TEAMtalk

Micky van de Ven has reportedly laid out the exact terms of a potential move to summer suitors Manchester United and Liverpool, as his exit from Tottenham Hotspur gathers pace.

With Spurs starting down the barrel of relegation to the second tier of English football for the first time in almost 50 years, thoughts remain over how many of their top stars will end up moving on.

Saturday did, however, produce a glimmer of hope for Tottenham in their survival fight, after West Ham’s heavy defeat at Brentford. It means a win at Aston Villa on Sunday evening could see Robert De Zerbi’s men jump out of the relegation zone.

But in terms of Van de Ven‘s future, it’s not looking good either way, with the Netherlands international expected to leave regardless of relegation.

While talks are due to take place between the club and the 25-year-old at the end of the season, our transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, recently revealed how Van de Ven has no intention of signing a new deal in north London.

It’s common knowledge that both Man Utd and Liverpool have shown interest in the central defender, although the Anfield outfit have reportedly backed off a potential deal after it emerged that Ibrahima Konate is on the brink of penning a new contract at Anfield.

But a fresh report from Caught Offside claims to have an update on Van de Ven’s situation, including how much Tottenham want for his services and the large weekly salary he is chasing.

“Van de Ven will meet with Tottenham at the end of the season, whether they stay up or not,” the report reads.

“For now his full focus is on keeping them in the Premier League, but he’ll be aware that clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United are interested, and that could put pressure on Tottenham.”

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has actually tried to sign Van de Ven twice before at both AZ and Feyenoord, only for Spurs to eventually strike a deal with Wolfsburg three years ago.

DON’T MISS: Micky van de Ven choice between Liverpool, Man Utd revealed as Tottenham exit looms

Van de Ven pushing for mega salary

In terms of the costs involved in United or Liverpool, the report adds that Tottenham will demand between £60-80m (€69-92m /$81m-108m) for Van de Ven’s services.

Furthermore, the Dutch defender is also looking to boost his salary from his current £90,000 per week (without bonuses) to £200k, in what would be a huge hike for a player whose level of performance has dropped significantly this season.

The report also touched on further details of any move, adding: “Both the Reds and the Red Devils are exploring the market for central defenders this summer, and Van de Ven is understood to feature on their lists after his strong form during his time in England, combined with the fact that he might be available if THFC get relegated.

“It could cost anywhere between £60-80m to prise Van de Ven out of Tottenham this summer, while his wage demands are also high – possibly as much as £200,000 per week.”

Tottenham midfielder Joao Palhinha has been told he has ‘no future’ at Bayern Munich as Spurs eye up a cheap summer transfer, according to reports.

The north Londoners are having a nightmare season with Tottenham on their third manager of the year after the departures of Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor.

Roberto De Zerbi has four points from his opening three matches in charge but Spurs are still two points away from relegation safety with those around them also hitting a bit of form.

It is hard for the Tottenham recruitment team to make any decisions regarding players but they are likely to have lined up two lists; one for relegation and another for if they remain in the division.

One player they will have to make a decision on ahead of the summer if Palhinha, who joined last year in a season-long loan deal from Bayern Munich.

Tottenham have a clause in the deal to make the transfer permanent in the summer for €30m and Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund admitted earlier this week that it is “difficult to say” whether the Premier League club will take up their option.

Freund said: “The situation at Tottenham is difficult. Joao is a fighter, he had a great start at Tottenham. The focus is entirely on avoiding relegation. Tottenham know what they have in him. But the situation there is very tense at the moment, so it’s difficult to say anything about the future right now.”

But Football Insider are claiming that Palhinha ‘has no future’ at Bayern Munich and now Tottenham ‘could succeed in their plan to sign him for a lesser fee’.

Tottenham ‘want to renegotiate the fee to sign him permanently if they stay up’ and Bayern Munich are ready to cash in on the Portugal international as he is not in the plans of head coach Vincent Kompany.

Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust.

‘Everything’s open right now’ for Palhinha

Explaining in more detail on Football Insider‘s podcast, journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “I think it’s pretty certain that he doesn’t have a long term future at Bayern Munich.

“He’s under contract until 2028, but he’s well down the pecking order at the Allianz Arena. I don’t see any way back for him to break into Vincent Kompany’s plans.

“He started the season off pretty well for Tottenham and was a regular starter, but then has probably found himself out of favour since the turn of the year.

“Everything’s open right now. Spurs don’t know what they can and can’t do in the transfer market due to they don’t know what league they’re going to be in.

“If Spurs stay up and they can renegotiate that buy option, then there’s a real opportunity that Palhinha could extend to stay.”

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly ‘submitted an offer’ to the representatives of a top Serie A midfield talent, although any deal is reliant on Roberto De Zerbi’s side staying in the Premier League.

As it stands, that looks a tough proposition, with Spurs currently sitting two points behind 17th-placed West Ham with only four games remaining ahead of a weekend trip to Champions League-chasing Aston Villa.

Tottenham have not played in the second tier of English football in almost 50 years, but a disastrous run under Thomas Frank and then interim boss Igor Tudor has left that scenario looking increasingly likely.

While results and performance levels have improved, to a certain extent, under De Zerbi, the likelihood of adding much-needed quality to the Spurs squad for next season is completely dependent on them staying in the division.

Indeed, a deal to sign Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi is already agreed, on that very proviso, while a fresh report from Italy now claims that Tottenham could also be closing in on another potential signing for the summer.

France international midfielder Youssouf Fofana has been linked with a move away from AC Milan at the end of the season, with a number of clubs on alert over his availability.

The Italian outfit are looking to revamp their engine room, and a report from Gazzetta Dello Sport claims they are willing to cash in on Fofana, despite the 27-year-old being a regular starter this season.

While Fofana has already been heavily linked with clubs in Turkey, the report adds that he may the lure of the Premier League too big to turn down, with Spurs and Aston Villa named as the two clubs showing the most interest.

Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust.

Tottenham looking to get jump-start on Fofana deal

Gazzetta adds that the French midfielder will cost in the region of €25million (£21.5m / $29m), which is more than reasonable for an established international who has 25 caps to his name and still has two years remaining on his contract in Italy.

What’s more, Tottenham have already taken the first step to trying to win the race for Fofana’s signature, with an ‘offer already submitted to his representatives’.

Fofana is arguably exactly what Tottenham’s midfield has lacked for much of the season, a box-to-box presence also strong enough to operate in more of a defensive role if required.

There remain doubts over whether the club will sign off a permanent deal for loanee Joao Palhinha, while sources indicate that Yves Bissouma will be on his way.

A sensational return to Everton for Richarlison remains a genuine possibility, TEAMtalk understands, with the forward’s situation at Tottenham Hotspur increasingly pivotal to any potential deal.

Richarlison, who turns 29 next month, has never lost his connection with Everton after departing in 2022 during Frank Lampard’s tenure.

Since his exit, the Toffees have been repeatedly linked with bringing him back, and that interest has not faded.

Now settled into life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and pushing towards a potential European qualification spot, Everton are actively assessing attacking options, and sources indicate Richarlison remains firmly on their radar.

Despite approaching 29, the Brazilian is still viewed internally as a strong stylistic fit for David Moyes’s system, offering the kind of intensity, versatility and goal threat the manager values highly.

Crucially, Everton are closely monitoring developments at Tottenham. TEAMtalk understands the Merseyside club are fully aware of Richarlison’s contract situation, with his deal having just over 12 months remaining, and recognises that Spurs could face a major decision on his future in the near term.

There is a growing feeling that Tottenham would struggle to retain the forward should they suffer relegation, a scenario that would significantly increase Everton’s chances of securing a deal.

Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust.

