TEAMtalk

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has defended the club following some scathing comments from former club captain Hugo Lloris in his new book regarding the 2019 Champions League final loss.

Lloris suggested his old club were happy to be second best during his time at the club, claiming chairman Daniel Levy gifted the players watches with ‘Champions League finalists’ engraved before they had even faced Liverpool five years ago.

But Postecoglou, who took over at Tottenham in 2023 and managed Lloris before he was sold to MLS side LAFC, insists the period Lloris was referring to should be looked back upon as positive.

He said: “I haven’t read what Hugo’s said, it’s been mentioned to me. I think with these things you’ve got to put context around them and understand the broader view and that could have been a very successful period for the club.

‘They came very, very close. You’re talking about finishing runners-up in the Premier League and runners-up in the Champions League.

“It could have been a very different era and maybe in retrospect you’ll be looking at those things.

“It’s easy to focus on the negatives when the outcome is not what you want but there’s obviously a lot right at the time.

“From my perspective I’ve never allowed anyone else to dictate my ambitions, my aims, or what I try and do with everyone around me is you don’t put a limit on what you can achieve because if you do you potentially might miss something that comes along your way.”

Lloris Champions League story in full

In his new book, ‘Earning My Spurs’, serialised in The Guardian, Lloris explained exactly what happened on the eve of the biggest game in the club’s history.

He wrote: “Four days before the final, Daniel Levy called us all together to announce that, with the support of a sponsor, we would each receive a luxury aviator watch from the club. At first we were excited to see the elegant boxes.

“Then we opened them and discovered that he’d had the back of each timepiece engraved with the player’s name and ‘Champions League Finalist 2019’. ‘Finalist.’

“Who does such a thing at a moment like this? I still haven’t got over it, and I’m not alone. If we’d won, he wouldn’t have asked for the watches back to have ‘Winner’ engraved instead.

“I have considerable respect and esteem for the man and all he has done for the club as chairman – I got to know him – but there are things he is simply not sensitive to.

“As magnificent as the watch is, I have never worn it. I would have preferred there to be nothing on it. With an engraving like that, Levy couldn’t have been surprised if we had been 1–0 down after a couple of minutes: so it was written.

“At the post-match reception at the hotel, I had the impression that some people from the club and certain players were not sufficiently despondent at having lost.

“I would have liked people to come up to me and say, ‘Don’t worry, Hugo. Never again. We’ll give you the means for a comeback.’

“But when I returned to my room on the night of the final, I think I had the same feeling as Mauricio and Harry: does the club really want to win? Real Madrid would never have celebrated a lost final, and we shouldn’t have either.”

Latest Tottenham news: Spurs eye potential Porro replacement / Midfield target blow

Tottenham are interested in Rayo Vallecano star Andrei Ratiu amid concerns Pedro Porro will leave for Real Madrid, according to a report.

CaughtOffside claim Tottenham are ‘already preparing’ for life without Porro, with Ratiu emerging as one of their top right-back targets. It is also suggested Tottenham could sign Ratiu even if Porro stays, such is their admiration of the La Liga man.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Rayo Vallecano star Andrei Ratiu amid concerns Pedro Porro will leave for Real Madrid, according to a report.

CaughtOffside claim Tottenham are ‘already preparing’ for life without Porro, with Ratiu emerging as one of their top right-back targets. It is also suggested Tottenham could sign Ratiu even if Porro stays, such is their admiration of the La Liga man.

Tottenham are keeping tabs on Ratiu and are mobilising ahead of launching a bid at the end of the season.

The Romania international, who played in all four of his country’s Euro 2024 games, is also being eyed by Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen.

However, Spurs still view this as an ‘easy deal’ to complete, CaughtOffside state. That is because Ratiu is ‘ready for a new challenge’, while he is available for a reasonable price, too.

The full-back’s exit clause at Rayo is worth €25million (£20.7m / $26.9m), a fee Spurs can match relatively easily. Ratiu’s former club Villarreal are due 50 per cent of any transfer fee.

The 26-year-old has managed one goal and one assist in nine games so far this term and has been one of Rayo’s standout players, helping them reach ninth in La Liga.

