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Tottenham Hotspur are actively assessing options to replace Igor Tudor and with the interim manager now in grave danger of the sack amid what has been described as a fear that the club’s overlords, ENIC, have blundered by appointing him, TEAMtalk can confirm.

The 47-year-old Croatian was brought in as a replacement for the sacked Thomas Frank with one simple briefing: Keep Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. But after three losses in three games – and by an aggregate scoreline of 9-3 – Spurs have become infinitely worse and tumbled within one point of the relegation zone.

Now, Thursday night’s 3-1 home defeat to an out-of-sorts Crystal Palace could prove the final straw.

As a result, sources have informed TEAMtalk that former Spurs striker Robbie Keane has emerged as a leading candidate to step in should the club decide to make another managerial change.

Keane’s name had already been discussed internally before Tottenham appointed Tudor following the dismissal of Frank earlier this season. Indeed, the Irishman gave a spiky response and even walked out of a TV interview when asked about the prospect of a return to N17.

At the time, however, Spurs opted to hand Tudor the interim role. But results have since intensified pressure on the Croatian coach, who has overseen three damaging defeats to London rivals Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace.

Tottenham’s initial plan had been to appoint a short-term manager to steady the ship until the summer, allowing the club time to properly assess long-term options – particularly with the possibility of structural changes and new leadership at boardroom level.

However, we understand that the club’s current hierarchy are now willing to put that plan aside if results do not improve, with the door open for another managerial appointment before the end of the campaign.

Keane is among the names being seriously considered, though sources indicate he is not the only candidate under discussion…

DON’T MISS: Demand for Tottenham to sack Igor Tudor instantly as ‘joke’ club are told to bring former boss back

Tottenham chiefs deciding on Tudor sack and Keane appointment

Since moving into management, former Tottenham forward Keane has been building his coaching reputation with Hungarian giants Ferencvaros, and before that with Maccabi Tel Aviv, where his work has impressed observers across European football.

Interest in Keane is not limited to North London either. My colleague Fraser Fletcher has revealed that another one of his former clubs, Celtic, are also understood to be considering him as a potential future permanent manager.

However, sources close to the situation say Keane would “love” the opportunity to return to Spurs in a managerial capacity if the chance arises.

Tottenham now face a crucial period on and off the pitch. They are preparing to face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League tie on Tuesday, before returning to Premier League action against Liverpool on March 15.

With pressure mounting after a string of poor results, Tottenham’s managerial situation remains one of the biggest developing stories in English football.

Tottenham latest: Four ‘donkey’ players scolded; fans pick two new managers

Meanwhile, the anger among fans and pundits in the wake of Thursday’s demoralising defeat has really spilt over.

To that end, Spurs have been told they have signed a team of donkeys with four “awful” players branded not fit to wear the shirt. Two of the quartet only signed for Tottenham in January.

Spurs fans have also called for Tudor to be sacked and recently named two options they see as far better suited manager options to lead the club towards survival.

In terms of new transfers, were Spurs to remain in the Premier League, it is evidently clear the club needs a drastic overhaul.

To that end, we understand Tottenham are ready to brutally offload Guglielmo Vicario with a 21-year-old Ligue 1 sensation identified as dream replacement.

Sources also revealed on Thursday that Spurs have made enquiries for a Chelsea man, though their approach has been given short shrift.

Tottenham Hotspur have been told they have signed a team of donkeys with a raging pundit naming two January signings among four “awful” players he believes are not fit to wear the shirt, while also making clear why the club need to sack interim manager Igor Tudor instantly.

A 3-1 home defeat on Thursday night to an out-of-sorts Crystal Palace side has plunged Tottenham Hotspur into crisis and leaves the club just a point clear of relegation. And with the teams in and around them starting to pick up some momentum, there is a genuine fear that Spurs could be demoted from the top flight for the first time since 1977 – 49 years ago.

For a club that, arguably, boasts one of the best stadiums in world football and has aspirations of competing with the very best, their demise is turning into one of the stories of this or any other recent season.

And while a lot of the anger is now being directed towards Tudor, who we understand could now well be sacked after making the club infinitely worse in his three games at the helm, raging pundit Jamie O’Hara also feels their recruitment team needs to take a large portion of the blame.

