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Tottenham Hotspur have been given a bit of a rude awakening when it comes to a proposed move for a top midfield talent on Thomas Frank’s radar, following reports that he has an €85million (£75m / $99m) release clause, while Spurs have also been hit by yet another potential injury blow.

The north London outfit are in the market for a new box-to-box midfielder, despite giving current No.8 Rodrigo Bentancur a new deal in early October.

Tottenham‘s midfield has often been exposed for a lack of pace and dynamism this season, and Frank is keen to rectify that, if not in January then next summer.

One player who has emerged on Spurs’ radar is Frank’s fellow countryman Victor Froholdt, who was scouted several times last season when he was promoted to FC Copenhagen’s first team.

However, Tottenham failed to snap up the midfield talent, who ended up at FC Porto instead and has been making waves in Portugal ever since.

Indeed, the 19-year-old is catching the eye of a number of Europe’s top clubs with his dazzling displays, with Atletico Madrid in particular keen on a player who has netted twice and also has two assists in 17 games in all competitions.

Tottenham are reported to have continued monitoring Froholdt’s progress in Portugal amid talk of a potential swoop, although that exit clause could cause a massive issue on that front.

Suspicious Spanish outlet Fichajes are the source quoting that figure, although it’s thought that there are negotiations to be had that would bring that figure down.

And, while Froholdt’s profile aligns with what Tottenham are trying to do in terms of developing younger talent, it could be argued that Frank needs proven performers that can hit the ground running rather than potential at this stage of his tenure in north London.

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Pape Sarr adds to Tottenham injury concerns

It’s no great surprise to see Tottenham and Frank looking at more midfield recruits, though, given the current injury crisis in that position.

James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are long-term absentees, although it’s hoped the latter will be back in the new year, while Archie Gray is currently sidelined with a calf injury and Lucas Bergvall was forced to return from Sweden duty in midweek to have further tests on his concussion issue.

And now that list may have gotten worse ahead of next weekend’s north London derby, following the news that Pape Sarr limped off with an unspecified injury during Senegal’s 2-0 loss to Brazil at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Reports on the injury are sketchy at best, with Sarr having started the contest before being taken off in the 49th minute following a challenge with Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha.

Frank will now be keeping his fingers crossed over the likes of Sarr and others who remain on international duty, although there is expected to be good news on Mohammed Kudus ahead of the clash with Arsenal.

The explosive winger has been by far Tottenham’s best attacking weapon so far this season, but has missed the last two games with a knock. He is, however, expected to be available for the game against The Gunners.

Latest Tottenham news: City join Semenyo hunt; midfield target shows his class

First up, Manchester City have joined Spurs and Liverpool in the pursuit of Bournemouth ace Antoine Semenyo, it has been revealed.

Elsewhere, Tottenham target Nicolas Raskin went nearly perfect in one key statistic for Belgium against Kazakhstan, and displays like that could further drive up what’s already set to be a record transfer fee.

And finally, Nathan De Cat, the wiry 17-year-old orchestrating Anderlecht’s midfield like a veteran conductor, has become the epicentre of a continental bidding war that includes Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Bayern Munich, we can reveal.

Manchester City have joined Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in the pursuit of Bournemouth ace Antoine Semenyo, it has been revealed.

Sky Sports report that Man City, Liverpool and Tottenham are all ‘monitoring Semenyo ahead of the January transfer window’. City and Liverpool are ‘thinking about new forward options’ and have both identified Semenyo as a top target, while Tottenham are ‘looking at signing a left winger in January’ and are huge admirers of the Cherries talisman.

Manchester United looked into signing Semenyo over the summer before bringing in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. The Red Devils have since cooled their interest in Semenyo, leaving City, Liverpool and Spurs as his main suitors.

How Antoine Semenyo impressed elite clubs

Stepped up to the Premier League in January 2023 by joining Bournemouth for £10.5million

Took his game to the next level last season, notching 13 goals and seven assists in 42 games

Only Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago have scored more than Semenyo’s six league goals this term

Semenyo penned a new contract at Bournemouth in the summer, but he is aware of the interest in his services and is open to a big-money move.

