TEAMtalk

Tottenham Hotspur are being tipped to offload a 27-goal forward in order to part-fund a record-breaking swoop for much sought-after Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, in a move that makes sense on so many levels for Thomas Frank.

The north London club are firmly in the mix to snap up Semenyo in the January transfer window, despite concrete interest from Premier League rivals Manchester City and Liverpool in the supremely talented Ghana international.

Indeed, TEAMtalk insider Fraser Fletcher revealed on Friday that Tottenham intend to smash their wage structure for Semenyo in a huge statement of intent.

The 25-year-old has a £65million release clause in his contract that runs until 2030, although that clause is only active early in the January window and drops again in the summer.

Despite a £100m cash injection from majority owners ENIC ahead of the winter window, Spurs are still looking at adding other talent to Frank’s squad alongside Semenyo, with a willingness to sell first-team talent also on the cards.

And that’s where the immediate future of Brennan Johnson comes into play, with the Wales international struggling for regular game time, despite being the club’s top scorer last season.

Our transfer insider, Dean Jones, recently revealed why Johnson could be shown the door in 2026, and now a fresh report has revealed a potential escape route for the winger that should also secure Spurs significant funds to put towards their Semenyo swoop.

According to Sky Sports News, Crystal Palace have taken an interest in signing Johnson as they scope out replacements for the Africa Cup of Nations-bound Ismaila Sarr.

Johnson has made just six starts in the Premier League this season, scoring four goals in 19 appearances in all competitions. However, he remains firmly behind Mohammed Kudus when it comes to his favoured right-wing position and is nowhere near as effective on the left flank.

To that end, if Palace’s interest is genuine, parting company with Johnson in the winter window ticks a number of boxes.

DON’T MISS – Transfer Debrief: Mo Salah to rip up Liverpool deal; Man Utd in ‘direct talks’ over sale; Chelsea in for Bundesliga rock

Johnson not good enough to be a regular Tottenham starter

The former Nottingham Forest attacker excelled in what was largely a disastrous 2024/25 campaign for Tottenham, bar their Europa League triumph under Ange Postecoglou.

Frank, however, is looking to build a dynamic attack that includes his wide players chalking up impressive stats, while also delivering consistent performances week in, week out – something Johnson has largely struggled to do.

Kudus remains a work in progress in the stats department but has shown so much more than Johnson when it comes to his ability to create for others, while having Semenyo on the opposite flank would give Frank an explosive frontline – assuming, of course, that the Dane can find a No.9 who can consistently deliver goals as well.

While moving on from Johnson, who has scored 27 goals and has 18 assists in 104 appearances for Tottenham across all competitions, might seem harsh to some, it’s the right call for the club’s progression under Frank.

Semenyo chalked up six goals and three assists in his first seven games of the Premier League season, although he has failed to directly contribute to a goal in any of his last seven top-flight matches.

Some of that will likely be down to the ongoing speculation surrounding his future, but that talent is clearly there as Tottenham look to secure what will likely be one of the signings of the January window.

Get the inside story first by joining our TEAMtalk Facebook channel to receive the latest breaking and exclusive news straight into your Messenger inbox.

Latest Tottenham news: Vuskovic plans revealed; wonderkid hunt

Tottenham have rebuffed enquiries from some high-profile clubs, including Bayern Munich, for their outstanding central defensive prospect Luka Vuskovic and TEAMtalk can reveal a plan is forming to curtail that interest completely.

Elsewhere, Chelsea have taken a shine to Jadiel Pereira da Gama and are determined to sign him from PEC Zwolle, sources have told TEAMtalk, but there is interest in the teenager from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, too.

Tottenham Hotspur have rebuffed enquiries from some high-profile clubs, including Bayern Munich, for their outstanding central defensive prospect Luka Vuskovic and TEAMtalk can reveal a plan is forming to curtail that interest completely.

The 18-year-old trained with Tottenham for the first time this summer and despite impressing in the summer, he was loaned to Hamburg – where he would help cover for the continued absence of his suspended brother Mario.

This is the third loan spell for Vuskovic in his young career after he initially signed for Tottenham back in 2023.

That means that despite his tender years he already has over 70 first-team games under his belt and this season at Hamburg he has been outstanding.

To such as an extent that sources can reveal that Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig have made enquiries with Tottenham about him.