While the club do boast a few quality players, the rest of the team appears to be laced with mediocrity and perhaps it should not come as no surprise to see them where they are.

And while the club have also had dismal luck on the injury front, O’Hara has named and shamed four players who are not good enough for Spurs in what he feels is already a Championship team.

When asked if Spurs, now winless in 11 games are going down, O’Hara, speaking on talkSPORT, replied bluntly: “Yes.”

He continued: “This team is terrible. The players are terrible. They’re Championship players. They’re Championship players.

“Pape Sarr is a Championship player. Conor Gallagher. How he played for Atletico Madrid, I’ll never know. He’s been awful. He’s been absolutely awful.

“Souza, who is this kid? He looks like he’s got two left feet. Honestly, it’s embarrassing. Seriously, the team is absolutely awful.

“Mathys Tel. I could have told you. A donkey could have told you last season that he was garbage, a donkey could have told you last season that Tel was not good enough.

“He ain’t good enough. And we signed him on a permanent. It’s unbelievable.”

DON’T MISS: Tottenham fans fear Igor Tudor will be sacked after naming two superior options to help avoid relegation

Tottenham: O’Hara demands Igor Tudor is sacked

O’Hara did not stop there, either and continued: “The football club. It’s unbelievable. The people in charge of this football club. One of the biggest clubs in the world. And an absolute mockery.

“We’re a mockery of a football club that we’ve allowed this to happen, and the fans have had to accept it.”

O’Hara also reckons this is the worst he’s ever felt as a Tottenham fan and has demanded that interim boss Tudor falls on his sword.

“Honestly, he’s a joke, this club is a joke, the owners are a joke, the players are a joke, the recruitment’s a joke, the staff are a joke, the manager’s a joke.

“Everything about the football club is an absolute disgrace. Honestly, I’m hurting, I’m actually hurting. It hurts.

“I didn’t think it would hurt, because I was like, we’ve had some good moments, won the Europa League last season.

“This is just awful. This is so bad. This is the worst I’ve ever felt as a Spurs fan, ever.”

And turning his wrath towards Tudor, he vented: “The manager’s got to go. He’s got to go. Get rid of him.

“He’s lost three games on the bounce. We are the only team in the Premier League ever to bring in a new manager to get a new manager bounce, and we get a worse bounce.”

He added: “Get rid of him. Sack him, charlatan. Get him out of the football club right now.

“Get him [Tudor] out of this football club. This geezer is absolutely clueless. I could do a better job. It is an embarrassment.”

O’Hara concluded by naming the former Spurs manager he would now take back to spare the club from relegation.

Tottenham ready to turn to former striker; approach made for Chelsea man

TEAMtalk indeed understands that Spurs will hold a series of high-level meetings with the Lewis family and other directors this week in the wake of Thursday’s crushing loss – the first time the club has gone 11 league games without a win since 1975.

Sources insisted the club’s decision-makers harbour ‘genuine concerns’ they’ve got the Tudor appointment wrong, and the defeat to Palace leaves them one point above the relegation zone with nine games to go.

As a result, we understand the club could turn to former striker Robbie Keane as an option to save them and lead them through the remainder of the season.

In terms of new transfers, were Spurs to remain in the Premier League, it is evidently clear the club needs a drastic overhaul.

To that end, we understand Tottenham are ready to brutally offload Guglielmo Vicario with a 21-year-old Ligue 1 sensation identified as dream replacement.

Sources also revealed on Thursday that Spurs have made enquiries for a Chelsea man, though their approach has been given short shrift.

Tottenham Hotspur have been warned they have become infinitely “worse” under Igor Tudor and the Croatian must be sacked after just three games at the helm as a raging pundit named the recently-axed former boss he would now take back to spare the “joke” club from relegation.

Tudor was brought in on a contract to the end of the season and was given one remit: preserve Spurs’ Premier League status. But in his short tenure at the helm, Tottenham have lost three successive matches and continue to set a series of unwanted records as they tumble towards the relegation trapdoor.

TEAMtalk exclusively revealed on Thursday that a defeat to the out-of-sorts Crystal Palace could indeed spell the end for the hapless 47-year-old, and they did just that, and comprehensively so, as a Micky van de Ven red card set the tone for a 3-1 victory for the visitors.

