GIVEMESPORT

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing 'intelligent' Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra, according to TBR Football.

The 21-year-old, who has spent his entire professional career with Valencia, has also drawn interest from other Premier League juggernauts, including Liverpool and Arsenal, while he has also very much been on the radar of both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

With Valencia mightily struggling in the 2024/25 La Liga campaign, in which they have registered just one victory, and sit last in 20th in the league table, their hand may ultimately be forced should they be unable to escape relegation.

Spurs Joining the Race for Guerra

Valencia may be forced to part ways with the promising midfield talent

Standing at 6-foot-2 in stature, the Spaniard - who has been dubbed a 'joy to watch' and 'intelligent'- has already made 61 senior appearances for Valencia, in which he has mustered five goals and an assist, and per Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, via TBR Football, Guerra is likened to that of former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder, Xabi Alonso, who was widely hailed as one of the best lying deep playmaking midfielders in world football history.

Tottenham does have a vast array of midfield options available to them in the squad at the moment, including Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr, and Rodrigo Bentancur. But, they do lack that extra strength in depth, and a young talent like Guerra could well thrive under a manager like Ange Postecoglou at Spurs, with the Australian manager giving the youth in his squad the opportunities to go out and perform on the big stages.

While the midfielder's current release clause with Valencia is set at £84 million, there is some speculation that the Spanish club could be willing to sell at £25 million or even less, making Guerra a highly sought-after prospect indeed.

Ange Postecoglou is reportedly yet to be convinced by Tottenham midfield prospect, Lucas Bergvall, reveals Swedish international, Tobias Hellgren.

Since arriving at the North London club last summer, Bergvall has yet to start a game in the Premier League, and has primarily been restricted to cameo appearances off the bench. However, this is partly to be expected, as the Swede is, of course, a future prospect, although Hellgren insists that the manager is opting against giving the 18-year-old further opportunities, as he is not yet convinced of the youngster's current ability.

Postecoglou Not Convinced with Bergvall

The midfielder will need to earn more game time

Speaking to Fotboll Skanalen, Hellgren noted the true reason behind Postecoglou's decision to opt without Bergvall in many of his starting lineups. He said:

“There is something else to interpret in Ange’s words as well: he is simply not convinced of Bergvall’s current ability.

“Now he has returned to the fact that the Swede has ‘more to learn’ so many times that everyone has understood that he thinks so. Subtly, Ange probably wants to convey instead that Bergvall is not ready – yet – for the high-tempo, heavy metal-like football that is at the top of the Premier League.

“Bergvall received two clear clearances against Manchester United and was the first to smoke at the red card against Qarabag. Being easy to sacrifice is often a good indicator of how high you stand with your coach.”

Spurs paid a fee in the region of £8.5 million for the former Djugarden man, who is expected to play a more prominent role for the club, perhaps a few years down the line. That said, while Bergvall may not be able to feature more consistently for Postecoglou's side in the Premier League at the moment, he has nonetheless started four times in the Europa League, and once in the EFL Cup, implying that he is still receiving opportunities to impress elsewhere.

When asked about the possibility of Bergvall departing on loan for more consistent game time, Hellgren further added that there was still a role he could play at Tottenham, albeit not with the manager fully convinced:

"We are in November, and it is far too early to start talking about a loan. On the one hand, there is value in just being in Tottenham’s environment, on the other hand, there may be openings further on with injuries and suspensions."

Tottenham have key decision-making ahead as they consider how the progression of their emerging defensive talents might impact their January transfer plans.

Spurs have begun gearing up for the January transfer window, with sources confirming that the club has set a substantial budget side to bolster their back line. Injury to Micky van de Ven reveals potential depth issues at the club and they headed into the international break on the back of a difficult home loss to Ipswich Town.

Tottenham Could Show Faith in Youngsters

Phillips, Dorrington, and Vuskovic highly-rated

Tottenham are willing to spend in the winter window but they also need to consider the knock-on effect of other players. The likes of Ashley Phillips, Alfie Dorrington and Luka Vuskovic are all seen as potential first-team contributors for the 2025/26 season. Their long-term strategy may influence how aggressively Spurs pursue reinforcements in January, as they look to balance present needs with the development of their young stars.

For now, Spurs are assessing their options, carefully navigating the complexities of the January market to make choices on the next phase of Ange Postecoglou’s team build. It is understood the club would prefer not to spend more than £25million on the position if they do decide to recruit and that conversations and reports are ongoing in an attempt to uncover the perfect solution.

According to insiders, it remains unclear whether Spurs are targeting a specialist left-back or a versatile player capable of operating both as a centre-back and full-back. Over the past year, the club has explored both profiles, suggesting flexibility in their approach depending on market opportunities.

