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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

With the January transfer window now open and underway, players across the globe are now allowed to speak to clubs from abroad. There are already plenty of names being discussed in the footballing world - notably the consistent talk of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Spurs can now talk to potential transfer targets that they have been linked to, such as Angel Gomes and Jonathan David. On the other side of the coin, there are five players in the current squad who are now allowed to talk to clubs from abroad.

Handful of Tottenham Hotspur players soon out of contract

Those five players are: Heung-Min Son, Ben Davies, Fraser Forster, Alfie Whiteman, and Sergio Reguilon. Fans will remember this situation happening with Christian Eriksen back in January 2020, with the midfielder eventually moving to Inter Milan.

That list was consciously put in order. The final two could be flipped, but Whiteman being homegrown prevented him from the wooden spoon here. Spurs do have a club option to extend Son's contract, but there are growing murmurs of interest in the skipper from elsewhere, such as a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Turkish side Fenerbahce.

As for Davies, it feels like the sensible option to give him another year. Spurs have enough injury worries as it is, never mind with him not at the club. Admittedly, he is currently unavailable - but how many times has that been the case in more than a decade at the club? His experience and versatility are still useful as a back up option.

There will be people rolling their eyes reading that and saying "no ambition" but there are squad fillers at all top clubs. Real Madrid have had the likes of Nacho and Lucas Vazquez play a big part in their success when called upon. Is there really a substantial difference in quality between those two and Davies?

After the draw against Rangers in the Europa League, a lot of fans would have been okay with Forster extending for another year. Definitely a lot less so now. Homegrown goalkeeper who is fine to be back up is convenient, but Spurs do need someone who does not treat the ball like a ticking time bomb to fill in when necessary. It will for sure be hard to find someone who can do that, whilst also being homegrown and willing to be number two.

You can't imagine the fanbase will be up at night wondering whether or not Whiteman is going to get a new contract. It's probably about time he goes somewhere to get games, even if it is quite the drop down the pyramid. As for Reguilon, with all due respect - there really is nothing to discuss with that one.

This weekend, for match day twenty of the current Premier League campaign, Tottenham Hotspur will host Newcastle United, as they look for their first win league win at home since a 4-1 triumph over Aston Villa on the 3rd of November.

Their visitors come into the game on the back of five straight victories, with four of those being in the league, and are playing some of their best football in a long time. There is huge dread heading into the game from the Spurs fanbase.

Not only have Eddie Howe's side scored 16 goals across those five games, they have looked impressive defensively, only conceding once - a consolation for Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Newcastle United given a big boost ahead of the weekend

They are now set to be given a further defensive boost ahead of the game, with Sven Botman - who suffered an ACL injury last March - confirming that he is available for this game. The game he suffered the injury in was the last time he took to the pitch for the first team - with an hour for the U21s last month the only game of any kind in that time. Very typical.

Additionally, former Tottenham Hotspur right-back, Kieran Trippier, who went off injured against Manchester United last time out, is set to be fine for the game. The 34-year old has not always played over Tino Livramento this season, but his set piece delivery as well as general crossing, could be a serious threat for a fragile Spurs defence, particularly with Alekander Isak lurking inside the box.

The good news, however, is Fabian Schar picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in that win at Old Trafford, and will therefore be unavailable for selection here. That game was the cut off for yellow cards to be swiped, so, seemingly for once - Spurs have managed to get on the fortunate side of that one.

Tottenham's Brennan Johnson and James Maddison found themselves at the centre of controversy after their appearance at the World Darts Championship.

The two players were spotted at Alexandra Palace, sparking an online backlash from some fans who were unimpressed by their socialising so soon after the disappointing result just hours after Spurs' frustrating 2-2 draw with Wolves.

While fans vented their frustrations, some even calling for manager Ange Postecoglou’s exit, the situation quickly caught the attention of TV commentator Ian Darke.

Fans lash out at Tottenham players

Ian Darke weighed in on the matter, stating that such criticism was out of proportion and that the players deserved some downtime despite the club's struggles.

