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The tale of Morgan Gibbs-White in summer 2025 can take its rightful place in the legion of legendary transfer tales which could only happen to Spurs.

Every club has a long line of transfer sagas doomed to fail behind them, the granular details of which a fanbase can recite even as years pass and players and managers come and go.

But as ever with Spurs, theirs do feel slightly more uniquely absurd.

And triggering a player’s release clause only to be threatened with legal action before said target signs a lucrative new contract at his belligerent club feels like a fitting companion to these ludicrous stories from years gone by.

Leandro Damiao

While transfer rumours almost exclusively concern actual footballers, Spurs once found themselves constantly on the verge of signing a player whose existence beyond their gossip columns is yet to be conclusively proven.

The Daily Mail were responsible for prompting this experiment into transfer speculation frenzy in the social media age, linking Spurs with a £10million deal for a forward who had scored 53 goals in his first two seasons at Internacional by the summer of 2011.

The Brazilian club’s president Giovanni Luigi confirmed he “spoke with their chairman twice on the phone” years later, but “he was talking about an offer of €8 million or €9 million, much lower than what we had in mind,” which does not sound like Daniel Levy at all.

Fables of Sky Sports News erroneously reporting on Damiao boarding a flight bound for England on deadline day have been passed down through generations of long-suffering north Londoners but the real victim was a player whose entire career in Europe comprised of three games on loan at Real Betis.

Damiao finally fled Internacional in 2013 but not before enduring a fate no-one would wish on their worst enemy: being the subject of a bidding war between staring contest champions Levy and Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis.

He is, in fact, still knocking them in occasionally for Coritiba as Thomas Frank weighs up whether to persuade a 36-year-old journeyman that the time to spread his wings beyond Brazil and Japan is now.

Joao Moutinho

Andre Villas-Boas requested David Villa, Hulk and Moutinho. He received Vlad Chiriches, Nacer Chadli and the rest of The Magnificent Seven.

It was the second summer in succession that club and manager were seemingly in agreement over one specific target. Villas-Boas perhaps felt he was due Moutinho after the fiasco of his attempted capture in 2012.

“We had massive, massive arguments in the beginning because of this with Moutinho,” the Portuguese coach would later say while slamming a recruitment model which placed the midfielder “sixth on the list compiled by data people”.

A club-record deal – the planned replacement for Luka Modric – collapsed while Spurs publicly championed the ‘coup’ of bringing in Clint Dempsey for significantly less.

Willian

The story oft-chanted by Chelsea supporters is that Spurs bought his flight before Willian saw the light, got the call from Abramovich and headed off to Stamford Bridge.

But the player himself has hardly been shy in discussing one of the great transfer hijacks of our time. Willian has said he was in London for two weeks “waiting for Tottenham to decide” before he finally underwent medical tests and the contract was presented to him.

Then Kia Joorabchian produced the curveball of contact from Chelsea.

Willian’s interest was sufficiently piqued but extricating himself from Tottenham’s training ground inevitably proved troublesome.

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“I stayed there for eight hours in the training centre. Tottenham’s director said ‘I’m going to report you to FIFA, this and that, fans here in England will boo you, this and that.’ They made up a lot of things,” Willian has since said, presumably while shining up the various trophies won in another part of London.

It is the one deal which caused Levy’s head to fall off most dramatically and almost certainly still rankles. He was ‘incandescent’ with ‘rage’ and privately insisted Chelsea didn’t even want Willian and had simply signed him because of their ‘vendetta’ against Spurs.

Jose Mourinho probably didn’t help things by blaming Spurs for not doing the medical “in secret”, before telling a press conference of guffawing journalists that Chelsea were not yet guaranteed to sign Willian because he still had to undergo a medical.

How strange that Mourinho and Levy’s professional union never worked out.

Emmanuel Petit

If Spurs had a pound for every time they covered the transport of a transfer target whose move was commandeered by a bitter rival, they would only £2 but it is weird and hilarious that it has happened twice.