Ratiu has won 25 caps for his nation so far. He came through the Villarreal academy and also had spells at Dutch club ADO Den Haag and fellow Spanish outfit Huesca before joining Rayo in August 2023.

DON’T MISS: Tottenham make shock U-turn over Son Heung-min contract situation in major future hint

Pedro Porro future uncertain

If this report is to be believed, then Spurs are already taking action amid uncertainty surrounding Porro’s situation.

The Spanish ace is understood to be a backup target for Real Madrid in case they fail to land Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool.

At this stage, it seems Alexander-Arnold is leaning towards joining Madrid. Although, Porro could still emerge as their key objective if Liverpool pull on Alexander-Arnold’s heartstrings and convince him to stay at his boyhood club.

Manchester City have also been linked with Porro, however it is particularly hard to see Spurs selling him to a close Premier League rival.

Spurs will let the 25-year-old leave if an £80m (€96.2m / $103.7m) bid comes in, despite previous reports claiming he could be available for £60m (€72.2m / $77.8m).

Tottenham transfers: Midfielder setback; Son successor

Meanwhile, Spurs and City will struggle to land AC Milan star Tijjani Reijnders in January after the Italian giants took action.

Reijnders is emerging as one of the best midfielders in Italy, sparking interest from Spurs and City.

But Milan have drawn up a bumper new contract to keep English clubs at bay, and details of that contract can be viewed here.

Spurs could have more luck in their pursuit of Boca Juniors star Kevin Zenon.

Spurs have shown ‘concrete interest’ in the left winger, though they will have to beat the likes of Newcastle and Aston Villa to his services.

Tottenham and Manchester City look set for a blow to their hopes of landing an in-form AC Milan midfielder in the January transfer window after the Serie A giants acted on the interest in their player.

Netherlands Tijjani Reijnders international has become a key player in Milan‘s engine room and was the star performer in their impressive Champions League win at Real Madrid in midweek.

Indeed, former Netherlands international Frank Rijkaard insisted that the 26-year-old was on the path to becoming one of the best midfielders in the world not long ago.

Reijnders is attracting interest from across Europe for his performances, with Tottenham and City known to have been scouting the player while MilanLive claims that a swap deal involving Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa could also be on the cards.

However, Calciomercato states that Milan are doing all they can to keep Reijnders on board by tying him down to a new deal to keep him out of the clutches of Premier League clubs.

The doors to a renewal at Milan are reportedly opening, with the two parties moving towards a new agreement at this moment in time.

It’s expected that the new contract could be signed at the beginning of 2025 and that it will extend his stay until 2030. Reijnders’ salary will also rise from €1.7million to €3.5m net per season.

The report adds that there is ‘great confidence’ that a deal will be agreed and signed in a move that will disappoint a number of suitors – including Tottenham, City and Liverpool.

Latest Milan news: Zlatan pushing to sign Tottenham man / Torino midfielder eyed

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is reportedly eager to sign Dejan Kulusevski for AC Milan but his offer is unlikely to be enough to convince Tottenham Hotspur to sell.

According to Italian source Juve Live, the former Juventus man has long been admired by his Swedish compatriot Ibrahimovic. The legendary former striker has appreciated Kulusevski’s ability ever since he was developing at Swedish club IF Bromma before heading to Atalanta’s academy in July 2016.

Ibrahimovic is now a senior adviser to the Milan board, and he is apparently ‘obsessed’ about landing Kulusevski for the Italian giants.

Meanwhile, Manchester City and Chelsea are interested in Torino defensive midfielder Samuele Ricci and reports suggest that AC Milan have joined the race for his signature.

Tottenham have reportedly turned to Argentina in their search for another winger to add to Ange Postecoglou’s ranks and someone who could be a long-term replacement for skipper Son Heung-min.

The South Korean has been a stalwart of the Spurs team for almost a decade but will be out of contract this summer, although the club can trigger a one-year extension.

However, a fresh report has revealed that Tottenham do not intend to hand the 32-year-old a new longer-term deal and that has piqued conversation as to why Postecoglou is actively looking to bring in another wide player.

And the latest links suggest Son’s replacement could come in the form of exciting Boca Juniors winger Kevin Zenon.

Caughtoffside reports that the north London club have expressed ‘concrete interest’ in the Argentina Under-23 international, who they will look to slowly integrate into the team before becoming a permanent fixture.

