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Real Madrid are planning a bid for Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero, according to a speculative report in the Spanish media, as TEAMtalk analyses why such a move is not going to happen before the winter transfer window closes on Monday.

Romero is one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and signed a new contract with Tottenham in August 2025. Sources have told us that Romero is now Tottenham’s highest-paid player, earning £200,000-a-week, including bonuses.

The Argentina international is under contract at Tottenham until the summer of 2029, but that has not stopped Madrid from being linked with Romero.

The Spanish press reported in early January that then Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso wanted to sign Romero from Tottenham.

Then came a report claiming that Madrid were willing to make a bid offer for Romero and were confident of getting a deal done.

Defensa Central has continued with that theme, with the Real Madrid-centric news outlet reporting that Los Blancos are ‘considering’ a bid for Romero.

Romero is said to be valued at €70million (£60.6m, $83m) by Tottenham, and Madrid president Floentino Perez believes that he would be good value for money.

Dean Huijsen’s performances for Madrid this season, following his move from Bournemouth in the summer of 2025, have been largely underwhelming.

Huijsen is still only 20, so Madrid want to sign a more experienced and mature centre-back, with both Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba out of contract at Estadio Bernabeu at the end of the season.

In years gone back, Madrid have considered Romero ‘a virtually impossible signing’, according to the report, which has added: ‘However, something has changed after Daniel Levy’s departure from Tottenham and, above all, with Real Madrid’s need to sign a top-level centre-back after the disappointment of Dean Huijsen’s signing, and taking into account the injuries that have constantly plagued the Madrid defence.’

Romero helped Tottenham clinch the Europa League last season, and has also won the World Cup (2022) and the Copa America (2021 and 2024) with Argentina.

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Cristian Romero from Tottenham to Real Madrid UNLIKELY

While Defensa Central is a very popular Spanish-language Real Madrid-centric news outlet and has a very strong following on social media, its reporting on transfer news is often speculative.

No reliable sources are reporting that Madrid plan to sign Romero, so we need to treat this for what it is – a mere rumour.

Sources have told TEAMtalk that Real Madrid actually want to sign Micky van de Ven from Tottenham.

Van de Ven is only 24 years of age, and the Netherlands international is the kind of profile that Madrid want.

Our transfer correspondent, Dean Jones, said on December 10: “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.”

Tottenham are not going to sell Romero before Monday’s deadline, and Madrid are unlikely to invest €70million (£60.6m, $83m) in a 27-year-old centre-back in the middle of the season.

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Latest Real Madrid transfer news: Brahim Diaz fee, Bruno Fernandes stance

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have been made aware of the transfer fee needed to sign Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid before the winter transfer window closes on Monday.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed if Bruno Fernandes wants to leave Manchester United for Real Madrid before Monday’s deadline.

Tottenham Hotspur have been made aware of the transfer fee that they need to pay to Real Madrid to bring one of their long-serving wingers to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before the winter window closes on Monday, according to a report.

On January 30, TEAMtalk’s transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, reported that Tottenham are keen on a deal for Diaz in the middle of the season. Sources have told us that Spurs, who won the Europa League last season, have had ‘conversations’ and have held ‘discussions’ with the Morocco international winger’s camp.

Sources in Spain told us at the time that “nothing is impossible” regarding Real Madrid sanctioning an exit before Monday’s transfer deadline.

We understand that Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Como have already contacted the camp of Diaz and have told them that they are keen on securing his services this month.

Diaz has been on the books of Madrid since January 2019 and is under contract at the Spanish and European giants until the summer of 2027.

It has now been reported that Madrid have set a price for Diaz.

According to CaughtOffSide, if Tottenham, or any other side for that matter, are to sign the 26-year-old former Manchester City player before Monday’s deadline, then they will have to pay €60million (£51m, $71.1m).

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Real Madrid must KEEP Brahim Diaz

Diaz has never been a regular in the Madrid starting line-up, and that is not going to change anytime soon.

The likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Franco Mastantuono are ahead of Diaz in the pecking order.

However, Madrid need to keep Diaz for the rest of the season and must not sell him now.

Los Blancos could win LaLiga and/or the Champions League this season, and manager Alvaro Arbeloa needs a strong squad.