One name that surfaced in the past is Lutsharel Geertruida, who was on Tottenham’s radar before his summer move from Feyenoord to RB Leipzig. Similarly, Alessandro Buongiorno was considered as an option during the last window but ultimately joined Napoli. Both players indicate the type of profile Spurs have been monitoring—a combination of defensive reliability and adaptability.

Tottenham Eyeing Move for Jonathan Tah

A deal is considered as ambitious

Currently, one of the standout names on their list is Jonathan Tah of Bayer Leverkusen. The German international, who has been described as "one of the best defenders in Germany", is commanding attention from Europe’s elite clubs, including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona. He is currently in line to become a free agent at the end of this season. While Tottenham’s interest is genuine, a move for Tah would be ambitious given the competition for his signature.

Should Spurs pivot towards a different profile, Patrick Dorgu has been identified as a potential target. The Lecce left-back has also been used as an attacker and has been on Spurs’ radar for some time. He could provide the depth they seek without breaking the bank. Another option reportedly under consideration is David Hancko of Feyenoord, a versatile defender who has impressed with his consistency and technical ability.

National Media Blown Away by 'Star Man' Tottenham Star for his Country  GIVEMESPORT

Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool are set to compete for the signature of talented Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson, who has starred in the Bundesliga so far this campaign, reveals Christian Falk.

The 20-year-old has featured on 16 occasions across all competitions, registering three goals and an assist in the process, and his performances have caught the eye of a plethora of top clubs. With a contract expiring in 2029, however, his employers will be keen to fend off interest, but as interest continues to grow, a move away from the Mainhattan is becoming increasingly likely.

Tottenham Among English Clubs to Register Interest in Larsson

The Swedish youngster has been a key player for the Bundesliga side

Via Christian Falk's Fact Files, the Bundesliga insider confirmed the three clubs that were in the race for Larsson, though the Swede remains in little rush to make a decision.

"Hugo Larsson is one of the most valuable players in the Frankfurt squad. Yes, there shall be interest from many Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham. All of them are keeping an eye on the player. He’s a very humble guy and he doesn’t want to make all these quick steps, as he wants to make careful, considered decisions about his future."

In particular, Tottenham's interest in the midfielder was revealed exclusively to GIVEMSPORT earlier in April, but given his recent form, the competition has only increased as a result. In tandem with the player's importance to the Frankfurt setup, Spurs may be asked to cough up as much as an eye-watering £70 million for this deal, according to reports. Such a fee would make Larsson the most expensive signing in their history.

His quality is undeniable, however, and as a well-rounded midfielder, previously described as being an "absolute unicorn", he could be a fantastic coup for Ange Postecoglou's squad at the right price. If a deal were to materialize, Larsson would join the likes of Lucas Bergavall and Archie Gray to form a high-talent trio of youth midfield prospects at the north London club.

When Ange Postecoglou was appointed as Tottenham Hotspur boss in 2023 after the sacking of Antonio Conte, many had their doubts over how he would fare in north London.

The Australian's first season in charge saw Spurs get off to a flyer, with the club sitting atop the Premier League standings at the end of matchweek 10 after eight wins and two draws. But they would not be able to sustain their form and finished in fifth place with 66 points, two adrift of the final Champions League place.

Known for his entertaining brand of football which excites neutral fans, the 2024/25 campaign has been hit-and-miss, currently sitting 10th in the league after 11 games - albeit just three points off third - and seventh in the newly-formatted Europa League table, just three points from the top.

Having also eliminated Manchester City from the League Cup, Spurs have also reached their first quarter-final of the season, and with these five players demonstrating the most improvement under the manager, could a piece of silverware finally be on the cards?

Pedro Porro

Defender

Pedro Porro was signed by Spurs, initially on loan, from Sporting CP on transfer deadline day in January 2023, with the deal being made permanent that summer due to the obligation to buy clause.

But his start to life in London was not an easy one, when, during his debut, which came under Conte, former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood heavily criticised the Spaniard's performance in a match that saw Tottenham suffer a 4-1 defeat to Leicester.

"I don’t want to keep picking on the kid, but he needs to be relieved of his duties at the moment...I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt because it’s his debut, but Pedro Porro is so bad it’s unbelievable."

But, since Postecoglou has taken over, he has come on leaps and bounds, having 14 goal contributions in 50 appearances - bearing in mind that he is a right-back - and so far he has got forward so much, he has averaged 6.34 crosses per 90 minutes in the last two seasons. This has made him virtually undroppable, and he has now wholly established himself to be one of the most integral members of the team's spine and one of the best right-backs in the club's history.