Tottenham will not have it all their own way in the chase for the 23-year-old though, with Premier League rivals Newcastle, Aston Villa and Brighton also keen on his signature. Manchester United and Liverpool have also previously been linked with a move for the player.

In terms of European interest, Caughtoffside adds that Benfica, Lyon and Napoli are also suitors for a player who still has four years remaining on his contract with the Argentine champions.

One major attraction of any deal for Zenon is the fact that his release clause stands at an absolute bargain £13million (€15.6m/$17m) for a player who is very highly rated in his homeland.

Zenon adaptability a real plus point for suitors

Zenon has been one of the standout performers in the Argentine League this campaign and has scored four goals and added seven assists in 39 total appearances for Boca since his move from Union Santa Fe back in January.

His versatility also presents an attractive proponent for Postecoglou and other suitors, with Zenon predominantly a left winger who can also play left-back and as an attacking midfielder.

Football analyst Ben Mattinson has described Zenon as a player with a ‘magical left-foot’ whose ‘quality of crosses he can whip in from so many different areas and how he judges the weight of pass are excellent’.

Latest Tottenham news: Arsenal to rival Spurs for Bundesliga ace / Forest winger on Postecoglou’s radar

Arsenal have prepared an offer as they look to sign Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Larsson before Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, according to a report.

CaughtOffside claims Arsenal are showing ‘strong interest’ in the thriving central midfielder and are ‘considering testing the waters’ with a January bid. That proposal will be worth €40million (£33.3m / $43m).

Arsenal are trying to position themselves at the front of the queue as they know a host of other sides are also tracking the exciting 20-year-old. But the report states that Tottenham and Liverpool are ‘very interested’ too.

Meanwhile, former Tottenham scout Mick Brown has revealed the club have “initial interest” in Callum Hudson-Odoi amid their desire to sign a winger, but the Nottingham Forest man has been challenged to star throughout the season if he is to move to north London.

IN FOCUS – Kevin Zenon career timeline

October 2020 – Zenon makes his senior debut for Union Santa Fe in a Copa Sudamericana match

May 2021 – Zenon scores his first goal as a professional, which turns out to be the winner for Union Santa Fe against Defensa

January 2024 – Zenon earns a move to Boca Juniors ahead of the new Argentine season, leaving Union Santa Fe with 113 appearances and six goals behind him

February 2024 – Zenon scores his first goal for his new club on his fifth appearance and provides an assist in the same game, a 2-0 win

Tottenham have reportedly decided to make a U-turn over skipper Son Heung-min’s long-term future at the club in a move that is likely to frustrate the club’s supporters.

The South Korean emerged as the club’s talisman after his record-breaking strike partner Harry Kane quit for Bayern Munich back in 2023, but there has been plenty of debate over his future after he entered the final year of his contract over the summer.

The 32-year-old has been in and out of the side this season due to injury issues but did return to action in the thumping win over Aston Villa on Sunday, only to be subbed off 10 minutes in the second half as Ange Postecoglou looked to protect one of his prized assets.

That decision did not go down well with an angry Son and while it’s widely reported that Tottenham are ready to trigger his one-way contract extension, a new twist has emerged over his future beyond 2026.

TBR Football claims Spurs have told Son’s entourage that they have no plans to open talks over a new contract and that the South Korea legend’s camp have been left shocked by the club’s decision to perform a dramatic U-turn on handing the player fresh terms.

Son will have been at the club a decade by the time next summer rolls around and has scored 165 goals and laid on a further 87 assists in 417 games in all competitions.

The former Bayer Leverkusen attacker, who currently earns £190,000 per week, remains a real leader and motivator on and off the pitch, but the club are moving in a different direction under Postecoglou – as has been evidenced by the signing of much younger players since his arrival.

Left-winger Wilson Odobert was signed over the summer, while Dominic Solanke has at least taken some of the goalscoring burden away from the Spurs skipper, along with the free-scoring Brennan Johnson.

But if TBR Football’s report is accurate, it’s sure to anger some of the fanbase who still idolise Son despite him not quite being the same player he was when Kane’s obvious threat to defenders gave him more scope to show off all his talents.