Petit was destined to leave Monaco in summer 1997 but his destination was to be decided. The Frenchman spoke with clubs in Italy and Spain but a trip to London proved fateful.

“I had meetings on the same day with Tottenham and Arsenal,” began one of the great many occasions on which Petit has regaled a room of chortling old men with the tale.

“When I left the Spurs stadium, they booked me a cab and the cab driver asked me for directions, so I gave him the Arsenal address and I didn’t realise that the cab was pre-paid by Spurs, so they knew where I was going!”

A prior working relationship with Arsene Wenger meant middling Spurs had little to no chance of persuading the midfielder their half of north London was the superior choice. Petit ended the season as a World Cup and Premier League winner so fair enough.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

A brief mention for a player linked with Spurs frequently during their Barclays peak, with the best line from about four years’ worth of speculation produced by the otherwise entirely reliable and trustworthy News of the World:

‘Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will fly out to Amsterdam to thrash out personal terms with Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, 25, after agreeing an £18m deal with the Spanish side.’

The Dutchman signed for Milan a week later.

Rivaldo

There is no better place to end than with the renowned letter sent by Rivaldo to N17, in which the fresh World Cup winner sought to outline why he chose to join actual AC Milan over Glenn Hoddle’s mid-table Spurs.

“We were so close to getting Rivaldo,” Hoddle said at the time in an address you can practically hear him delivering. “I’ve never known it before, he sent a terrific letter explaining why he opted for Milan. I’ve never had that before from a player I’ve missed out on.

“Milan pushed the boat out and pushed the money up to extortionate levels. Other than that we were pipped at the post – he was coming here.

“It was a touch of class from him and his agent saying that he would have come but, in the end, Milan proved to be place where he felt it was right – whether it was financial or not.

“At the end of the day, really, they made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”

So did Spurs, but to Jonathan Blondel and Rohan Ricketts instead.

Paulo Dybala

Actually, a better place to end might be with the labyrinthine ridiculousness of red tape Spurs found Dybala covered in when they tried to build on reaching the Champions League final in 2019.

Are image rights really worth obsessing over when you could play with Serge Aurier and Steven Bergwijn?

Man Utd are battling against Tottenham and Newcastle to bring Al-Hilal striker Aleksandar Mitrovic back to the Premier League, according to reports.

The Red Devils have secured three new signings so far this summer with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Diego Leon arriving so far.

But Man Utd are not done there with reports indicating they want at least another three signings through the door and that a striker, defensive midfielder and goalkeeper are the priorities.

The Red Devils have been linked with a number of strikers this summer with Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins the latest names on everyone’s lips.

But Caught Offside claim that Man Utd are rivalling Premier League sides Tottenham and Newcastle for the potential signing of Mitrovic, who has played for the Magpies and Fulham in England.

The Serbia international is ‘is not only on the radar’ of Man Utd but also Newcastle and Spurs with the Red Devils searching for ‘a reliable goalscorer’.

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Amid interest from Man Utd and their Premier League rivals, Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal are ‘expecting a fee of around €30m (£26m)’ for Mitrovic.

Newcastle are ‘warming to the idea of bringing back their former player’ and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which owns both clubs, ‘could facilitate the transfer process’.

At Tottenham, Mitrovic is ‘considered as an alternative’ to Dominic Solanke, while a new centre-forward is key this summer after Richarlison and Son Heung-min didn’t take up much of the goalscoring burden last term.

Former Man Utd defender Wes Brown is expecting the Red Devils to “improve drastically next season” under Ruben Amorim.

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Brown said: “It was always going to be a difficult job to take over for any new manager, but especially for someone like Ruben Amorim, who has a clear philosophy and doesn’t deviate from it.

“Overall, the team was extremely disappointing, but I don’t think all the blame lies with the manager because at the end of the day, they made it to a European final, so they still had some success despite losing the final. However, United lost 18 times in the league last season, which is just unacceptable.

“It doesn’t matter who is playing, the injuries they had, both managers and their different styles, 18 losses in 38 games is unacceptable for Man United.

