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Thomas Frank is fighting for his job at Tottenham Hotspur after a run of just three wins in his last 13 games in all competitions, but a strong January window could make all the difference and TEAMtalk has looked at three signings who could keep the Dane in a job.

Wednesday night’s dramatic late loss at Bournemouth was met by more anger from the club’s away support, with both Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro confronting fans in what is starting to become a toxic atmosphere in north London.

While there needs to be some sympathy for Frank‘s current plight, given the number of players – particularly creative ones – that are sidelined, it’s a results business and the Tottenham boss cannot find any consistency in that regard.

The attacking third of the pitch has become a massive issue, more at home than away in truth, with the absence of the likes of Dominic Solanke, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and now Mohammed Kudus clear for all to see.

Solanke is back in training, but there’s still no sign of the latter returning to the pitch any time soon, while Kulusevski could be back in mid to late February and Maddison may not play at all this season.

News on Thursday afternoon that Kudus is also sidelined until after the international break in March with a quad injury puts even more stress on Frank’s resources.

With that in mind, Tottenham and Frank need an immediate January jolt by finally replacing former skipper Son Heung-min, which they should have done in the summer, and landing a prolific striker alongside a dominant midfielder.

To that end, we look at three players who our sources have previously revealed are all genuine targets for the winter window, and how adding them now could prolong Frank’s stay and let him build for the future.

DON’T MISS EXCLUSIVE: Tottenham source reveals all on Thomas Frank sack – ‘the board is considering all options’

Morten Hjulmand

Forget his stunning overhead kick on the south coast, as there’s every chance that Tottenham opt not to take up the option to sign Joao Palhinha on a permanent basis this summer.

After a bright start to life in north London, the Portugal international has not been a regular starter under Frank and when he is brought in to partner Rodrigo Bentancur in Spurs’ engine room, it’s a partnership that is ponderous in possession, lacking mobility and seemingly has an aversion to passing the ball forward.

Tottenham need a central midfielder who can dominate games before defensively and with the ball at his feet, and that’s where they need to strike a deal for Frank’s compatriot at Sporting Morten Hjulmand.

The north London outfit were heavily linked with the 26-year-old last summer, while Manchester United and Juventus are also big admirers of the player, whose all-round game is built for the Premier League.

Hjulmand is a destructive force who excels at breaking up play and, while there are some concerns over his lack of elite speed, his excellent positional play and in-game intelligence more than makes up for the slight mobility issues.

He is also a more accurate passer of the ball than both Palhinha (82%) and Bentancur (84.9%), completing 91.3% of his passes in the Portuguese league this season.

A move for Hjulmand in the winter window is likely to cost Tottenham around £70m (€80.6m / $94m), a price which reflects the mid-season sale of a player who remains under contract in Lisbon until the summer of 2028.

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Christos Tzolis

While this is not a name that many Tottenham fans will be familiar, Tzolis is a quality performer and a natutally left-sided winger who has been on fire this season.

TEAMtalk insider Graeme Bailey recently revealed how the Club Brugges star is hugely respected by Spurs’ analytics and scouting department, with a potential move very much in the works.

The Greece international’s first season in Belgium saw him claim 16 goals and nine assists, and this term he has been even more productive with seven goals and nine assists from 18 starts so far.

We can confirm that Spurs have been watching the attacker on a regular basis and sources have told us that Brugge would demand a club record sale to let the 23-year-old talent leave, which means they want at least €40million (£35m / $47m) for his services.

That sort of fee would at least free up money for a big-money striker move, which we’ll focus on next, but Tzolis is a dynamic attacking threat who would arguably be considerably better than anything Frank has tried on the left flank so far – which isn’t difficult to be fair.

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Samu Aghehowa

Arguably the trickiest of the three moves to pull off, given the asking price and Porto’s reluctance to let him go, but Aghehowa would give Tottenham a presence and threat through the middle that they’ve not had since Harry Kane left.