Everton attentive to Richarlison situation

A drop to the Championship would likely force Spurs into reshaping their squad, making high earners and senior players more attainable targets.

Even if Tottenham avoid the drop, Everton’s interest in Richarlison is expected to remain. However, sources admit that relegation would make any potential move far easier to structure financially and logistically.

For now, a return remains a “dream” scenario for Richarlison rather than an advanced negotiation, but with circumstances aligning and Everton keeping a close watch, the prospect of the Brazilian pulling on the blue shirt once again is very much alive.

Richarlison, who scored 53 goals in 152 matches for Everton and played a crucial role in keeping them in the Premier League in past relegation battles, would jump at the chance to return if it arises, as TEAMtalk exclusively revealed in October.

Richarlison’s injury record would be the only concern for Everton, as the forward has missed seven games this season, as well as 10 last term, due to various ailments.

However, he isn’t the only target on the Toffees’ radar as they look to bring in a new striker.

We revealed on Tuesday how Everton are among a number of Premier League sides monitoring Feyenoord striker Ayase Ueda, who has notched an impressive 26 goals this season.

We also understand that the Toffees’ retain interest in Chelsea’s Liam Delap, Bologna’s Santiago Castro and AZ Alkmaar’s Troy Parrott, so there is plenty of work being done on striker targets ahead of the summer.

With additional reporting from TEAMtalk correspondent Harry Watkinson.

Barcelona are reportedly considering a move for a top Tottenham Hotspur star this summer, as they continue to weigh up alternatives to their number one central defensive target, Alessandro Bastoni.

Camp Nou sporting director Deco has made the Italy international his highest-priority target to reinforce the Barca backline this summer, despite Hansi Flick’s defence only conceding 30 goals in 33 league outings this season as they storm towards the LaLiga title.

While Bastoni is reported to have given positive signals over a move to Barcelona, the financial aspects of a deal continues to raise concerns, given the club’s ongoing issues on that front.

To that end, fresh reports from Spain claim that Deco and co. have already ‘done groundwork on alternative options’, with one of the most notable names being Spurs star Cristian Romero.

Spanish outlet Sport reports that Romero’s profile is one that ‘aligns very well with the requirements set by both Deco and Flick’.

The Argentina international, who has already decided on a Tottenham exit this summer and continues to be chased by Atletico Madrid, has a different profile to Bastoni.

Romero is a naturally right-sided centre-back, compared to Bastoni playing on the left, while his more rugged game is arguably much more suited to Spanish football than his Italian counterpart.

Barcelona are also prioritising attributes such as leadership, defensive awareness and the ability to operate in high defensive lines, all boxes that have been ticked by Romero during his time under multiple different coaches at Spurs.

The report adds that the 28-year-old World Cup winner’s ‘personality, competitiveness, and ability to perform under pressure’ are seen as ‘valuable additions to a relatively young defensive unit that includes players like Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin’.

DON’T MISS: Man Utd make contact for ‘sensational’ €50m Barcelona star wanted by Liverpool – report

Atletico remain favourites in Romero chase

Barcelona are also said to have already ‘made contact with the player’s entourage’, given Tottenham’s precarious league position and growing likelihood that Romero will leave this summer.

However, TEAMtalk sources indicate that Atletico remain the favourites for the player’s signature, with Romero’s father recently revealing that his son has a £60million (€69m / $81m) release clause.

The defender is currently sidelined with a knee ligament injury that is threatening his place at the World Cup, but is not expected to be a long-term issue.

Barcelona, however, maintain that Bastoni is their top option to lead Flick’s backline next season, if they are able to find the money to seal the transfer.

The 27-year-old has been heavily linked with Liverpool and Chelsea for some time, but his preference is for a move to Spain and Barcelona in particular.

Inter Milan have won the race to sign Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, TEAMtalk understands, with the hunt for a successor now firmly on.