Sky Sports add that the Ghana international is ‘annoyed’ about claims he has ‘asked to leave’ Bournemouth.

Bids from the likes of City, Liverpool and Spurs ‘cannot be ruled out’ heading into the winter window.

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Bournemouth to make huge profit on winger

Bournemouth are expected to demand £75m (€85m / $99m) before selling Semenyo, reflecting his status as one of the very best players in the Premier League.

Indeed, before City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth on November 2, City boss Pep Guardiola said of Semenyo: “He’s very good, absolutely. He’s an extraordinary player.

“He’s improving every game. Players like him make this league special – always hungry, always brave.”

This update comes after we revealed on Thursday that Liverpool are preparing to fight Spurs for the 25-year-old’s capture.

It was claimed earlier this week that Semenyo has requested a January move away from Bournemouth, but such speculation has now been shut down.

Sources confirmed to us on October 17 that Spurs are still chasing Semenyo even after the return of joint sporting director Fabio Paratici.

We understand Spurs hold interest in Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche, but Semenyo is their top attacking target.

How Semenyo could fit in at Man City

News of City joining the hunt for Semenyo comes at an interesting time, given Jeremy Doku’s thrilling performance against Liverpool last weekend.

That was Doku’s best display in a City shirt so far, and it would therefore be extremely harsh for Guardiola to replace him with Semenyo on the left flank in January.

Semenyo is versatile though and could operate as a right winger at the Etihad. He is a more devastating attacker than Savinho, who has netted just four goals in 61 appearances for City so far.

Semenyo replacing Savinho would also be a twist, however. City handed the latter with a new long-term contract in October after preventing him from joining Spurs.

Thomas Frank’s side are showing the strongest interest in Semenyo, but City joining the race could seriously threaten his move to north London.

Leeds United can be discounted from the race to sign Ivan Toney in January for three major reasons, sources have explained, while the prospects of the England striker returning to the Premier League amid links to four other sides, including Tottenham and Everton, can also be revealed.

The England striker took the surprise decision to leave the Premier League in summer 2024 to join Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro-League in a £33.5m deal. Earning a staggering £400,000 a week after tax, Toney‘s move to the Middle East has seen him become one of the best-paid English sportsmen of all time.

While Toney has made a success of his time in Saudi Arabia, scoring 41 times in 59 appearances so far, the move has come at the expense of his career with England.

Prior to the move, the 29-year-old was a regular in the squad, but since exiting the Premier League, he’s earned just one cap – that coming in the ill-fated 3-1 defeat to Senegal at the City Ground in June.

But with a World Cup on the horizon and with the player seemingly eager to make the cut for Thomas Tuchel’s squad next summer, it’s been suggested that a return to the Premier League could be on the agenda for the former Brentford man.

Of the clubs interested, both Tottenham and Everton have been credited with the strongest interest, while Manchester United, West Ham and Leeds have all also been linked.

However, while we can confirm Leeds United are in the market for a new striker in January and want to furnish Daniel Farke with a new No.9 and a more clinical edge in front of goal, they won’t be moving for Toney for three reasons, namely around the costs of a deal involved.

And while there is a belief that a deal could be done in the region of £25m, Leeds would need to sell before they can buy before sanctioning such a hefty deal, while the player’s very sizeable wage demands also make this one a non-starter for the Whites.

Furthermore, while Toney is open to leaving the SPL for a return to England, it’s not believed a move to Elland Road would be something he would consider…

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Tottenham cannot be discounted from Ivan Toney race

Despite Leeds being likely to look elsewhere, that does not mean a return to the Premier League has been ruled out entirely by Toney’s camp.

And to that end, sources have confirmed that the seven-times capped England star is one of four top striker targets being considered by Tottenham ahead of the January window as Spurs bosses look to address a very obvious weakness in Thomas Frank’s ranks.

And with the club exploring four options outside of the Premier League, sources have this week revealed that Toney is one of those and being considered alongside Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Samu Aghehowa of FC Porto, while Real Madrid’s Rodrygo is another potential deal being looked at as they bid to add another option on the left side of their attack.