That leaves Spurs just one point above the relegation zone, on their worst run of form since 1975 and having failed to win 11 successive league games for the first time since October of that year, while it’s the first time they’ve lost five consecutive Premier League matches since November 2004.

Now, with Spurs staring at a first relegation since 1977 – 49 years ago – squarely in the face, Jamie O’Hara has torn into the club with both barrels and demanded Tudor is sacked.

“The manager’s got to go. He’s got to go. Get rid of him,” O’Hara began on talkSPORT.

“He’s lost three games on the bounce. We are the only team in the Premier League ever to bring in a new manager to get a new manager bounce and we get a worse bounce.

“Honestly, he’s a joke, this club is a joke, the owners are a joke, the players are a joke, the recruitment’s a joke, the staff are a joke, the manager’s a joke.

“Everything about the football club is an absolute disgrace. Honestly, I’m hurting, I’m actually hurting. It hurts.

“I didn’t think it would hurt, because I was like, we’ve had some good moments, won the Europa League last season.

“This is just awful. This is so bad. This is the worst I’ve ever felt as a Spurs fan, ever.”

When asked if Spurs are going down, O’Hara reluctantly admitted “yes” before explaining why he now wants them to turn to a former manager to save them…

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Tottenham told to sack Tudor and bring Postecoglou back

Fuming at a record that has not just yielded three losses, but has also seen Spurs beaten in those games by an aggregate scoreline of 9-3, O’Hara believes the club should swallow their pride and turn to Ange Postecoglou to save them from relegation, so desperate has their situation become.

“Get rid of him. Sack him, charlatan. Get him out of the football club right now.”

O’Hara added “I’d actually take big Ange, it’s got to that point.

“Get him [Tudor] out of this football club. This geezer he’s absolutely clueless. I could do a better job. It is an embarrassment.”

Postecoglou is currently out of work, having left Nottingham Forest back in October after failing to win any of his eight games in charge.

But he is still held with some affection by Spurs fans after leading the club to Europa League glory, snapping a 17-year trophy drought in the process.

Since then, however, the club have become indefinitely worse, firstly under Thomas Frank and now, very clearly, under Tudor.

However, a return to N17 for the Australian looks extremely unlikely at this stage with TEAMtalk learning there is one firm name in the frame…

Spurs want former striker to take charge; Tottenham ask about Chelsea man

Indeed, with Tudor staring down the barrel, TEAMtalk has learned the club could turn to former striker Robbie Keane as an option to save them and lead them through the remainder of the season.

Sources insisted the club’s decision-makers harbour ‘genuine concerns’ they’ve got the Tudor appointment wrong, and the defeat to Palace leaves them one point above the relegation zone with nine games to go.

And on Thursday night as Spurs’ season hit yet another new low, sources revealed talks involving key club officials and the Lewis family that would determine Tudor’s fate would be held.

Even if Tudor survives, the writing appears to be on the wall, and it now looks unlikely he’ll see out the season as intended.

In other news, we have revealed today how Tottenham have launched an enquiry for Chelsea’s 20-year-old goalkeeper Mike Penders, who is shining on loan at Strasbourg.

Rangers are gearing up for what promises to be a pivotal summer transfer window, with manager Danny Rohl targeting moves for a Tottenham youngster and two more exciting talents to bolster his squad.

With the season still in full swing, the Ibrox club have already turned their attention to key reinforcements, blending ambition with shrewd planning to challenge on multiple fronts.

TEAMtalk understands that meetings between Rohl and the board have taken place over recent weeks, and sources say that a busy summer with great backing from owners 49ers Enterprises is ahead.

Among the most prominent targets is Tottenham Hotspur’s teenage sensation Mikey Moore. The 18-year-old winger, currently on a season-long loan at Rangers, has dazzled with his flair, work rate, and goal contributions, making a strong case for a longer stay.

As we revealed yesterday, the club are actively trying to secure Moore on another loan deal, with talks already underway between Rangers and Spurs.

Sources indicate that a pre-agreement could include a hefty loan fee. Moore himself appears enthusiastic about life at Ibrox, and Rohl has hinted at forthcoming discussions to extend his tenure beyond the current campaign.

