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Tottenham are ‘advancing’ on deals for a pair of Manchester City stars, per The Athletic, which could send their summer spending past £370million.

Spurs have already spent £230million this summer. Those signings were in midfield and defence, with Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali and Jan Paul van Hecke the big players to join.

In recent weeks, eyes have been firmly fixed on adding to the attack. That seems to be the difference between a solid season and a very competitive one, after two consecutive 17th-placed finishes.

Roberto De Zerbi promised a “bomba” signing in late July, and Spurs fans have been left waiting for who that might be.

But the boss might soon deliver on two fronts, as The Athletic‘s David Ornstein reports the club are ‘advancing’ in talks with City for attacking duo Savinho and Omar Marmoush.

The report notes how Tottenham pursued Savinho last summer, when a package of £43.3million was said to have been discussed.

Tottenham could spend over £370million

But recent reports have suggested City want £85million if they’re to part company with the Brazilian winger.

For Marmoush, who was signed for £59million in January 2025, there are suggestions that he’d cost around £56million – just below what he was signed for.

Together, that makes £141million, and adding that to the figure just shy of £230million already spent in north London this summer, that’s over £370million.

That would be Spurs’ record in a single year, going past the £272.2million they spent in 2023-24.

New signings have been a necessity after two very poor seasons, and De Zerbi appears to on the right track to put his side in a good spot for the coming campaign.

He said in July: “I think two, maybe three [new signings]. We have to see.

“[There is] zero pressure. You know why? Because one day the taxi man in London stopped me to congratulate me on the transfer market.

“He said, ‘Eh, you are spending a lot of money’. I said, ‘But who are you a fan of?’ Arsenal. You have spent the money for a long time in the last three or four years.

“I think Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, to stay at the top of the table, they have spent money.

“If you want to compete now, for the top of the Premier League, and to put Tottenham in the highest level, I think we need to bring top players, like we are doing.”

Harry Kane has explained his reasoning after deciding whether or not to return to the Premier League by way of Manchester United or Tottenham this summer.

Kane is arguably the No 1 striker in world football right now, with only Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe capable of disputing that claim.

Since leaving Tottenham for Bayern Munich in 2023, Kane has done exactly what you’d expect – tear Bundesliga defences apart.

However, the 33-year-old has also made light of Champions League defences too, scoring 33 times in 38 UCL appearances for Bayern.

There’s always been a sense Kane could return to the Premier League, with the lure of breaking Alan Shearer’s Premier League scoring record an obvious one.

Kane left the EPL with 213 goals to his name, much to Shearer’s relief who still holds top spot on 260. Wayne Rooney (208) is the only other player to break the 200-goal barrier in the Premier League era.

Last week, our colleagues over on TEAMtalk revealed that Man Utd and Tottenham were willing to make a move for Kane this summer.

The report stated: ‘Tottenham have also kept the door open to a sensational reunion.

‘The pull of a return to the club will always exist for Kane and Spurs have made it clear that bringing their record goalscorer back remains something they would like to explore, particularly with Roberto De Zerbi now in charge.

‘However, despite the interest from Barcelona and Tottenham and Manchester United’s willingness to consider a deal – with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe known to be an admirer – Kane has not been chasing a move.’

More recently, news broke of Kane’s representatives holding shock talks with Saudi Arabian side, Al-Hilal.

But per Fabrizio Romano, the likeliest outcome is Kane simply pens fresh terms at Bayern Munich.

And according to the player himself, he no longer has any real desire to return to the Premier League, thus ruling out moves to Man Utd and Tottenham.

READ NEXT: Romano drops huge Gakpo to Tottenham update after Liverpool ‘deal off’ claim

Harry Kane explains why he won’t return to England

In quotes carried by journalist Henry Winter, Kane said after receiving his European Golden Shoe award: “When I first left, for sure it was something that I thought I’d definitely be coming back. That itch isn’t there as much anymore.

“I’m extremely happy here in Munich. It’s opened my eyes to a totally different world of football outside of England. It’s made me appreciate European football even more.

“With the team we have here, with the manager (Vincent Kompany). My family are really settled here. It’s just about being in the best place possible.

“I never say never but, for now, I’m concentrating on Bayern Munich and we’ll see what the future holds.”

Tottenham are in ‘close contact’ with the representatives of a Bundesliga centre-back who’s open to a move and has a £43million starting price.