However, we understand that Spurs made it clear that his future is very much in north London, as we my colleague Dean Jones also recently stated.

Indeed, sources have now told us that some within Spurs’ hierarchy believe that Vuskovic should be recalled from his Hamburg spell in Germany, in order to try and bring an end to talk of a permanent switch elsewhere.

Spurs are in the market for another central defender in January, but the belief is that few players they could bring in would be better than Vuskovic – who has proven this season that he already at a very high level.

DIVE DEEPER – Do Tottenham need to replace Vicario with an elite keeper signing in January to reach top four?

Tottenham looking to end noise over Vuskovic future

Spurs are able to recall Vuskovic during a certain time frame in January and conversations about this possibility are ongoing.

Hamburg for their part are desperate to keep Vuskovic, who has been a brilliant replacement for his brother Mario – who is banned until November 2026 due to a drugs ban.

The teenager is a deadly set-piece threat and has scored twice in 13 games this season, including a stunning back-heeled volleyed effort against rivals Werder Bremen over the weekend.

That reputation was garnered while on loan at Westerlo last season, where he scored seven times, while he netted a stunning goal and also notched an assist for Tottenham in a pre-season win at Reading.

His performance in that game led to many Spurs fans lauding him as the perfect back-up to Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven ahead of the new campaign, so it came as a big surprise when a loan move to Hamburg was agreed.

However, the fact that Vuskovic has been playing regularly in one of the top leagues in Europe, rather than sitting on the bench at Tottenham, is only a good thing for the player and the club in the long-term. However, it could be that the teenage talent is back sooner than was expected, in order to silence all that noise around his future.

Get the inside story first by joining our TEAMtalk Facebook channel to receive the latest breaking and exclusive news straight into your Messenger inbox.

More Tottenham news: ‘Dream’ winger targets named; potential Toney signing blow

Tottenham are being kept in the loop on Ademola Lookman’s situation ahead of the January transfer window, but TEAMtalk can reveal that the club’s shortlist for a new winger now includes two ‘dream names’ who are considered a step up on the Atalanta attacker.

Elsewhere, Ivan Toney did not impress Thomas Tuchel during his previous England training camp, and that could play a huge role in a potential Premier League return, amid interest from Tottenham and other English sides.

Manchester City and Liverpool are both mobilising for Antoine Semenyo, but we can reveal Tottenham are prepared to smash their wage structure for the Bournemouth winger in a huge statement of intent.

The January transfer window promises fireworks, with Bournemouth sensation Antoine Semenyo firmly at its heart.

The 25-year-old Ghanaian forward – who WON’T be away at AFCON after his country failed to qualify – has ignited a frenzy among England’s elite.

Sources now position Manchester City as frontrunners, edging ahead of a determined Liverpool, while Tottenham Hotspur are ready to swing a financial sledgehammer to disrupt the race.

City’s interest crystallised early, with informal enquiries evolving into advanced talks. Pep Guardiola views Semenyo’s lethal finishing with either foot and counter-attacking edge as the ideal foil for his fluid system.

Sources confirm personal terms will be easily agreed at the Etihad, with the £65 million release clause – active only in January’s initial phase – poised for activation.

This clause, embedded in Semenyo’s 2030 contract extension, drops further in summer, but City’s urgency stems from a title push amid a resurgent campaign.

Liverpool, undeterred, are ready to match City’s every step.

Arne Slot envisions Semenyo as Mohamed Salah’s long-term heir. The Egyptian icon might be on the way out of Anfield sooner than anyone had anticipated just a few weeks ago.

Despite whispers of Semenyo favouring Merseyside, sources believe City’s tactical fit gives them the edge.

The player’s camp holds the aces, with a decision imminent to allow Bournemouth scouting time for a successor.

Tottenham preparing blockbuster Semenyo offer

Enter Tottenham, armed with unprecedented ambition. Under Thomas Frank’s guidance, Spurs are ready to shatter wage structures, offering Semenyo one of the club’s top salaries – potentially eclipsing top earners – to lure him to north London.

This audacious bid is fuelled by the Lewis family’s recent £100 million equity injection into ENIC, their investment vehicle controlling 87.62% of Spurs.

The family rejected £4.5 billion takeover bids in November, signalling generational commitment and a pivot toward on-pitch glory after last season’s Europa League triumph.

