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Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly joined the race to sign a striker in the form of his life in the January transfer window, rivalling Serie A giants Roma in a swoop for the player who could cost just €30million (£26m / $34.6m).

Despite Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani both finding the net in the 5-3 Champions League defeat to PSG in midweek, Spurs are still expected to be in the market for new attacking recruits in the winter window.

The fact that Dominic Solanke’s timeframe for a return to action continues to remain unclear, Kolo Muani is only on loan and Richarlison’s future is still in doubt, means the future of the No.9 position for Thomas Frank’s side continues to be a major talking point.

TEAMtalk transfer insider Dean Jones has revealed to us that Tottenham are open to the possibility of signing Kolo Muani permanently from PSG, if he continues to show improvement on his early-season struggles.

However, following a £100m injection from majority shareholders ENIC to go towards a January spending spree, links to several strikers, along with left-wingers, have been aplenty.

Indeed, the likes of Ivan Toney, Dusan Vlahovic and Samu Aghehowa are all known targets for Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici, although another name can now be added to that mix.

A report from Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport states that Tottenham are in a potential battle with Roma to sign FC Midtjylland’s attacking sensation Franculino Dju.

Franculino is a player in demand right now, with the likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle having been linked as well. Meanwhile, TEAMtalk reported back in August that West Ham were also keen on his services.

The 21-year-old striker has been in sensational form this season, scoring 19 goals and providing three assists in 28 games for the Europa League outfit.

His scintillating form has not gone unnoticed, with Roma keeping a close watch on the forward for the last six months and getting a first-hand look at his qualities in a clash with Midtjylland on Thursday night.

However, it appears that Tottenham may have thrown a spanner in the works of Roma’s efforts to seal a deal for Dju in the January window, if the reports from Italy are accurate.

DON’T MISS ➡️ Transfer Debrief: Man Utd target says YES to move; Tottenham plot £145m double deal; Leeds manager hunt ignites

Why Tottenham have to sign Ivan Toney instead

It’s all well and good Tottenham being linked with the likes of Aghehowa and Dju, but scoring goals for fun in Portugal and Denmark is a far cry from producing on a regular basis in the Premier League.

Vlahovic could be a different proposition where he to sign, having had significant success in Italy and the Champions League, but Toney should be the player Spurs are all in on.

The connection with Thomas Frank speaks for itself, but Toney is a proven scorer in English football and arguably in the peak of his powers – even if he has been playing in the Saudi Pro League since the summer of 2024.

In 61 games for Al Ahli, Toney has netted 41 goals and hardly missed any game time with injuries, something that cannot be said of Tottenham’s current No.9 options.

TEAMtalk has reported how Tottenham and Everton have both been keeping tabs on Toney, with the north London outfit having had direct contact via Frank.

Our transfer correspondent Fraser Fletcher revealed on November 19 that Toney would be willing to take a pay cut of around 50 per cent to join a a Prem club this winter.

Key to his desire to come back is the fact that he wants to fight his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the World Cup next year.

However, Al Ahli will take some convincing to offload a player who has been so prolific and fired them to title glory last season.

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Latest Tottenham news: Elite centre-back chase; Simons’ struggles exposed

First up, Tottenham will reportedly look to fix their current defensive issues by sporting director Fabio Paratici visiting familiar hunting ground and landing an elite Brazilian defender, with TEAMtalk assessing how the move could galvanise skipper Cristian Romero into finding his best form again.

Elsewhere, Manchester City hope for Savinho to become one of the Premier League’s best-ever Brazilian stars, but TEAMtalk sources suggest he could yet become the subject of further transfer speculation involving Tottenham in 2026.

A highly-rated Premier League midfielder is very keen to join Manchester United in January, Tottenham are prepared to spend £145m on Antoine Semenyo and another exciting attacking target, and this week’s exclusive Transfer Debrief reveals Leeds United’s top target to replace under-pressure manager Daniel Farke.

Prem star desperate to join Man Utd in January

United continue to prioritise midfield additions ahead of the January transfer window, and the chances of Joao Gomes joining his former Wolves teammate, Matheus Cunha, at Old Trafford are increasing by the day.

TEAMtalk transfer insider Dean Jones revealed earlier this week (November 24) that the Brazilian has had his ‘head turned’ by the Red Devils’ interest.