Elsewhere, Rangers are zeroing in on several promising talents to add depth and quality.

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Two more Rangers targets revealed as Rohl eyes big summer

Huddersfield Town’s 19-year-old Cameron Ashia, a versatile midfielder-attacker drawing comparisons to Jeremy Doku, is emerging as a potential first summer signing.

With his contract expiring in 2026, he could arrive on a free transfer, making him an attractive proposition. Sources confirm he is on Gers’ radar.

Scottish Premiership rival Kilmarnock’s David Watson, a 21-year-old midfielder seen as a “super” talent, is another listed player, with Rangers locked in a tight race alongside Celtic and interest from England and Italy.

We revealed Rangers’ interest in Watson in October last year, while title-chasers, Hearts, are also admirers. Watson, like Ashia, is out of contract at the season’s end.

Rangers also hold an option to make Andreas Skov Olsen’s loan from Wolfsburg permanent for around £8million, though his performances will face close scrutiny before any decision.

Backed by ownership ties, with the 49ers Enterprises influence, Rangers aim for a busy window to sustain their momentum.

As ever in football, plans can shift rapidly, but the early focus on retaining Moore And targeting young talent signals intent to build around exciting prospects.

Pressure is building on Igor Tudor at Tottenham Hotspur, and TEAMtalk understands that failure to secure victory against Crystal Palace on Thursday evening could place his position in serious jeopardy.

Sources have informed TEAMtalk that there are now “genuine concerns” within the club’s hierarchy that Tudor is not having the desired impact on the squad since stepping in as interim boss in north London.

While Tottenham initially hoped the Croatian coach would stabilise the team, results so far have done little to ease the growing anxiety behind the scenes.

Since taking charge, Tudor has overseen a damaging home defeat to bitter rivals Arsenal as well as another loss to Fulham. Those setbacks have intensified the pressure on the interim manager at a crucial stage of the campaign.

Tottenham sit 16th in the Premier League table, and after West Ham and Nottingham Forest picked up crucial points on Wednesday, they’re now just ONE point outside the relegation zone – highlighting just how crucial victory on Thursday evening will be.

We understand that Spurs’ decision-makers are already aware of potential alternatives should they decide a change is required in the dugout.

The looming clash with Crystal Palace has therefore taken on huge significance. A third successive London derby defeat could have severe ramifications for Tudor’s short tenure.

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Palace clash crucial as Tudor pressure ramps up

Tottenham find themselves in an incredibly perilous position heading into the final stretch of the season.

Indeed, many within the Spurs fanbase are now confronting the alarming possibility of the club suffering their first relegation since 1977 – a scenario that would represent one of the darkest chapters in the club’s modern history.

For Tudor, Thursday’s showdown with Palace could prove decisive. Internally, the message is clear: results must improve immediately or Tottenham may feel compelled to act.

The Eagles, under soon-to-depart boss Oliver Glasner, have endured a disappointing campaign of their own after their FA Cup triumph last term.

Palace move away from the bottom three in recent weeks, but there is no escaping the fact that Tottenham will be expected to get a positive result tonight.

Following the loss to Fulham last time out, Spurs interim Tudor was brutally honest in his post-match interview, and won’t have given supporters much confidence that things will improve quickly.

“We lack when we attack. We are lacking the quality to score the goal. We are lacking in the middle to run. We are lacking behind to stay there and suffer and not concede the goal. An amazing situation,” Tudor said.

A much-improved showing is required to beat Palace, and failing that, the threat of the sack will be hanging over Tudor’s head.

Latest Tottenham news: ‘Get rid’ of Tudor / Enquiry for Chelsea star

Meanwhile, former Tottenham star-turned pundit Jamie O’Hara has urged Spurs to end the “farce” that is Tudor’s tenure.

“I’d get rid of him [if he loses to Palace]. He’s an interim manager, and he’s lost the first three games. It’s a farce, but Tottenham is a farce.” You can read O’Hara’s full comments HERE.

In other news, we have revealed today how Tottenham have launched an enquiry for Chelsea’s 20-year-old goalkeeper Mike Penders, who is shining on loan at Strasbourg.