However, with Frank knowing Toney well from their Brentford days, it is not a move that can be ruled out at this moment in time and the Spurs boss has already held direct talks with the frontman.

It is expected, though, that Tottenham would be more likely to sign a wide forward than a central one in January – but that is not yet confirmed, as they will make a firm decision closer to the winter window actually opening for business.

The club have already drawn up a list of options they will work through and are open-minded about how it opens up.

They hope to be boosted by the return of Dominic Solanke soon. Richarlison’s future is still up in the air and Randal Kolo Muani has had a setback after suffering a facial injury.

Leeds eye Celtic star; Spurs tracking Monaco man

Meanwhile, with the 49ers accepting some of the blame at the club’s struggles lies with them, we’ve named that as one of four reasons why Farke can still save his skin from the Elland Road sack.

One of the players that Leeds could look at ahead of the January window is Daizen Maeda, after sources told us he has made it clear he wants to leave Celtic in the January window.

The 28-year-old has a very impressive record north of the border, meaning a deal would not be cheap, according to our transfer insider, Fraser Fletcher.

Despite that, Leeds are among those being credited with a potential move for the 119-goal striker, though the Whites appear to trail Everton and Brentford as things stand.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes have been urged to raid Tottenham Hotspur for Micky van de Ven, with Khalid Boulahrouz explaining why the defender is the perfect long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk, but TEAMtalk analyses that a transfer may not be possible.

Van Dijk has been on the books of Liverpool since January 2018, when he joined from Southampton, and has been one of the best players for the Merseyside club since then. The Netherlands international defender has won the Premier League title twice, the FA Cup once, the EFL Cup twice, and the Champions League once with the Reds so far in his career.

The Dutchman signed a new contract with Liverpool in April 2025 to extend his stay at Anfield until the summer of 2027.

Despite being 34 years of age, Van Dijk remains one of the first names on the Liverpool teamsheet and is also a regular for the Netherlands.

Former Chelsea defender Boulahrouz is a huge fan of Van Dijk, but the Dutchman has noted his compatriot has not been at his best this season, echoing the claims made by ex-Manchester United star Wayne Rooney.

Boulahrouz believes that Liverpool need to start looking for a long-term successor to Van Dijk and has urged the defending Premier League champions to move for Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven.

Van de Ven plays with Van Dijk for the Netherlands team and has established himself as a key figure for Spurs, with whom he won the Europa League in the 2024/25 campaign.

Boulahrouz told ESPN Netherlands: “Virgil is still undisputed in the Dutch national team, even though Liverpool haven’t been performing quite as well lately.

“Diogo Jota’s passing has had a huge impact on the squad. In addition, many new players have joined.

“That has an impact, and you can see that with Van Dijk. But despite that, he remains a world-class player.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Tottenham Hotspur plans regarding Micky van de Ven – sources

Interestingly, Liverpool have been linked with Van de Ven in the Spanish press.

Liverpool are on the hunt for at least one new centre-back in 2026, with Ibrahima Konate out of contract at the end of the season and yet to sign a new deal.

Given how good Van de Ven is and the fact that he can still get better at the age of 24, it would be remiss to suggest that Liverpool will not be at least keeping tabs on him.

Sources have told TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, that Real Madrid have also taken a shine to Van de Ven.

While Tottenham are aware that the team need to qualify for the Champions League on a regular basis and have to show ambition to keep the defender they paid just £34million (€39m, $45m) for in 2023, the north London club have no immediate plans to cash in on him.

Fletcher reported on TEAMtalk on November 5: “With Van de Ven contracted until 2029, the club faces no immediate financial or contractual pressure to sell.

“Spurs’ hierarchy view him as a world-class centre-back and a symbol of their ambitious project under Frank.

“Sources close to the club insist there is ‘zero intention’ to part ways, with the defender’s development central to their plans.”

Transfer journalist Graeme Bailey told TBR on November 6: “A new deal for Van de Ven is emerging as one of Tottenham’s priorities under Vinai Venkatesham’s reign, and talks have already been taking place since the summer.