Sources have confirmed that Spurs made a decision back in January to allow Vicario to leave this summer, just two years after his arrival from Empoli in 2023.

That stance alerted a number of top European clubs, with Inter moving quickly to position themselves at the front of the queue for the 29-year-old Tottenham star.

The Serie A giants have been in discussions for several months and have now successfully agreed terms with the player, putting them firmly in control of the situation ahead of the transfer window.

Juventus were also monitoring Vicario’s situation closely and expressed a strong interest, but the Italy international has made it clear that his preference is to join Inter.

Vicario could even have played his final game for the club, having not featured since the 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest after undergoing a hernia operation.

DON’T MISS: ‘Shame’ for Tottenham as Italian goalkeeper REJECTS Roberto De Zerbi ‘offer’ to replace Guglielmo Vicario

Tottenham already assessing replacement options

Tottenham, meanwhile, are already assessing their goalkeeping options for next season, though their plans remain heavily dependent on which division they will be playing in.

Sources indicate that relegation would likely see Spurs place their faith in current number two Antonin Kinsky as their first-choice goalkeeper.

However, if they retain their Premier League status, the club is expected to pursue a more high-profile replacement.

Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen and Manchester City’s James Trafford are understood to be among the leading names on their shortlist.

They may be thwarted in their chase for Verbruggen, however, with sources suggesting the 23-year-old is poised to extend his stay on the south coast.

Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust.

Trafford, meanwhile, is being chased by a multitude of clubs as he looks to secure a second exit from Manchester City this summer, with Liverpool now emerging as a major suitor for the England stopper.

As for Vicario’s expected Tottenham departure, it marks a significant shift in the club’s summer planning, with the north London side preparing for a pivotal window both on and off the pitch.

Mauricio Pochettino has opened up about why he feels “really sad” when it comes to the current situation his old club Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in, and why regrets over his exit seven years ago refuse to go away.

The north London club are locked in a battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League, sitting in the bottom three, two points behind 17th-placed West Ham, with only four games remaining.

Pochettino spent five years in the Tottenham hotseat, guiding the club to the Champions League final in 2019 before his exit just a few months later, and is now in charge of the USA national team ahead of the World Cup.

The Argentine was actually heavily linked with a return to Spurs after Thomas Frank’s sacking, only for ties to the US team to prevent him from leaving, and he has reflected on the club’s current struggles, as well as his exit from the club.

The 54-year-old, speaking on the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast, said: “It’s really sad because I know how the people are suffering there, inside the club and also the fans.

“I really love Tottenham, it’s going to be a part of my life, an important part of my life as a coach, a personal life too.

“It’s difficult to accept, but the moment when we left, what I told to the media and what I told internally was my feeling and my vision. You need to talk during the day that you are there. When you left or when you are sad or when you decide to move again, I think it’s not time to talk.

“If you talk, things for me are not right. But I think when I was there, I tried to explain what was my vision.

“We were in a situation that was amazing because I think the training ground, we finished the training ground, we finished the stadium, we moved to Wembley to play, to Milton Keynes to play many games. At the same time, we were very competitive.

“But this idea of how it can affect the environment and the people outside and the people that make the decision inside… It’s one title, it’s one to win a FA Cup, it’s to win a Carabao Cup.

“It’s a shame. We were winning every season because with all the circumstances that we were fighting, we spent 18 months with no one signing. That was a record in the Premier League.

“We had money to spend but not the type of money to improve, to be close to win or to challenge. We challenged, we challenged to win. But we missed this last step.”

DON’T MISS: Tottenham battling Leeds to sign brilliant 26-goal striker who’s primed to shine at World Cup

Pochettino reflects on acrimonious Tottenham exit

Having long been linked with a Tottenham return, something that could still happen further down the line, Pochettino provided more insight on how his tenure at the club transpired, amid clear disagreements with then chairman Daniel Levy.