Funding the clause poses no barrier; instead, it’s a statement of intent on the wages front to challenge the more successful sides in the ‘Big Six’.

Spurs do have recent history of striking club-to-club agreements for major stars and still ending up empty-handed.

That scenario unfolded with both Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze over the summer, and Tottenham’s intention to offer a salary too good to ignore is an effort to avoid repeating past mistakes.

Bournemouth dread the dosruption Semenyo’s mid-season exit will cause, though their model does factor in the eventual sales of their best players for huge profits.

With Manchester United also monitoring, though trailing, the Cherries are eyeing replacements like Sporting’s Geovany Quenda, who will join Chelsea in the summer but could be loaned straight out.

Semenyo, content yet craving silverware, hasn’t forced a move. However, all expectations are he will join a new club next month.

Tottenham are being kept in the loop on Ademola Lookman’s situation ahead of the January transfer window, but TEAMtalk can reveal that the club’s shortlist for a new winger now includes two ‘dream names’ who are considered a step up on the Atalanta attacker.

Spurs showed a genuine interest in signing Lookman last summer and put forward an offer to take him on loan. However, it was not tempting to Atalanta at the time, with the Serie A outfit wanting a permanent deal instead.

Lookman’s future has become more uncertain since, though, and he is being strongly linked with a switch to Turkish giants Galatasaray.

Tottenham’s interest in the former Fulham and Everton winger is not quite as strong now, as they are raising the bar in terms of who they could sign across both 2026 windows.

But intermediaries have made them aware of his conditions for a move, in case they decide to try again.

Galatasaray are trying to progress a January deal for Lookman, who has begun to find his best form again recently.

It could prove to be the case that Tottenham hold out and try to sign a more ambitious target instead, with the likes of Rodrygo from Real Madrid and Kenan Yildiz of Juventus seen as dream names among a shortlist that has been drawn up over the past few weeks.

DON’T MISS 👉 The key contract details of every Tottenham first-team player: Expiry dates, weekly wages, agents…

Tottenham stepping up a level with January targets

Rodrygo was another player Spurs looked at over the summer, but Real were keen to hang on to the attacker as Xabi Alonso fully assessed his squad, after taking over from Carlo Ancelotti at The Bernabeu.

The 24-year-old Brazil international continues to be linked with an exit, however, and he did his chances of a move no harm at all with his display against Manchester in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard was hugely impressed with the attacker’s display, while the Spanish media also had high praise, despite it being another negative result that has heaped more pressure on Alonso’s future.

Tottenham are not alone in their interest fr Rodrygo, though, with north London rivals Arsenal also reportedly plotting a move of their own and Liverpool also very keen on the attacker.

As for Yildiz, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool for the 20-year-old Juventus attacking midfielder, who is equally comfortable playing out wide.

Talks over signing a new and improved contract in Turin have stalled, alerting a number of high-powered suitors to his potential availability.

However, we understand that talk of Arsenal making a move for the playmaker is not accurate, giving Tottenham some hope if they decide to make a concrete move for Yildiz.

Get the inside story first by joining our TEAMtalk Facebook channel to receive the latest breaking and exclusive news straight into your Messenger inbox.

Latest Tottenham news: Greenwood interest; major exit on cards

Mason Greenwood’s impressive scoring record continues at Marseille but a move back to the Premier League is still considered to be off limits, despite Tottenham interest, sources state.

Elsewhere, Chelsea have taken a shine to Jadiel Pereira da Gama and are determined to sign him from PEC Zwolle, sources have told TEAMtalk, but there is interest in the teenager from Tottenham and Manchester City, too.

Chelsea have taken a shine to Jadiel Pereira da Gama and are determined to sign him from PEC Zwolle, sources have told TEAMtalk, but there is interest in the teenager from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, too.

We understand that Chelsea, Tottenham and Man City are leading the chase for 15-year-old defensive midfielder Pereira da Gama.

Pereira da Gama is a special talent, given that he is already playing first-team football at the age of 15.

In fact, Pereira da Gama is the youngest player ever to feature in the Eredivisie.

The imposing 6ft defensive midfielder is a key part of PEC Zwolle’s squad in the Dutch top flight.

Pereira da Gama made his debut against Telstar in August and has played a total of seven first-team matches for the Dutch club so far this season.