Our reporting has since been backed up by other journalists, including Fabrizio Romano.

United know Wolves do not want to sell Gomes, but have begun to make inroads with the aim that the player is aware of interest ahead of the possibility of a transfer, similar to the Carlos Baleba saga over the summer.

Despite Wolves’ hierarchy giving Rob Edwards assurances that Gomes will stay, there is a belief that a bid of £40-£50m would be enough to lure him from Molineux this summer.

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder is now waiting whether a January move to Old Trafford comes together. He is very open to the transfer, as he eyes a new challenge away from a struggling Wolves side.

Gomes may be one of the more attainable midfield targets on United’s shortlist in January, with the likes of Baleba, Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton likely to be out of reach.

The potential arrival of Gomes could also allow Kobbie Mainoo to leave on loan, as the 20-year-old grows frustrated by his lack of playing time under Ruben Amorim.

Tottenham plot sensational £145m double signing

Tottenham are set to be one of the busiest Premier League clubs in January, with the club’s hierarchy ready to back Thomas Frank with new additions.

Strengthening in attack is the club’s main focus, and TEAMtalk transfer correspondent Fraser Fletcher revealed on November 24 that they are ready to splash a whopping £145m on Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo AND Porto striker Samu Aghehowa this winter.

Sources close to Spurs have confirmed that manager Frank, in his first full season at the helm, views the duo as the perfect injection of pace and potency into his evolving front line.

Semenyo has a release clause of £60million plus £5m in add-ons (up to €74m, $85.5m) in his contract at Bournemouth, while Porto will demand £80m (€91m, $105m) for Aghehowa.

“Thomas has made it crystal clear: we need firepower that terrifies defences,” one source revealed to TEAMtalk. “Semenyo’s directness on the left and Sam’s clinical finishing represent the profiles they want.”

Semenyo, 25, has been one of the Premier League’s standout performers this term, having notched six goals and three assists in 11 appearances so far.

Aghehowa, 21, has scored 37 goals in 61 games since joining Porto from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2024, and is viewed as a player who could rival the likes of Randal Kolo Muani, Richarlison and Dominic Solanke for a starting spot at Tottenham.

Leeds identify top Daniel Farke replacement target

The biggest story of the weekend could be the future of Leeds manager Daniel Farke. TEAMtalk sources have confirmed the coach is under serious pressure, and a heavy defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday could be the final nail in the coffin.

Inside the club, faith in the 49-year-old German has not yet collapsed, but he is on very thin ice.

Five defeats in six, two wins in 10, and just 11 goals in 12 league matches have plunged the promoted side into a relegation battle, and they could be forced to act sooner rather than later.

TEAMtalk sources have revealed that the Leeds’ hierarchy are already looking at potential successors should they decide to sack Farke.

We revealed on November 24 that Brendan Rodgers, who resigned from his role at Celtic in October, is a leading contender to become the next Leeds manager. This has since been backed up by other outlets.

Rodgers’ his proven ability to organise mid-table Premier League sides make him an obvious fit. Crucially, sources have suggested that Rodgers would be interested in the role.

Should Farke’s reign come to an end, as he prepares for three difficult fixtures against Man City (away), Chelsea (home) and Liverpool (away), Rodgers is the man to keep a close eye on.

Major Arne Slot sack updates / Ivan Toney latest / Arsenal want LaLiga star and more…

TEAMtalk insider Fletcher has revealed a strong update on Arne Slot’s future at Liverpool. He has been set a ‘non-negotiable’ target to avoid the sack – a win against West Ham on Sunday is essential to save his job.

We also understand that Ange Postecoglou is admired by Liverpool’s board and has been identified as a shock replacement candidate, should the Dutchman be axed.

Ivan Toney remains a target for Tottenham and Everton, but sources have revealed two major obstacles to a Premier League return in January.

Arsenal are leading the race to sign Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, having made contact with the player’s representatives.

Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea are preparing formal January approaches to sign Jagiellonia’s 17-year-old midfield prodigy Oskar Pietuszewski.

Man City remain interested in Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento, but he could push for a lucrative new contract at St James’ Park.

The Cityzens have also identified Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola.

Along with Tottenham, Liverpool and Man Utd are also interested in Bournemouth star Semenyo. The Red Devils could have a secret weapon should they choose to move for him.