He added: “It was difficult. Now it’s difficult to talk about that because it was a really, really difficult situation. Because one of the things that I always like is if someone offers me a project, the possibility to coach, I want to know the reality.

“I want to know what they expect from me. I want to know what I need to do, which is the reality of the club. And I think what happened in Tottenham is that I understood what they expected from me, from the beginning.

“Of course it was tough, but I think I cannot complain. Only what I wanted to tell them is to say, ‘OK, that is the idea, that is the strategy, the philosophy of the culture that we were creating there’. But if we wanted to be competitive, we need some time to make different decisions.

“The problem is when the assessment is not coming from inside to the club, and the assessment comes from outside. And when people start to intoxicate things and say, no, you should win with this team.”

Pochettino would actually have been considered for the job this summer, if the club had not panicked in handing Roberto De Zerbi a five-year deal in a desperate last-ditch attempt to avoid the drop.

Liverpool have been told the two Tottenham Hotspur stars they should consider moving for this summer, while a big name could depart Anfield as contract talks are not progressing.

Liverpool have been linked with several Tottenham players in recent months, most notably Lucas Bergvall, Micky van de Ven, Archie Gray, Pedro Porro and Mohammed Kudus. Tottenham will have to complete a fire sale if they are relegated to the Championship, which could benefit the Reds…

Two Liverpool moves suggested

Former Liverpool star Jan Molby has named Gray and Bergvall as the ‘only two’ Spurs players he would bring to Anfield once the transfer window reopens.

In an interview with Anfield Index, Molby was asked about Gray and Bergvall. He replied: “I look at them, and Mohammed Kudus came in from West Ham, and I think he’s done OK.

“But I’m just not convinced that with what’s required at the level that we want to play at, that even he’s good enough.

“So the only two that would interest me would be the two youngsters, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall.”

Gray has been arguably Spurs’ best player during what has been a disastrous campaign. He has been a classy performer whether operating in defence or midfield.

Gray has shockingly been put forward as a candidate for the Premier League Player of the Season award.

We confirmed on April 20 that Liverpool are exploring a possible move for the 20-year-old.

We revealed in February that Liverpool and Aston Villa both hold interest in Bergvall, who has mainly operated as an impact substitute since returning from an ankle injury.

We understand Arsenal and Chelsea have since joined Liverpool and Villa in eyeing the 20-year-old Swede.

Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust.

Contract concern

Liverpool began contract talks with Alexis Mac Allister in December, but those discussions have stalled.

That is according to top Liverpool reporter Paul Joyce, who confirms that one of Mac Allister or Curtis Jones will likely leave in the summer.

While Mac Allister has had a poor season compared to his usual high standards, Real Madrid are keen on taking him to Spain.

Dominik Szoboszlai would be Madrid’s preferred signing, but Liverpool are set to tie him down to fresh terms – forcing the Spanish titans to pivot towards Mac Allister.

Liverpool have previously been tipped to hold out for £80m before selling the Argentina star.

Defender eyed

Liverpool and Manchester United are both aiming to bring Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio to the Premier League, according to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport.

Inacio, who has been billed as Sporting’s ‘jewel’, is preparing to move this summer. He has an enticing €60m (£52m) release clause in his contract.

Liverpool and United are both considering activating that exit clause, while Real Madrid and Barcelona are also in the picture.

Inacio is a coveted talent as he is a left-footed centre-half who is comfortable playing out from the back. And at 24 years of age, he still has time to get even better.

Liverpool are ‘actively exploring’ a move for a Tottenham star who could leave if bids of around £60m are tabled, and one reporter has curiously backed the Spurs man to finish second for the FWA player of the year award.

The Football Writers’ Association vote for their player of the year award each season. In many campaigns, the same player who wins the PFA players’ player of the year and Premier League player of the year awards scoops the FWA version too. Mohamed Salah did exactly that last term, for example.