We can reveal that Pereira da Gama, who has turned out seven times for the Netherlands Under-16 side as well, has attracted the attention of clubs from throughout Europe.

A number of Premier League teams have been keeping close tabs on the 15-year-old’s progress in recent months.

Sources with knowledge of the situation have told us that BlueCo and City Group are leading the chase, along with Tottenham, whose youth recruitment is rated among the best in Europe.

Should Zwolle lose Pereira da Gamato to an English side, then the teenager would not be able to move across the Channel until January 2028.

READ NEXT 🔵 Enzo Maresca to blame for £100.5m Chelsea transfer mistake that needs January solution – pundit

Latest Chelsea transfer news: Winger wants exit, Barcelona raid

Meanwhile, sources have told TEAMtalk that a Chelsea winger wants to leave in the January transfer window, having become frustrated at the lack of regular playing time under manager Enzo Maresca.

We also understand that Chelsea are ready to make a move for a Barcelona midfielder.

Mason Greenwood’s impressive scoring record continues at Marseille but a move back to the Premier League is still considered to be off limits, sources state.

His form at Marseille has been consistent and this week he scored twice in a 3-2 win over Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. It means he now has 13 goals for the season, and as the top scorer in Ligue 1 his potential to step up to a bigger stage with a transfer begins to have hope.

However, sources say there continues to be very little chance of him returning to England on the back of his controversial history from his time at Manchester United and any backlash to his signing.

Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United have both been mentioned previously as clubs who could be tempted to sign him – but sources indicate that neither are likely to do so at this stage.

It is felt Greenwood will put himself in the shop window though, and that a move to La Liga is more likely if he is to get a big transfer. Both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have been looking at him.

West Ham will sign a striker in the new year as they look to move on Niclas Fullkrug. We revealed on November 16 that Fullkrug is poised to reject interest from the Premier League as he would rather join Wolfsburg or Hamburg in Germany.

The Irons are trying to be smart about finding an edge in the transfer market, and they have checked out Strasbourg’s Joaquin Panichelli as well as Rio Ave’s Brazilian forward Clayton, who is the top scorer in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

The Hammers have also been linked with Promise David of Union Saint-Gilloise, but sources indicate a handful of other new options are also being looked at right now to decide whether they make the January shortlist.

Tottenham transfer news: Shock exit possible; talks derailed

Meanwhile, sources indicate Brennan Johnson could be set for an early departure from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Johnson has failed to fully convince Spurs chiefs over his suitability long term, and the winger could be replaced by further attacking signings over the next two transfer windows.

Brennan Johnson could be set for a departure from Tottenham Hotspur in 2026, with sources telling TEAMtalk that the forward has failed to fully convince the staff at the north London club.

Johnson joined Tottenham from Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2023 for £47.5million (€54.3m, $63.7m). The Wales international forward has made 104 appearances for the north London club since, scoring 27 goals and giving 18 assists in the process.

Sources acknowledge that Johnson has yet to fully convince the current Tottenham staff that he can cement a regular starting role – particularly once the squad is further strengthened across the next two transfer windows.

Tottenham will face a significant decision over Johnson’s long-term future by the end of the season.

With the 24-year-old contract running until 2028, the summer of 2026 is viewed internally as a pivotal moment when Tottenham begin to consider his next deal or cashing in.

The Welshman opened the 2025/25 campaign brightly with two goals in his first two matches, but he has since gone quiet in the Premier League, registering no further goals or assists in the division.

Tottenham expect no difficulty attracting interest should Johnson become available, but the winger will be eager to make his case to stay.

Spurs are actively assessing the market ahead of January and could yet bring in fresh competition for his position.

Get the inside story first by joining our TEAMtalk Facebook channel to receive the latest breaking and exclusive news straight into your Messenger inbox.

What’s the latest on Tottenham’s striker search?

Meanwhile, Tottenham’s wait for Dominic Solanke to return is sparking fresh intrigue over their push for a new forward in January.

Solanke has been sidelined for most of the season and was pulled from their Champions League squad ahead of Tuesday’s game against Slavia Prague, with Mathys Tel replacing him.

The 28-year-old’s ankle problem continues to raise eyebrows, with the extent of his situation still not fully revealed – and there are concerns about how many more games he will miss this season.