Tottenham remain admirers of Man City winger Savinho, who could be the subject of more transfer speculation in 2026.

Man Utd are one of five Premier League clubs to have enquired about a January move for Roma right-back Zeki Celik, with Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea also interested.

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is a target for AC Milan, and he is open to joining the Italian giants in January. This has since been reported by other outlets.

Chelsea are interested in signing TWO Porto stars – Tottenham striker target Aghehowa, and talented midfielder Victor Froholdt.

Chelsea have shortlisted Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly, though there is little chance of him moving to Stamford Bridge in January.

The Blues also remain interested in AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, with Robert Sanchez’s No 1 spot in doubt.

Man City remain interested in Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento, but he could push for a lucrative new contract at St James’ Park.

Newcastle will only sell striker William Osula if they bring in a replacement, with Eintracht Frankfurt thought to be interested in the 22-year-old.

West Ham, Leeds and Wolves are all considering January moves for Union SG striker Promise David.

Nottingham Forest are one of several Premier League clubs actively monitoring Pogon Szczecin’s highly-rated teenager Adrian Przyborek.

Tottenham Hotspur will reportedly look to fix their current defensive issues by sporting director Fabio Paratici visiting familiar hunting ground and landing an elite Brazilian defender, with TEAMtalk assessing how the move could galvanise skipper Cristian Romero into finding his best form again.

The Argentine saved two of his worst performances of the season so far for two of the biggest games, as Spurs shipped nine goals in losses to Arsenal and PSG over the space of just four days.

Those poor defensive displays were not all Romero‘s fault but he looked flustered against Arsenal, picking up a booking that will see him banned for this weekend’s clash with Fulham. His second-half performance in Paris, meanwhile, was littered with errors as Tottenham threw away the chance of netting a famous win over the reigning European champions for the second time in a matter of months.

Thomas Frank is said to be concerned about the manner of goals his side are conceding, and has instructed Paratici to look at bolstering his backline in the new year.

To that end, the latest reports from Italy suggest that the Italian is ready to raid his old stamping ground again by making a move for Juventus centre-back Gleison Bremer, a player who has long been on the club’s radar.

According to a report by Italian outlet Tutto Juve, the 28-year-old is once again a major target for Tottenham ahead of the January window.

The Brazil international has been one of the most accomplished defenders in Serie A for some time, having joined Torino in 2018 before moving to Juve in 2022.

Bremer has now made almost 100 appearances for the Bianconeri, also chipping in with eight goals to show his set-piece threat – the sort of goal threat that will be music to the ears of Thomas Frank.

While the report claims that Juventus are not actively looking to part ways with Bremer, he could be sold for a fee in the region of €40m (£35m / $46m).

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

Tottenham need to put pressure on Romero

While Tottenham moving for another central defender could be viewed as surprising for some, their depth at the position is not particularly great when it comes to sheer talent levels.

Kevin Danso has done a decent job when called upon, but is certainly not at the level of Micky van de Ven or Romero. Radu Dragusin is on his way back from an ACL injury but was hardly a world-beater when he played, often getting caught out with poor positional play.

Spurs did sign promising Japan international Kota Takai over the summer, while there are high hopes that Luka Vuskovic, who is currently on loan in Germany, has a big future in north London.

However, overall, it’s not a strong group, and it’s very clear that Romero does not feel threatened by any of the players below him, with his lackadaisical play often evidence of that.

In short, Tottenham need another elite-level centre-back to put pressure on their current skipper, who was heavily linked with a move to Spain before penning a new contract in north London back in August.

Whether that defender is Bremer remains to be seen, given Juve’s stance on keeping the player. However, it’s clear that the position needs addressing sooner rather than later.

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Latest Tottenham news: Savinho signing hopes renewed; Aghehowa concerns

First up, Manchester City hope for Savinho to become one of the Premier League’s best ever Brazilian stars, but TEAMtalk sources suggest he could yet become the subject of further transfer speculation involving Tottenham in 2026.

Elsewhere, Randal Kolo Muani opened his account for Tottenham with an impressive brace against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, and TEAMtalk sources have revealed Spurs’ stance on signing him permanently after his loan ends.

Manchester City hope for Savinho to become one of the Premier League’s best ever Brazilian stars, but TEAMtalk sources suggest he could yet become the subject of further transfer speculation in 2026.

