TEAMtalk

Barcelona have reportedly submitted a concrete offer for Hull City winger Jaden Philogene but Tottenham and Everton can’t be ruled out of the race yet.

The 22-year-old captured the attention of football fans worldwide when he scored a stunning rabona earlier this year which many think should win the 2024 Puskas award. Although, technically, it should have been marked down as an own goal.

Philogene’s memorable strike wasn’t a flash in the pan though. He was one of the Tigers’ star performers in 2023/24, netting 12 goals and making six assists in 32 Championship appearances.

He only joined Hull from Aston Villa last summer but a return to the Premier League is on the cards with Tottenham reportedly big admirers of the winger.

Meanwhile, sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk that Everton have made an enquiry to Hull about signing Philogene as their hunt for a new winger intensifies, as first called by ElBobble.

The Toffees have re-signed Jack Harrison on loan from Leeds United but with Lewis Dobbin joining Aston Villa, they need to sign at least one more winger this summer.

Newcastle’s Yankuba Minteh was their top target but Brighton look set to win the race for him, so Sean Dyche and Co have turned their attention to Philogene as an alternative.

Barcelona submit offer for Jaden Philogene

A summer move for Philogene has been described as ‘highly likely’ by multiple outlets and Barcelona have made the first big move in the race for his signature.

That is according to reputable transfer journalist Florian Plettenberg, who posted on X: “Been told the interest of FC Barcelona in Jaden #Philogene is very concrete now!

Barcelona have submitted an offical offer to Hull City! One year loan with an obligation to buy (which is tied to certain conditions such as playing time) in 2025 of around €20-23m!

“Contract of the 22 y/o talented winger is valid until 2026. Barcelona have analysed him in detail.”

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The financial issues at Barcelona are well documented, hence why they are unwilling to pay the fee for Philogene up front.

Hull would much prefer to receive the cash for Philogene instantly though, so Everton or Tottenham still have a chance to put forward their own offer for the winger.

Hull are said to value Philogene at roughly £16m, so it will be interesting to see if the Premier League duo are willing to match that.

For now, Spurs’ focus is on signing Leeds’ teenage superstar Archie Gray.

Archie Gray’s ‘change of heart’ over joining Brentford has opened the door for Tottenham to lead the race for the Leeds United star.

Gray caught the footballing world’s attention after starring for Leeds in their run to the Championship Play-off Final this season – which ultimately ended in calamity as they lost 1-0 to Southampton in the showpiece match at Wembley.

However, his displays at right-back for Daniel Farke’s men – despite honing his craft as a midfielder – attracted interest from a whole host of English top-flight teams.

And with the Whites failing to secure an immediate return to the Premier League, following their relegation to the Championship, that meant they had to sell one of their best players to comply with profit and sustainability rules.

While wingers Crysencio Summerville, who was Leeds’ top scorer this term and the Championship player of the year, and Wilfried Gnonto – who tried and failed to secure an exit earlier this season – were the most likely candidates to be sold, academy product Gray was also an option.

Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe, of the 49ers Enterprises, said last month there would be “trade-offs” this summer in the transfer window.

When asked about the future of the 18-year-old Gray, he told BBC Radio Leeds: “I can’t talk on specific players right now. But if I can paint the big picture for you, there are certain things that we need to do and we will make sure we are fully compliant with profit and sustainability, as we always have been, and there are certain trade-offs that we have to make.

“We’ll have to think about if the chemistry of the squad is right – which players fit us, what we’re trying to be and what we want to look like – versus which players don’t fit.

“We have to sit down as a leadership team with Daniel [Farke] to figure out which ones and how we manage all that. So that will be taken into account as well as some of the profit and sustainability complications we have.

“I’m really excited with what we could do. I’m excited about the fact we have a full off-season – an extra five weeks to start planning our player squad strategy.”

TEAMtalk previously revealed that Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United and more, were admirers of the teenager but things have moved very quickly since then.

On Saturday, it looked like Gray was going to move to Brentford for a fee in the region of £35m, with the England Under-21 international set for a medical.

The following day, however, Leeds rejected the Bees’ offer, sparking relief amongst the club’s somewhat exasperated fanbase.

Tottenham favourites to sign Gray

But that did not last long as The Athletic reports Tottenham are primed to secure his services. David Ornstein’s report states discussions between the two teams are ongoing and there is an ‘expectation’ a deal can be struck – though nothing has been finalised.