As the wait goes on, Tottenham’s considerations around a striker will ramp up.

We understand that hopes of signing Harry Kane in the summer of 2026 are fading, as the England international prepares to sign an extension with Bayern Munich instead, a stance that my TEAMtalk colleague, Graeme Bailey, has also reported.

Tottenham have been linked with Ivan Toney, but sources insist they had already decided against a move for him before he hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The 29-year-old England international striker was arrested after an alleged headbutt at a bar in London on Saturday and subsequently released on bail, as reported by The Sun.

The flashpoint comes at a time when he has been linked with a return to English football from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli.

We have previously reported that a move back was starting to look unlikely in January, but Spurs are one of the clubs that have been interested.

Sources say there was a consideration about whether Toney, who previously played under Frank at Brentford, could boost their season.

Graeme Bailey has reported that Frank is open to working with Toney at Tottenham, but Spurs insiders insist that the potential of a link-up this season was fleeting.

Tottenham’s recruitment team have spent the past few weeks drawing up their transfer plans for the New Year, and it is believed that striker options are included – even though the expectation is that a more versatile player will be targeted who can play across wide positions.

There has been hope that Solanke will get back to match fitness by February.

In the meantime, Richarlison has been leading the line while Spurs also have Randal Kolo Muani and Tel as options to use through the middle.

Spurs are still open to the idea of trying to sign Kolo Muani permanently at the end of the season.

Outside of that, they currently have the creativity of Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert and Brennan Johnson to consider, too.

Latest Tottenham transfer news: Real Madrid roadblock, Arsenal preference

Meanwhile, sources have told TEAMtalk the problem that Real Madrid face in their quest to sign Micky Van de Ven from Tottenham Hotspur.

A report has revealed that a top winger would prefer to join Arsenal to a move to Tottenham in the January transfer window.

Ivan Toney did not impress Thomas Tuchel during his previous England training camp, and that could play a huge role in a potential Premier League return, amid interest from Tottenham and other English sides.

Several clubs have been alerted to Toney’s ‘possible’ availability in January with Spurs, West Ham and Everton all having informal talks, but any move would need the player to commit and to even sacrifice money to make a deal.

In theory, the former Brentford talisman could return to the Premier League on loan and avoid tax implications if he were to play virtually for nothing, but that appears unlikely at this stage.

TEAMtalk are told by a source close to Toney’s camp that his only real ambition to move back to the Premier League would lean heavily on his England chances ahead of next year’s World Cup, and they are hanging by a thread.

The 29-year-old was recalled by Tuchel in the summer when he featured against Senegal, but he has not been named in any squad since, and we are told that the German manager was far from impressed with what he saw from him.

Due to this, Toney and his camp are not anticipating him being involved again under Tuchel.

This makes it unlikely he would be willing to lose out on his mammoth wages with Saudi club Al-Ahli, of a reported £400,000 per week (after tax), to move to the Premier League in January, despite genuine interest.

Tottenham must look elsewhere despite Toney talks

Thomas Frank is keen to strengthen is forward options in January and Tottenham are willing to back their manager in the transfer window.

Frank is understood to be open to a reunion with Toney, who notched 20 goals in 33 Premier League appearances playing under him in the 2022/23 campaign.

The addition of a new forward could see Richarlison leave Spurs this winter, but it now seems the club will have to look elsewhere.

West Ham desire to bring in a new striker to bolster their survival campaign is well documented, with Nuno Espirito Santo willing to sanction the exit of the injury-prone Niclas Fullkrug next month.

Everton, meanwhile, are considering adding a new striker in January after their two striker options, Thierno Barry and Beto, have notched only two league goals between them so far this term.

The Toffees are confident that summer signing Barry will develop into an effective talisman, having scored his first goal against Nottingham Forest last weekend, but David Moyes could still look to add another forward.

We understand that a move for Evan Ferguson could potentially be reignited should his season-long loan from Brighton to Roma be terminated next month.

Toney is currently back in Saudi Arabia training with Al-Ahli following an altercation in a London bar at the weekend which saw him arrested in suspicion of assault and affray.

All the signs currently point towards him remaining with Al-Ahli until the end of this season, despite the informal talks with the Prem trio taking place.