“Amorin will be hoping for a couple more signings in this window, which should help turn the team around. However, that might not happen, and the manager understands that. If it doesn’t happen, he will have a tough task ahead of him again next season.

“But even with a couple of signings and not many outgoings, I expect Man United to improve drastically next season.”

Manchester United face a ‘dilemma’ over the future of Kobbie Mainoo amid interest from Tottenham amid claims the midfielder’s agent is ‘not asking for too much money’.

Mainoo has been heavily linked with the Old Trafford exit for the last year, with Chelsea approaching the Red Devils last summer and again in January over a move for the England international.

United initially insisted Mainoo was ‘untouchable’ and then slapped a £70m price tag on his head amid their PSR woes and the midfielder’s dip in form.

TBR Football claimed on Thursday that Tottenham have made a ‘shock enquiry’ to sign Mainoo and ‘actually stand a chance of signing’ the England international.

Spurs ‘have asked about signing’ Mainoo as the north Londoners ‘appreciate the 20-year-old and are keeping abreast of his contract situation, which still hasn’t been agreed’.

Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim is ‘keen to add another’ midfielder this summer and Mainoo could fall down the pecking order at Old Trafford with the World Cup just around the corner.

With that in mind, Mainoo ‘will be eager to be playing regular football’ and that ‘could open the door for Spurs and Chelsea’ as TBR Football ‘sources suggest he could still move this summer’.

Talks over a contract extension have stalled after it was claimed Mainoo’s representatives were asking for £180,000 per week for him to remain at Old Trafford.

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Those reports were later refuted, but with Mainoo currently earning just £25,000 per week and with two years left on his deal, as Dean Saunders explains, United face a ‘dilemma’.

Saunders told talkSPORT: “I know his agent, and he’s not asking for too much money in comparison to what the players are earning at Man United.

“But it’s a dilemma for the football club, what do you do with Mainoo? How much money do you pay him?

“Because he’s actually not done much in the game but gets in the England squad and now he’s in Man United’s team and there’s players earning three times more than him, four times more than him.

“So to protect their asset, how much money have you got to give him to get him to sign a new contract?

“Or, if he’s not going to sign it, they’re going to have to sell him, otherwise he walks out on a free. But I think he’d get in Spurs’ team.”

MLS side LAFC are reportedly ‘pushing hard’ to sign a Tottenham icon this summer, and talks are ongoing in the hope that the star will be ‘convinced’ by a move.

Spurs have been active in the transfer window so far this summer. They have so far signed five players, including permanent moves for Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel, who were on loan last season, and the big snare of Mohammed Kudus.

They have also been linked with the likes of Yoane Wissa and Morgan Gibbs-White. In terms of outgoings, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has joined Marseille, and Alejo Veliz has gone on loan to Rosario Central.

There could yet be one more huge outward transfer, though. After links between forward Son Heung-min and clubs in the MLS, The Athletic reports LAFC are ‘pushing hard’ to sign the Spurs icon in the summer.

There is yet to be substantial movement, but the report states ‘talks continue’ and the hope in LA is that Son ‘will be convinced to join the team’.

There has been speculation that Son might look to leave, after finally winning a trophy last season in his 10th season at the club, when Tottenham overcame Manchester United to become Europa League champions.

It was reported in June, when Thomas Frank became Spurs’ manager, that he faced a ‘chat’ with Son in regards to the forward leaving, as he was ‘more open’ to leaving than he ever had been before, because he had won a trophy, meaning there was less to play for.

It was added that a move away was ‘less unrealistic’ than it had been a year prior.

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Frank has since suggested that Son has not shown any desire to leave, but it sounds as if he knows that is a decision he could make.

“Right now, I have a player who is fully committed and training well, and will play tomorrow. If a player has been at a club a long time, then there will always be a decision for the club to take,” he said.

The push from LAFC is particularly relevant at the moment, as the MLS transfer window opened on July 24, before it closes on August 21.