Diaz may have made only three starts in LaLiga and just one start in the Champions League for Madrid so far this season, but he has always been a valuable option to have in their squad, as a substitute.

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Latest Tottenham and Real Madrid transfer news

Meanwhile, Tottenham are aiming to beat Manchester United to the signing of an Argentine sensation.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed when Curtis Jones could leave Liverpool, amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

Fabrizio Romano has also revealed if Bruno Fernandes wants to leave Man Utd for Real Madrid now.

Tottenham have clinched the signing of a highly-rated attacker from London rivals West Ham, while Juventus are not done with trying to bring Randal Kolo Muani back to Turin ahead of the close of the winter transfer window.

Teenage winger Elisha Sowunmi has signed for the club on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee from the Hammers after spending a decade at the London Stadium.

The 18-year-old progressed through all the age groups at West Ham before winning the U18 Premier League Cup last season, assisting both goals in the final against Reading.

Capable of playing out wide or as a number 10, Sowunmi was top scorer for West Ham’s Under-18s last season, with his tally including hat-tricks against Reading and Aston Villa.

Sowunmi would have been a free agent at the end of the season and by moving this month, the Hammers have negotiated a sell-on clause with Tottenham as part of the deal.

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Juventus not giving up on Kolo Muani signing

Meanwhile, reports in Italy claim that Juventus will make a final attempt to sign Randal Kolo Muani before Monday’s transfer deadline, but the Bianconeri are running out of time to convince Spurs in allowing the loanee to move on.

The France international made a big impact playing for Juve in the second half of last season, as he notched 10 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions.

Things have not gone anywhere near that well in north London, with Kolo Muani only scoring three times, with all of those goals coming in the Champions League.

Indeed, there were reports earlier this week that Tottenham were ready to let the 27-year-old head back to parent club PSG ahead of a return to Turin, but Italian outlets Tuttosport and Gazzetta both insisted that Thomas Frank was not in favour of Kolo Muani leaving.

The Dane remains a fan of what the attacker can do for Tottenham, despite his poor return so far, with Frank particularly impressed with how Kolo Muani performed in the win at his former club Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek.

He told reporters ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester City: “I really hope this goal and the performance can give him some confidence to build from. His qualities and abilities, I always liked them.

“I think he gives us a different dimension. The first action inside the second minute against Frankfurt, where he is bursting through on the left-hand side… that one-v-one ability and pace is frightening.

“His goal is well taken, being in the right position inside the six-yard box on a ball headed back in the mix. Also his ability to go in behind. Hopefully, we’re getting closer and closer.

“Sometimes you need the rhythm. He came with basically no pre-season, got injured, broke his jawbone and then he got a little bit up to pace, we are not being free-floating, all that.

“Hopefully now we are on the right end of things and he can be better.”

A major part of the reasoning behind not letting Kolo Muani leave at this stage of the window is how difficult it would be to find a replacement.

Spurs are already missing Richarlison for a number of weeks still, while young forward Dane Scarlett, who has been on the bench a lot of late, has joined Hibernian on loan and Dominic Solanke has only just returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

To that end, whether Juventus come calling again or not, Tottenham would be mad to let Kolo Muani leave now – unless, of course, they have a trick up their sleeve and a late striker deal is close to being signed off.

Spurs do, after all, love a bit of deadline drama.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly looking to shove Premier League rivals Manchester United to one side, as they make a move for a top Argentine talent who is on the radar of a number of clubs.

As the clock ticks down to the January window slamming shut on Monday and Spurs still hunting fresh additions to a team struggling domestically but flying in Europe, there remains one eye on summer business.

Regardless of who the manager is at the end of the season, whether that’s Thomas Frank or not, Tottenham have already shown in the winter window that they are looking to the future with the addition of Brazilian left-back Souza

And now a fresh report states they are looking to double down on South American talent by moving for highly-rated River Plate star Lautaro Rivero, who has been linked with a move away from the club in recent months.

The 22-year-old central defender has been a top performer in South American football, earning a call-up to the senior Argentina squad, who have Spurs skipper Cristian Romero acting as one of Lionel Messi’s deputies in the national team.

The young defender is reported to have a €100million (£87m / $119m) release clause in his contract and also has interest from Manchester City, alongside United and Spurs.