Pundit claims Son is finished at Tottenham

While the majority of Tottenham supporters still back Son, former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara claimed earlier in the season that ‘proper’ fans of the club actually want him gone.

O’Hara’s comments came after the 3-1 win over Brentford back in September, a game in which the South Korean notched up two assists in a come-from-behind victory.

Speaking to a Spurs fan on talkSPORT after the game, O’Hara said: “How do you feel about Sonny? I feel like I am over the hill with him now. I just think the fans and everyone is finished with him. The proper fans. He’s not doing it.

“The quality in the final third (has gone). He is 32, is he going to go past people? Listen, he has been a great player and an unbelievable player. A Tottenham great.

“But I just feel like when I am watching him now, have you got that sharpness and edge to your game? I don’t think he has. He has gone clean through there one-v-one. The old Sonny, that’s a guaranteed goal.

“You can’t take him out of the team because there isn’t anyone better than him, but we have to start looking at a new left-winger.”

There are elements of O’Hara’s comments that ring true when it comes to Son’s finishing ability not being as clinical as it was, while he does appear to have lost a half-yard of pace as he gets older and has to deal with more injury issues.

However, he remains an integral part of Postecoglou’s starting XI and there has to be some experience kept on board to help bed the younger players in – and there are not many better mentors and role models in today’s game than the Tottenham legend.

Latest Tottenham news: Former scout tips up winger move / Spurs eye Milan midfielder

Former Tottenham scout Mick Brown has revealed the club have “initial interest” in Callum Hudson-Odoi amid their desire to sign a winger, but the Nottingham Forest man has been challenged to star throughout the season if he is to move.

Just over a year ago, Hudson-Odoi left big-six club Chelsea to sign for Forest. At the time, the Midlands-based outfit were seen as no threat to the upper echelons of the Premier League, having only returned to the top flight in 2022/23.

But now, they find themselves third in the table, and Hudson-Odoi could be given the chance to return to a big-six club, with former Spurs scout Brown suggesting the north Londoners are interested in signing him.

Meanwhile, Tottenham interest in midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has been confirmed in a report, which states the club are working on a January deal for a midfielder, who could end up being the AC Milan man.

IN FOCUS – Son still a wide threat for Tottenham

Given these fresh reports over Son’s future, TT has looked at how the winger compares with the other wide men who have played the majority of the season so far.

Son remains a threat from the left, even if he is no longer quite the player he was. His assist for Brennan Johnson’s equaliser against Villa last weekend was a thing of beauty and shows that he no longer has to beat a man to play a significant role in games going forward.

Johnson, however, has been on a different planet this season in terms of his goalscoring exploits but remains without an assist – an area of his game he still has plenty to work on.

Werner’s future also remains up in the air as he completes a second loan stint in north London. The German remains a complete enigma though and there is every chance that Tottenham decide against paying his loan-to-buy clause.

As for Mikey Moore, the teenage winger is a massive talent who showcased what he has to offer in the Europa League win over Dutch side AZ. However, after being handed a start in the next Premier League game at Palace, he struggled to make any impact at all and still has a way to go before becoming a regular in Postecoglou’s side.

All that adds up to keeping Son around for as long as possible, at least until Moore or Odobert develop into the talents Tottenham hope they can be going forward.

Former Tottenham scout Mick Brown has revealed the club have “initial interest” in Callum Hudson-Odoi amid their desire to sign a winger, but the Nottingham Forest man has been challenged to star throughout the season if he is to move.

Just over a year ago, Hudson-Odoi left big-six club Chelsea to sign for Forest. At the time, the Midlands-based outfit were seen as no threat to the upper echelons of the Premier League, having only returned to the top flight in 2022/23.

But now, they find themselves third in the table, and Hudson-Odoi could be given the chance to return to a big-six club, with former Spurs scout Brown suggesting the north Londoners are interested in signing him.

“His performances have caught the eye of a few clubs,” Brown told Football Insider.

“Tottenham were interested in him during the summer and I’m told that interest hasn’t faded as they would still like to sign a new winger.

“Of course, when a side like Forest, with all due respect, are performing above their usual level, the high-flying players start to attract interest.”

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Hudson-Odoi challenged to star this season

Brown feels Hudson-Odoi will have to show form throughout the entire season if Spurs are to pull the trigger on him, though.

