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In the last day or so, per a report from Brazilian media outlet UOL, who have also reported Fluminense’s interest in Richarlison, Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor Maciel Furtrado has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

The career of Tottenham linked goalkeeper John from Brazil

The goalkeeper, mononymously known as John, is 28-years old, and helped Botafogo to their historic double in the 2024 season, as they won both the Brasileiro Série A, and the Conmebol Libertadores. The latter was the first time they had ever won the competition. The South American football schedule runs on a calendar year basis, so it is currently the off season over there.

There is no rest for the wicked, however. Botafogo played their final game of the year on the 11th of December, and will play their first game of the 2025 calendar on the 11th January. Exactly a month between, and that does not include pre-season preparations. An absolutely mental schedule.

During this successful season, John more than played his part, as he featured in 34/38 league games, and in 10 of their 13 Conmebol Liberdatores games. In the final, Botafogo were reduced to ten men within the first minute of the game, but eventually won the game 3-1, with John making three saves to ensure they got over the line.

Something to note is that, despite being 28 years of age, John has only played 122 games in his entire career. It should be caveated that goalkeepers do start their careers later, and often do not hit their peak until their 30’s. Still, this does seem a bit odd – particularly as he has played almost all of his career in Brazil, where as touched on above, they do play an absolutely obscene amount of games.

Nevertheless, without knowing much about his career, it would be unfair to judge him on that. The goalkeeper has a contract with the Brazilian side until the summer of 2027 (despite their season ending in December), and with the discrepancy between South American football and European football, he could be attainable for a reasonable fee.

Tottenham Hotspur are facing another defensive headache ahead of their crucial League Cup quarter-final clash against Manchester United.

The club's Dutch centre-back, Micky van de Ven, remains a major doubt for the match due to a reoccurrence of his hamstring injury, according to The Standard.

This setback has left Spurs fans on edge, as they look to secure a place in the next round of the competition.

Van de Ven had only just returned to action following a lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up the same hamstring issue in late October.

Unfortunately, he was forced to leave the pitch late in Tottenham’s recent 4-3 defeat to Chelsea, with the injury flaring up once again.

Micky van de Ven's absence raises doubts

While manager Ange Postecoglou initially downplayed the seriousness of the injury, Van de Ven’s absence in Spurs’ following matches against Rangers and Southampton has raised further concerns.

The club is yet to confirm whether the 23-year-old will be fit for Thursday's match, but he will undergo further assessments before the game.

With Tottenham already missing key players, Van de Ven’s fitness is becoming increasingly vital for the team’s defensive stability.

His pace, composure on the ball, and ability to organise the backline have been sorely missed in his absence, particularly with another key defender, Cristian Romero, also sidelined.

This season has already seen Van de Ven miss 13 games across three separate injury spells, including his initial hamstring injury that kept him out for eight matches.

The Importance of Micky van de Ven to Tottenham

While Spurs have had to adapt without him, his influence on the pitch is undeniable. Tottenham fans will no doubt remember his crucial role in the 3-0 win over Manchester United earlier this season.

Van de Ven played a key part in the victory, making a stunning run from defence, powering through United’s midfield and defence before laying on a perfect assist for Brennan Johnson’s opening goal.

With the League Cup quarter-final against United just around the corner, Spurs are hoping Van de Ven can recover in time to add some much-needed stability to their defence.

If he’s unavailable, it will be yet another challenge for Postecoglou and his squad, who will need to dig deep and find a solution to cope without one of their most influential defenders.

With the competition heating up, every player will need to step up to the plate.

Tottenham Hotspur’s season has been a mix of highs and lows, with their forward line facing more challenges than anticipated.

Injuries and inconsistent performances have left the team short on options up front, prompting manager Ange Postecoglou to shift focus to January’s transfer window.

With the likes of Wilson Odbert and Richarlison sidelined, and Mikey Moore still recovering from an illness, Spurs have found themselves in need of a reliable solution in attack.

Son Heung-Min, the club’s captain, has also faced difficulties this season, particularly when leading the line. While Timo Werner remains an important figure, his consistency has been questioned, further highlighting the need for reinforcements.

With the Premier League’s competitive nature showing no sign of easing, it’s clear that Tottenham need to bolster their attacking options if they are to stay competitive in the upper echelons of the table.