Richarlison is the club’s leading scorer this season with eight goals but is wildly inconsistent, injury-prone and misses too many chances to be considered an elite No.9 in a team that should be pushing for European football and not being dragged into a potential relegation scrap.

Loanee Randal Kolo Muani is still to score a Premier League goal for Spurs and has been a huge disappointment, with his only two strikes coming when he was almost certainly trying to prove a point against parent club PSG in the Champions League.

As for the return of Dominic Solanke, the wait goes on, although he is now back in training.

Aghehowa, meanwhile, has been banging in goals or fun for Port this season, notching 19 in 25 games in all competitions, including three in his last two Europa League outings.

The 21-year-old Spain international would give Frank a genuine threat through the middle, with his pace, power and finishing ability all on display this season.

Now to the difficult part, though. Tottenham would need to obliterate their transfer record to tempt Porto into a mid-season sale. His current release clause stands at €100m (£86.6m / $116m) and Porto are refusing to sell unless any suitors match it.

The good news for Spurs is that majority shareholders Enic have added £100m to the coffers for January business, while the £35m sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace should mean that there is a significant amount of money to spend on reinforcements for Frank.

The total outlay for the three players mentioned would be in the region of £191m, which would leave a shortfall of £56m, factoring in the Johnson money.

However, Tottenham declared over the summer that funds were in place to add to what is clearly now a squad of players not good enough to compete for a top-four finish anymore.

To that end, let’s see if the club are actually prepared to back Frank and give his side that dominant midfielder they are craving, an actual left winger who can contribute and a striker who can covert his chances on a regular basis.

Tottenham Hotspur’s hierarchy is growing increasingly alarmed by the club’s underwhelming performances under Thomas Frank, with sources close to the board indicating a genuine concern over the lack of progress since his arrival last summer.

The Danish manager, who replaced Ange Postecoglou in June 2025 , has overseen a turbulent period that has left the team languishing in mid-table obscurity.

Currently sitting 14th in the Premier League following a damaging 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth on Wednesday night, Spurs have managed just three wins in their last 13 outings in all competitions, prompting whispers of discontent from within the club’s decision-makers.

Insiders reveal that the board are acutely aware of the disappointing results and they are eager for a swift turnaround.

While a formal end-of-season review remains the preferred timeline for assessing Frank’s position, continued dropped points could force earlier intervention. “The board is considering all options,” one source exclusively told us, emphasising the need for tangible improvement to alleviate mounting pressure.

Fan frustration has reached fever pitch, exacerbated by recent on-pitch struggles and off-field incidents, including Frank being photographed drinking from an Arsenal-branded cup ahead of the Bournemouth loss – an innocent oversight, according to the manager, but one that has further inflamed an already restless supporter base.

Boos rang out at full-time in recent matches, and sections of the travelling support at the Vitality Stadium exchanged heated words with players, underscoring the toxic atmosphere surrounding the team.

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Thomas Frank faces ‘pivotal’ period to avoid sack

Tottenham’s upcoming fixtures are seen as make-or-break for Frank. Next up is a home FA Cup third-round tie against in-form Aston Villa this weekend, followed by a crucial Premier League clash with West Ham United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 17.

Following those is a Champions League encounter with Borussia Dortmund on January 20 – three home games that sources describe as “pivotal” in determining the 52-year-old’s immediate future.

Frank, who has repeatedly stressed alignment with the club’s leadership, including CEO Vinai Venkatesham, acknowledged the challenges in recent press conferences but remains defiant about his long-term vision.

However, with the January transfer window open and the team in need of reinforcements, the pressure is intensifying for results to match the ambition.

It is key to note, though, that there is a recognition that the squad is well below the level required and whoever the manager is, a major overhaul is needed to bring it up to standard.

Tottenham’s season, which began with optimism following European success, has descended into familiarity: inconsistency, defensive frailty, and a lack of attacking spark.

Whether Frank can navigate this critical juncture remains to be seen, but the clock is ticking louder than ever at N17.