This sparked further debate on whether players should be free to enjoy their recreation time or if they should be solely focused on Tottenham’s performance.

After the draw with Wolves, Tottenham supporters were already on edge, with many disappointed by the result.

The frustration only grew when Brennan Johnson and James Maddison were seen at the darts tournament, which led to intense criticism from certain fans on social media.

Maddison, who was singled out by one supporter, didn’t hold back, calling the fan a 'wally' for questioning his choice of activity after the match.

Ian Darke, however, exclusively told Tottenham News: "It’s a good story for the newspapers I suppose, and in Tottenham’s current situation, people were going to pounce on it, I think," Darke said.

“Some of them look at the wall and feel depressed all night, and others get on with their lives. It’s a storm in a teacup, really. It doesn’t affect their ability to play for Tottenham or mean they don’t care,” he added.

A deeper look into the situation

The timing of the event, however, seemed to fuel the criticism further.

Tottenham's season has been a turbulent one, with the team failing to live up to expectations, putting additional pressure on Postecoglou to deliver results.

Despite individual performances from Johnson and Maddison, the overall team results have been lacking, which may have contributed to the anger surrounding the darts appearance.

As Darke pointed out, this is ultimately a 'storm in a teacup' and the situation would likely be forgotten quickly if Spurs can get back to winning ways, starting with their match against Newcastle United on 4 January.

The win could act as a much-needed confidence booster and help ease tensions among fans. For now, however, the controversy lingers—though it may fade if the team starts performing better.

Tottenham’s season has been anything but smooth sailing, yet one player continues to shine amid the turmoil.

The Swedish international, Dejan Kulusevski, has been a beacon of consistency in a team struggling to find its footing.

However, rumours of discontent and a potential move abroad are now stirring speculation about his future in North London.

For Spurs, despite being surrounded by transfer rumours lately, the prospect of losing one of their most dependable performers this season is deeply concerning.

Yet, whispers from Italy suggest that the dynamic attacker might be considering a return to Serie A, a league where he has already made a name for himself.

Kulusevski’s departure may be the next twist in Tottenham’s turbulent narrative. Let’s delve into the details of this unfolding story.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic contacts Dejan Kulusevski to discuss potential transfer

Reports from MilanLive reveal that AC Milan are closely monitoring Kulusevski’s situation.

The Italian giants are said to be preparing a move to lure the versatile attacker to the San Siro, potentially offering him a fresh start in a more 'stable environment'.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, now an influential figure behind the scenes at Milan, has reportedly contacted his compatriot to discuss the possibility of a transfer.

For the Rossoneri, Kulusevski represents an ideal addition to their squad, with his ability to operate across multiple attacking roles.

However, the financial aspect could complicate matters. Tottenham have reportedly set an asking price of €50 million (£41.4 million) for the 24-year-old, a sum that Milan may struggle to match outright.

To navigate this hurdle, the Serie A side might explore a loan deal with an option to buy, potentially funded by the sale of players like Samuel Chukwueze.

Dejan Kulusevski’s season in numbers

Despite Tottenham’s struggles, Kulusevski has been in fine form, registering seven goals and eight assists across all competitions so far.

His ability to consistently deliver standout performances has made him a crucial player in an otherwise faltering campaign.

These are Dejan Kulusevski's statistics for the 24/25 season.

* Data provided by Sofascore.

For Milan, securing Kulusevski would not only bolster their attacking options but also bring a player familiar with the demands of top-flight football in Europe. Yet, whether they can meet Spurs’ valuation remains to be seen.

As Tottenham fans closely follow this unfolding saga, the potential loss of Kulusevski would undoubtedly create a substantial gap in a squad already grappling with various challenges.

Attention now shifts to Milan and their impending decisions in what is shaping up to be a compelling transfer narrative.

Tottenham are reportedly looking to strengthen their attacking options, with a potential move for a player currently making waves in the Scottish Premier League.

After a solid start to the season, there’s a sense that the club could benefit from adding more firepower to their squad.