They also have two open designated player spots after Olivier Giroud’s contract was terminated. A move to LAFC would see Son link up with former Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, with whom he played 287 games – more than every player he has featured alongside other than Harry Kane.

Tottenham have made an approach to sign Man Utd midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as his contract saga drags on, according to reports.

The Red Devils have made three signings so far this summer with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Diego Leon all arriving.

Man Utd are still reportedly looking to bring in a new striker, defensive midfielder and goalkeeper before the end of the window but they could have to move on some players before they can act.

Marcus Rashford was unveiled as a Barcelona player on Wednesday with the Red Devils getting all of his wages off their books in a loan deal, while the Catalan giants have an option to make the deal permanent in the summer.

Man Utd are still looking to offload Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia as a minimum this summer as they look to raise funds for transfers.

One player they ideally want to keep is Mainoo but the Red Devils are still struggling to renew his contract with the midfielder’s deal expiring in 2027.

And now TBR Football claim that Tottenham have made a ‘shock enquiry’ to sign Mainoo and ‘actually stand a chance of signing’ the England international.

Spurs ‘have asked about signing’ Mainoo as the north Londoners ‘appreciate the 20-year-old and are keeping abreast of his contract situation, which still hasn’t been agreed’.

Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim is ‘keen to add another’ midfielder this summer and Mainoo could fall down the pecking order at Old Trafford with the World Cup just around the corner.

With that in mind, Mainoo ‘will be eager to be playing regular football’ and that ‘could open the door for Spurs and Chelsea’ as TBR Football ‘sources suggest he could still move this summer’.

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Former Man Utd defender Gary Neville recently revealed why he would like to keep Mainoo after he had an injury-hit campaign last term.

When asked if Mainoo should leave this summer, Neville said: “Mainoo, no. That’s a step too far.

“If we can’t give Kobbie Mainoo a job in that two in midfield… I look at Mainoo and the way he plays football and I think a top club would want him.

“Why can’t we make him a top player? If he’s one of ours and he’s shown talent.

“I don’t know what’s gone on there in the last few months. He’s obviously had some injuries which has caused him a problem so he needs to stay fit, but I’d like to think he could be one of that two in midfield that Ruben Amorim plays.

“It’s probably not Casemiro as his partner and it’s probably not Ugarte as his partner, it’s probably someone else in there who is better than those two, if I’m being honest.

“But we should be building around Kobbie Mainoo in central midfield and not because he’s come through the ranks.”

Joao Palhinha could be heading back to the Premier League just one year after leaving it, with one new suitor joining the race according to Florian Plettenberg, and Bayern Munich ready to listen to offers.

The Portugal international endured a frustrating debut season in Germany, making only six Bundesliga starts for the title winners and watching on as others took precedence in Vincent Kompany’s midfield.

His move from Fulham last summer came after a collapsed deadline-day switch the previous year, and while the eventual £46.5million deal got over the line, the fit never quite did.

Palhinha recently admitted his first year in Bavaria had been “difficult” during tentative links to Arsenal, though he reaffirmed his commitment to return for pre-season and prove himself.

Man Utd are allegedly one of the clubs considering a move. New boss Ruben Amorim worked with Palhinha during their time together at Sporting and Braga, and reports suggest the 30-year-old is being lined up to provide a defensive anchor that would allow Bruno Fernandes more attacking freedom.

Amorim’s midfield was one of the biggest concerns last season, and while much of Utd transfer focus has been on forwards, a move for Palhinha could be the next domino.

However, Utd are believed to be exploring a loan, while Bayern are reportedly pushing back against any temporary deal with the Bundesliga season fast approaching.

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Fulham have also been credited with an interest in bringing Palhinha back. The Cottagers sold him for a club-record fee but are are also said to be eyeing a loan deal as part of a wider rebuild under Marco Silva.

The west London club are targeting up to five signings and view Palhinha as a potential marquee return, should Bayern allow it.

But the Germans would prefer a permanent exit and are said to have made that clear in talks with interested parties, according to reports.

