. Â