A familiar name has popped up on their radar, and it comes from a club that has become somewhat of a hotspot for talent in recent years, Celtic.

While Tottenham’s new signing, Dominic Solanke, has shown promise, some of their other forwards, including team captain Heung-Min Son, have struggled to maintain their expected form.

With the January transfer window approaching, Tottenham could be planning a move for a winger who has been in red-hot form this season.

Tottenham reportedly interested in Celtic's Nicolas Kuhn

The player in question is 24-year-old Nicolas Kuhn, a winger who joined Celtic from Rapid Wien over the summer.

Since his arrival in Glasgow, Kuhn has been nothing short of sensational, becoming one of the best performers in the Scottish Premier League.

The German forward, who is versatile enough to play across the front three but favours the right-wing, has already netted 14 goals and provided 11 assists across all competitions.

His form has reportedly caught the eye of Spurs, who are now said to be plotting a move for the player.

However, Tottenham are not the only Premier League club interested in Kuhn’s services. According to TEAMtalk, both Brentford and Brighton are also monitoring the winger’s progress, with the latter two teams said to be making ‘serious bids’ for him in the coming weeks.

A strong record, but a question of transition

While Kuhn’s SPL performances have been exceptional, many question whether the standard of the Scottish league can truly reflect a player’s ability to perform in the Premier League.

It’s widely acknowledged that many teams in Scotland are not at the same level as those in England’s top flight.

Kuhn’s past record in Germany and Austria also doesn’t raise many eyebrows, but his performances in Europe’s premier competition this season tell a different story.

With two goals and an assist in the Champions League, Kuhn has shown he can compete on a higher stage.

With clubs like Brentford and Brighton also interested, however, Tottenham will have to move quickly to secure Kuhn’s signature.

Tottenham Hotspur fans have been eagerly awaiting a busy January transfer window, but it seems they might have to wait a bit longer for any major signings.

With the team struggling with injuries and a busy schedule ahead, many hoped the club would make a splash in the winter window to bolster their squad. However, recent reports suggest that Tottenham’s plans are much more modest than expected.

Injuries have plagued the squad, with several players sidelined, and fans have been calling for reinforcements in key areas.

Yet, while Tottenham’s needs are clear, the club has decided to take a different approach for now. The January window may not see the dramatic arrivals that many hoped for, leaving fans questioning the club’s strategy going forward.

No major additions in January for Tottenham

Reports have emerged that Tottenham are unlikely to make any significant signings in January.

According to The Times, the club’s focus will be on adding depth to the squad rather than bringing in star players.

This is in part due to the difficulty in acquiring top-tier targets midway through the season.

While Spurs have shown interest in several areas, including a centre-back, left-back, midfielder, forward, and goalkeeper, they may hold off on big moves until the summer.

The decision is partly driven by the club’s ongoing struggles with player availability. With a number of muscle injuries, Tottenham need to ensure they have enough bodies to cope with the packed fixture list in the coming months.

A left-sided defender is on the cards, as the club seeks to cover for Destiny Udogie and Micky van de Ven, but such players are in short supply.

Additionally, long-term targets like Milan Skriniar, Goncalo Inacio, and Piero Hincapie are unlikely to be moved in January.

Depth over big names

Tottenham’s decision to focus on squad depth rather than marquee signings makes sense when considering the state of the squad.

With injuries mounting and a gruelling schedule ahead, the club needs more options to rotate and avoid further setbacks.

However, the approach does come with a downside: some areas of the squad lack the quality needed to compete at the highest level.

Despite this, the club is reportedly keen to avoid signing players who wouldn’t improve the starting XI, preferring to wait for their top targets to become available in the summer.

It’s a cautious move, but one that could pay off in the long term. By strengthening the squad without overpaying for short-term fixes, Tottenham may be in a better position to make the right moves when the summer transfer window opens.

The real question, however, is whether this strategy will be enough to keep Spurs competitive in both the Premier League and the Champions League until then.