Tottenham Hotspur appear to have been dealt a massive blow to their hopes of bringing Harry Kane back to north London in the January transfer window following the latest developments, while TEAMtalk reflects on why that was always a pipe dream in the first place.

The 32-year-old club legend, who Bayern in July 2023 for £86.4million (€100m), has recently been linked with a move back to the Premier League, with Tottenham having first refusal if he does come back to England.

Kane, whose contract at the Allianz Arena expires in June 2027, is in the form of his life, having notched 28 goals and three assists in 23 games in all competitions for Bayern so far this season. Playing a key role in Vincent Kompany’s side, he’s helped the reigning Bundesliga champions establish an eight-point lead at the top of the table, with the Bavarian outfit also sitting second in the expanded Champions League table.

However, with the 32-year-old, entering the final 18 months of his deal, there has been doubt cast over whether he could be looking for another new challenge come 2027 – or even sooner.

As has been heavily reported, Kane has a release clause worth €65m (£56.8m) in his contract, which must be triggered by January 31 in order to complete a transfer in the summer.

Sources have previously told us that Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United are all interested in signing the England skipper, with a return to north London the most likely outcome.

However, German outlet Sport Bild, as confirmed by our insider Graeme Bailey, reports that Kane has decided not to activate his release clause and is instead willing to sign a one-year extension at the Allianz Arena.

While other clubs remain interested, Bailey told us: “Bayern Munich want Harry Kane’s new deal signed before he jets off to the World Cup finals with England.

“The England captain and his family are ‘very happy’ and settled in Bavaria, but his camp are doing due diligence on potential options.

“Barcelona are one of those to speak to his camp and confirm their interest in a possible deal, whilst there a number of options back in England including Manchester United and former club Tottenham Hotspur.

“Kane also has the option of seeing out his deal with Bayern until 2027 – when he would be a free agent, if he decides not to sign an extension. However, sources tell us Bayern are ‘confident’ that Kane will agree to an extension.”

DON’T MISS ➡️ Do Tottenham need to replace Vicario with an elite keeper signing in January to reach top four?

January return for Kane always a pipe dream

Speaking back in October while on international duty, Kane sent mixed messages over a potential return to the Premier League.

Tottenham’s all-time record goalscorer said: “In terms of the Premier League, I don’t know.

“If you had asked me when I first left to go to Bayern, I would have said for sure I would come back. Now I have been there a couple of years I would probably say that has gone down a little bit, but I wouldn’t say I would never go back.

“What I have learnt in my career is that different opportunities and different timings happen and things fall in place. Going back to my first point with Bayern right now I am fully all in with Bayern.”

That last comment comes as no great surprise, especially when you see where Bayern and Tottenham are as clubs at the minute.

Kane is strolling towards another Bundesliga winners’ medal and Bayern probably have the best chance they’ve had of winning the Champions League in years, given the quality of their squad and the way they have been playing this season.

As for Spurs, it’s all very much a work in progress for Thomas Frank at the moment, so why on earth would Kane want to come back to that in January when he has so much to gain in Germany.

The summer might be a little different if he feels like it’s the right time to come home, although all fingers are pointing towards him extending his stay in Bavaria and not shortening it.

Get the inside story first by joining our TEAMtalk Facebook channel to receive the latest breaking and exclusive news straight into your Messenger inbox.

Latest Tottenham news: Van de Ven sale stance; worries over Eze repeat

Real Madrid are facing a problem in their pursuit of Micky van de Ven, with sources revealing to TEAMtalk Tottenham Hotspur’s firm stance on the defender, who has been backed to star for Liverpool and become a regular under Arne Slot if he made the move to Anfield.

Elsewhere, Arsenal can pile more misery on rivals Tottenham by beating them to the capture of Antoine Semenyo, with a report and our own sources providing important updates on the Bournemouth star.

Real Madrid are facing a problem in their pursuit of Micky van de Ven, with sources revealing to TEAMtalk Tottenham Hotspur’s firm stance on the defender, who has been backed to star for Liverpool and become a regular under Arne Slot if he made the move to Anfield.

With David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger out of contract at the end of the season and also having injury issues, Real Madrid are on the hunt for at least one new centre-back in 2026. Los Blancos have already decided not to sign Ibrahima Konate, despite the defender set to become a free agent when his current deal with Liverpool expires next summer, and are now focusing on Dayot Upamecano, who is out of contract at Bayern Munich at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

Van de Ven is also on Real Madrid’s radar, with TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, reporting on November 5 that Los Blancos have “a genuine interest” in the Netherlands international defender.