Gray reportedly underwent a medical at Brentford on Saturday after agreeing personal terms but the teenager has since had a ‘change of heart’ and is leaning towards Spurs.

The youngster will reportedly hold talks with Tottenham – who have been monitoring his situation for months – on Sunday and while personal terms are ‘not yet in place’, a move there is the most likely.

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For Leeds fans, they will hope if Gray does go, they may be able to get centre-back Joe Rodon in return, following a successful loan spell at Elland Road this term.

It remains to be seen if a deal can be struck and when this will be sorted, with fears growing that Leeds need to sell before the end of year accounts deadline on June 30; else a points deduction could follow.

Just as with Brentford’s failed move, this transfer may have a few more twists and turns yet.

The imminent departures of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Giovani Lo Celso have left Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou with some work to do to rebuild the midfield and they have identified their top target.

AS Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana is the man that Tottenham want to bring in but they will face competition for his signature with Juventus, Manchester United and others also intrigued by the France international.

Fofana is about to enter the final year of his contract and AS Monaco are resigned to not being able to get him to sign an extension on his current deal with opportunities to open up new horizons presenting themselves.

Reports coming out of Italy suggest that Tottenham are now the favourites to sign the 25-year-old this summer.

Fofana can play both in the middle of the pitch and as a defensive midfielder. Should Postecoglou sign this summer, his adaptability can give him additional options for setting up his engine room.

Postecoglou’s team allegedly “wants to get ahead of everyone” in the competition for his services. Tottenham ‘may pay €30m’, to lure the star to London according to reports.

With one year remaining on his contract, the midfield player’s future appears to be diverging from the Ligue 1 team this summer.

Several European teams, notably Tottenham and Serie A giants Juventus, have taken notice of Fofana’s performances during his 37 appearances in the previous season.

Midfield an area of great concern for Tottenham

Postecoglou will be looking to bolster his ranks ahead of next season and midfield is the area that might need the most work especially when it comes to the more defensive-minded players in the middle of the park.

Tottenham have progressed since the 2022–2023 season, and with Ange Postecoglou leading the team, their future appears promising.

To improve the general calibre and depth of the Tottenham team, however, there is still work to be done.

Fluminense star Andre Trindade is another similar player that Tottenham have reportedly been tracking for several months.

Trindade is rumoured to be close to agreeing a deal with Fulham but the Cottagers need to offload a player to make the deal happen and have so far seen those efforts frustrated.

“I would also add Fluminense’s Andre into the mix as well,” said transfer expert Ben Jacobs discussing Tottenham’s path forward.

“Fulham basically have a verbal agreement but if Joao Palhinha doesn’t leave, they won’t proceed.

“They nearly signed him in January, but Palhinha stayed.

“Now, flash forward to the summer, Fulham in the box seat still, but until Palhinha is done, the door’s open to other suitors as well.

“I know that Tottenham have been looking at that player, including at the Club World Cup, for several months.”

Tottenham have reportedly offered a player-plus-cash bid including Richarlison to Newcastle, in the hopes of getting Alexander Isak in return.

Richarlison has failed to inspire in his two seasons as Tottenham so far. He’s scored just 15 goals in all competitions over those two campaigns, after netting more than 50 times in four seasons with Everton.

It has been suggested that if Spurs want to take the next step, then neither the Brazilian nor Heung-min Son should lead the line.

And while the latter, who is the club captain, will remain, it’s unclear whether that is true of Richarlison.

He has stated he is happy at Tottenham, but reports suggest the club want to bring in a new striker, and they’re concerned they’ll not be able to do so with him still there.

It’s said they have a striker shortlist including Santiago Gimenez, Ivan Toney and Serhou Guirassy.

And Newcastle striker Isak seems to have made his way onto that list – he’s wanted by a number of the Premier League’s big boys.

That’s unsurprising after 31 English top-flight goals in 52 games.

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Tottenham offer Richarlison for Isak

And in their attempts to get him, Richarlison may have to be sacrificed.

Indeed, Gianluca Di Marzio has suggested that Newcastle have received offers for Isak, one of which came from Tottenham.

He states they offered Richarlison ‘plus a balancing payment’ in their attempts to snare the Swede.

The Magpies are already said to have rejected the offer from the north London outfit.

Newcastle want huge fee for Isak

It’s not surprising that Newcastle do not want a man who scored 11 Premier League goals last season to replace one who had 21 in their side.