Tottenham Hotspur have now entered the picture, with Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg revealing that the north London club are monitoring the situation.

“It is not concrete at this stage, but there is interest,” he posted on X. “Palhinha’s camp has been informed. Bayern are open to talks should suitable offers arrive for the 30 y/o.”

Spurs have already been active this summer with deals for Mohamed Kudus, Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso, but midfield reinforcements have so far taken a back seat.

Palhinha would offer something different to Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr, as a pure ball-winner with a track record of excelling in the Premier League and Champions League experience to match.

Tottenham will be given a challenge in their pursuit of a Bayern Munich star as his former side are reportedly ‘determined’ to bring him back on board.

Spurs are doing a good job at recruiting so far this summer. They have confirmed the permanent signings of a pair of loanees from last season: Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso.

They’ve also signed young players Luka Vuskovic and Kota Takai, as well as the big snare of West Ham forward Mohammed Kudus.

But more signings are wanted so Tottenham can ensure they do not have as bad a finish as 17th in last season’s Premier League.

Joao Palhinha, formerly of Fulham, is one of the big names currently on the radar. It’s suggested Tottenham will have to sell a midfielder if they are to land him permanently, while it’s also been mentioned that a loan might be the best course of action for them.

But Spurs could have a battle on their hands in the pursuit of Palhinha, with another club looking to go down that route.

Indeed, GIVEMESPORT reports Fulham – Palhinha’s former side – have ‘set their sights’ on offering the midfielder a route back to the club he left for Bayern Munich in 2024.

Marco Silva is said to want to make adjustments to his squad, and is ‘determined’ to take it to the next level.

The ambitious proposal could be shut down, though, as it’s reported Bayern have made it clear they will only accept permanent proposals.

Recent reports have suggested that Palhinha is likely to command a fee in the region of £22-26million. As such, it’s believed there’ll be an ‘uphill battle’ in getting Bayern to agree to a flat loan.

Palhinha played 79 games for Fulham in 2022/23 and 2023/24, and he completed the most tackles of any player in the Premier League over the course of those two seasons.

As such, while the Portuguese only played 17 Bundesliga games for Bayern last season, largely owing to injuries, the Cottagers know if they did get him, they’d be getting a good player.

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If Tottenham are to lose out, it’s believed they have a number of candidates in their sights to improve their holding-midfield position.

They already have a few players who can occupy that spot, so it won’t be the end of the world if they can’t get Palhinha.

Tottenham will reportedly ‘need’ to do one thing before they can secure the signing of a Bayern Munich star who they have been looking at for a while.

Spurs have made some positive moves in the summer transfer window. The loan signings of Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso have been made permanent, while young players Kota Takai and Luka Vuskovic have been signed, and the marquee signing of Mohammed Kudus was made.

Tottenham are still on the hunt for more signings in different areas. Up top, they’d like to sign Yoane Wissa, who has recently left Brentford’s overseas training camp, and they also have an interest in Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha.

Interest in Palhinha dates back to his Fulham days, between 2022 and 2024. According to football.london, the pursuit of the midfielder will not necessarily be straightforward.

Indeed, the report states Tottenham will ‘need’ to get ‘at least one’ central midfielder out the door before they can push through with their interest in Palhinha.

There are a number of options for potential sales in that midfield corps. Indeed, there are eight central midfielders in the senior squad: Archie Gray, Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Alfie Devine.

The report mentions that Bentancur and Bissouma are both entering the final year of their respective contracts at Tottenham. That could open them up to being potential sale candidates.

It will not take a huge sum to land Palhinha, according to reports in Germany. After playing 17 Bundesliga games last season and 45 minutes in the Club World Cup, it’s believed the Portuguese will command a fee from £22-26million.

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It’s said paying that sort of price for a 30-year-old would go against Spurs’ policy of only spending big sums on younger players.

As such, the report states that a loan with an option to buy will be a ‘more appealing scenario’ for the north London club unless the price drops.

It’s noted that they were interested in signing Christian Norgaard, who is 31 but cost just £10million plus add-ons.