Chelsea are set to undergo a significant shift between the sticks next season, with Belgian prodigy Mike Penders emerging as the frontrunner to take over as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, and TEAMtalk can reveal that he has been the subject of enquiries from Tottenham and other Premier League rivals.

The 20-year-old Belgium Under-21 international is currently turning heads during his loan spell at sister club Strasbourg, where his performances have been nothing short of outstanding.

Consequently, Chelsea’s decision-makers have recognised Penders’ potential as pivotal in their future plans.

TEAMtalk can reveal that in recent weeks, Chelsea’s owners, BlueCo, have fended off multiple enquiries from a number of clubs including Premier League rivals such as Tottenham, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Brighton and Nottingham Forest.

All were keen to explore Penders’ potential availability for next season, but they were swiftly informed that the talented keeper is not on the market. Chelsea’s firm stance underscores their belief in Penders as a cornerstone of their future squad.

Having played under Liam Rosenior during the first half of the season at Strasbourg, Penders impressed his current manager immensely.

Chelsea’s top brass have already consulted Rosenior about promoting Penders to the main stage at Stamford Bridge, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

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Rosenior drops Chelsea star in big statement of intent

Adding to the support for Penders is Chelsea’s head of global goalkeeping, Ben Roberts, who played a crucial role in scouting and signing the young Belgian.

He is now advocating for Penders to be the club’s No. 1 choice next season, a testament to the confidence the coaching staff places in him.

Indeed we understand Chelsea’s reluctance to make a renewed bid for AC Milan’s Mike Maignan – who they tried to sign last summer – was based around their belief in Penders’s ability.

In recent developments under Rosenior’s leadership, veteran goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was dropped due to poor form, and Filip Jorgensen was given an opportunity for the clash against Aston Villa. However, TEAMtalk understands that neither Sanchez nor Jorgensen are expected to hold the first-choice position next season.

While Penders is currently the leading candidate, Chelsea is leaving no stone unturned in its pursuit of excellence.

The club is closely monitoring other potential targets, including Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen, as previously reported, as they evaluate every available option to ensure they have the best talent guarding their goal.

With the transfer window approaching, Chelsea’s strategy appears focused on harnessing young talent and building a formidable squad for the future.

As Penders readies himself for a pivotal role, Stamford Bridge is bracing for an exciting new era in goalkeeping.

Latest Chelsea news: Blues star rejects Man Utd / Reece James talks

Meanwhile, Chelsea livewire Estevao Willian has revealed the reasons he chose to reject Manchester United in favour of a switch to Stamford Bridge.

Estevao has shed light on why Chelsea “caught” his “attention” more than other clubs, despite his family advising him to move elsewhere.

In other news, we revealed yesterday (March 4) that Chelsea are set to open talks with captain Reece James over a new contract that will see him commit the rest of his career to the club.

All the signs point towards an agreement being reached, which comes as a major long-term boost for Rosenior and the club.

Igor Tudor insists the pressure he is under to keep himself in a job and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League is only a “7/10” after responding directly to talk of the sack, though one pundit is adamant the axe will fall on his three-game reign if they fail to pick up maximum points against Crystal Palace on Thursday evening.

Tudor was the surprise name that Tottenham turned to after deciding to call time on Thomas Frank’s reign and following a dismal run of form under the Dane. Having overseen a woeful campaign that had seen Spurs dragged towards the relegation zone, the north London giants decided to axe Frank after a run of just one win in 10 Premier League games.

However, they have failed no better and arguably gotten worse since Tudor was brought in on an interim basis, with two successive defeats in his first two games at the helm making him the first Spurs boss to achieve that since Martin Jol in 2004.

Incredibly, speculation is already mounting that a loss at home to Palace on Thursday evening could be enough to see Tudor also fall on his sword, with one journalist going in both barrels on the “mess” he has created and having talked up their relegation prospects.

Talk of his sack has also been backed by former Tottenham star-turned pundit Jamie O’Hara, who has urged the club to end the “farce” under the Croatian if an out-of-sorts Palace side condemns Spurs to yet another home defeat.

“I haven’t seen any evidence they have got better,” O’Hara said on Sky Sports Fan Club.