This season has seen Porro take yet another leap in his development, which has seen his name enter the conversation for being one of the best right-backs in the Premier League. But with such good form comes the attention from even bigger clubs, which now has Spurs fearing the worst, with reports that Real Madrid have taken some interest in the 25-year-old.

Pape Matar Sarr

Midfielder

Prior to Postecoglou's arrival at the club, Pape Matar Sarr had seen just 475 minutes for Tottenham under three different managers (two interim). But he has since become an important member of the squad, having now made 52 appearances - in which he has scored six goals and contributed five assists.

While the Senegalese midfielder has largely come off the bench this season, last year he started 27 of 34 games in the league, and under Postecoglou has gone from averaging 0.83 shot attempts per 90 minutes to 1.91 shot attempts. Sarr is also much more involved in Spurs' attacking play and has gone from creating 1.65 shot-creating actions per 90 to 2.55 over the last two seasons.

Yves Bissouma

Midfielder

Like Sarr, Yves Bissouma has been reignited under Postecoglou, following a disappointing debut season with the club under Conte. Even in his first season with the Australian at the helm, Bissouma struggled to earn his place in the starting eleven, making just 28 appearances in all competitions, though he did deal with injury.

Bissouma's start to the 2024/25 campaign was not ideal for him, nor the club, after he was internally suspended following social media footage depicting him inhaling a substance. Upon his return to the side, he scored, before running over to his manager in celebration, offering his apologies for his previous behaviour.

Since then, he has continued to find his footing, and put on some impressive displays, netting twice in 12 total appearances, while he has re-found his calmness and composure when on the ball, averaging 91.5% passing accuracy.

Defensively, he has become reliable for Postecoglou, going from averaging 2.50 tackles and interceptions per 90 to 4.44, while he also makes far more clearances, going from an average of 0.87 to 1.59 per 90 minutes.

Brennan Johnson

Winger

Not enough can be said about the improvements, particularly as it pertains to his goal contribution numbers, that Brennan Johnson has made, especially this season. Having made the switch from Nottingham Forest to Spurs in the 2023 summer transfer window after a season in which he had netted eight times, Johnson was only able to muster five goals, though he did have 10 assists - all of which came in the Premier League.

After a sluggish start to the 2024/25 campaign, in which he drew so much fan criticism - and some unacceptable, and abhorrent, abuse too - the Welshman decided to deactivate his social media accounts, in a move which actually appeared to instill some fire inside him.

He would net a goal in seven consecutive games and has looked unstoppable at times. As such, this has seen him considered by some to be one of the Premier League's most improved performers this season in what has arguably been the best season of the 23-year-old's young career so far.

Dejan Kulusevski

Winger/Midfielder

Despite so many players having improved under Postecoglou, perhaps nobody has been more instrumental to the success Spurs have seen so far this season than Dejan Kulusevski. Having been deployed both out wide, and in central midfield, since his arrival from Juventus, it is clear that Postecoglou is now finally getting the best out of the Swede.

With impressive display after impressive display, in which he has contributed to 18 goals in his 56 appearances under the manager, seven goal contributions of which have come in 17 appearances this season, Kulusevski has become one of the biggest attacking threats in the league.

This is supported by his shot on target percentage rising from 23.3% before Postecoglou took over, to 34.9%, while he has also seen increases in his progressive passing per 90 minutes, rising from 2.91 to 5.08 per 90. This has seen him emerge as one of the best players in his age bracket. Put simply, if Spurs want to come away from this season with silverware in their cabinet, then Kulusevski will be pivotal to having that chance.

Tottenham Hotspur slumped to their fifth defeat of the Premier League season prior to the international break, leaving them tenth in the table, and if Ange Postecoglou is unable to reverse the Lillywhites' fortunes, then the North London outfit should consider Ruud Van Nistelrooy as a potential replacement.

Goals from Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap saw Ipswich take a commanding lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend, and Rodrigo Bentancur's second half header wasn't enough to turn things around, as Postecoglou's men were condemned to their most embarrassing loss thus far. The performance against the Tractor Boys encapsulated Spurs' season, bound by inconsistency and an inability to break down low blocks.

Meanwhile, Van Nistelrooy left Manchester United this week, departing the north-west club as Ruben Amorim arrived to commence his tenure at Old Trafford. The Dutchman is now available on the market, and is evidently open to a managerial role, having applied for the Coventry City job.

Spurs Should Consider Van Nistelrooy

Postecoglou is under some pressure

Still just three points behind third-placed Chelsea, Spurs' season is far from over. The North Londoners are within touching distance of the coveted top four, and thus Postecoglou isn't under immediate pressure.