Ange Postecoglou is reportedly keen to sign a versatile forward, someone who can contribute on either wing or through the middle.

Tottenham have a list of wingers in mind to strengthen their squad

Tottenham’s scouting network has been active across Europe, identifying a number of promising candidates to bolster their squad in January.

At the top of the list are players who can operate across multiple attacking positions, ensuring flexibility for Postecoglou’s tactical plans.

Currently, the club is keeping tabs on a handful of players, according to GiveMeSport. One of the names under consideration is Andreas Skov Olsen, a winger from Belgian side Club Brugge.

Known for his versatility and ability to play on either flank, Skov Olsen could provide the tactical flexibility Postecoglou craves in his squad.

Another player on Tottenham’s radar is Dario Osorio, a creative midfielder from Denmark's Midtjylland.

Osorio's ability to operate in attacking positions and his dribbling skills make him an interesting prospect for Spurs, as Postecoglou is keen on strengthening the options available in wide areas.

Tottenham are also keeping an eye on Rayan Cherki, a highly-talented forward from Lyon.

Cherki, known for his flair and ability to take on defenders, would add much-needed creativity and unpredictability to Spurs' attack. His skill set makes him an ideal candidate for a wide-forward role.

The need for a reliable backup striker is also pressing, particularly with Richarlison’s injury woes. Son’s struggles when playing centrally have only emphasised the necessity of strengthening this area.

Tottenham's ideal signing - Versatility and value

Spurs are after a player who can bring some versatility to the table. Whether it’s out wide or through the middle, the ideal signing would give Postecoglou the flexibility he’s after for his tactics.

Tottenham’s recent transfer strategy seems to favour players who can offer a range of options, rather than just specialising in one position.

This approach is set to continue as they look to strengthen their squad without splashing out too much.

Although Tottenham’s transfer targets are still being assessed, it’s clear their main focus will be on finding an attacker who brings both quality and versatility.

This will not only address the club’s current needs but also set them up for success in the near future.

Tottenham Hotspur are still waiting to secure minority investment as the club continues to look for a potential buyer for a 25% stake.

While various parties, including Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners, Liberty Media, and MSP Sports Capital, have shown interest, none of these discussions have yet advanced into a confirmed deal.

In recent months, Spurs fans have been particularly hopeful of a takeover involving Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Qatari billionaire who previously failed to acquire Manchester United for £5 billion.

Sheikh Jassim not interested in investing in Tottenham

Following his defeat in that pursuit, many speculated that Sheikh Jassim might turn his attention to Tottenham. However, fresh reports now reveal that his interest in Spurs may not be as immediate as once thought.

A source close to Sheikh Jassim has explained why he is unlikely to make a move for Tottenham in the near future.

According to an anonymous advisor, Jassim is still a Manchester United fan and isn’t rushing to invest in another Premier League club.

Speaking to The Daily Mail he said: "He (Jassim) is still a United fan. He is not going to rush off and try another Premier League club.

“If the opportunity to buy the whole of Manchester United arose again at some point in the future it is hard to see there not being a big level of interest. The plans are still there.”

This has dampened hopes for a Qatari investment in Tottenham, which had seemed like an exciting prospect for Spurs supporters.

The best investment option for Tottenham

As it stands, the most likely candidate to secure a stake in the club appears to be Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners.

Staveley, who previously co-owned Newcastle, confirmed just a few days ago that her group is actively exploring investment opportunities in the Premier League and even suggested that an announcement could be made soon.

Also, there is growing frustration due to the lack of clear progress on the investment front, as the club seeks both financial stability and a stronger competitive edge.

Tottenham’s search for investment is far from over, and the delay in securing any deal leaves the club in a holding pattern.

For now, Spurs must prepare mentally and physically for Thursday's match after their 5-0 victory over Southampton FC last Sunday, where key moments played a crucial role in securing the win.

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are reportedly eyeing Brazilian goalkeeper John Victor, currently in Botafogo.

With the January transfer window approaching, both clubs seem eager to bolster their goalkeeping options, and the 28-year-old has emerged as a promising candidate.

Valued at around €10 million, Victor is considered a cost-effective addition for Premier League sides. His performances in Brazil have drawn attention, showcasing his reliability and composure under pressure.

At the peak of his career, the Brazilian shot-stopper may see this as the perfect opportunity to make a move to one of Europe’s top leagues.