Spurs have already signed two centre-backs this summer, in Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke. With Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso already in the squad, as well as Ben Davies, that’s five options in the heart of defence.

With no European football next season, that seems to be more than enough.

The priority now appears to be attacking signings – none have yet been made this summer, but there are questions over Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, while there are links with Cody Gakpo, Savinho and more forwards.

Yet Tottenham continue to be linked with more centre-back moves.

Fussballdaten reports Spurs are in ‘close contact’ with the agent of Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Edmond Tapsoba to learn about his desires and if a transfer is plausible.

It’s said he has a desire for a new chapter in his career, amid strong interest in the Premier League, not only from Tottenham, but also Manchester United and Newcastle.

From Leverkusen’s perspective, Tapsoba’s exit is not ruled out, providing a suitable offer is made.

A minimum limit of €50million (£43m) is said to have been set, with no offers below that figure to be considered.

More centre-backs on the radar

Rumours that Tottenham could be after another centre-back, despite already having five to choose from, are not unfounded.

There’s no knowledge on whether Van de Ven is fit, having missed all of pre-season, with manager Roberto De Zerbi recently stating he was not ready to play in a recent game.

With the season approaching, Spurs might want to ensure they are covered for if the Dutchman is on the sidelines for a while.

Our friends at TEAMtalk have recently revealed that former Bournemouth centre-back Illia Zabarnyi could exit from current side Paris Saint-Germain this summer, and interest has emerged from Tottenham as a result.

There has not yet been any serious contact over that transfer, but he is certainly said to be a player of interest for the north London club.

There’s no suggestion of how much he’d cost, and therefore whether Tapsoba or Zabarnyi would be the better option for Tottenham at this stage, if they are to land a new centre-back.

Tottenham already know the three transfers they want to complete before the end of the summer window, according to Sky Sports.

The north Londoners have so far signed Andy Robertson (free, Liverpool), Marcos Senesi (free, Bournemouth), Jan Paul van Hecke (£52m, Brighton), Martin Dubravka (free, Burnley), Mateus Fernandes (£85m, West Ham) and Sandro Tonali (£92.5m, Newcastle United) as they look to give Roberto De Zerbi the tools to be a success this season.

Tottenham avoided relegation on the final day of the Premier League season last term and the Spurs board are doing everything they can to avoid the same situation this coming campaign.

As well as getting players in the door, Spurs are also looking to move several players on with Juventus-bound Guglielmo Vicario the latest to head towards the exit door.

But Tottenham still want to add another three players before the transfer window shuts with Sky Sports insisting that Spurs ‘hope to sign as many as three new forwards before the transfer deadline’.

It is understood that ENIC’s ‘ideal end to the window is to buy Savinho from Manchester City, Cody Gakpo from Liverpool and a new centre-forward’.

READ:Romano drops huge Gakpo to Tottenham update after Liverpool ‘deal off’ claim

Giving an update on Tottenham’s interest in Savinho, Sky Sports adds: ‘Savinho is ready to join Tottenham but City want to sign a replacement and the departures of Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders in the last week have dominated proceedings in Manchester.’

Liverpool are wanting to sign at least Bradley Barcola before entertaining the idea of selling Gakpo, while Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has emerged as an alternative.

Using Gakpo as a centre-forward is ‘not their primary plan’ under De Zerbi with the Tottenham head coach wanting a ‘new out-and-out goalscoring centre-forward’.

Man City striker Omar Marmoush is ‘on their list’ of targets as Tottenham look to take their total signings for the summer to nine.

Can Tottenham complete an incredible turnaround to win the title?

Former Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama reckons his former club will win the Premier League title this season after almost being relegated last term.

READ: Cristian Romero’s Tottenham exit ‘basically a swap’ as Spurs ‘won’t pay’ for ex-Atletico star – insider

Wanyama predicted on Pulse Sports: “Tottenham Hotspur will be first because they had a rough season last year, and now they know what it takes.

“Now, they are hungrier, and they have signed more players, and they have a new manager. He is a really good manager and has a good reputation in the English Premier League and he will be looking forward to winning it.”

Former Spurs head coach Tim Sherwood reckons Tottenham will finish fifth and claim the final Champions League spot ahead of Manchester United.

Sherwood said: “I think Arsenal win it. I think Man City are still second, just on the history of what I’ve done previously.