Tottenham tried to sign him last summer, but Pep Guardiola’s side deemed him off-limits and handed him a new contract to show their faith in him.

Man City want to use Savinho as a marker to other South American talent that they continue to be a top destination in Europe, despite their slide in recent times.

Yet while Estevao is the attacking sensation making waves down at Chelsea, Savinho is struggling to make such a global impact so far.

Some sources close to Man City were surprised at the way the club refused to consider letting him leave for £70m when Tottenham came knocking in the summer.

But there is a feeling their faith in him could yet be tested again, at a time when Savinho’s performances have been inconsistent, and he continues to come under some criticism.

The 21-year-old has started just four Premier League games this term and has scored just one goal across all competitions, but Spurs are still keeping an eye on his situation…

Tottenham still keen on Man City star as Frank eyes big January

TEAMtalk understands that Tottenham still believe Savinho would have been a strong addition to their set-up and there is some feeling from sources close to the North London cub that they would be interested if the door opened for a new attempt at signing him.

Over the next week, Spurs are expected to whittle down their transfer shortlists for January.

Savinho is unlikely to be available at that point, but sources are suggesting he is being kept in mind if an opportunity arises.

The Spurs hierarchy are accepting that Thomas Frank needs time and support to get the team into his mould.

Tottenham are expected to be one of the few Premier League clubs willing to spend a significant sum in the January transfer market, before showing further ambition next summer.

January is generally seen as a window for small fixes rather than extravagant signings, but Spurs believe the manager needs backing to strengthen the squad.

Internal talks have acknowledged that the absence of key attacking players has hit the team this season. These factors, on the back of the 4-1 loss to Arsenal and 5-3 defeat to PSG, are being kept in mind as the club assesses its start to the campaign.

James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke are currently sidelined through injury and the impact of that has been felt.

Frank is requesting at least one attacker, while there are also considerations for a goalkeeper, a left-sided defender, and a central midfielder.

Spurs will need to decide where to spend most effectively, with a potential pot of around £100million available this winter.

Latest Man City news: LaLiga maestro targeted / Livramento update

Meanwhile, TEAMtalk transfer insider Fraser Fletcher reports that Man City are one of the clubs to have spoken to the agents of Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza.

Arsenal are considered favourites to sign the 20-year-old, but the race is open with the Cityzens, Chelsea and Tottenham also keen. He has a £17.5m release clause.

In other news, Man City remain interested in Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento, but his potential arrival at the Etihad is far from guaranteed.

Livramento, 23, is contracted until 2028. He is in a good position to push for a lucrative new deal with Newcastle, but could be tempted by the opportunity to join Man City.

Randal Kolo Muani opened his account for Tottenham with an impressive brace against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, and TEAMtalk sources have revealed Spurs’ stance on signing him permanently after his loan ends.

Thomas Frank’s side fought off the competition to sign the 26-year-old striker on a season’s loan from PSG, but it took him some time to find his feet.

Kolo Muani had failed to score for Tottenham in nine previous appearances but made a huge impact in Paris, with two goals and an assist in the dramatic 5-3 defeat. He was allowed to play against his parent club because it is permitted in UEFA’s rules.

The French international could now become Spurs’ main striker under Frank, and rival Dominic Solanke for a starting spot once he recovers from injury.

TEAMtalk insider Dean Jones believes that Tottenham would be open to signing Kolo Muani permanently next summer, though they’ll have to negotiate a deal as his loan does not include an option to buy.

“Tottenham were so happy to sign Kolo Muani, and now we are starting to see his true qualities,” Jones exclusively told TEAMtalk.

“They always felt that when he was back to his usual sharp self, they would have one of the best goal scorers in the league, and his finishing in Paris this week was a sign of that.

“They think there is so much more to come from him, and there is still every chance that this could turn out to be a longer-term signing.

“He’s looking for somewhere to thrive and feel happy, and Spurs need someone they can rely on for goals. This loan spell suited everyone, but I know that Spurs do have an eye on trying to make it permanent if it works out.

“If he stays fit and is in form, then Spurs won’t have to sign a striker in January and can focus on a wide attacker, as initially planned. With Solanke and Kolo Muani as the main strikers, they could be in good shape – it’s just knowing whether they are going to be out there frequently enough.