Tottenham shows interest in John Victor to strengthen goalkeeping options

According to CaughOffside, for Tottenham the interest in Victor is clear. With veteran Fraser Forster nearing the end of his career, Spurs need a reliable backup for Guglielmo Vicario, who has been excellent in goal this season.

Signing Victor would provide Ange Postecoglou with an experienced deputy who could step in when needed and maintain a high standard of play.

Tottenham’s struggles this season have highlighted the need for squad depth, particularly as they aim for Champions League qualification.

Additionally, the team is dealing with rumours surrounding Richarlison’s potential departure, as well as the recent report confirming that Rodrigo Bentancur’s seven-match suspension remains intact after the FA rejected Tottenham Hotspur’s appeal.

Meanwhile, Manchester United are also in the market for a goalkeeper. Andre Onana, their current No. 1, has faced criticism for inconsistent performances, and bringing in Victor could create healthy competition for the starting spot.

The allure of playing for a club with United’s history and global stature might be difficult for Victor to resist.

What does John Victor bring to both teams?

Adding Victor to their ranks could not only strengthen their defensive options but also offer a sense of stability in a pivotal role. Both clubs represent attractive destinations, but the role each can offer him differs significantly.

Tottenham would likely position him as a second-choice keeper, while Manchester United could offer a real shot at competing for the No. 1 spot.

At €10 million, John Victor represents a relatively low-risk investment for either club. His arrival in the Premier League could be pivotal, offering him a chance to prove himself at the highest level.

Whether he chooses the steady opportunity at Spurs or the challenge of unseating Onana at United, the next step in Victor’s career will undoubtedly be one to watch.

On Sunday evening, we saw Tottenham Hotspur get back to winning ways in emphatic fashion, as they thrashed Southampton 5-0 at St Mary’s, with all five goals coming in the first half, as attention turned to the big games coming up, with Spurs managing the game in the second half.

 You would be hard pressed to find a single bad performance from this game, but four Spurs players have been singled out in particular, making it into the WhoScored Premier League team of the week for game week 16.

Four players recognised for performances against Southampton

Those four players are; Djed Spence, Pape Matar Sarr, James Maddison, and Heung-Min Son. The skipper is the highest rated player of anyone in the team, with a 9.79 rating. Elsewhere, Sarr has a 9.19 rating, Maddison has a 9.08 rating, and Spence an 8.54 rating – making him the highest rated defender in the team.Â

Something else worth considering is that Son only played 45 minutes of the game, as Ange saved him for games against Manchester United and Liverpool that are coming up this week. In the first half, the skipper managed to score and provide two assists.

Not only are all four players named in the WhoScored team of the week, but they are also all included in the Sofascore team of the week too. With their team, Son comes in at a 9.3 rating, Maddison a 9.2, Sarr an 8.4, and Spence an 8.1

Should Destiny Udogie be fit in time for the upcoming games, it will be interesting to see how Ange sets up in the full-back areas. If the Italian defender is not available, then we are likely to see a pairing of Spence and Pedro Porro. However, if he is – will we see Ange reward the 24-year old for his fine performance, with another start?

Were you to ask the fanbase who should start at right-back against Manchester United, you would likely get a pretty unanimous answer in Spence’s favour. Will Ange see it the same way? Due to the injury Udogie picked up vs Southampton, Porro did not get much rest – which could potentially swing towards Spence being picked.

Albeit a poor opponent, it was good to see Maddison playing with a swagger again. Sure he has had some below par performances, but overall the 28-year old is generally having a fairly good season.

Finally, in terms of Sarr – what else even needs to be said. Just an absolutely superb footballer, who continues to go under the radar, at least from the external footballing world.

Rodrigo Bentancur’s seven-match suspension remains firmly in place after the Football Association dismissed Tottenham Hotspur’s appeal.

Spurs had hoped to reduce the ban by one game, but the decision by the FA’s independent regulatory commission stands, keeping the influential midfielder sidelined for domestic fixtures.

The ban stems from derogatory comments Bentancur made about teammate Heung-min Son during the summer, a disciplinary issue that has proved costly for Tottenham.

Despite the club's efforts to amend the ruling, the FA confirmed the appeal’s dismissal, leaving Ange Postecoglou without one of his key players for two more games.