“I’ll go Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and then Man Utd just missing out on Champions League in sixth.”

Journalist Sam Tighe has reiterated that Zion Suzuki will be the new No.1 at Aston Villa, with options for Emi Martinez being assessed, and Villa looking at signing a £50million Tottenham man.

Villa have always wanted to keep Martinez no matter who came after him. In recent seasons, he’s had a lot of suitors, but has always remained at Villa Park.

Now, though, the club have confirmed the signing of Japan international Suzuki, and Tighe has reiterated claims he’s coming in to be the starter.

He said on Sky Sports (11:40, Wednesday, August 19) “Villa are bringing in Suzuki despite the fact that Martinez’s move to Juventus failed. He’s being brought in on the condition of being No.1.

“There was reporting that Suzuki’s move to PSG fell down for three reasons, one of which was he wasn’t particularly happy to be moved around on loan or not being given No.1 assurances.

“I think Suzuki has a very clear idea of what he’s going to be doing at Aston Villa.

“Villa need to find a solution for Emi Martinez. It doesn’t take a lot of money here, I think, to get him. The wages might be a problem. The real concern for Martinez and Villa is that I’m looking around for options and I’m struggling to find them.

“Juventus is off the table, could Atletico Madrid come back in? It’s possible but Jan Oblak is still there. They showed some interest last summer.

“Martinez didn’t want to go to Saudi last season, I don’t know if that changes this time around. Turkey’s always brought up but the big four in Turkey have all got goalkeepers.

“He’s not going to go there when Ederson plays for Fenerbahce, Besiktas have just signed Alexander Nubel, for example. I’m scratching around for options here, as the club will be.

“But looks like they’re pressing on with Suzuki regardless and they’re trying to take control of the situation and not be caught short if Emi Martinez decides that he wants to go.”

Villa want to sign Pape Sarr

Villa are continuing to look at new signings this summer, too, and it’s reported they’ve got Tottenham midfielder Pape Sarr in their sights.

Caught Offside states Spurs would consider selling Sarr if a suitable offer was received, amid enquiries about his availability.

Al-Ahli have enquired, while Villa and Brentford are keeping tabs on him.

The report states that though a £30million price tag has previously been floated, Tottenham now value Sarr closer to £50million, knowing they have significant negotiating power, as they don’t have to sell, and the Senegal international is contracted until 2030.

Tottenham insider John Wenham has detailed how Spurs have “basically swapped” Cristian Romero for an Atletico Madrid player in his exit.

The exit of Romero from Tottenham was always going to happen this summer. It looked after last season that the north London club was willing to let the Argentine go, as well as him wanting to exit.

There were links with a few clubs – Inter Milan and Atletico the main ones, and it’s the Spanish outfit who have landed Romero, in around a £34million move.

Spurs insider Wenham feels the Atletico deal is essentially a straight swap, after Tottenham signed Conor Gallagher from them in January, for £34.6million.

He told Tottenham News: “It was the easiest deal to do in football. We owe them £40million, or a high percentage of that from the Conor Gallagher transfer in the winter.

“It basically means we’ve swapped the two of them, we just won’t pay for Gallagher, and they will get Romero, and it’s basically a swap.”

Tottenham wanted Romero gone

Wenham has detailed why he feels Spurs wanted to see the back of Romero this summer.

He said: “Tottenham just wanted him out of the club.

“He had spoken against the ownership on two occasions, we’re starting afresh with this new ownership this summer, they don’t want any baggage from that previous era around, and they just wanted him out the door.

“Tottenham recruited in advance his replacement in Jan Paul van Hecke, who is incredibly similar in terms of his style of play, and is available more.

“We’re stronger in letting Romero go, people said at the start of the winter, we should be getting £60m, when the club actively want you out and replace you in advance, you’re left in a difficult position.

“We found someone willing to take his full salary, take him off our hands permanently. I think Tottenham will be pleased.”

Spurs now have a good corps of centre-backs in their ranks, with Van Hecke and Marcos Senesi joining Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso in the squad.

The likelihood is the two Dutchmen play a lot together, with Senesi surely in line for a lot of football after a good campaign with Bournemouth, which earned him a place in Argentina’s World Cup squad, where he came on at the back end of the final for his second appearance.