“If Kolo Muani is a success, then it really helps Spurs out, not just for this season, but maybe beyond that too.”

Tottenham thrilled to have Randal Kolo Muani

Kolo Muani joined PSG from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth around £76m in the summer of 2023, after notching 26 goals and 17 assists in 52 appearances for the German club.

However, the 31-time capped French international struggled to replicate that form for PSG, and was loaned out to Juventus for the second half of last season after falling down the pecking order.

Kolo Muani has always been considered to be a world-class player when in form, and Tottenham will hope his performance this week will help get him back to the levels he showed at Frankfurt.

If he proves to be a success in the Premier League, Spurs could look to negotiate his permanent signing, but he is unlikely to be a cheap addition.

Kolo Muani’s contract with PSG runs until 2028, so the French side are in a position to demand a sizeable fee for his signature.

It will be interesting to see if other clubs come forward with offers for Kolo Muani next summer too should he prove himself in England.

Latest Tottenham news: Star a ‘liability’ / LaLiga star eyed

Meanwhile, a journalist has deemed Tottenham star Cristian Romero a ‘liability’ following his disappointing performance against PSG.

Romero is one of Spurs’ most important players but talkSPORT’s Alex Crook has heaped the criticism on the Argentine international.

In other news, TEAMtalk transfer insider Fraser Fletcher has revealed that Tottenham are one of the clubs to have spoken to the representatives of Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza.

Arsenal are considered favourites to sign the 20-year-old, but the race is open with Spurs, Chelsea and Man City also keen. Mendoza has a £17.5m release clause in his contract.

Arsenal have joined the race for Samu Aghehowa and could destroy Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea’s plans by signing the Porto striker, according to a report.

Arsenal finally signed an outright No 9 in the summer, with Viktor Gyokeres arriving from Sporting CP in a £64million deal. However, Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta is looking to hand Mikel Arteta another lethal goalscorer.

Gabriel Jesus looks set to leave next year, with his contract expiring in June 2027. Jesus has been joined by both Gyokeres and Kai Havertz in the treatment room, though the latter is stepping up his recovery from a knee issue.

Samu Aghehowa: Europe’s next top striker?

Joined Atletico Madrid in August 2023 after impressing at Granada

Spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Deportivo Alaves before signing for Porto in August last year

Has netted 36 goals in 60 appearances for the Portuguese giants so far

Arsenal signing a new centre-forward could stun their rivals and almost guarantee silverware, with Arteta’s side sat top of both the Premier League and Champions League.

As per CaughtOffside, Arsenal have joined Tottenham and Chelsea in pursuing Samu ahead of the transfer window reopening in January.

Arsenal and Spurs are ‘the ones to watch’, having expressed their interest in the Primeira Liga ‘goal machine’.

READ NEXT 🤯 Chelsea ‘aggressive’ in remarkable pursuit of Arsenal favourite

Arsenal tracking three centre-forwards

Berta has added Samu, Serhou Guirassy and Jean-Philippe Mateta to his striker shortlist as he seeks ‘alternatives to injury-prone pair Jesus and Havertz’.

Newcastle United have also been linked with Samu, but they have ‘cooled their interest’ after landing Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.

The release clause in Samu’s deal is a massive €100million (£88m), but Porto have been backed to accept a lower price of €90m (£79m).

Our transfer correspondents Fraser Fletcher and Dean Jones have both reported on the Spain star’s likely move to England.

Fletcher revealed on Tuesday that Chelsea are plotting a £133m double deal for Samu and one of his Porto team-mates.

Sources have also confirmed to Fletcher that Spurs are hoping to sign both Samu and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo in January.

Jones has confirmed Samu is Spurs’ ‘dream’ striker target as they look to move on from the likes of Dominic Solanke and Richarlison.

Arsenal signing the 21-year-old first would serve as a major blow to Spurs and Chelsea. Although, Spurs are leading the chase for him as things stand.

We can confirm speculation that Samu is likely to leave Porto for £80m.

Arsenal boosted by ‘outstanding’ duo; Spurs star a ‘liability’

Meanwhile, Paul Merson has named the ‘absolutely outstanding’ Arsenal stars who could help Arteta’s side ‘streamroll’ their way to glory.