“But this is both ways, Van de Ven is very happy at Tottenham, he has settled in brilliantly since he arrived, having now emerged as one of the Premier League’s best, and his partnership with Cristian Romero is on par with anything in the game.

“Romero plays a part here; his decision not to seek a move in the summer has an impact on Van de Ven, who is ready to follow in his steps and sign, and he will be rewarded with similar terms to those of his Argentine colleague.

“Yes, both Spurs and Van de Ven are aware of interest; there is no denying that. Spurs believe he is one of the best anywhere in Europe, and they are recognising this with this prospective new deal. Talks are set to accelerate this month.”

Tottenham expert John Wenham told Tottenham News on November 15: “I think with his existing deal running until 2029, Spurs are not in a panic situation.

“However, as he joined from the Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, I imagine he is probably on £60-70,000 per week maximum.

“So Spurs should reward his rapid progress into one of the best defenders in the Premier League with a new deal and could even double his current salary.”

Latest Liverpool transfer news: Tottenham threat, new British record

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur are ready to splash the cash to block Liverpool from completing an audacious swap deal with Real Madrid.

Liverpool are also planning to break the British transfer record on a winger, who the defending Premier League champions believe would be a perfect successor to Mohamed Salah.

Tottenham Hotspur target Nicolas Raskin went nearly perfect in one key statistic for Belgium against Kazakhstan, and displays like that could further drive up what’s already set to be a record transfer fee.

Raskin, 24, only debuted for Belgium in March of 2025, but has become a fixture of the eighth-ranked men’s side in the world. He has now played eight games for his country, starting four on the bounce.

He scored his first international goal in the first of those four games, against Kazakhstan, and when facing them again, he went nearly-perfect in one key statistic.

According to SofaScore, Raskin made 52 of 53 passes, at an accuracy percentage of 98.

In his own half, he did not misplace a single pass, and the Rangers man made two key passes, as well as two crosses.

He received a 7.7 rating for his performance, after receiving an 8.0 the last time he faced Kazakhstan. While he’s underperformed in two games against Wales, any performance on the big stage is likely to attract attention.

That could be to the detriment of Tottenham, who TEAMtalk is aware are fans of Raskin, with Rangers initially setting a price tag of £20-25million.

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Raskin price could rise

Sources have since mentioned that £20million price tag again as a value which could see Rangers part company with the midfielder.

But performances on the big stage could see Raskin’s price tag rise.

Anything above £20million would represent the Scottish club’s record sale.

While they won’t want to lose Raskin, they’ll know big performances in international football will only increase the eyes on him, and whether that sees Tottenham go big for him or gives them competition remains to be seen.

In any case, the Rangers man looks more than comfortable in a side containing Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku and Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard.

Tottenham round-up: Spurs expected to land Rodrygo

Keith Wyness feels Tottenham are the most likely side to end up with Real Madrid star Rodrygo despite reports of a swap with Liverpool for Florian Wirtz.

However, TEAMtalk is aware Spurs feel his salary demands are too high.

Meanwhile, TEAMtalk sources have stated Tottenham are one of the clubs interested in Belgian youngster Nathan De Cat.

It’s suggested the 17-year-old could command a fee of up to £31million.

Insider Keith Wyness has suggested he expects Real Madrid star Rodrygo to land at Tottenham but there have been “whispers” of a huge Liverpool swap, while TEAMtalk can reveal which destination is most likely for the Brazilian superstar.

Spurs have a wealth of attacking options but still don’t seem to know who their best left-winger is. Xavi Simons has been used there to little effect and it’s been the same story with other men playing out wide.

As a result, it’s understood Tottenham will be looking to prioritise a new winger in the January window.

Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, feels Real Madrid man Rodrygo will land in north London, though reports of a Florian Wirtz swap deal with Liverpool could have an impact.

He said: “I think he’ll go to Spurs, but the whisper I got was a potential swap deal with Wirtz as part of it from Liverpool.

“Now, given the start that Wirtz has had, that isn’t beyond the realms of the imagination. I think he may fit better into the Real Madrid style of play and the La Liga style of play.