Tottenham have made an offer to sign Napoli star Stanislav Lobotka before the summer transfer deadline, according to reports.

Spurs survived relegation on the final day of last season as they beat Everton 1-0 to finish two points ahead of 18th-placed West Ham, who went down to the Championship.

The Tottenham hierarchy are now on a mission to make sure they don’t find themselves in a similar scenario this coming campaign in the Premier League.

Andy Robertson, Martin Dubravka and Marcos Senesi all signed on free transfers, while the additions of Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke for £237m in total took the amount of signings to six so far.

Tottenham are mainly concentrating on improving in forward areas with Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo and Manchester City’s Savinho understood to be their two top winger targets in the final couple of weeks of the window.

There have been rumblings about potentially signing a new left-back too, while Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was linked with a potential move on Tuesday.

READ:Tottenham warned off ‘underwhelming’ striker club insider rates below Richarlison

But surprisingly Tottenham have now been linked to another midfielder with Italian outlet Il Mattino insisting that Spurs made an ‘offer’ in mid-August for Napoli star Lobotka, who has won two Serie A titles with the Italians.

Despite stepping forward for his signature, a deal seems unlikely for one of Napoli’s key players with the decision made by Lobotka to stay in the Italian top flight.

Tottenham have a ‘real opportunity’ this season – Carragher

Tottenham seem in a good place ahead of the new season under Roberto de Zerbi and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher reckons Spurs have a “real opportunity” to “make a real fist of it” this term.

Carragher said on The Overlap: “There’s a real opportunity for Spurs and Chelsea, without European football next season, to make a real fist of it. There are a lot of questions about Manchester United playing more European games.

READ: Romano drops huge Gakpo to Tottenham update after Liverpool ‘deal off’ claim

“Iraola coming in as well at Liverpool, and Unai Emery and Aston Villa losing a lot of their best players, [there] in the Champions League as well. So, there’s a real opportunity for Spurs and Chelsea to get into those Champions League positions this season.”

Reflecting on Tottenham’s summer transfer business so far, Carragher added: “Do you think the business that Tottenham have done and the money that they’ve spent – it was a little bit eye-opening, especially Tonali’s fee, you think, like £100 million.

“Do you think that comes from the power De Zerbi had and the hold he’s got on the club, in terms of – he wasn’t sure about coming in, they gave him a really big contract: if I stay, I want this, this, and this, or I’m going. It’s almost like they had to give him what he wants.”

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed a deal for Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo to Tottenham “is still absolutely on” despite rumours to the contrary.

Spurs acted extremely quickly in the summer transfer market as they brought in six early signings to give Roberto De Zerbi the best chance of success this season.

The Tottenham hierarchy are looking to avoid facing another relegation battle this coming campaign after surviving on the final day of last season.

Tottenham are currently stuck on six signings as bringing in new attacking players is giving them more of a headache as they hold out for their top targets.

Man City’s Savinho and Liverpool’s Gakpo seem to be their two top targets with the former linked over the last three transfer windows.

Journalist Alex Crook raised doubts over Tottenham’s move for Gakpo on Tuesday, he said: “I don’t think it will happen. Speaking to sources at Liverpool they think he’s had a good pre-season under Iraola, they think he’s a player that Iraola can get the best out of.

READ: Chelsea lead Spurs, Real Madrid as biggest spenders of the 2026 summer transfer window

“I think he probably would be open to the move, but at the moment that’s not one I expect to happen between now and deadline day.”

Gakpo to Tottenham “is still absolutely on” – Romano

However, Romano still insists the deal for Gakpo “is still absolutely on” with Liverpool set to sign two wingers, including Bradley Barcola, if Gakpo departs for Spurs.

Romano said on his YouTube channel: “For Cody Gakpo, Tottenham remain in conversations. I know in the last 24, 48 hours, the rumours around the story are that the deal is not happening, the deal is off, the deal is not going through.

“But my understanding is that the negotiation for Cody Gakpo to Tottenham is still ongoing. Cody Gakpo is open to joining Tottenham and personal terms are not a problem.

“So the deal remains on. The deal remains underway and Cody Gakpo to Tottenham Hotspur is still absolutely on.

READ: Tottenham warned off ‘underwhelming’ striker club insider rates below Richarlison

“Then they need to reach a financial agreement, and that’s not a detail. Remember that if Gakpo is going to Tottenham, Liverpool will sign two wingers, top target Bradley Barcola plus one.