Elsewhere, Spurs came out on the wrong side of an eight-goal thriller in the Champions League on Wednesday, losing 5-3 to holders Paris Saint-Germain.

One of Tottenham’s best players has been branded a ‘liability’, though one of his teammates was a notable bright spark in the 5-3 defeat to PSG.

Tottenham’s defence had initially looked much improved under Frank, though recent results have opened old wounds.

Spurs shipped two goals to Manchester United, four to Arsenal and on Wednesday night, conceded five against PSG.

Tottenham did put up a spirited fight against the reigning Champions League holders, though the loss ensured Spurs are now entrenched in the play-off places in the 36-team group phase.

Among Tottenham’s biggest strugglers on the night was Cristian Romero. The Argentine conceded a penalty and produced a dismal 4.9 match rating on FotMob. Only Djed Spence returned a lower figure.

Taking to X post-match, talkSPORT’s Alex Crook branded Romero a “liability”, though did hail Randal Kolo Muani who bagged his first and second goals for his loan club.

Crook tweeted: “Many more positives than on Sunday, particularly with Kolo Muani netting twice but Thomas Frank will be raging with some of the defending. Romero in particular a liability.”

While it’s fair to say Romero didn’t enjoy the best of nights in Paris, criticism of the centre-back this season may be unfair.

Romero ranks fourth among all Spurs players with an average match rating of 7.08 in the Premier League this term. Only Joao Palhinha (7.3), Guglielmo Vicario (7.13) and Mohammed Kudus (7.11) rank higher.

Regarding Kolo Muani, Spurs do not hold an option or obligation to buy in the Frenchman’s loan.

As such, Tottenham would have to negotiate a deal from scratch if intending to sign the striker outright at season’s end.

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Latest Tottenham news – Simons struggles explained / £145m January deals…

In other news, and as Xavi Simons continues to struggle for Tottenham, a reliable French source has revealed what the attacking midfielder privately thinks about his situation, with Frank’s tactics to be partly blamed.

Elsewhere, sources have told TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, that Tottenham plan to sign two players for £145m in the January transfer window.

As Xavi Simons continues to struggle for Tottenham Hotspur, a reliable French source has revealed what the attacking midfielder privately thinks about his situation, with Spurs manager Thomas Frank’s tactics to be partly blamed.

Much was expected of Simons when Tottenham signed the Netherlands international attacking midfielder for £51.8million (€59m, $68.2m) in the January transfer window. Although Simons could not make a massive impact at Paris Saint-Germain, he shone for RB Leipzig, scoring 22 goals and registering 24 assists in 78 appearances for the German club before earning the move to Tottenham.

Simons has been largely underwhelming for last season’s Europa League winners.

The 22-year-old has not scored in 15 matches in all competitions for Tottenham and has given only two assists.

Simons did not start for Tottenham in the North London derby against Arsenal last weekend, while against Chelsea on November 1, Spurs manager Thomas Frank brought him on as a substitute in the seventh minute and took him out on 73 minutes.

L’Equipe has revealed what Simons thinks about his struggles at Tottenham so far this campaign, with the French publication noting three reasons – the ‘intensity’ of the Premier League, lack of pre-season and Frank initially playing him on the left wing.

‘Spurs would like Xavi Simons to be a little less subdued than he was during his last appearance at the Emirates Stadium and deliver a more immediate return on investment,’ wrote L’Equipe.

‘But the former Paris Saint-Germain player is struggling to adapt to the demands of English football.

‘In private, he admits to being surprised, nonetheless, by the intensity of the matches and training sessions across the Channel.

‘He also believes that not having completed preseason training with the team—he transferred from Leipzig, with whom he started the season, just three days before the transfer window closed in August—didn’t necessarily facilitate his integration.

‘Finally, he was initially used on the left wing, where he doesn’t feel comfortable, before being repositioned more recently as a number 10, a more natural role.’

READ NEXT ➡️ Ivan Toney to Tottenham takes fresh twist as source reveals TWO major hurdles to Prem return

Questions raised over Xavi Simons’ suitability for Premier League

Given the intense North London rivalry between Tottenham and Arsenal, Spurs fans may not be huge fans of Gunners legend Thierry Henry, but the Frenchman’s verdict on Simons will be something that the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium faithful will be worried about.