“I think that may be something that could have some currency in it. I didn’t dismiss it out of hand straight away.

“But I do think that Spurs will be the ones that end up paying the money to get him across from Real Madrid. I expect Spurs to push hard, but that Liverpool-Wirtz story did seem to make some sense to me.”

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Rodrygo most likely to go to Man City

However, TEAMtalk has in fact found out from sources that a Tottenham move is unlikely in January, with Rodrygo’s salary demands deemed too high and beyond what the north London side are capable of paying.

It is instead Manchester City who top the race for the Brazilian forward.

Sources state the Premier League high-flyers are ready to trigger a deal worth €60-80million (£53-£70m).

They’re also willing to pay him €10million (£8.8m) in wages, so the move aligns perfectly for Rodrygo.

Tottenham round-up: Spurs want De Cat

TEAMtalk is aware that Belgian youngster Nathan De Cat will become the centre of a bidding war including Tottenham and the likes of Aston Villa and Bayern Munich.

Anderlecht could demand £31million for the 17-year-old star.

Meanwhile, TEAMtalk is aware Spurs have sent scouts to watch Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche.

They were present as the 22-year-old played 22 minutes in the 4-0 victory over Ukraine on Thursday evening.

Thomas Frank has not had anything like the output he wants from Tottenham Hotspur’s central strikers so far this season, with sources informing us that a new No.9 is on the agenda for January – leading to TEAMtalk ranking the club’s top five targets.

It’s fair to say that Spurs and Frank have had rotten luck with their striker options to date, with Dominic Solanke and loan signing Randal Kolo Muani spending more time on the sidelines than the pitch so far.

The irony of Richarlison being Tottenham‘s only genuine fit No.9, given all his previous injury woes, will not be lost on many – although it’s also led to some fans of the north London club to call for highly-rated home-grown talent Dane Scarlett to be given a go ahead of the Brazilian.

Genuine Spurs No.9s, not including Mathys Tel, who is still regarded as more of a winger, have contributed just four of their 31 goals in all competitions so far this season, with all four coming from Richarlison.

One major target who was known to be on the club’s radar is now off it, with TEAMtalk sources confirming that Tottenham will no longer pursue a deal for Juventus frontman Dusan Vlahovic.

We understand that Spurs stepped away from the race, with club sources indicating they will not make an approach in January, nor engage in talks if they are approached regarding his availability again.

To that end, here are five realistic striker options Spurs could sign in January, with TEAMtalk ranking them on best fits to least likely…

The Brazilian talent failed to shine during his time at Barcelona, but did fare a little better on loan at Real Betis before being offloaded back to his homeland in February.

The 20-year-old looks to have found his mojo again at Palmeiras, scoring 20 goals in 52 appearances and also attracting interest from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.

Signing Vitor Roque would be classed as a gamble, though, despite his clear talent. Thomas Frank needs a striker who can hit the ground running, not one who could take months to adjust to playing in England.

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A quality attacking player and one who would definitely help Tottenham, but more as a winger than a No.9 – even though Lookman can play there.

Having played more than 300 career games, the Nigerian has lined up through the middle on 40 occasions, while the majority of his appearances have come on the left flank.

That is the exact position where he should be playing, if Spurs can secure his signature, with the absence of club legend Son Heung-min fully in evidence so far this season.

There could also be good news on the Lookman signing front, following an update on his future on Thursday.

While a move for one Juve frontman has been ruled out, it’s another who remains a target for Tottenham and a player they have chased for a number of windows now.

Canada international David was a prolific force at his previous club Lille, scoring 109 times in 232 games for the Ligue 1 outfit.

However, things have not gone to plan since his free transfer switch to Turin, with the 25-year-old starting just seven games for Juve and only scoring once in 14 games in total.

There is a feeling, though, that David’s playing style is not quite right for Italian football and that he is better suited to the cut and thrust of the Premier League.

With that in mind, it would come as no surprise if Tottenham reignited their interest in the forward in the new year.

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The Spain international has been plying his trade in Portugal since last season, having struggled to make an impact when he got a big move to Atletico Madrid a year in 2023.