However, the financial reasons for their rejection also make sense.

Richarlison will likely have lost value since his £60million move to Tottenham two years ago.

And to sell Isak, it’s said Newcastle want to receive £200million, so the balancing payment from Spurs would have to have been huge.

Whether anyone coughs up that figure remains to be seen. It’s obviously set so high because Newcastle don’t want to lose him, so for anyone to get Isak, they’ll have to be highly motivated to do so.

Tottenham are confident they’ll fend off several Premier League rivals to win the race for an England international who’ll become Spurs’ most expensive ever signing, according to reports.

England may be labouring at Euro 2024, though plenty of their brightest stars are in high demand this summer.

Marc Guehi is being monitored by Manchester United who are seeking one and more probably two new additions at centre-half.

Elsewhere, fellow Crystal Palace star, Eberechi Eze, has sparked a frantic transfer scramble.

The livewire attacker can be signed via a release clause understood to be worth £60m.

Eze bagged 15 goal contributions in 27 Premier League matches for Palace last term and counts Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd among his admirers.

But according to the Times, it’s Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham who front the queue and the north London club are prepared to ramp up their pursuit.

Big Tottenham push coming

Spurs have no qualms over the £60m fee it may take to spring Eze’s transfer. A signing at that amount would make the five-cap England international Tottenham’s most expensive ever buy.

Richarlison also cost £60m when bought from Everton two years ago, though his deal comprised £50m plus £10m in add-ons. Given Eze’s move would be £60m without add-ons, he’s take top spot on the list.

Tottenham were labelled ‘confident’ of winning the race for the Eagles talisman and will accelerate their attempts once England’s campaign at Euro 2024 concludes.

England face Slovakia in the Round of 16 stage on Sunday and despite their woeful form, will be heavy favourites to advance.

The winners of Italy vs Switzerland would await in the quarter-finals and if Gareth Southgate’s side don’t quickly improve, their dreams could be crushed at the hands of the Italians on July 6.

Daniel Levy influence working wonders for Eze transfer

TEAMtalk has learned that one of the reasons Spurs are so confident they’ll be the ones to snap Eze up is due to chairman Daniel Levy.

The Spurs supremo holds excellent relations with the CAA Stellar agency who represent Eze.

Furthermore, sources state talks between Spurs and Eze’s camp have already commenced and further rounds of discussions have taken place over the past few weeks.

Eze operated primarily in an attacking midfield role last year which would put him in direct competition with James Maddison.

Postecoglou will no doubt already know how he intends to embed both players in his starting line-up, with the left wing a position Eze featured in at times last season.

Aside from Eze, the Times added Tottenham also intend to sign a ‘versatile defender and a forward.’

Tottenham are showing ‘concrete’ interest in a winger Barcelona have already opened talks to sign, and the player’s wondergoal last season suggests he’ll delight the fans of whichever club he joins.

Barcelona’s primary transfer target on the flanks this summer was Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao. However, the total cost of pulling off a move has made a switch to the Camp Nou virtually impossible.

Williams’ release clause is understood to be worth €58m. Factoring in agents fees and Williams’ high salary demands, Barcelona simply cannot finance the move.

Instead, reports in Spain initially floated the idea of Barcelona rescuing Jadon Sancho from Manchester United.

However, subsequent news emerged of Hansi Flick’s side zeroing in on Hull City winger, Jaden Philogene. In fact, talks over an initial season-long loan spell at Barca have already taken place.

Philogene, 22, is a man in demand following a breakthrough campaign with Hull. The right-footed winger scored 12 goals and provided six assists and one strike in particular will live long in the memory…

Hull narrowly missed out on securing a play-off berth when finishing seventh last year.

Philogene has already proven he’s too good to spend another season in the Championship and according to Football Insider, a summer transfer is highly likely.

But rather than move to Barcelona, FI suggest a switch to a top half team in the Premier League could be on the agenda.

Tottenham are reportedly showing ‘concrete’ interest in Philogene, while West Ham cannot be discounted from the race either.

It’s claimed the Hammers have actually entered preliminary talks over a move, though Spurs would appear to hold an advantage.

Philogene is determined to play at the highest level after taking a one step back to take two steps forward with his previous move.

Philogene left Premier League side Aston Villa when joining Hull in a £5m deal last year. The gamble to drop down a division has clearly paid off, with Philogene now in high demand and a vastly improved player after featuring regularly.