However, Argentine outlet El Crack Deportivo reports that it’s Man Utd who have currently taken the lead in the race to sign the 22-year-old, who is widely considered to have the tools to compete at Premier League level.

Tottenham’s interest in adding more central defensive depth is not that surprising, given the continued speculation over Liverpool’s interest in Micky van de Ven, alongside reports that Romero is once again a top target for Real Madrid.

Radu Dragusin is another defender being tipped for a north London exit, in what could end up being a bit of an exodus from the defensive ranks come the summer.

There will be the added bonus of the incredibly highly-rated Luka Vuskovic returning from his loan spell at Hamburg, if Spurs can keep the soon-to-be 19-year-old from out of the clutches of Bayern Munich.

However, adding another quality young centre-back to the mix can certainly do no harm, as long as there is still some experience around to nurture and help develop that talent.

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More Tottenham news: Romano delivers Curtis Jones update; Spurs offered £71m striker

Fabrizio Romano has revealed when Curtis Jones could leave Liverpool, following claims that Tottenham are ready to make a bid for the Anfield star to bring him to north London in the January transfer window.

Elsewhere, Tottenham and Leeds United are among those who have been offered a £71m striker who set the Premier League ablaze during his previous stint in England, we can exclusively reveal.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed when Curtis Jones could leave Liverpool, following claims that Tottenham Hotspur are ready to make a bid for the Anfield star to bring him to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the January transfer window.

TEAMtalk’s transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, has reported that Liverpool have decided not to let Jones leave for Inter Milan now. Sources have told us that although Inter held talks with the midfielder’s camp, the defending Premier League champions have made it clear that Jones will stay part of Liverpool manager Arne Slot’s side for the rest of the season.

Inter’s interest in the 25-year-old midfielder came just days after it emerged that Tottenham want to sign Jones from Liverpool in the January transfer window.

DAVEOKOP, a Liverpool-centric news outlet, reported that Thomas Frank’s Tottenham are ‘willing to initially offer £30m as an opening offer’ for Jones.

That offer of £30million (€34.6m, $41.1m) has not come yet, and it is unlikely that Liverpool will sell Jones now.

However, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Liverpool could sell the midfielder if he does not sign a new contract, having earlier reported that “Tottenham were very aggressive on Curtis Jones at the beginning of the transfer window before signing Conor Gallagher”.

Jones is out of contract at Liverpool in the summer of 2027.

Romano said on his YouTube channel: “Curtis Jones was keen on a move to Inter, but the problem is that Curtis Jones, as I told you last night, has a contract till 2027 at Liverpool, and Liverpool will not let the player leave on loan, unless he signs a new contract.

“At the moment, we are not at that stage. So, Liverpool are not approving the exit of Curtis Jones unless he accepts to sign a new contract in the next hours, but it’s something at the moment is not happening.

“So, Liverpool are not opening the door to this possibility.

“Then, if you ask me about Curtis Jones, my feeling is that if it’s not in this window, in the summer, something could happen around him because the contract situation must be sorted, otherwise he could really leave Liverpool in 2026.”

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Tottenham are in the market for ANOTHER midfielder

Tottenham signed former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid in the middle of January for £34million (€39.2m, $46.5m).

However, last season’s Europa League winners are still in the market for another midfielder.

The DAVEOKOP report about Tottenham’s willingness to bid for Jones came on January 23, 2026.

On January 28, it emerged that Tottenham had ‘enquired’ about Leon Goretzka, who is out of contract at Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

Bayern have decided that they will not sell midfielder Goretzka in the middle of the campaign.

Tottenham are clearly in the market for another midfielder, and if they are unable to get one now, it is very likely that they will revisit the situation in the summer of 2026.

That is when a potential transfer of Jones to Tottenham will become a real possibility.

Of course, there are some key factors that need to be taken into consideration.

Thomas Frank’s future at Tottenham is far from certain, with Arne Slot also not certain if he will stay as Liverpool manager beyond the end of the season.

Jones could end up signing a new contract with Liverpool between now and the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

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Latest Tottenham transfer news: Striker ‘offered’, West Ham United raid

Meanwhile, sources have told our transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, that Tottenham Hotspur have been ‘offered’ the chance to sign a striker, so have Leeds United.

Two Tottenham deals are not going to happen, but a report has claimed that four other deals are still possible before the winter transfer window closes next week.