After notching eight goals on loan at Alaves, Porto paid Atletico €15million for 50% of his rights and also reserved the option to buy 15% of his rights in 2025 and 2026 for €5 million each year in a rather complex arrangement.

So far this term, the talented 21-year-old attacker has scored nine times in 14 outings and has impressed with his pace, power and clinical finishing ability.

Aghehowa certainly has all the tools to be a big success in English football, and TEAMtalk insider Dean Jones has previously revealed that he is a player Tottenham scouts have been watching closely and regularly.

Aghehowa has a €100m (£87m) release clause in his contract, which runs for another four years, although it’s more likely that he can be signed for a figure in the region of €60m (£52m) instead.

This has to be the main option for Tottenham in terms of ticking all the boxes they want from signing a new No.9.

Toney has a ton of Premier League experience, is still only in his late 20s and, more importantly, has worked under Thomas Frank for a number of years.

The 29-year-old England international moved to the Saudi Pro League in the summer of 2024 and has gone on to score 41 goals in 59 goals for Al Ahli, albeit in less demanding conditions than top-flight football in England.

TEAMtalk have consistently reported on Tottenham’s interest in bringing Toney back to the Premier League, while talkSPORT have since jumped on that bandwagon.

There’s no smoke without fire and we expect Frank to do his utmost to try and convince Toney to join him in north London, giving the Spurs boss the lethal finisher that he craves.

Nathan De Cat, the wiry 17-year-old orchestrating Anderlecht’s midfield like a veteran conductor, has become the epicentre of a continental bidding war that includes Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Bayern Munich, we can reveal.

The Belgian wonderkid – blessed with a wand of a left foot and an uncanny knack for threading passes through needle-eye gaps – has racked up four goals and six assists this season, turning heads from the English south coast to the Spanish capital. Insiders at Lotto Park confirm that no fewer than seven top-tier clubs are locked in a feverish pursuit, each desperate to secure the signature of a player still months shy of his 18th birthday.

In England, the chase is ferocious. Brighton, architects of shrewd continental raids, have earmarked De Cat as the cornerstone of their next evolution, with the Seagulls impressed and enamoured by his press-resistant poise.

Aston Villa’s recruitment machine views him as the ideal partner for Boubacar Kamara in their midfield pivot.

Tottenham, craving creativity beyond James Maddison, and Nottingham Forest, seeking a spark to ignite their survival bid, complete the Premier League quartet.

Early feelers suggest Anderlecht would demand north of €20million (£18m) upfront, plus performance add-ons that could push the package toward €35m (£31m).

Europe’s traditional powerhouses refuse to be sidelined. AC Milan’s scouting network, honed on Serie A’s tactical chessboard, sees De Cat slotting into their 4-2-3-1 formation as a deep-lying playmaker with flair.

Bayern Munich leading race for Nathan De Cat

Atletico Madrid, ever pragmatic under Diego Simeone, covet his duel-winning ferocity to bolster an engine room thinned by departures.

But the real juggernaut emerges from Munich: Bayern, having initiated formal talks with De Cat’s representatives, dangle the allure of the Rekordmeister’s fabled academy-to-first-team conveyor belt. With Jamal Musiala as a living blueprint, the Germans are prepared to eclipse rivals with a €38m (£34m) total package, sweetened by a potential loan-back clause to ease his transition.

Anderlecht sporting director Olivier Renard acknowledges the “exceptional interest” but stresses any exit must fund squad reinvestment. The player, a product of Brussels’ melting-pot streets, offers measured diplomacy: “Anderlecht is home, but big clubs make you think.”

January looms as the battleground. Will De Cat trade purple for Seagull blue, claret, lilywhite, garnet, red-and-white stripes, Rossoneri red-black, or Bayern’s crimson? The kid they call “The Kitten” is one of the brightest talents to watch in world football.

Spurs in Liverpool battle; latest on struggling Villa man

Meanwhile, sources have confirmed to us that Liverpool will fight Spurs for one of the very best forwards in the Premier League.

Harvey Elliott left Liverpool for Villa over the summer amid his search for game time.