In any case, Palhinha is said to be ‘one of a number of candidates’ to improve the holding midfield area at Tottenham, so if they decide not to go after him or can’t fund a deal, they might still be able to land another midfielder instead.

Newcastle United’s striker search could be about to see them rival Tottenham Hotspur in the transfer market after a series of setbacks and missed opportunities in the summer window.

Newcastle lost sporting director Paul Mitchell at the end of May, and seen speculation continuing around Alexander Isak, the club have endured a frustrating few months behind the scenes.

The arrival of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest for a fixed fee of £52 was welcomed, but the Magpies have allowed several targets to slip away since.

Newcastle tried to sign Bryan Mbeumo before Man Utd blew them out of the water. A bid for Joao Pedro was hijacked by Chelsea, while Liam Delap also picked Stamford Bridge over Tyneside.

Hopes of landing Hugo Ekitike were dashed when Liverpool stepped in, and Yoane Wissa is now seen as too expensive given Brentford’s changing stance. Despite all of that, fans on Tyneside may argue that Eddie Howe’s side are right where they want to be should they keep hold of Isak.

With the new season fast approaching, fresh reports from SportWitness via AfricaFoot suggest Newcastle are now exploring the possibility of rivalling Tottenham for French striker Evann Guessand.

Tottenham have held an interest in the 24-year-old throughout the summer, but talks with OGC Nice have slowed in recent days.

That delay has opened the door for clubs like Villarreal and Fenerbahce to step in, while Newcastle have made contact with the player’s representatives.

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Fenerbahce have already lodged a bid in the region of £26 million and held discussions with Jose Mourinho, but Guessand is understood to be holding out for a Premier League opportunity.

Tottenham remain keen, though they are yet to act decisively, and Newcastle’s growing interest may now force the issue. Newcastle scouts have monitored Guessand closely over the past season and view him as a cheaper, more attainable option compared to earlier targets like Ekitike and Joao Pedro.

At 6ft 2in and capable of playing across the front line or as a second striker, he could offer a degree of flexibility and depth to Howe’s side that would perfectly complement Isak.

Guessand is coming off the most productive season of his career, finishing the 2024/25 campaign with 13 goals and 10 assists in all competitions.

His current contract runs until 2028 and his wages at Nice remain well below Premier League standards, giving clubs little concern over personal terms.

Fenerbahce, Villarreal and Juventus remain in the conversation, but with Tottenham slow to act and Newcastle now engaged, a Premier League move remains very much on the table.

Tottenham have reportedly ‘begun talks’ with the agents of a star midfielder, after they also held direct contact to discuss a move for Manchester City star Jack Grealish.

Spurs are clearly working hard to drag themselves away from having another bad season. Indeed, they finished 17th in the Premier League last term – though they won the Europa League – and they’ll want to bounce back.

They’ve signed Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso, Kota Takai, Luka Vuskovic and Mohammed Kudus to address that. Attempts have also been made to land Morgan Gibbs-White, but Nottingham Forest are doing their all to stop that move, including reporting Tottenham to the Premier League.

But the north London outfit clearly want to land a new midfielder, and Xavi Simons could be a potential addition if Gibbs-White is not.

It seems Simons’ agent wants to secure him a big move, as Caught Offside reports his representatives have ‘begun talks’ with each of Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal – reportedly confirmed by two sources.

Simons was directly involved in 19 goals last season, and is said to be available for €60million (£52m) this summer.

It is not clear whether any of the sides who have started talks are actively interested in landing the RB Leipzig man.

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However, Tottenham have made it evident that they are still looking to improve their midfield, with Jack Grealish frequently linked.

According to transfer insider Ben Jacobs on Last Word on Spurs, the north London club have held talks over a possible move for Grealish this summer.

He is expected to leave Man City after getting fewer opportunities in recent seasons and at the back end of the last campaign in particular.

However, Jacobs has suggested Tottenham are not expected to pursue a move for him, despite their constant links over the years and in recent weeks and months.