“I wouldn’t expect a deal to happen in January, he’ll need to show this type of form over the course of a season, but there’s definite interest,” he added.

“I’m told a number of clubs have been keeping an eye on him and tracking his development. Tottenham feel they’re a couple of positions short of bridging the gap.

“Whether Hudson-Odoi is the right fit for them, that’s something they’ll be asking behind the scenes, but I know the initial interest is there.”

TEAMtalk revealed ahead of the summer window that Spurs had been impressed with Hudson-Odoi’s form last season, so if he keeps it up this term, there seems a genuine chance he is signed.

Tottenham round-up: Midfield moves likely

A move for Johnny Cardoso, who Spurs have priority option for, is seen by his club Real Betis as essentially a done deal, and it’s believed one of Pape Matar Sarr or Yves Bissouma could be pushed out by his arrival.

Interest in AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has also been confirmed, but it’s said a January move is unlikely.

There seems to be good news in terms of injuries, with neither Cristian Romero or Micky van de Ven expected to be out for a long time after their recent injuries.

Meanwhile, Tottenham will be given major competition from within the Premier League for Hugo Larsson, with the Eintracht Frankfurt man being tracked by Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, as well as some German clubs.

Hudson-Odoi form at Forest

Hudson-Odoi bagged eight goals this season, and has found the net twice this term.

He will have to return a similar number to last term if he is to keep big clubs like Tottenham interested in signing him in the summer.

Hudson-Odoi’s Nottingham Forest stats since joining

Arsenal have prepared an offer as they look to sign Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Larsson before Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, according to a report.

CaughtOffside claim Arsenal are showing ‘strong interest’ in the thriving central midfielder and are ‘considering testing the waters’ with a January bid. That proposal will be worth €40million (£33.3m / $43m).

Arsenal are trying to position themselves at the front of the queue as they know a host of other sides are also tracking the exciting 20-year-old.

CaughtOffside state that Tottenham and Liverpool are ‘very interested’ too, while other major clubs such as Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have been ‘monitoring’ Larsson.

The Sweden ace, who is described as a ‘classy and creative midfield talent’ by the report, will ‘have his pick’ of which big club he wants to join next as he is emerging as one of the best young players in Germany.

However, Arsenal may need to hold several rounds of talks before they can forge an agreement with Frankfurt over this particular deal.

While Mikel Arteta’s side are hopeful they will only have to pay around £33m for Larsson, Frankfurt are aiming to receive €70-80m (up to £66.7m / $86m) before selling him.

Arteta eyes further midfield reinforcements

Arsenal bolstered their midfield ranks in the summer with the capture of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad.

However, Arteta’s midfield has struggled for creativity while usual playmaker – and captain – Martin Odegaard has been out injured.

Signing Larsson would give Arteta an extra option to use, should Odegaard pick up any future injuries.

As Larsson is versatile, with the ability to operate as a No 8 or No 6, he could also help Arsenal move on from other midfielders such as Thomas Partey and Jorginho.

Arsenal’s ‘concrete interest’ in the Bundesliga starlet was first revealed in September, and they are now poised to accelerate their pursuit of him.

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Arsenal news: Thrilling striker verdict; winger setback

Meanwhile, Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres has received big praise amid links with Arsenal and Manchester United.

The 26-year-old was at it again on Tuesday night, registering a hat-trick as Sporting stunned Man City with a 4-1 victory.

To the delight of Arsenal and Man Utd, Gyokeres has been told he can be ‘better’ than City goal machine Erling Haaland.

Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo is another player Arsenal are thought to be keeping tabs on.

Liverpool have also registered their interest in the forward after identifying him as a potential replacement for Mo Salah.

However, Arsenal and Liverpool have been warned Mbeumo will cost upwards of £60m (€72m / $77.4m) to sign in January.

IN FOCUS: Hugo Larsson profile

The fact that Larsson is already enjoying the best goalscoring season of his career – by November – tells you everything you need to know about the way he is developing.

Signed by Eintracht Frankfurt from Malmo in 2023, by which point he had already made his international debut for Sweden, Larsson was a teenager at the time of his move, having caught the eye with his performances in midfield.