Tottenham and Leeds United are among those who have been offered a £71m striker who set the Premier League ablaze during his previous stint in England, we can exclusively reveal.

A number of Premier League clubs have been offered the opportunity to sign former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, with intermediaries exploring a possible return to England as the Colombian’s loan spell at Fenerbahce continues to stall.

Duran, 22, made a huge impression at Aston Villa prior to his blockbuster £64.5m (rising to £71m through add-ons) transfer to Al-Nassr one year ago.

Duran’s final six months at Villa Park saw the frontman score a series of goal of the season contenders. He bagged 12 goals in just 1,046 minutes of action across the Premier League, League Cup and Champions League, meaning he scored at a ratio of one goal every 87 minutes. Effectively, he became a goal-per-game striker before joining Al-Nassr.

However, the Colombian did not settle in Saudi Arabia and was loaned to Fenerbahce ahead of the current campaign. Surprisingly, he’s not featuring all that regularly in Turkey amid stiff competition from Anderson Talisca and Youssef En-Nesyri.

French side Lille are in talks with Fenerbahce about taking over the loan for the remainder of the campaign and sources state they’re firmly in pole position to land him.

However, TEAMtalk can reveal that intermediaries have also approached a host of Premier League clubs, believing there may be a realistic opening to bring Duran back to England where he previously thrived before the window shuts on Monday evening.

We understand Tottenham and Leeds are among those who’ve been contacted.

Leeds look set to fall short in their bid to sign Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves. But in truth, Duran would represent a vastly superior option to the Norwegian who has scored just one Premier League goal – a penalty – all season.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are braced for a late push from Juventus to take over Randal Kolo Muani’s loan spell. The Frenchman has underwhelmed in north London and again, Duran would serve as a higher calibre replacement.

Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest have also been offered the chance to sign Duran. West Ham also assessed Duran earlier in the window before shifting their focus elsewhere.

Italian giants Juventus have been linked, but Lille are aware that other clubs have been contacted and are now pushing hard to get a deal over the line.

With Duran keen for stability after a turbulent year, his situation is expected to move quickly as the deadline approaches.

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Latest Tottenham and Leeds news

In other news, two rumoured Tottenham transfers – one an arrival and the other an exit – will NOT happen, though four other deals remain in play in the final days of the window.

Elsewhere, West Ham are ramping up efforts to sign an England international defender and Antonin Kinsky from Tottenham after a move for a different goalkeeper came to nothing.

Two rumoured Tottenham transfers – one an arrival and the other an exit – will NOT happen, though four other deals remain in play in the final days of the window.

Spurs are gearing up for a frantic end to the winter window in which both arrivals and exits are possible. However, two such moves that have been explored in recent weeks can now be discounted.

The first involves Mathys Tel who was the subject of numerous loan approaches.

French side Paris FC pushed the hardest, though Tottenham have now made it crystal clear no bids in any guise will be entertained for Tel.

That message has been received loud and clear at Paris FC who per Fabrizio Romano, have quickly struck a deal to sign Ciro Immobile from Bologna instead.

Elsewhere, BILD chief, Christian Falk, recently stated Tottenham had made contact with Bayern Munich regarding Serge Gnabry.

That potential move can also be resigned to the scrapheap, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.

He wrote on X: “Understand Tottenham were never a topic in recent days for Serge Gnabry.

“The clear plan for Gnabry is to sign a new contract until 2028 with FC Bayern in the next days.”

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So… which deals ARE possible?

TEAMtalk understands West Ham are pushing to sign back-up goalkeeper, Antonin Kinsky, from Spurs.

A loan deal is in play, though Tottenham will only give the green light if lining up an adequate replacement.

Andy Robertson’s transfer from Liverpool worth £5m plus add-ons has been agreed in principle.

The Scot is open to the move, though there are growing doubts as to whether Liverpool – who are struggling with injuries specifically in defence – will let Robertson go.

The only way they will is if agreeing a deal with Roma to cut Kostas Tsimikas’ loan spell short. The fact there is no recall clause in the Greek’s deal complicates matters, and Roma would want a replacement for Tsimikas too.

Elsewhere, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Juventus are still pushing to snap up Randal Kolo Muani by breaking Tottenham’s loan with PSG.