Latest Tottenham news: Diomande update, Frank responds to cup incident

Meanwhile, my colleague, Graeme Bailey, has reported that RB Leipzig have ‘no plans’ to sell winger Yan Diomande this month, amid interest from Tottenham.

Spurs were the first Premier League club to send scouts to watch the 19-year-old in action, but have since been joined by Liverpool and Manchester United in tracking him.

In other news, Frank has responded to the Arsenal cup saga, stating after the loss to Bournemouth: “Definitely not noticed it. I think it’s fair to say that we’re not winning every single football match, so it would be absolutely, completely stupid of me to take a cup with Arsenal.”

Read Frank’s post-match comments HERE.

Thomas Frank insists he has nothing to prove and suggests he may have been set up after being photographed drinking from an Arsenal-branded cup on Wednesday night, and amid menacing reports that claim an emergency board meeting will be held over his Tottenham Hotspur future, we can reveal whether the Dane is seriously under any immediate danger of the sack.

It’s been a disappointing season for Tottenham so far, who sit in 14th place in the Premier League table, some seven points adrift of the top four places. While Frank inherited a squad lacking genuine quality throughout, better results were expected from the Dane, who took over from the sacked Ange Postecoglou over the summer.

The 52-year-old’s situation took another turn for the worse on Wednesday night as Spurs succumbed to a last-gasp Antoine Semenyo strike from outside the area to lose 3-2 at Bournemouth, their 10th defeat in 30 games under the Dane so far, who now only has a 36.67% win percentage record since moving to N17.

In the wake of that loss, one notorious account on X, comprising five elite reporters, revealed that Spurs officials are to hold ‘an emergency crisis meeting on Thursday to discuss Frank’s future’ and that ‘one top official is demanding he is sacked immediately’.

We’ll address those claims later on, but in the meantime, Frank has admitted that he is a”little sad” that he is forced to defend his actions, having been pictured drinking from an Arsenal-branded cup.

The image sparked mass hysteria across social media when the photo came to light, but Frank insists football is “heading in the wrong direction” if he was being asked to explain why he had mistakenly drunk from a cup with another team’s logo on it”.

He continued: “Definitely not noticed it. I think it’s fair to say that we’re not winning every single football match, so it would be absolutely, completely stupid of me to take a cup with Arsenal. Is there anyone thinking I’ve done that [deliberately]? All the staff have done it.

“They’ve been in the changing room, the game before us. It’s normal to take a cup, give me an espresso, I do that before every game. I think, actually, it’s a little bit sad in football that I need to be asked a question about that.

“I think we’re definitely going in the wrong direction if we need to worry about me having a cup with another logo of another club. Of course, I’ll never do that. That’s extremely stupid.”

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Is Thomas Frank really facing the Tottenham sack?

Despite claims he is facing the sack, our sources have indicated that it is business as usual for Frank and Spurs right now, and he has the club’s backing for now and is playing an active role in discussions over recruitment for this month.

Down the line, however, and as is normal at Tottenham, the club will hold an internal review at the season’s end to assess their progress and discuss, among other things, their manager’s future.

And while his dismissal is not expected at this moment in time, we can reveal that Spurs are quietly compiling a shortlist of managerial candidates for a potential change at the helm in the summer, with Roberto De Zerbi emerging as a top target to step into the hot seat.

Club insiders insist that a comprehensive review of Frank’s position is scheduled for the end of the season, as they would anyway at the end of each campaign, though it is far from certain they will call time on his reign.

“There’s no rush to sack him right now,” one source told us on Wednesday. “The board appreciates the stability he’s brought and the clear issues with the squad, but results speak for themselves. If things don’t turn around, changes will be inevitable.”

In the immediate aftermath, Frank may have another problem to address too, with Micky van de Ven approaching the away end and pointing at supporters, while Pedro Porro had to be led away by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario as tensions between fans and players mounted.