However, Tottenham Hotspur are in talks with Van de Ven over a new contract that will see him extend his stay at last season’s Europa League winners beyond his current term of 2029.

Our transfer insider, Dean Jones, though, has warned that Madrid will have to pay a lot of money to convince Spurs to sell the 24-year-old, who has been at the north London club since 2023 and has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League.

Jones told TEAMtalk: “Van de Ven has been mentioned in the same way that Madrid have looked at Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano and Marc Guehi, but it is different because those three players are becoming free agents and that is a market Madrid are very keen to exploit when they can.

“Van de Ven would be a much different situation as he has more than three years remaining on his current deal and the club are hoping to tie him up to a new one, on better terms over an extended period.

“Obviously, Madrid have the power to turn any player’s head, but they would have to pay big money for him as Spurs really do not want to lose him.

“They consider his experience and leadership to be absolutely vital, on top of the fact he’s a great defender and can also be a threat in terms of scoring goals.”

TEAMtalk DEBATE 🔴 Would Real Madrid be wrong to sack Xabi Alonso? ‘Too much, too soon’

Micky van de Ven good enough for Liverpool

Tottenham’s strong stance on keeping Van de Ven is further vindicated by the plethora of praise that the defender has received.

In November, former Chelsea and Netherlands international defender Khalid Boulahrouz said that Van de Ven would be the perfect successor to Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool.

Boulahrouz told ESPN Netherlands about Van de Ven: “He’s really outperforming them. He’s physically strong and incredibly quick.

“Opponents know that, so they don’t even try to get past him anymore. He could still do better on the ball; he makes the occasional blunder. But overall, I think he’s fantastic.

“I think he’s the ideal successor to Virgil van Dijk, both in the Dutch national team and at Liverpool.

“The question, of course, is what Virgil will do after the World Cup. Playing in the Premier League for years has taken its toll. You might long for a bit of a break.

“And Liverpool isn’t crazy: if you’re looking for a world-class left defender and you have the money, you’ll quickly end up with Van de Ven.

“The same goes for the Dutch national team. I think Koeman has long since realised that Van Dijk’s successor is already out there.”

Former Tottenham defender Michael Dawson believes that Van de Ven will become the Spurs captain.

Dawson said last month: “For me, Micky van de Ven is one of the best centre-backs in the world, not just the Premier League.

“I honestly believe that. I’m a huge, huge fan, and I think he’s got everything. There aren’t many centre-backs around that have the pace he does, but also are able to read the game in the way he does.

“I know people will probably say his pace gets him out of trouble at times but I don’t really buy that, and I think at times last season he was left to cover an awful lot of ground because of the way the team was set up.

“That goal he scored in the Champions League was mind-blowing. For a centre-back to do that was special, and I don’t really see any weaknesses; he’s got all the attributes to go right to the top.

“Without a shadow of a doubt, he’s a future Tottenham captain. I look at Virgil van Dijk, and he’s the benchmark for me in terms of how long he’s been at the top for, but I don’t think Micky is far off that, I really don’t.

“He’s got all the attributes to be a leader, and I’m sure the reason Spurs want to tie him down to a long-term contract is with that in mind.”

However, Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle revealed this week that he does not think that Van de Ven will sign a new deal, and believes that he is good enough to start for Liverpool or Man City if he went to Anfield or the Etihad Stadium.

Hoddle said: “Van de Ven is under still a long contract. They are looking to sign him now on a long contract.

“I don’t think he will sign. But he’s still got three years on his contract.

“I think they will wanna try and keep him because he is a world-class performer and probably the only one that we have who is world-class.

“When I say world-class I mean he’d get into any team, he could go into Man City, Liverpool…you name it Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain… everyone would want him because he’s that good.

“But they need to improve this season there’s no doubt about it… otherwise we will be mid-table. “

Latest Real Madrid news: Alonso to Liverpool links, Leeds blow

Meanwhile, reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed Xabi Alonso’s stance on leaving Real Madrid for Liverpool.

A report has outlined the three glaring issues that Xabi Alonso has failed to fix at Real Madrid, who are set to sack him if Los Blancos fail to win against Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.