“So it’s still a long story in a short time because now there are less than two weeks of the summer transfer window. We’ll be following the situation. These days, anything can happen.

“But what I can guarantee at this time on Tuesday is that nothing has changed yet. There is no deal off. The conversation remains ongoing and we have to follow the situation to understand what’s going to happen.”

Tottenham insider John Wenham has warned the club that a striker they are targeting would be an “underwhelming” signing and he’s no better than Richarlison.

Spurs are continually being linked with attackers in the latter stages of the summer transfer window. Cody Gakpo, Savinho and Folarin Balogun appear high on the radar, if reports are to be believed.

Our friends at TEAMtalk have suggested the latter is open to a move to north London, with a Premier League return firmly on his radar.

But Tottenham insider Wenham is not enamoured with the potential signing.

He told Tottenham News: “I’m not overly convinced on Balogun.

“When those first reports came out from L’Equipe and the French media linking us with Balogun, the numbers in Ligue 1, which I don’t rate that highly as a division, were not that great.

“I know he’s got a couple in the Champions League as well, but it would be a bit of an underwhelming signing.

“That would be showing me that we’ve missed out on maybe the targets we had as the first and second-choice signings.

“I don’t know if I even rate Balogun above Richarlison, to be honest with you.”

€50m could be enough

But the aforementioned report from our friends over at TEAMtalk details how Spurs are the frontrunners for Balogun, suggesting they are indeed going to press on with their interest.

Their information is that a fee in the region of €50-60million (£43-51m) could be enough for Monaco to allow the USMNT man to depart.

There have been enquiries from other clubs, such as Galatasaray, and some in the Saudi Pro League, while Newcastle are also known admirers.

READ: Ex-Tottenham star’s coach feels they’ve sold future £100m player and Harry Kane heir for tiny price

However, with Balogun already having signalled his willingness to join Tottenham, it’s not hard to see why the north London club are the side to beat in the pursuit.

As for a comparison with Richarlison, last season, the Spurs striker bagged 12 goals and assisted five more in all competitions last season. Balogun scored 19 and assisted five, so the numbers aren’t massively dissimilar.

But Balogun also represented USA at the World Cup, scoring three goals and assisting once. He’s also four years younger than Richarlison, at 25, so should not have reached his prime yet and therefore could create a larger gap between himself and the Brazilian.

The chances of Cody Gakpo securing a move from Liverpool to Tottenham Hotspur have dropped following an important update from a transfer reporter, though the north London side remain locked in discussions for Manchester City’s Savinho.

Gakpo has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham in recent weeks. The transfer would help Liverpool to fund deals for Paris Saint-Germain winger duo Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye, who could cost around £155million combined.

Our friends at TEAMtalk revealed on Saturday that Spurs have agreed personal terms with Gakpo. Their report added that the Dutch star has informed Liverpool of his desire to leave, with Spurs planning an opening offer worth £60m.

However, Alex Crook of talkSPORT has cast serious doubt over the prospective move.

He said (via Last Word on Spurs): “I don’t think it will happen. Speaking to sources at Liverpool they think he’s had a good pre-season under Iraola, they think he’s a player that Iraola can get the best out of.

“I think he probably would be open to the move, but at the moment that’s not one I expect to happen between now and deadline day.”

READ: Chelsea lead Spurs, Real Madrid as biggest spenders of the 2026 summer transfer window

Crook’s comments contradict an earlier report from CaughtOffside that claimed Gakpo and Curtis Jones’ Liverpool exits are ‘getting closer’.

Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi wants the club to sign both Gakpo and Savinho, though he may just have to settle for one of those players.

The Times state that Spurs remain in negotiations with City for Savinho, having failed to sign him last summer.

City are open to selling the Brazilian even though he penned a new contract with them in October.

The Daily Mail reported in July that Spurs were set to finalise Savinho’s capture at the second time of asking for £65m.

But The Times report that City are actually holding out for an even larger fee of £85m. This means Spurs will have to significantly improve their bid to reach an agreement.

Spurs have already signalled their big ambitions in the transfer market with record-breaking deals for Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, so they are likely to meet Savinho’s new £85m price tag, even if it is an inflated fee.

Spurs have already agreed personal terms with the 22-year-old.