It’s something of an open race for the major individual accolades this time around, with Bruno Fernandes, Rayan Cherki, Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice among those contesting a heated race.

According to the latest from Daily Mail writer, Oliver Holt, there’s an obvious choice – Bruno Fernandes.

But while that selection isn’t exactly a surprise, it will shock many to see Holt suggest second place should go to Tottenham midfielder, Archie Gray.

Spurs are staring down the barrel of relegation, yet Holt made his case for why the versatile 20-year-old deserves recognition.

After tipping Bruno for top spot, Holt added: “There are plenty of other excellent candidates. Declan Rice has been outstanding at Arsenal, Bernardo Silva has been inspirational at Manchester City and Igor Thiago has been the season’s breakout star at Brentford.

“And if I could vote for a runner-up in the FWA poll, which will close next week, it would go to Archie Gray at Spurs, a young lad marooned in an awful team at a club in disarray.

“He is just about the only player at Tottenham whose reputation has been enhanced this season.

“Sometimes, it has seemed as if Gray has been asked to play in every outfield position in the Tottenham side and he has done it with class and style, dedication to a team ethic and an ability beyond his years. What a player he is becoming.”

Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust.

Liverpool actively exploring Archie Gray signing

As you might expect, Tottenham do not wish to sell Gray who TEAMtalk previously revealed is viewed as ‘untouchable’ in north London.

However, our insider, Fraser Fletcher, recently brought news of Liverpool testing the waters all the same.

He revealed the Reds are beginning to believe a deal could be struck and Tottenham could perform a U-turn on their not-for-sale stance if they suffer relegation to the Championship.

In that scenario, sources have hinted a bid in the region of £60m could get Tottenham’s green light. Spurs previously signed Gray from Leeds United for £40m.

A stunning report claims Barcelona have ‘abandoned’ their attempts to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United, and Tottenham are picking up the pieces.

Rashford is coming to the end of his season-long loan at Barcelona, and if he gets his way, he’ll be back at the Camp Nou next season.

Barcelona and Rashford have already agreed personal terms. According to Sky Germany, Barca boss, Hansi Flick has ‘approved’ Rashford’s return.

However, the issue stems from Barcelona’s unwillingness to simply activate their €30m option to buy.

Man Utd are thus far sticking to their guns and demanding the full, pre-agreed price of €30m is paid. Conversely, Barcelona either want to negotiate a second loan, or sign Rashford outright but to a smaller fee.

It’s a situation that is prompting all sorts of wild speculation both in England and Spain. And according to the latest from Spanish outlet Sport, the plug has now been pulled from Barca’s end.

It’s claimed the LaLiga leaders have ‘abandoned’ their pursuit of Rashford after determining the €30m option to buy is simply too expensive.

Barca reportedly plan to sign a new striker and left-footed centre-back, and those two moves are deemed higher priorities than turning Rashford’s loan spell permanent.

As such, it’s claimed it’s now ‘a certainty’ Rashford returns to Old Trafford on June 30, at which point Man Utd will explore new exit opportunities.

Tottenham thunder in for Marcus Rashford

That’s where Tottenham come in, with Sport stating the north London club hold ‘genuine interest’ in signing the 28-year-old. It was not specified whether they would attempt to loan the forward or buy him outright.

Naturally, any deal hinges on Tottenham avoiding relegation. Despite picking up their first league win of 2026 last weekend, Spurs remain in the relegation zone after West Ham also picked up three points.

The report concluded: ‘If Roberto De Zerbi’s team manages to stay up, their directors plan to strengthen the squad with key players.

‘The signing of Argentine centre-back Marcos Senesi, currently with Bournemouth, is considered a done deal, and Rashford could be another addition.’

Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust.

As mentioned, Tottenham have an agreement in place to sign Senesi via free agency. They’ve also sealed a deal with Andy Robertson, who would also join on a free.

Whether those deals cross the line and are ratified is contingent on Tottenham retaining their Premier League status.