He wrote on X: “Juventus have not sent any bid or proposal for Jhon Duran so far despite recent reports.

“Juve plan to wait for Randal Kolo Muani until the end, still trying to get him back with decision in Tottenham hands.”

Raheem Sterling – now available via free agency – has been linked, and the winger is willing to take the mother of all pay cuts to ensure his next move is the right move.

West Ham are ramping up efforts to sign an England international defender and Antonin Kinsky from Tottenham after a move for a different goalkeeper came to nothing.

West Ham remain locked in talks with Southampton as they attempt to strike a deal for Taylor Harwood‑Bellis, despite seeing their initial proposal rejected, we can confirm.

Harwood-Bellis, 23, has been a mainstay in England’s many youth sides over the years and received his first cap for the senior side during Lee Carsley’s temporary spell in charge back in 2024.

The Hammers opened negotiations with an offer of a loan with an option to buy for £10million in the summer.

That package has been dismissed by Southampton, who are adamant the England defender will only leave if their £18million valuation is met.

Discussions are ongoing, and sources indicate West Ham are yet to decide whether they will return with an improved offer or explore alternative defensive targets before the window closes.

Chelsea’s Axel Disasi is a viable option via the loan route and that deal has been explored.

However, Harwood‑Bellis remains one of the club’s preferred options, and talks have not been abandoned. We understand Harwood-Bellis is open to the move.

Meanwhile, West Ham are also continuing their search for a goalkeeper, with the club still pushing to bring in competition before the deadline.

Their top choice remains Tottenham’s Antonin Kinsky on loan, but as of now, no agreement has been reached between the clubs.

An agreement on personal terms is in place, however, and the belief is Spurs will greenlight the move if able to sign adequate cover.

West Ham also made contact with Manchester City over veteran stopper, Stefan Oretga, but it’s Nottingham Forest who’ve struck a deal.

The Hammers are expected to work on both the goalkeeper and centre-back deals right up to the deadline as they look to strengthen key areas of Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad.

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Biggest transfer stories today – Curtis Jones / Arsenal sale / Jeremy Jacquet

In other news, Liverpool have rebuffed an approach from Inter Milan for Curtis Jones, with club sources insisting the midfielder will not be allowed to explore a late-window switch to the San Siro, and what that means for Nottingham Forest’s move for Davide Frattesi has also been revealed.

Elsewhere, Arsenal will release a statement later today regarding the permanent sale of a star who’s generating the club a monumental loss.

Jamie Carragher insists he finds it bewildering that Raheem Sterling is overlooked when naming the best England stars over the last few years, amid growing claims that Tottenham Hotspur are ready to pull the trigger on a surprise late transfer window raid.

The 82-times capped England winger is a free agent after his three-and-a-half-year stint at Chelsea came to a close when he mutually agreed to terminate his £325,000 a week package that still had 18 months left to run. Turning his back on a personal fortune of over £25m (less tax), Sterling is now open to opportunities to get his career back on track.

Indeed, having made just 28 appearances over the last 18 months, the 31-year-old is in danger of fading into oblivion, with a fruitless spell at London neighbours Arsenal failing to kickstart his career last season.

While TEAMtalk sources have revealed the three factors that Sterling will consider before making his next move, our sources have revealed that preliminary transfer talks had been held with three London sides in Fulham, West Ham and Crystal Palace.

Now, however, it has emerged that Tottenham are also firmly in the mix and with Thomas Frank needing a new left-sided winger to enhance his attack, a move to N17 appears to tick plenty of boxes; moreso given reports on Friday that claim Sterling is open to signing a deal on a fraction of the wages he was earning at Stamford Bridge.

And while some may frown on Tottenham’s approach, feeling the deal represents a major risk, Carragher is adamant that Spurs would be signing one of “England’s best stars of a generation” if they can push the deal over the line.

Discussing the former Liverpool and Man City winger’s career, Carragher revealed in his Daily Telegraph column that he finds it a mystery why Sterling is so criminally overlooked when discussing England’s top talents in recent years.

Carragher also claims that “no player should be vilified because a club determined his value and then changed its mind two years later. Whatever Chelsea paid Sterling is a reflection of his status upon signing.”