Barcelona will participate in the Champions League next year, while Tottenham can offer Europa League football.

Unfortunately for West Ham, new boss Julen Lopetegui has no European football to help lure Philogene to the club.

If Tottenham are willing to stump up hard cash and trump Barcelona’s tentative loan plans, Philogene’s future may well lay in north London.

Aston Villa blundered letting Philogene go – Alan Hutton

Former Villa and Tottenham full-back, Alan Hutton, is among growing crowd who rate Philogene extremely highly.

When speaking to FI in March, Hutton urged Tottenham to make a summer move and claimed Villa blundered when allowing the winger to leave on the cheap.

“I think you need to look at young and experienced players,” Hutton said of Tottenham’s transfer plans. “There has to be a balance.

“He (Philogene) ticks a lot of boxes and I don’t think Villa should have let him go, to be honest.

“His performances have been outstanding, absolutely amazing, so they can look to the future.

“To bring in a young and hungry player who works hard and has the technical ability to fit into their way of thinking is good moving forward.

“But you need to add that quality right now. It’s about getting that mixture right.”

The battle lines have been drawn ahead of Romania’s Euro 2024 last-16 clash against the Netherlands, as a Dutch observer has surprisingly torn into Radu Dragusin and labelled one of his Tottenham Hotspur team-mates as being a step above.

Dragusin became the most expensive Romanian player of all time when he joined Tottenham for £25million during the January transfer window, which followed the defender’s impressive spell at Italian club Genoa. So far, Dragusin has managed nine appearances for Tottenham, and he will be hoping to play more regularly under Ange Postecoglou during the 2024-25 season.

The centre-half, who can also play as a right-back if required, is the biggest name in the Romania squad and has started in all three of their Euro 2024 group matches.

Dragusin helped Romania pull off a surprise 3-0 win over Ukraine and draw 1-1 with Slovakia as they – incredibly – finished top of Group E ahead of Belgium.

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Edward Iordanescu’s side have been unlucky though, as they will come up against the Netherlands in the round of 16 despite winning their group. Virgil van Dijk and co. finished behind Austria and France in Group D and qualified for the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams.

The game, which will take place on Tuesday afternoon, will be of interest to Tottenham supporters as Dragusin will start for Romania, while Micky van de Ven could feature for the Netherlands.

Ahead of the match, Dutch pundit Valentijn Driessen has shockingly ripped into Dragusin and reaffirmed that Van De Ven is the better player.

After questioning Dragusin’s ‘strange’ haircut, Driessen said: “He didn’t achieve anything at all last season. He plays for Tottenham Hotspur, where he is under contract.

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“His agent thinks he’s great. He is always stalking Daniel Levy about his player, that he should get a salary increase and should play.

“[He doesn’t play] because he is simply not good enough and Van De Ven plays there.”

Driessen then joked: “We might be better off playing with Van De Ven than with Van Dijk, because he will keep Dragusin out of the match!”

Should Dragusin find out about Driessen’s savage comments, then it will give the 22-year-old extra motivation to stun the Netherlands and help Romania reach the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

It will be tough for Romania to advance, as they do not have many top players whereas Dutch manager Ronald Koeman can rely on the likes of Van Dijk, Van De Ven, Memphis Depay, Xavi Simons and Nathan Ake.

But Romania have already caused an upset in the group stage and will fancy their chances. Plus, this is not the strongest or most confident Dutch side, as they were torn apart by Austria at times on Tuesday.

Regardless of what Tottenham do in the transfer market this summer, Ange Postecoglou must get more out of five key players next season if the club are to crack the top four and get back in the Champions League.

Spurs ended up missing out to Aston Villa by two pints in the race for fourth spot after only winning two of their final seven Premier League games of the season.

Their finish was a polar opposite to how they started under Postecoglou last season, going unbeaten in their first 10 games and topping the table.

Injuries, suspensions and a loss of form from some key men eventually derailed a campaign that had promised so much and the Australian openly admitted he did not have the players in his squad capable of playing the brand of football that will bring that first piece of silverware since 2008 – let alone challenging for the top-four spots.

To that end, Tottenham are expected to busy in the summer transfer window, with Postecoglou looking at bolstering the spine of his side with another centre-back, a central midfielder and a new No.9.

But, if some of those proposed signings do not come off, then the Spurs chief will have to get more out of some of the players who in some way let him down last season.