Speaking about it, Frank said: “I haven’t seen that situation, that’s one thing. I think it’s fair to say everyone involved in Tottenham, players, staff, fans, everyone, is a tough one to take today.

“I think hopefully everyone can see how hard we worked to get everything in the right direction. And I think overall the performance was good, especially in the second half, in a game where we deserved to get more.

“That is extremely painful to be part of, so of course people are frustrated, I’m frustrated, so that’s natural.”

Latest Tottenham news: Huge West Ham raid planned; huge midfielder deal eyed

Meanwhile, sources can reveal that Fulham are keeping a close eye on Joao Palhinha’s situation at Tottenham amid claims the Lilywhites could abort their planned deal to make his loan permanent.

Elsewhere, Spurs are reportedly planning a huge offer to sign one of the best players at West Ham, according to a report, which has rated their chances of winning the race for his signature in 2026.

And finally, Tottenham are ramping up their efforts to sign a new midfielder THIS WEEK, with Frank making it clear he needs a high-energy, driving maestro as a priority signing to inject vitality and legs into the heart of his team.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has clarified why he was drinking from an Arsenal-branded cup ahead of the match against Bournemouth, but that has not stopped three prominent figures connected to the club from slamming the former Brentford manager.

Bournemouth suffered a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday, but they bounced back with a 3-2 win against Tottenham on Wednesday evening. Manchester City-bound Antoine Semenyo’s goal in the fifth minute of injury time saw the Cherries win the match.

It was yet another hugely disappointing result for Tottenham under manager Thomas Frank, who was appointed in his role last summer.

Frank has come under increasing pressure, and that is only going to grow after the defeat to Bournemouth, especially after his blunder with an Arsenal-branded cup.

Ahead of the match on Wednesday evening, Frank was caught on camera sipping from an Arsenal cup.

Frank was surveying the pitch at the Vitality Stadium before kick-off when a photograph emerged of him drinking from a cup with the Arsenal badge on.

Given that Arsenal and Tottenham are bitter north London rivals, it was hugely embarrassing.

The Tottenham manager, though, has hit back at the entire incident, and while he has said that he did not see the badge, the Dane has questioned whether it is a story in the first place.

Football.London has quoted Frank as saying: “Definitely not noticed it. I think it’s fair to say that we’re not winning every single football match, so it would be absolutely, completely stupid of me to take a cup with Arsenal.

“Is there anyone thinking I’ve done that? All the staff has done it.

“They’ve (Arsenal) been in the changing room, the game before us.

“It’s normal to take a cup, give me an espresso, I do that before every game.

“I think, actually, it’s a little bit sad in football that I need to be asked a question about that.

“I think we’re definitely going in the wrong direction if we need to worry about me having a cup with another logo of another club, of course, I’ll never do that.

“That’s extremely stupid.”

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Thomas Frank should be ‘sacked immediately’ as Tottenham manager

According to journalist Ben Jacobs on X, Bournemouth have “branded logos for each fixture”, so that Arsenal cup was probably a leftover from the Cherries’ last game.

Jacobs noted: “They have branded logos for each fixture so must have been left over/given to him from the previous home game vs. Arsenal. Unfortunate!”

However, this embarrassment, combined with Tottenham’s defeat, has led to prominent Tottenham fan and Football Podcaster, Ricky Sacks, to call for Frank to be dismissed “immediately”.

Sacks wrote on X: “Should be sacked immediately and not be allowed to spend a minute longer managing our great football club. He simply ‘dosent’ [sic] get it’ and will NEVER get us!”

Former Tottenham player and outspoken talkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara, too, was hugely unimpressed.

O’Hara posted on X: “How can Thomas frank see what’s happening on the pitch when he can’t even see what’s on his coffee cup.”

Another former Tottenham player, Ramon Vega, lamented on X: “You can’t make this up!”

While responding to a video of Bournemouth fans chanting “Champions of Europe… you’re having a laugh!”, Vega said:“The club is in free fall. They forgot the parachute on the plane. laughingstock of the league…..”