Thankfully for Spurs, Bentancur remains eligible for European competitions. The Uruguayan has featured in the Europa League, where his performances have been a rare silver lining amidst his absence from domestic clashes.

On top of that, Tottenham are also enduring a challenging this season, marked by recent transfer speculation surrounding players like Omar Alderete and mounting criticism over the team’s inconsistency on the pitch.

When will Rodrigo Bentancur return to action for Tottenham?

According to The Spurs Web, Bentancur’s return is marked for Tottenham’s Boxing Day visit to Nottingham Forest, and his reintroduction to the squad will feel like a fresh start for Spurs.

Postecoglou will undoubtedly welcome the midfielder’s composure, creativity, and ability to dictate the tempo of matches.

Spurs fans will also be relieved to see Bentancur back in action, especially as the team eyes a crucial push for success in both domestic and European competitions.

However, with two challenging fixtures still to navigate without him, the pressure is on for Tottenham’s remaining midfielders to step up and deliver in his absence.

How has Rodrigo Bentancur performed this season?

Bentancur has already served five of his seven-match ban, sitting out pivotal fixtures, including battles with Manchester City, Chelsea, and Southampton.

Tottenham’s inability to effectively replace his presence has been evident, with the team struggling to progress the ball from midfield to attack.

Here are Bentancur's statistics for the 2024/2025 season:

* Data provided by Sofascore.

The final two matches of Bentancur’s suspension include a challenging EFL Cup quarterfinal against Manchester United and a high-stakes Premier League clash with Liverpool.

Bentancur’s comeback promises to restore balance and leadership to a midfield that has looked disjointed without him. His return could be the key to reigniting Tottenham’s campaign at a pivotal point in their season.

It is also worth highlighting that the team has managed to hold its ground thanks to the collective efforts of players such as Dejan Kulusevski.

Now, the Spurs face a crucial test against Manchester United in the EFL Cup quarterfinals, eager to prove to their supporters that they are ready to rise again.

Ange Postecoglou has personally asked Tottenham Hotspur to complete a transfer for his dream defender, Omar Alderete.

There is a good relationship between Ange Postecoglou and the Tottenham Hotspur hierarchy. Given how Spurs have performed below expectation this season, there has naturally been a lot of external talk which puts Postecoglou under some form of pressure.

However, whenever there has been any official communication from the Tottenham higher-ups, the opposite appears to be true. Indeed, Postecoglou does not officially appear to be under any form of pressure. So, until any communication is made, fans can assume the Aussie is safe in the hot-seat.

Indeed, Ange Postecoglou has already been looking ahead to making his future transfers at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Ange Postecoglou asks Tottenham to complete a transfer for dream defender

According to reports from Spanish outlet AS (cited by Sport Witness), Ange Postecoglou has personally asked Tottenham Hotspur to complete the signing of Omar Alderete from Getafe.

Ange Postecoglou is believed to be a big fan of Alderete's defending capabilities and he believes that the Paraguay international could transform the Tottenham defence into a force to be reckoned with.

Further, the report states that while Alderete is under contract until 2028, there is a €16m release clause which, if met by Tottenham, would skip them straight to the front of the queue and allow for player-to-club negotiations.

Tottenham's defence has not been the best this season. However, we would be remiss not to shine a light on the injury concerns. Spurs have suffered key injuries to both of their main centre backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven. If we consider this injury crisis, then Tottenham's defending ability this season could actually be considered impressive.

Radu Dragusin has stepped up to fill a starting lineup position at the end of this calendar year. He has been pretty solid at the back and helped to tighten up the key area of the pitch. He does need to brush up on his ball-playing abilties. Yes, love it or hate it, that is an important part of being a defender these days.

Nevertheless, Ange Postecoglou would like to bring in some more defensive additions. It remains to be seen whether or not they go through the release clause route, but it does give Tottenham a nice option if they would like to strengthen their depth between now and the end of the season.

When speaking recently, president of Fluminense, Mário Bittencourt, has admitted that the club have an interest in re-signing Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison. The president said: "What we have concrete today is that we express our formal interest in Richarlison. We know he's interested in returning to the National Team.

I have a great relationship with him and I brought him back there as vice president of football. We made the first document to the English club, asking about the possibility of negotiating."