A combination of multiple factors has led to this list and not everyone will agree, but Postecoglou needs to get certain messages across to ensure that what happened in the second half of last season does not materialise again.

Guglielmo Vicario

There’s no denying that the summer signing from 2023 is a sensational shot-stopper and comfortable in possession – an absolute must for the modern-day keeper.

However, he does not command his area well, particularly from set-pieces, and that was clearly a tactic opposition teams tried to take advantage of last season – legally, or sometimes not!

Blocking the Italian off became something of the norm and did led to goals against. Indeed, Tottenham had issues defending set-pieces all last season and some of that must be on the keeper not being the dominant force in his area he needs to be.

It also led to Postecoglou changing personnel in the last few games of the season to get another dominant central defender on the pitch in Radu Dragusin, with Micky van de Ven pushed out to left-back.

That did, however, give Spurs much more of a presence to deal with the set-piece threat, but when Destiny Udogie is back from injury and Dragusin likely back on the bench again, Postecoglou will need to trust that Vicario will have worked on that side of his game in pre-season and be much better for it.

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Yves Bissouma

Having looked sensational in that unbeaten stretch to start last season, Bissouma’s form nosedived alarmingly when he returned from African Cup of Nations duty with Mali at the turn of the year.

How much that issue stemmed from the bout of malaria he picked up while out in the Ivory Coast is anyone’s guess but he just looked shadow of the player that was bossing Postecoglou’s engine room alongside fellow African Pape Sarr.

In truth, Bissouma has never really consistently produced the same level of his performance that he did during his Brighton days,w when he was rightly regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.

The £30million Spurs forked out for the 27-year-old’s signature in the summer of 2022 looked an absolute steal, but the transfer has not quite gone the way they hoped.

There has been some talk Postecoglou could even look to offload the midfielder. But those 10 games at the start of last term showed that there is still a tremendous player in there somewhere and whether it’s physical, psychological, or a combination of both, it’s up to the Spurs gaffer to bring out the best in Bissouma again and potentially save himself millions bringing in a replacement.

Rodrigo Bentancur

It was not nice seeing the Uruguay international smashing up a seat on the bench when he was hauled off during the 2-0 loss at home to Manchester City back in May.

Bentancur had a long, hard road back from the ACL injury he suffered back in February 2023 and, apart from the odd glimpse, did not look the same player who was so impressive before his lengthy enforced lay-off.

The frustration where was there off for all to see when Postecoglou substituted the midfielder after City had taken the lead in a must-win game in their title push, but he needs to come back stronger next season.

Bentancur is currently away with his country at the Copa America but the hope is that he will be fitter and stronger after pre-season to prove to Postecoglou just how pivotal a player he can be in the Australian’s engine room.

The 27-year-old, who moved to north London in January 2022, has made 68 appearances for Tottenham in total, scoring 68 goals and is the one midfielder in the squad capable of playing as No.6, No.8 and No.10 if needed – such is his versatility.

However, if he cannot get back to the player he was before his serious knee issue, then there is every chance that Postecoglou will look at alternative options.

James Maddison

Maddison was quite rightly being spoken of as one the signings of the summer as Tottenham were charging to the top of the Premier League table before suffering the ankle injury against Chelsea that ruled him out for two months.

He eventually played 31 games in all competitions, scoring four goals and adding nine assists but his form in the second half of the season tailed off significantly.

Indeed, Maddison was so bad that he went from pushing for a place in England’s starting XI at Euro 2024 to failing to make the squad at all, much to his annoyance.

All the talk of Eberechi Eze arriving from Crystal Palace too is unlikely to be doing his confidence much good either, although Eze can line up out wide as an attacker and is not just a No.10.

The former Leicester man also needs to be aware of the incoming threat of Swedish attacking midfield sensation Lucas Bergvall, who looks likely to be integrated straight into Postecoglou’s first-team squad.

Maddison just needs to build up his fitness over a full -pre-season and come out firing again, as he did last season before his cruel blow.

He might also have a chip on his shoulder after the massive England snub, which can only be good news for Tottenham.

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Dejan Kulusevski

For a player with so much quality, the Sweden international had a hugely disappointing season and never reached anywhere near the heights of the previous campaign.

On the face of it, his stats weren’t that bad, scoring eight goals and adding three assists, but his overall performance levels were not good – except for probably the draw at Manchester City in December and the final game of the season at Sheffield United when he bagged a brace.