Right-footed, Larsson is an energetic, box-to-box midfielder. Standing out for his spatial awareness, he is constantly looking to get on the ball and drive his team forward, even though he has also been used to playing from a deeper role. Strong and technical, he doesn’t have too many weaknesses – but time is on his side to add further elements to his game, which he already seems to be doing.

During his debut Bundesliga season, he played 29 times, scored twice and made one assist. This season, he has already scored twice within just nine league games – and a recent winner in the Europa League means he has bettered his all-competitions tally already.

He possesses a good first touch, even in tight areas, and his dynamic approach has helped him surpass 50 appearances for Frankfurt already, with more than 70% of those outings being starts.

Larsson is already the Swedish Allsvenskan’s record export and, although he might not break any records when leaving the Bundesliga, he is destined to command a high transfer fee once again as his profile increases.

Argentine journalist Gaston Edul has provided an update on the injury Cristian Romero suffered againt Aston Villa on Sunday, while Tottenham have also received some positive news on Micky van de Ven.

Romero was forced off with a foot injury sustained when making a reckless tackle he was booked for in the weekend’s impressive 4-1 win over Unai Emery’s men.

And with Van de Ven already sidelined with another hamstring problem, there have been real concerns in north London that Ange Postecoglou could be missing his first-choice centre-back pairing for a number of weeks – as was the case at a similar stage last season.

However, it looks like Tottenham have received some positive news on both players ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League trip to Galatasaray.

Edul has taken to social media to reveal that the 26-year-old Romero has injured the ligaments in his right toe but that there is no fracture.

That prognosis is much better than had been feared and Romero is expected to be back in action in a week to 10 days. Indeed, he could even be included in Argentina’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru.

That does, however, mean he will miss the games against Galatasaray and Ipswich in the Premier League on Sunday as Spurs look to build on that impressive result against top-four rivals Villa.

Van de Ven poised to return soon

Van de Ven, meanwhile, was left close to tears as he hobbled off against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup last week after suffering another hamstring blow.

The Netherlands international was sidelined for a significant spell with a similar injury last season but he has escaped any serious issues this time around.

Indeed, Postecoglou recently revealed that the former Wolfsburg man should be back after the upcoming international break.

He told reporters: “He has strained a hamstring. It is not too serious, but probably after the international break for him.”

That leaves Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies to fill in over the next two games, with Archie Gray another option after impressing in that position during pre-season.

Latest Tottenham news: Spurs chasing Milan midfielder / Cardoso arrival to spark exit

Tottenham interest in midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has been confirmed in a report, which states the club are working on a January deal for a midfielder, as it’s known whether or not they’ll land the AC Milan man.

Spurs have started the season perhaps slightly below they thought they’d be. They sit seventh in the Premier League after 10 games – they were top at this point last season – after they finished fifth last term.

Their push for the upper echelons of the league could be helped by new signings, one of which progress is already being made on.

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are already working on a deal to sign a midfielder in the January transfer window.

It comes amid interest in AC Milan midfielder Reijnders, cited in the report.

Arsenal’s departing sporting director Edu once blocked a lethal South American striker from joining arch-rivals Tottenham by promising him higher wages that ultimately did not materialise, a report has revealed.

Edu confirmed his exit from the Gunners on Monday after five years back at the club working behind the scenes, with the Brazilian now expected to take on a new role under current Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

However, while working at Brazilian giants Corinthians, Edu dealt Peruvian icon Paolo Guerrero a blow when the attacker was looking for a return to Europe after previously playing in the Bundesliga for 12 years.

It was January 2013, before Harry Kane’s emergence, when Tottenham made an offer for the player only for Edu to step in and block it.

The Brazilian did not want Peru’s all-time highest goalscorer to join his former rivals and offered Guerrero an improved contract, one which would make him the “highest paid footballer in South America”.

But Guerrero claims Edu did not fulfil his promise over a new deal with vastly improved wages. Indeed, the forward eventually left Corinthians in 2015, but for rivals Flamengo instead of getting his big move to the Premier League.

Guerrero told the D&T programme: “When I arrived at Corinthians, I said to myself: ‘I win the Club World Cup and I’ll go back’ [to Europe]. Did I have opportunities to return to Europe? Many, but Corinthians didn’t want to sell me or didn’t want to negotiate. The last offer came from Tottenham, which was a loan-purchase option.