Will Tottenham sack Thomas Frank as manager?

Before the match against Bournemouth, TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, reported that Tottenham have no immediate plans to sack Frank as the manager.

A source told us: “There’s no rush to sack him right now.

“The board appreciates the stability he’s brought and the clear issues with the squad, but results speak for themselves.

“If things don’t turn around, changes will be inevitable.”

However, that does not mean that Tottenham are not looking at candidates should they have to pull the trigger.

We understand that Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has emerged as a top target for Tottenham for the summer of 2026, should last season’s Europa League winners sack Frank.

De Zerbi, though, would prefer to take the Man Utd managerial job, with the Red Devils also considering him.

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Latest Tottenham transfer news: West Ham raid, two major signings

Meanwhile, a report has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur want to sign a West Ham United star, but sources have told us that the Hammers will not sell him in the January transfer window.

Our transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, has reported that Tottenham are pressing ahead to sign two signings that indicate that a big-name star’s days at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium are numbered.

Tottenham Hotspur are leading the race for one of West Ham United’s best players, according to a report, which has also revealed the chances of him leaving the Hammers for Spurs in 2026.

West Ham and Tottenham are London rivals, and the two clubs are having very different seasons at the moment. While Tottenham are still very much in the race for the Premier League top four despite winning only two of their last six league games, West Ham are third from bottom and are seven points off safety.

The Hammers are an established club, but it is looking increasingly likely that they will get relegated to the Championship, and, according to Fichajes, Tottenham are ready to take advantage of that.

The Spanish news outlet has reported that among the teams ‘closely monitoring’ Jarrod Bowen, Tottenham are ‘the most interested’.

Bowen’s ‘departure would be virtually inevitable’ should West Ham get relegated, according to the report, which has described the 29-year-old English winger as ‘a complete footballer, ready to perform from day one in a project with European aspirations’.

West Ham themselves are aware that they will have to offload Bowen, their ‘great asset’, next summer should they get relegated.

Bowen has been on the books of West Ham since January 2020 and is under contract at the Premier League club until the summer of 2030.

The versatile attacker has scored 80 goals and given 53 assists in 260 appearances for the Hammers so far in his career.

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West Ham will NOT sell Jarrod Bowen in January – sources

Fichajes is not a very reliable source, so any report from it has to be treated with caution.

However, in this case, TEAMtalk can confirm that Tottenham are interested in Bowen.

Our transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, reported on December 21, 2025, that Tottenham have asked about Bowen in each of the last four transfer windows.

We understand that Bowen and his camp are aware of interest from Spurs, who won the Europa League last season.

There is long-term interest in the 29-year-old from Liverpool and Newcastle United, too.

However, sources have told us that West Ham will not sell Bowen in the January transfer window.

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has made it clear that Bowen will not leave the club in the middle of the season at ‘any price’.

Latest Tottenham transfer news: Double raid, bid for left-back

Meanwhile, sources have told our transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, that Tottenham Hotspur have stepped up their pursuit of two players.

Our transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, has reported that Tottenham have been offered the chance to sign a Brazilian defender.

Tottenham Hotspur are ramping up their efforts to bolster their defensive options, with a particular focus on the left-back position, as doubts linger over the long-term future of current star Destiny Udogie.

Sources close to the club indicate that Spurs are actively pursuing Borussia Mönchengladbach’s promising young defender Luca Netz, while also bidding for Santos talent Souza as part of a potential double deal.

Netz, the 22-year-old German international, has been on Tottenham’s radar for some time, impressing with his blend of defensive solidity and attacking flair in the Bundesliga.

His contract with Mönchengladbach is set to expire at the end of the season, making him an attractive free agent target in the summer.

However, Spurs are eager to accelerate the process and secure his services as early as this January transfer window. Early conversations have happened, with the north London club prepared to table a modest fee to pry him away from the German side mid-season.