“They’ve got Crystal Palace at home on Thursday. If they lose that game, I can see them getting rid of him. He’s come in all guns blazing. You’ve been here five minutes. What you don’t need right now is a manager coming in and digging everyone out.

“You need someone coming in to breed some confidence and life out of these players. You’ve come in to get results. At the moment, you’re doing all these interviews…it’s risky business.

“I’d get rid of him [if he loses to Palace]. He’s an interim manager, and he’s lost the first three games. It’s a farce, but Tottenham is a farce.”

Despite the growing and immediate noises around his future, Tudor is focused on the task in hand and has flatly batted away talk that he is under pressure of the sack…

DON’T MISS: Tottenham fans fear Igor Tudor is one game from sack after naming two superior options to help avoid relegation

Tudor responds to sack claims and talk of Tottenham ‘pressure’

Tudor, speaking before the media on Wednesday, is adamant that, it doesn’t matter how well Spurs play, with only the victory that counts towards their quest of avoiding a first relegation from the top division since 1977 – 49 years ago.

“It’s all about three points. I said before the last game, when you are in this moment, it’s all about three points,” he insisted.

“When you start the season and you choose the players, you choose the style you play, you have two months to work on that totally different moment, then you can think about how good you can be.

“After the last 10 games, it’s a totally different state of mind.”

Asked about the pressure he is under, particularly amid claims of the sack, Tudor did his best to deflect attention away from himself and the club.

Coaches always feel the pressure. It’s a seven [out of ten]. It’s always a part of the job to feel the pressure, but also to enjoy in this job as much as you can enjoy.

“Good moments you enjoy, bad moments you don’t enjoy, but the pressure is always there. When I was 10, trying to be a football player, there was pressure. Start to play with the first team, I always feel the pressure.

“It’s a part of my life, and all the coaches, they live with that; it’s a normal part of that. But you need to find in that job some beauty, otherwise you don’t do this job. The beauty sometimes is difficult, challenges are very difficult, but you need to find beauty in that.”

He added: “Everyone understands the situation. There is something wrong if you don’t understand. My job is to put the pressure away, but their job is to accept that the pressure is there.

“So the pressure is everywhere, but you need to love this job. There’s real pressure out there. People need to make money for their families or are working in jobs like doctors who are doing operations and they decide about life and death. That’s the real pressure.

“You need to be ready to accept this and stand up. Take responsibility. Have the courage to confront these things. This is the best way to do it, the only way to do it.

“I hope we have, and I’m sure because I saw in the training, the players to step up, take responsibility and make us start putting in, first of all, good performances, and after also win points.”

Tudor is also urging his players to show a reaction after Sunday’s loss at Fulham.

“To not accept defeat as something normal. That’s the reason,” Tudor explained in reaction to his very angry remarks that followed in the wake of that loss at Craven Cottage.

“It’s about mentality. When you play with your friends, you can have the mentality of ‘OK, we go to play tennis and then we lose.’ Or, you can be different.

“In this moment, we need to recognise this and believe we have the quality to do it.

“After the games, you need to be angry and disappointed. You don’t need to be the guy who comes in and says everything is perfect, smile, and nothing happens.”

Tottenham latest: £185m Real Madrid raid; race on for 153-goal Serie A striker

Meanwhile, sources have named Spurs as one club in a very crowded race to sign a prolific 153-goal Serie A striker who looks poised to leave this summer.

Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly switched their focus towards another Croatianwhen it comes to the appointment of their next permanent manager, although they will have a potential Manchester United battle on their hands come the summer should they choose to pursue him, according to a report.

In other news, Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has chosen the club he wants to join in the summer transfer window, according to a report, as TEAMtalk brings the latest on the situation of the Dutch star.

Real Madrid are eyeing a remarkable triple swoop if Tottenham Hotspur are relegated from the Premier League, with a report suggesting they could sign Micky van de Ven and two of his elite team-mates.

Tottenham have had another dire domestic campaign, having won only seven of 28 league games so far and picked up 13 defeats. Ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League matches, they sit in 16th place, just four points above the drop zone.

Thomas Frank was sacked on February 11 and replaced by interim boss Igor Tudor, who has been brought in to steady the ship. But there is already talk of Tudor himself getting sacked as the Croatian struggles to improve Spurs’ fortunes.