Henry told Sky Sports: “It’s not easy to arrive in a team and perform straight away. We can see Florian Wirtz at Liverpool, but I always have a question mark on people that perform in Germany.

“That’s only me. I’m not saying that they won’t perform in another league. I’m just saying, because of the way the league is, they’re really stretched.

“So if you can run well, you’re going to have a lot of opportunity, goals, assists. People can run with you in this league. So it’s very difficult.

“Do you think the managers right now are letting their players dribble or do they want to control everything to make sure they’re not going to get countered?

“Playing a low block all the time is not always easy to create. Look at Arsenal. We don’t create a lot of opportunities. We score a lot on set pieces.

“I’m not going to go back to the old story and everything, but you need to find a way to score goals.

“So, you’re going to create way less than what we used to be able to do in our time because teams are playing low. They don’t try to bite or come out.

“So, the spaces are tight. And if you don’t allow people to dribble and make mistakes, like I always say, the reward is in the risk.

“Where are you going? You’re not going to have the stats of creating. And if you don’t take your chances when you have one, well, you’re in trouble.”

Meanwhile, Simons has said that he is looking forward to playing against his former club Paris Saint-Germain in Paris in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

The 22-year-old failed to make a huge impact during two spells at PSG, but the Dutch youngster has fond memories of his time at the Ligue 1 club.

Simons told Le Parisien: “I’m really looking forward to it. You know, I had some excellent times in Paris. It’s where I took the first steps of my professional career.

“Being alongside Neymar, Mbappé, Verratti, such talented players, and seeing how the whole team approached football, not only on the pitch but also off it, was very enriching for me.

“They showed me what I needed to do to reach the highest level. Playing here was a fantastic experience.

“I made a lot of friends in Paris. But now, I have to admit that after playing with Wilson Odobert in the PSG youth team, I’m especially eager to return to the Parc des Princes and share that moment with him.”

When asked why he left PSG, Simons said: “It was the right decision at the time. I needed more playing time to continue developing. I have very fond memories of that period.”

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Latest Tottenham transfer news: £145m double raid, Real Madrid blow

Meanwhile, sources have told TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, that Tottenham plan to sign two players for £145m in the January transfer window.

Real Madrid have already decided on their first signing of 2026, and it will come as a huge blow for Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham Hotspur face a return match with PSG on Wednesday night as the two teams go head-to-head again, this time in the Champions League, and TEAMtalk has predicted how Thomas Frank will line his side up against the holders – with one headline name dropped to the bench.

After squandering a two-goal lead in the Super Cup final against the French giants before eventually losing on penalties, Spurs will be looking for revenge in a game which could see them jump into the top eight of the expanded group phase with a win.

However, Tottenham go into the contest on the back of one of their worst performances of the season, having suffered a 4-1 humbling at north London rivals Arsenal on Sunday.

Indeed, the lack of ambition and a clear tactical approach to the game left some fans firing shots at Frank, who is on a slippery slope unless performances and results start to pick up.

With all that in mind, the big question is whether the Spurs boss opts for a back three again, as he did in the first contest with PSG and also against the Gunners over the weekend.

Judging by how disjointed Tottenham were against Arsenal and how badly the game went, we predict that Frank will go back to a four and look to pack his midfield – which is likely to mean bad news for Xavi Simons against his old club.

Injury list

Tottenham remains without the likes of James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke for the contest, while Radu Dragusin and Kota Takai are not yet ready to return.

Brennan Johnson is suspended after his red card last time out against Copenhagen, while Mathys Tel is ineligible.

Selection battles

The back five pretty much picks itself, with Pedro Porro almost certain to return at right-back. There is, however, a chance that Djed Spence switches to the left, given that Destiny Udogie rarely plays two games close together in a row, due to his past injury record.

Skipper Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven will look to form a solid foundation centrally, but also supply a goal threat – with both players on target in that Super Cup clash with PSG.

Midfield is always an interesting call, given it remains a weak point of this Tottenham team and one that Frank will probably try and rectify in January.

Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur playing together has shown time and time again that it does not work, with the latter coming off arguably his worst game of the season at Arsenal.

To that end, Pape Sarr and Lucas Bergvall step up from the bench, with the latter in a more advanced role that leaves Simons among the substitutes again. Sarr and Bergvall should give the Spurs engine room some energy and running power that was sorely lacking at Emirates Stadium.