The interest in Netz comes alongside pursuits for Brazilian prospect Souza from Santos. The 20-year-old has been turning heads in South America with his dynamic performances, drawing comparisons to some of Brazil’s finest exports in the position.

Tottenham scouts have been monitoring Souza closely, viewing him as a long-term investment who could provide depth and competition.

It’s understood that Santos are open to discussions, but want a premium fee for the highly rated youngster.

Indeed, Tottenham have already seen an opening bid for Souza worth around €9.2m / £8m rejected. My colleague, Graeme Bailey, has been informed Santos are seeking closer to €20m / £17.3m, which is roughly double the value of the first offer.

And on Wednesday afternoon, Spurs returned with an improved bid worth €15m. Souza is open to the move, while Santos are insisting a sell-on clause be included.

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Growing concerns over Destiny Udogie

This dual approach underscores growing concerns surrounding Destiny Udogie, the Italian defender who has been a mainstay in Spurs’ backline since joining from Udinese in 2022.

Udogie, 23, has faced recurring injury issues and inconsistent form this season, prompting questions about his reliability moving forward.

Club officials are weighing up options, including a possible loan or permanent exit in the summer, to make way for fresh talent.

Tottenham’s proactive stance in the market aligns with their ambitions to challenge for top-four honours in the Premier League and make a deep run in European competitions.

Thomas Frank has emphasised the need for squad depth, where injuries have plagued the team in recent campaigns.

Latest Tottenham news – Palhinha developments / De Zerbi truths / Roma raid

Elsewhere, Tottenham are souring on the idea of taking up Joao Palhinha’s £26m option to buy.

That’s put a London rival on red alert and they won’t show the same hesitancy Spurs are if there’s an opening to sign the Portugal international.

Meanwhile, Spurs are quietly compiling a shortlist of managerial candidates for a potential change at the helm in the summer of 2026, with Roberto De Zerbi emerging as a top target to replace current boss Thomas Frank.

However, it’s important to stress Frank is NOT in any immediate danger of being sacked, with the club planning to undertake a comprehensive review of the Dane’s work at the end of the season. Only then will a decision on whether to stick or twist be made.

Finally, intermediaries have alerted Spurs, Manchester City and Newcastle to the possibility of signing Roma’s Wesley Franca.

The five-cap Brazil international – who is primarily an attacking right-back – has wowed since joining Roma from Flamengo in the summer. But if Roma receive lucrative offers that allow for greater squad redevelopment, Wesley can go.

Tottenham are trying to force through the signing of Brazilian left-back Souza having seen an opening offer rejected, though there’s more bad news on the club’s quest to land a lethal new winger.

Tottenham continue to move forwards with Thomas Frank as the boss is being included in transfer planning this week.

At a time when Chelsea and Manchester United have changed their managers, Frank has been coming under pressure from the Spurs fanbase.

However, his immediate future is not in danger, we understand, as part of a patient plan to let him build a squad and shape the side to his liking.

As part of that, the Dane has been influencing their moves in the market as talks take place with targets.

We revealed last month how a left sided defender was a priority and Tottenham have been moving towards Souza from Santos.

Initial conversations last week showed that a move would be complicated after an opening bid worth roughly £8m was rejected.

However, sources have confirmed that Tottenham have not been deterred, are continuing talks, and have been trying hard to force a breakthrough on the deal.

If it does not show signs of changing in the next couple of days, they will move on to other targets in that area, though as mentioned, Tottenham are doing all they can right now to thrust the deal over the line.

Complicating matters is the fact Chelsea (via BlueCo), Manchester City (CityGroup) and Newcastle are all showing varying degrees of interest too.

Regarding cost, my colleague, Graeme Bailey, has been informed Santos are seeking around €20m, which is roughly double the value is Tottenham’s initial bid.

Meanwhile, there’s familiar bad news on Tottenham’s attempts to land a potent new winger.

After giving up on signing Antoine Semenyo despite being prepared to make him their highest paid player, Spurs made new checks on Yan Diomande’s availability.