Richarlison linked with move back to old stomping ground

According to the report, Spurs are not interested in negotiating for now, but are open to listening offers. They further state that the Brazilian side are "optimistic" of securing his services, due to the good relationship they have with the player, and the "several assets" they have that could interest Tottenham.

It is interesting to see who could fit the bill in terms of assets that the club may be interested in. South American football is renowned for having hidden gems at affordable prices. We can be sure it isn't their defensive backbone, made of a 44 year old goalkeeper, and 41+40 year old central defenders.

Looking at the Fluminense squad for potential young players - 18 year old forward Kaua Elias scorred six goals and provided two assists in 1486 league minutes across 2024 (calendar year system). Central midfielder Matheus Martinelli, 23, has also received plaudits for his performances in Brazil.

In truth, would need to know more about their squad, because from face value it looks like most of their players are older, with a few young players - and some of those only on loan. No doubt there is more to it than meets the eye, but there are not options staring in you face that you could see the club being interested in.

Richarlison played for Fluminense for 18 months between 2016-2017, and scored 19 goals in 67 games, before moving to Watford in the summer of 2017, where he spent one season before moving to Everton.

After a tough first season, the 27-year old did have a productive 23/24 campaign, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists in 1510 Premier League minutes. However, in turn, you have the issue. Not even 50% of league minutes played. This season has been even worse, playing just 180 minutes of football in all comps so far. The equivalent of two games. In mid-December.

Good player, good person, but for sure someone the club should look to cash in on, should the chance arise. You can have as much ability as you'd like, it's in vain if you have no availability to go along with it. He would be an asset to Spurs if fit, we saw that against Aston Villa - but he so rarely is - unfortunately.

This move would give him the chance to go home, hopefully stay injury free (although they play an obscene amount of games over there), get firing in front of goal, and play his way back into the national team plans ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He would go back with everybody's best wishes, should a deal happen.

Anyone who has watched Spurs this season will tell you how good Dejan Kulusevski has been so far. So much so, this is a second piece explaining how the numbers back up the eye test - having done the same thing back in October.

The data crunched regarding Dejan Kulusevski's 24/25 season

Once again, DataMB have matched up the 24-year old’s numbers vs those in the top seven leagues, and the data is even better than you may have thought it was.

Incredibly, the Sweden international ranks best in four different metrics; key passes (17), crosses (49), progressive runs (61), and accelerations (21). On top of that, he ranks second for; deep completions, dribbles, offensive duels, and successful attacking actions.

Furthermore, the Spurs number 21 ranks third for passes into the penalty area and touches in the opposition box. He ranks fourth for shot assists and crosses into the goalkeeper’s box (six yard area), and ranks 13th for expected assists. Finally, he is in the 100th percentile for progressive carries.

When comparing Kulusevski to Cole Palmer and Martin Odegaard, the Spurs midfielder ranks higher for key passes, defensive actions, and the aforementioned progressive carries. He also ranks higher than Florian Wirtz in all of those categories, as well as forward passes completion percentage.

As you can see, Spurs have a player that can compete with some of the best midfielders in world football. Yet it does not feel like he has the hype to match the performances and the data that he is boasting in these games.

Perhaps it is because his base stats, whilst fine – four goals and three assists in 1231 Premier League minutes – but those who have watched Ange’s side know he has provided far more than just goals and assists.

Even looking at other stats that aren’t as data savvy as those provided in this piece, he has created six big chances, makes over four ball recoveries a game, has scored his four goals from an expected goals of just 2.05, etc etc. By pretty much all metric, he is having a fantastic season.

In addition, as mentioned above, he has had a fantastic season on the eye too, and Spurs fans unanimously see him as the clubs best player so far in 24/25. Even beyond that, he has been one of the best players in the Premier League overall.

However, Kulusevski has not just been key in the Premier League. In the Carabao Cup, he provided the assist for Djed Spence’s equaliser against Coventry City when Spurs were minutes from elimination, with Brennan Johnson going on to score the winner in stoppage time.

Then, he provided both assists in the 2-1 win over Manchester City last time out. Sure, the second one was all about Pape Sarr’s finish, but Kulusevski’s overall performance and assist for Timo Werner was absolutely key for Spurs going through.

Finally, in the Europa League, he provided an assist against AS Roma, and scored against Rangers. Without these contributions, Ange’s side would currently be 22nd in the league phase, only in a play-off spot on goal difference.

What a player, what a season.