There were games when he didn’t looked particularly interested, either playing from his preferred position on the right, out of the left or as a No.10 in the absence of Maddison.

Kulusevski faces a battle with Brennan Johnson for that right-wing berth next season, with the latter almost certain to be improved after his debut campaign with the club.

Potentially adding Eze as well, who can also play wide on the right, means the 24-year-old will have to up his performance levels if he wants to play regularly – with Postecoglou likely to ditch any passengers in his side judging by his comments towards the end of the season.

Giovani Lo Celso has been identified as a player that Tottenham Hotspur want to offload as early in the summer transfer window as possible, TEAMtalk can exclusively reveal.

Tottenham are set for a busy summer and are looking to help build a side that can help Ange Postecoglou. This means more has to happen in the outgoings department as much as incomings.

One player the club are desperately trying to move on is midfielder Lo Celso, who TEAMtalk has learned has been told has no future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

He has spent most of his time out on loan in recent years with multiple stints in Spain and has almost left the club permanently on multiple occasions.

This summer the club have asked intermediaries to help find him a move alongside his agents and they are open to including him in deals to secure transfer targets. He was floated in an offer for Jacob Ramsey, but that was only in conversation and not officially.

While he was not loaned out last term, Lo Celso was largely limited to appearances as a substitute and as a result, his 22 Premier League appearances amounted to an actual playing time of just 510 minutes, during which he produced two goals and two assists.

The end result is Postecoglou has seen enough and feels that Lo Celso doesn’t add to his squad in a meaningful way.

Giovani Lo Celso favours return to Spain

Lo Celso would much rather return to Spain and play in La Liga where he has been for the past 4 seasons TEAMtalk can confirm.

He has been loaned out to Villareal and Real Betis and it is the latter who are keen to bring him back on a permanent basis.

They are hopeful of completing a permanent deal for the midfielder who has given them the green light ahead of any other suitors. However there is work to be done there as Betis are trying to shift players and don’t won’t to meet Spurs demands.

Spurs want around £12 million and the Spanish side are only wanting to part with £8 million which has left talks between them on hold.

The north London side will accept a bid from literally anyone for the Argentine and are open to offers.

Lo Celso will leave this summer and its likely he ends up in Spain, with one year left on his deal and no place in Ange’s squad, he is heading for the exit.

Tottenham have reportedly seen a player-plus-cash offer for Jacob Ramsey rejected by Aston Villa, with Unai Emery determined to keep hold of the 23-year-old.

Ange Postecoglou views the Villa star as a key target as he looks to bring in reinforcements in the attacking midfield and winger positions.

Ramsey can play both roles and after an impressive few seasons with the Midlands club, is only expected to improve as he gains experience.

He struggled with injuries last term but Emery views him as a key player as the manager prepares for Villa’s first European campaign since 2010/11.

According to talkSPORT, Tottenham ‘were willing to pay £20m plus midfielder Giovani Lo Celso’ for Ramsey, but Villa ‘turned down the offer.’ This is despite Emery managing the Spurs star at both Paris Saint-Germain and Villarreal.

Lo Celso, 28, has been at Tottenham since 2020 and has played 108 games for the club, but has fallen down the pecking order in recent seasons.

He was loaned out to Villarreal in the second half of 2021/22 and the whole 2022/23 campaign.

He has just 12 months remaining on his contract and Spurs want to offload him now rather than lose him on a free transfer further down the line.

Tottenham, Liverpool and Newcastle keen on Ramsey

Aston Villa are working hard on deals and seem to have got themselves on the right side of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.

Keeping hold of their key players was always going to be the challenge and Emery views Ramsey as someone in that category.

Tottenham could still try again to lure him away from Villa Park though, while Liverpool and Newcastle are also interested in the versatile playmaker.

Ramsey broke into the Villa squad in 2020 and has made 122 appearances in total for his boyhood club, scoring 13 goals and making 12 assists in the process.

Tottenham may have to look elsewhere for reinforcements should Villa stand firm on their not-for-sale stance.

Spurs have already re-signed Timo Werner on a season-long loan from RB Leipzig and tied up a £8.5m deal for midfielder Lucas Bergvall from Djurgarden.

They have plenty of work to do ahead of the coming campaign, however, with Postecoglou also keen to sign a new striker.

Brentford star Ivan Toney continues to be linked with the North Londoners but he isn’t the only centre-forward on Postecoglou’s shortlist.