Spurs rescued last season by beating Manchester United in the Europa League final, and they have been drawn against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League’s last 16 this time around. But there is little hope of the north London side actually winning the tournament.

According to speculative Spanish outlet Fichajes, Van De Ven has emerged as a prime target for Real Madrid, and Spurs’ relegation would significantly increase their chances of completing the deal.

Real Madrid see Van De Ven as one of the best centre-backs in the world, and his signing would help them move on from the likes of Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba.

We can confirm that Madrid are indeed interested in signing Van De Ven, though Manchester United and Liverpool are also pursuing him.

Sources revealed to us on February 23 that Spurs have paused contract talks with the Dutchman as they focus on avoiding relegation.

We provided an update the next day, reporting that Spurs value Van De Ven at £100million (€115m / $133.5m), while the player himself is open to a move.

The report claims it could be a sensational ‘triple signing’ for Madrid involving fellow defenders Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro, too.

Argentine source TyC Sports previously revealed that Spurs want £60m (€69m / $80m) to sell Romero this summer.

The centre-half is an elite performer on his day but also lacks discipline and has let Spurs down on numerous occasions with silly red cards.

We confirmed on February 23 that Romero would have no intention of helping Spurs in the Championship, should relegation become a reality.

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Real Madrid strongly enter Cristian Romero race

Madrid will have to fend off LaLiga rivals Barcelona and Atleti to sign the 27-year-old.

Then there is right-back Porro, who has previously been valued at over £50m (€57m / $67m) but could reportedly be available for just £25m (€28.5m / $33.5m) in the summer.

Madrid have long been linked with Porro, though he does not appear to be the valuable asset he once was.

We revealed in December that Manchester City have expressed interest in reuniting with the Spaniard.

Returning to Madrid, club president Florentino Perez allegedly believes these three signings would help his team to ‘dominate Europe’ for years to come.

A triple deal would cost Los Blancos a whopping £185m (€212m / $247m) in total.

While the report claims Madrid hold firm interest in all three players, we see Van De Ven as the most likely to actually move to the Bernabeu this summer.

Klopp to Madrid latest; Archie Gray exit?

Stunning Klopp return to management now ‘inevitable’ as Real Madrid, Liverpool learn huge decision

Archie Gray one of EIGHT English talents eyed by Real Madrid, as Florentino Perez adopts ambitious transfer strategy

Tottenham are facing an ‘uphill battle’ in their aim to sign an exciting Bundesliga winger, as sources confirm Liverpool are firmly ahead of the north London side in the race.

Spurs have endured a woeful season in the Premier League and currently sit 16th in the table, only four points outside the bottom three and embroiled in a relegation scrap.

Interim boss Igor Tudor has been brought in to steady the ship following the sacking of Thomas Frank, but Tudor is already under pressure, and it appears unlikely he’ll remain at the helm next term.

But planning for the summer transfer window is ongoing behind the scenes, and one player Tottenham are big admirers of is RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande.

The 19-year-old has had a fantastic season, notching nine goals and six assists in 23 Bundesliga appearances so far – with 18 of those being starts.

Diomande’s form has captured the attention of multiple clubs and Tottenham are one of those, but they will find it difficult to win the race.

According to Football Insider, Spurs are facing an ‘uphill battle’ to sign Diomande, as their ‘inability to offer Champions League football’ weakens their hand.

The only way Tottenham could feasibly qualify would be to win the tournament this season, which is of course a very tall order.

It is noted that they ‘won’t be able to compete’ with other clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich in the race for his signature.

In fact, their relegation battle means there is ‘far too much uncertainty surrounding the club for Diomande to even consider joining them,’ per the report.

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Liverpool lead race for €100m-rated winger

Football Insider’s claims tally with a lot of what we’ve reported on the race for Diomande.

We revealed back on February 17 that Liverpool are the Premier League club with the ‘most advanced’ interest in the teenager.

Sources indicate that the Reds view Diomande as a potential long-term replacement for Mo Salah, and they are primed to launch summer offers.

Their other potential Salah successor, Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, looks set to be out of reach, making Diomande their most likely winger signing as things stand.

But he won’t come cheap, with Leipzig’s valuation meaning it will take a bid of €100m (£87m / $119m) to even start a conversation.