“I went with the proposal to talk to Edu, who is now Arsenal’s director, and I said ‘I have this, please’. His response was: ‘Do you want the crooked thing to kill me, Paolo? Rest assured that here you will be the highest paid footballer in South America’.

“He didn’t comply. I didn’t renew with Corinthians because the proposal they made me wasn’t within what I think I deserved. I believed that because I was Peruvian, they were not valuing me.”

Guerrero miss led to Soldado deal

Former Bayern striker Guerrero has not yet returned to Europe since leaving Hamburg in 2012, but remains a South American football legend, chalking up an impressive 122 caps for Peru.

As for Tottenham, they ended up signing Roberto Soldado, who struggled to adapt to the English game and his failure ultimately led to Kane’s breakthrough.

Indeed, Soldado scored just 16 goals in 76 games for the club after Spurs paid £26million for his services from Valencia.

Edu, meanwhile, returned to the red half of north London as the club’s first-ever technical director, overseeing the signings of the likes of Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz in a key role under Mikel Arteta.

He is now expected to take up a new role working under Forest owner Marinakis.

Latest Tottenham news: Milan midfielder on January radar / links to Real sensation emerge

Tottenham interest in midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has been confirmed in a report, which states the club are working on a January deal for a midfielder, as it’s known whether or not they’ll land the AC Milan man.

According to Football Insider, Spurs are already working on a deal to sign a midfielder in the January transfer window. It comes amid interest in AC Milan midfielder Reijnders.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly willing to let summer signing Endrick leave the Bernabeu on loan – with Tottenham seen as one of two clubs in a strong position to sign the prodigious Brazilian teenager in the January window.

The 18-year-old is regarded as one of the game’s hottest prospects, having already won 13 senior caps for Brazil and having moved to Real Madrid in the summer just gone in a deal that will ultimately top €60m (£50.4m, $65.4m) if all bonuses are met. However, with competition strong in the Los Blancos ranks, Endrick has found himself limited to appearances mainly off the bench so far.

Tottenham interest in midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has been confirmed in a report, which states the club are working on a January deal for a midfielder, as it’s known whether or not they’ll land the AC Milan man.

Spurs have started the season perhaps slightly below they thought they’d be. They sit seventh in the Premier League after 10 games – they were top at this point last season – after they finished fifth last term.

Their push for the upper echelons of the league could be helped by new signings, one of which progress is already being made on.

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are already working on a deal to sign a midfielder in the January transfer window.

It comes amid interest in AC Milan midfielder Reijnders, cited in the report.

But despite Spurs being keen on landing the Dutchman, a January deal is said to be ‘highly unlikely’.

If Ange Postecoglou wants to pursue him, the report states it will have to wait until the summer, given Reijnders is a crucial part of Paulo Fonseca’s side.

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Tottenham midfield signings in view

Spurs’ desire to improve their midfield at some point soon is evident in their priority clause for Real Betis’ Johnny Cardoso, who the Spanish outfit feel will become a Tottenham player in the summer.

Former Spurs scout Bryan King has agreed that the club “need some bite” in the midfield.

As such, he suggested that Cardoso could be a good signing for them.

With Reijnders in good form at Milan, he could also be a good addition to the spine of the Tottenham side.

Tottenham round-up: Shock Real Madrid move in view

Tottenham could reportedly be the beneficiaries of a decision to allow future superstar Endrick to leave Real Madrid. It’s reported the La Liga champions could let him go out on loan in January, with the north London outfit a potential destination.

Spurs could also land Karl Hein from their rivals Arsenal, as they’re believed to be interested in bringing him in on a free once his contract has ended in the summer.

They could soon see Archie Gray head back to Leeds, though, with the Elland Road outfit told to make an attempt for him on loan in January.

There is also interest in Radu Dragusin, with Napoli keen to take him back to the Serie A in January.

Reijnders a form midfielder

Reijnders has been in good form for AC Milan since joining them in 2023.

Three of his seven goals have come this season, when he has played 12 times. That includes three Champions League games, and in the last of them, the midfielder bagged a brace in a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge.

Reijnders’ stats since joining AC Milan