Mohammed Kudus is a nailed-on starter on the right of the front three, while Randal Kolo Muani is handed the start against his parent club, given that Champions League regulations allow that.

The left side remains a conundrum, but we believe Frank will opt for experience and start Richarlison there ahead of Wilson Odobert.

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Predicted XI (4-3-3)

GK – Guglielmo Vicario

RB – Pedro Porro

CB – Cristian Romero

CB – Micky van de Ven

LB – Djed Spence

CM – Joao Palhinha

CM – Pape Sarr

AM – Lucas Bergvall

RW – Mohammed Kudus

ST – Randal Kolo Muani

LW – Richarlison

Tottenham Hotspur are planning to make Thomas Frank’s dream come true by signing Antoine Semenyo and Samu Aghehowa from Bournemouth and FC Porto, respectively, in the January transfer window, sources have told TEAMtalk.

Spurs, who won the Europa League last season, were very busy in the summer of 2025 following the appointment of Thomas Frank as the manager. Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, Kota Takai, Joao Palhinha and Randal Kolo Muani were the players brought in, while loan deals of Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso were made permanent and Luka Vuskovic was sent out on loan to Hamburg after he made his long-awaited transfer to the north London club.

Tottenham, though, have not done as well as expected, with their 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in the North London derby at the weekend pushing them to ninth in the Premier League table, three points off the final Champions League place.

Spurs have picked up eight points from four matches in the League Stage of the Champions League in the 2025/26 campaign.

TEAMtalk understands that Tottenham are ready to go big in the January transfer window and back manager Frank.

In a transfer window that promises fireworks, Tottenham are gearing up for a seismic double raid for Bournemouth star Semenyo and Porto sensation Aghehowa.

Sources close to Tottenham have confirmed that manager Frank, in his first full season at the helm of Spurs, views the duo as the perfect injection of pace and potency into his evolving front line.

Frank’s ambition is clear: transform good into great for the second half of the season and ensure that Tottenham qualify for the Champions League for the 2026/27 campaign as well.

It is going to be expensive for Tottenham to get deals done for Semenyo and Aghehowa in the January transfer window, though, with sources telling TEAMtalk that Liverpool are also keen on the former.

Semenyo has a release clause of £60million plus £5m in add-ons (up to €74m, $85.5m) in his contract at Bournemouth, while Porto will demand £80m (€91m, $105m) for Aghehowa.

This means that Tottenham will have to spend a total of £145m (€165m, $190.6m) on the two players, which they are willing to do.

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Why Tottenham want Antoine Semenyo and Samu Aghehowa – sources

Splashing a staggering £145m (€165m, $190.6m) on just two players would shatter Tottenham’s January spending record, but insiders insist the board is prepared to back Frank.

“Thomas has made it crystal clear: we need firepower that terrifies defences,” one source revealed to TEAMtalk.

“Semenyo’s directness on the left and Sam’s clinical finishing represent the profiles they want.”

Semenyo, who has terrorised Premier League backlines with six goals and three assists this season, has long been on Frank’s radar.

The Ghana international winger, whose contract at Bournemouth runs until 2030, feels “ready for the next step” amid the Cherries’ mid-table comfort.

Meanwhile, Aghehowa has lit up Porto this season with nine goals and one assist in 15 appearances.

The 21-year-old Spain international striker cost Porto €20m (£17.6m, $23.1m) in transfer fees when they signed him from Atletico Madrid in 2024.

Porto are reluctant to sell Aghehowa in the middle of the season, but the Portuguese giants could be swayed by an offer north of £80m (€91m, $105m), a bid that would match his release clause.

If Tottenham are successful in their pursuit of Semenyo and Aghehowa, then the duo could form a lethal front line, blending youth, experience, and raw athleticism.

For Frank, who did extremely well during his time as manager of Brentford, it would be a statement of intent – no more also-rans.

As January draws closer, N17 pulses with excitement. Tottenham aren’t just shopping; they’re hunting for players who can bring them trophies.

Latest Tottenham transfer news: Vuskovic plan, LaLiga raid

Meanwhile, sources have told TEAMtalk’s transfer insider, Dean Jones, Tottenham’s plan regarding Luka Vuskovic, who is on loan at Hamburg at the moment.

Tottenham have been warned against signing a top international striker in the January transfer window.