Man Utd and Bayern’s interest is confirmed, too, and that does leave Tottenham highly unlikely to secure Diomande’s signature.

For now, Spurs’ full focus is on staying in the Premier League. If they are relegated, their targets for the summer will look very, very different.

Speculation that Tottenham Hotspur could sack Igor Tudor after just three games in charge has been given more momentum after a prominent journalist raised questions over his future and hit out at the Croatian for ‘making the team worse’, ‘showing no signs of moving forward’ and amid claims that a defeat to Crystal Palace could prove another ‘damaging mistake’ at N17.

The 2025/26 season has been a disastrous campaign so far for Spurs. While the club have achieved their objectives in Europe and are through to the last 16 of the Champions League, where they will face Atletico Madrid for a place in the quarter-finals, their form in the Premier League has been catastrophic; a far cry from the standards expected by such an institution of the English game.

Currently winless in 10 Premier League games – a run stretching back to December 28 – Tottenham Hotspur sit a worrying four points clear of the relegation zone, making Thursday’s home date with Crystal Palace a must-win affair.

Their woeful league form has already cost Thomas Frank his job; the Dane paying the price for both their poor form and a spiky demeanour before the press, while his unfortunate drinking out of an Arsenal teacup only served to infuriate an already agitated fanbase.

However, the man brought in to replace him, Tudor, has fared no better. Back-to-back defeats in charge mean he’s the first Tottenham boss to achieve such a dismal statistic since Martin Jol in November 2004.

And with the prospect of a first relegation in 49 years now a serious concern, the Daily Mail’s Ian Ladyman has delved into a troubling situation that could also see the Croatian fired from the role – and in record-breaking time.

After surveying the wreckage of Sunday’s disappointing 2-1 defeat at Fulham, Ladyman describes their season in three words: ‘Directionless, hopeless and lost.’

He also claims Spurs have ‘undoubtedly got worse in two games under Tudor’ and wonders now ‘whether the club will have a decision to make if they crash and burn again at home to Crystal Palace on Thursday’.

In his own admission, while sounding dramatic, Ladyman wonders ‘can they let this go on?’ before insisting they have ‘shown absolutely no sign of moving forwards’ under his management, while the ‘likelihood is they will go down’ if they continue playing as they did for the opening hour at Craven Cottage many more times between now and May.

Tudor sack? Croatian blaming everyone but himself

Ladyman also believes the Croatian has done himself no favours by throwing around all sorts of accusations about his players in the media that will have done little to get either the fans or his players onside.

In the journalist’s words, Tudor ‘doesn’t look as though he is remotely in control’ and is ‘rather wildly blaming everybody but himself’.

After the loss at home to Arsenal, Tudor suggested the players he inherited from Frank were not fit enough.

If that wasn’t bad enough, an incredible rant after the loss on the Thames to Fulham saw the manager turn his fire on his own players, the referee and indeed the opposition.

As a result of those bizarre outbursts, it’s suggested Tudor ‘has the whole of English football thrown under the bus without the security of a couple of decent results to bolster his own credibility’ and having claimed the interim Spurs boss is ‘firing bullets without consequence’ – a seeming direct action of a man who knows he won’t be sticking around for very long.

Ladyman concludes by suggesting the ‘longer the mess of the 2025/26 season goes on’, the worse it gets for Tottenham and that the north London giants will have to ask whether his ‘appointment was just another in a long list of damaging mistakes’ if they fail to show significant improvement at home to Palace on Thursday.

Tottenham latest: Battle on for elite French keeper; Archie Gray in demand

Meanwhile, Tottenham will likely need to fend off Newcastle United for the signing of an elite Ligue 1 goalkeeper, TEAMtalk understands, as the Magpies look to strengthen their goalkeeper department after more question marks were raised against Nick Pope this weekend.

The same two sides are also reportedly locked in a battle to sign a talented Serie A midfielder, though any hopes of a Spurs deal, understandably, rest entirely on the club’s ability to secure their Premier League status.

Elsewhere, we can exclusively confirm that Archie Gray is a player very much admired by Real Madrid, though a deal is not as far along as made out and the player is one of EIGHT English talents eyed by the Spanish giants.