Unfortunately, RB Leipzig have made it crystal clear Diomande is not attainable in this window. It is possible they now step away from that one, for now.

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Latest Tottenham news – Palhinha developments / New midfielder this week?

Elsewhere, Tottenham are souring on the idea of taking up Joao Palhinha’s £26m option to buy.

That’s put a London rival on red alert and they won’t show the same hesitancy Spurs are if there’s an opening to sign the Portugal international.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are ramping up their efforts to sign a new midfielder THIS WEEK, with manager Thomas Frank identifying a high-energy, driving maestro as the priority signing to inject vitality and legs into the heart of his team.

Finally, we can confirm Tottenham are one of a cluster of Premier League clubs taking a close look at 19-year-old Toulouse defender, Dayann Methalie.

Tottenham Hotspur are quietly compiling a shortlist of managerial candidates for a potential change at the helm in the summer of 2026, with Roberto De Zerbi emerging as a top target to replace current boss Thomas Frank – though the Italian is understood to also be on Manchester United’s radar and will give the Red Devils favouritism should they make an approach.

Sources close to the north London club indicate that while there are no immediate plans to part ways with Frank, the Dane’s tenure is under scrutiny following a disappointing campaign that has left Spurs languishing in mid-table. And with supporters far from happy at either results or performances that have yielded a modest 37.93% win percentage record, the 52-year-old has found himself coming under some pressure.

Frank, who took over at Tottenham last summer after a successful stint at Brentford, has overseen a period of mixed results so far.

Club insiders insist that a comprehensive review of Frank’s position is scheduled for the end of the season, as they would anyway at the end of each campaign, though it is far from certain they will call time on his reign.

“There’s no rush to sack him right now,” one source told us. “The board appreciates the stability he’s brought and the clear issues with the squad, but results speak for themselves. If things don’t turn around, changes will be inevitable.”

De Zerbi, the 46-year-old Italian tactician who had transformed Brighton into a formidable force after his arrival in 2022, is said to have “huge admirers” within Tottenham’s hierarchy.

His progressive style of play, emphasising possession and high pressing, aligns with Spurs’ vision for the future. However, the North London club is acutely aware of the competition for his services.

As we revealed on Tuesday, De Zerbi is also a leading candidate for the vacant managerial position at Manchester United, where Ruben Amorim’s sacking earlier this week has sparked a high-profile search for a new leader.

According to multiple sources, De Zerbi harbours a strong interest in the Old Trafford role, viewing it as a “dream opportunity” to manage one of football’s most storied institutions.

His contract with Marseille runs to summer 2027, but sources insist he would be open to leaving this summer for the right opportunity and fuelled by a belief he has taken the French side as far as he can.

“He’s flattered by Tottenham’s interest, but United would likely be priority,” a source familiar with the situation explained.

This development comes at a pivotal time for Tottenham, who are eager to reclaim their status among the Premier League’s elite. The inclusion of De Zerbi on the list signals an ambition to attract top-tier talent.

Other names on the shortlist remain under wraps, though speculation has linked figures like Julian Nagelsmann and Amorim, perhaps somewhat surprisingly given his struggles at Old Trafford, to the role.

As the managerial merry-go-round heats up, De Zerbi’s future will be one of the most-watched stories of the summer transfer window.

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Latest Tottenham news: Pre-agreed deal could be aborted; Real Madrid star eyed

Meanwhile, sources can reveal that Fulham are keeping a close eye on Joao Palhinha’s situation at Tottenham amid claims the Lilywhites could abort their planned deal to make his loan permanent.

It is unclear at this stage how the Portugal star would view the idea of going back to his old club, but if Marco Silva remains as boss, we understand it is something that could be progressed.

Elsewhere, a top Real Madrid star is emerging on Spurs’ radar, we can reveal, though they could well face competition from two Premier League rivals who are also tracking his signature.