He also added that “there was a sense that Sterling never quite won the love of others” with the pundit admitting that “I am not sure how high he would feature on an all-time list of the greatest England and Manchester City players. My suspicion is that he would rank lower than he should.”

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Spurs ready to pull trigger on Raheem Sterling transfer – Reports

With Sterling eager to make up for lost time and making it be known he is hungry to kickstart his career, our reporter, Fraser Fletcher, let the cat out of the bag on Thursday by exclusively revealing Spurs were taking a very serious look at the 31-year-old and a potential move had already been given a very firm YES by Thomas Frank.

And with the Daily Mail since backing up our claims and revealing that Sterling is open to a significant salary sacrifice to push through the move, reports are gathering pace that a move to north London could be tied up in due course.

Spurs need a left winger and Sterling needs a new club, while the geography also ties with the player’s preference of playing for a major London side.

Furthermore, The Mail claims Sterling ‘is ready to play for less than a third of the salary he was earning at Stamford Bridge and wants to get straight back into the game.’

The report later doubled down on that claim, adding that Sterling is ‘no longer expecting a six-figure weekly salary.’

Such a revelation makes his signing, even on a short-term deal, a significantly lesser risk for a club like Spurs.

In the event Tottenham were to snap Sterling up, the way could be paved for one of Randal Kolo Muani or Mathys Tel to have their loan spells cut short, with interest in the French pair emerging over the final week of the window.

Tottenham round-up: Tel interest mounts; statement Bayern star linked

In other news, Tottenham are bracing themselves for potential late new interest in Tel as the transfer deadline approaches, though the youngster could copy the strategy Kobbie Mainoo deployed at Manchester United.

Elsewhere, one of Germany’s leading journalists claims that Tottenham have made contact with Bayern Munich regarding the availability of an elite attacker, as majority owners ENIC strive to make a statement signing in 2026.

A number of Premier League clubs, including Spurs and Villa, have made enquiries over the availability of a Real Madrid star following his return from AFCON, TEAMtalk can reveal.

Thomas Frank went against his own “rule” when speaking about a player Tottenham tried and failed to sign this month, though there are five viable alternatives linked as the window draws to a close.

Many managers in the modern game refuse to be drawn into speaking about players at other clubs, even those who their side hold confirmed interest in or have even tabled bids for.

But during a press conference on Friday, Frank went against the grain when confirming Tottenham did “everything” they could to bring Antoine Semenyo to north London earlier this window.

Ultimately, Semenyo chose Manchester City who completed a deal worth £64m. At that price point, Semenyo would have become Tottenham’s second most expensive signing in their history, behind only Dominic Solanke (£65m add-ons included).

“The club work relentlessly to try to do the best they can to try to improve the squad, especially Johan (Lange), Fabio (Paritici) and Vinai (Venkatesham), and all the people behind them,” said Frank (via Sky Sports)

“I mean it, we can’t be too obsessed with short-term fixes that don’t help with the long term, because if we don’t do that, then all the hard work we put in now can be limited for the future.

“And that’s not that we don’t badly want short-term success. I can promise that the Lewis family is super committed to this project; they want to do everything.

“And I will go against my rule, hopefully only once, that there’s no doubt it was clear that the club wanted to sign Semenyo.

“They did everything – I think that’s a clear signal that the Lewis family is very committed. That’s a big signing with finances and all that.

“So that’s the quality of players we’re looking for to improve the squad, and if we can’t find that, then it’s definitely better to take the right decisions.

“Not just saying we’re just getting quality players going forward because we all know it’s not that easy, and I’m sure, for whatever reason, we are not able to get another player or players in this window, then for the summer it’s a big summer ahead, and I’m not in doubt we’ll see big improvements there.”

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So… who COULD Tottenham sign?

There’s certainly no shortage of wingers Tottenham have been linked with as the window reaches its conclusion.

None are on the level of Semenyo, however, and it remains to be seen if Tottenham pull the trigger or keep their powder dry as Frank suggested they might.

Reporter Ben Jacobs recently talked up the possibility of Tottenham bidding for West Ham’s £25m-rated Crysencio Summerville. Since then, however, developments on that story have been in short supply.

Sources have informed TEAMtalk that late approaches for Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid) and Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco) are possible, though by no means guaranteed.

Reports in Germany state contact has been made with Bayern Munich to assess Serge Gnabry’s situation.