Tottenham Hotspur have continued to make checks on Monaco star Maghnes Akliouche, and had an eye on him while on France duty this week, sources have revealed to us.

Akliouche appeared from the bench and made a positive impact in a 4-0 win over Ukraine. Sources indicate that Tottenham had representatives watching the game as he looks to make his mark in international football.

Spurs have been monitoring him closely at Monaco, and it is believed he is one of the players they are looking towards as a potential 2026 transfer target.

Thomas Frank wants new edge to his attack, and Akliouche offers a sense of excitement with his runs both on and off the ball.

Spurs are still not sure which way they will turn in the new year, as they have a list of attacking options and will whittle it down in the coming weeks.

They have players at varying levels so that they are well prepared to recruit in January at a time when they aim to be as ambitious as possible.

We revealed that Akliouche is on Spurs’ attacking shortlist on August 26.

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Tottenham keen on Akliouche, Semenyo

On October 22, sources confirmed to us that Spurs have identified the right winger as an alternative signing to Bournemouth ace Antoine Semenyo.

The latter remains a top target for Spurs but is also being chased by Liverpool, according to TEAMtalk’s Fraser Fletcher. If Spurs miss out on Semenyo then talks could begin for Akliouche instead.

Spurs have been watching the 23-year-old Frenchman’s performances in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League closely this season.

Akliouche was at the heart of Monaco’s most dangerous moves when they hosted Spurs in the Champions League last month, and he would have had at least one assist if Guglielmo Vicario didn’t manage such an impressive performance.

Akliouche can operate as either a right winger or central attacking midfielder, meaning he could bolster numerous positions for Frank. Although, Spurs also need to strengthen the left side of their attack, a void which could be filled by Semenyo or another signing.

Spurs news: €60m deal ON; £42m striker target

Meanwhile, Spurs have reportedly made progress in their attempts to sign a €60m Serie A forward.

Fabio Paratici is also interested in a £42m striker, a report has claimed.

Tottenham Hotspur have suffered what could be another crushing setback ahead of the north London derby on November 23, and are facing the prospect of being without as many as 10 players against Arsenal.

It’s been a testing start to Thomas Frank’s reign, despite the club sitting fifth in the Premier League table and being in a decent spot in the expanded Champions League group phase after four unbeaten outings.

Injuries have already played a part for Tottenham, as they did for so much of last season under Ange Postecoglou, and it appears there is no let-up at the moment.

One player who had hoped to be available again against the Gunners was midfielder Lucas Bergvall after he jetted off on international duty with Sweden, having missed two games with the concussion he suffered against Chelsea.

However, Sweden boss Stefan Pettersson confirmed Bergvall suffered a setback during training, telling SportBladet: “We had agreed with Tottenham’s doctor to do some tests during the week and then run at full speed so that Lucas would feel it properly.

“When there was a reaction, there was no hesitation. We don’t want to take any risks.”

Bergvall has now returned to London, where he will continue rehabilitation after leaving Sweden’s training camp and must be considered a major doubt to face Premier League leaders Arsenal.

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Thomas Frank faces anxious wait on injured Tottenham stars

Thomas Frank, who is reported to be under pressure after one win his last four games as Spurs boss, faces the prospect on not being able to call on 10 players for the Gunners clash.

Besides Bergvall, Randal Kolo Muani and Mohammed Kudus are both sidelined, although there is some hope that the latter could be good to go against Mikel Arteta’s men.

Archie Gray, Yves Bissouma, Ben Davies and Kota Takai are also struggling with injuries and not expected to be available.

Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke are out for the foreseeable future due to long-term injuries, with the latter the likeliest to return early from the ankle issue that forced surgery.

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Latest Tottenham news: Winger chase update; Brazilian striker emerges on radar

First up, Tottenham could turn their year-long scouting of a top Ligue 1 winger into a January transfer swoop, according to sources, as Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange aim to provide Thomas Frank with attacking upgrades.

Elsewhere, Antoine Semenyo, the dynamic Bournemouth forward, has emerged as a prime target for Liverpool and Tottenham, with TEAMtalk sources indicating a potential blockbuster move on the horizon.