And finally, Tottenham are ramping up their efforts to sign a new midfielder THIS WEEK, with Frank making it clear he needs a high-energy, driving maestro as a priority signing to inject vitality and legs into the heart of his team.

Fulham would consider a move for Joao Palhinha if Tottenham do not take up their option to sign him.

There is not yet clarification on his situation but in recent weeks sources have become less convinced that Spurs trigger the option to take him on a permanent deal, which is worth €30m / £26m.

Palhinha, 30, has enjoyed being back in the Premier League – on loan from Bayern Munich – and is keen to remain in England.

As such, Fulham will keep an eye on the situation in case there is a possibility to lure him back to Craven Cottage in the summer.

Palhinha showed ambition when he left Fulham for the Bundesliga but his move did not go to plan and he is still not hitting the levels at Tottenham that he once showed in west London.

It is unclear at this stage how he would view the idea of going back to his old club, but if Marco Silva remains as boss it is something that could be progressed.

Silva has been in contract talks about extending his time at Fulham, with sources hinting that he is expected to stay and is close to an agreement.

He has been linked with the Manchester United job in the past 48 hours but that is not a likely outcome, as it stands.

Spurs boss Thomas Frank was very much behind the move to sign Palhinha on loan last summer for Spurs but the Portuguese midfielder has not hit his best levels.

Palhinha was a regular starter in the first part of the season but since December, has largely been utilised off the bench.

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Thomas Frank future could be key for Palhinha

It is also felt Frank’s situation will have a bearing on whether the midfielder stays.

Frank is safe in his job for now but, if results do not improve and he was to leave this season, it is very likely that would spell the end of Palhinha’s own time at the club.

Palhinha is contracted to Bayern until 2028 and if he does not join Spurs then the German club will have to decide whether to loan him out again.

It is considered unlikely that he can work his way back into Bayern’s plans.

Latest Tottenham & Fulham news – New signing this week / Raheem Sterling…

In other news, Tottenham are ramping up their efforts to sign a new midfielder THIS WEEK, with manager Thomas Frank identifying a high-energy, driving maestro as the priority signing to inject vitality and legs into the heart of his team.

Elsewhere, Fulham have held exploratory talks over the signing of Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling, though are keen to move a struggling winger out first.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin is emerging on the radar of Tottenham Hotspur, we can reveal, though they could well face competition from two Premier League rivals who are also tracking his signature.

The Ukraine star is highly-regarded at the Santiago Bernabeu, but number one Thibaut Courtois shows few signs of bowing out. Courtois is 33 but was handed a new two-year deal last summer and is on course to remain at the club.

Lunin, 26, has been with Real since 2018, and has been number two since 2021 following loan stints with Leganes, Real Valladolid and Real Oviedo.

Despite his huge promise, Real can’t offer Lunin any sort of regular minutes, and they also have exciting youngster Javi Navarro coming through the ranks, making it possible they could allow a deal in 2026.

Knowing he could be available, Lunin’s camp are doing work on options, and a move to England is understood to be a major temptation.

Sources have confirmed to us that Tottenham have been made aware of the situation, but they are not alone with a number of sides across Europe keen on Lunin.

Brighton & Hove Albion, who could lose Bart Verbruggen this summer, and Nottingham Forest are understood to be keeping tabs on the situation, too.

My colleague Fraser Fletcher reported on December 17 that Spurs have growing concerns over the long-term viability of current number one Guglielmo Vicario.

Fletcher added that Spurs are also tracking Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen and James Trafford of Manchester City.

Ter Stegen has been replaced by Joan Garcia at the Camp Nou. Trafford returned to City last summer but is behind Gianluigi Donnarumma in the pecking order and is understood to be searching for a new club.

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Tottenham transfer news: Midfielder pursuit ramps up; latest on Brazilian target

Meanwhile, Thomas Frank is pushing Spurs to land a top-class new midfielder this week.

Sources state that Spurs have also offered €10m (£8.7m) for a Brazilian left-back.