However, the Australian is certainly facing increasing scrutiny, and if results continue to spiral, then he could be given his marching orders. The former Celtic boss looked 'really down' after the defeat to Ipswich, suggesting that the team's struggles are certainly getting to him, and he may be feeling some pressure.

There's no doubt that the Tottenham hierarchy have some sort of succession plan in place for the scenario that Postecoglou isn't able to improve things. Van Nistelrooy, who impressed in his four-match cameo in the Old Trafford dugout, should be part of this succession planning.

Described as 'having everything' by BBC Sport's Stephen Kelly, the former PSV head coach is highly thought of, and reports suggesting the United squad wanted him to remain at the club under Amorim speaks to his popularity amongst players.

Aside from this recent praise, Van Nistelrooy led PSV to a KNVB-Cup triumph in 2023, demonstrating his clear managerial acumen. The Spurs job would certainly be a step-up, but he appears capable.

James Maddison’s situation at Tottenham Hotspur has become an intriguing one as the club gears up for the busy festive period.

Despite a good start to the season, Maddison’s role under manager Ange Postecoglou has recently diminished, partly due to the need for tactical changes in Tottenham’s midfield.

The shift in priorities, with a greater need for more work-rate and control, has seen Maddison fall down the pecking order with his playmaking style not always complementing Spurs’ approach when they are in tough moments. The result has been a less prominent role for Maddison, leading to some concerns growing about his future with the North London club.

Maddison 'Very Unlikely' to Leave Tottenham in January

He's been less favoured by Postecoglou in recent weeks

Maddison joined from Leicester City and has had some good spells in which he has been able to display his creativity and flair. His vision and technical skill seemed perfect for Postecoglou’s attack-minded philosophy yet, as the team has evolved, it has become clear that the style Maddison thrives in doesn’t always align with Tottenham’s most effective setup. Particularly in tough moments.

There is no indication yet that Maddison will be leaving Tottenham in the immediate future. Sources close to the club believe that a January transfer is very unlikely, giving Maddison a crucial opportunity to prove his worth as the season progresses.

After the international break, though, the period leading up to Christmas will be a key one for the midfielder. If he can demonstrate his value by contributing meaningfully in these games, he can secure a key role again in Tottenham’s long-term plans.

If not? There will be more serious doubt cast upon his future as we begin 2025. He is one of the club’s highest earners and at a time when they are being careful about bringing in new talent at that same wage level, he has to prove he is worth the outlay and fits into the system.

Maddison Will be Well Rested After International Break

Eyebrows will be raised if he doesn't start v Man City

In the coming weeks he needs a chance to show that he can adapt his style and make a positive impact within Postecoglou’s set up. Time will tell us which games he is trusted for.

Maddison started the recent Europa League game at Galatasaray but was on the bench for Premier League matches against Aston Villa and Ipswich. He was an unused sub for their recent Carabao Cup win over Manchester City, too.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: James Maddison has only played 14 minutes of Tottenham's previous two Premier League games.

Spurs’ next fixture is an away trip to the Etihad Stadium and if Maddison is not in the line-up, it may be time to start studying his role more closely - given he has not been on international duty during this break and will be well rested and in tune with any game plan being prepared.

Matches against Roma, Fulham and Bournemouth follow that City one. A telling time to discover just when Postecoglou looks to use him.

Tottenham Have Been Linked With Buonanotte and Grealish

Daniel Levy is favouring good value deals moving forward

Interestingly, too, Tottenham have recently been linked with Brighton’s young midfielder Facundo Buonanotte, which will fuel further speculation about Maddison’s future.

Though a deal for Buonanotte is far from certain, the connection hints at Tottenham’s interest in adding another attacking midfielder and would add doubt to Maddison's status within the squad.

Looking ahead to the summer transfer window, Tottenham are planning to strengthen their midfield with a player who brings a complementary skill set to the team.

This winter, the midfield does not seem to be a priority. Tottenham are expected to target a defender and possibly a wide forward in January. However, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is not planning to make any big-money signings, favouring good value deals instead.

Speculation about a move for Jack Grealish has been dismissed as unrealistic, given the club’s current approach to wages and transfer fees.

Their cautious spending policy suggests that any additions to Tottenham’s squad will need to fit both financially and tactically - and Maddison faces a test of how he is judged on both those fronts too.

Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are all interested in signing out of favour Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on loan, with the Blues open to allowing him to leave temporarily, according to the Daily Briefing.

Dewsbury-Hall, described as 'amazing', has endured a difficult start to life in West London since arriving from Leicester City in the summer, managing just three short cameos off the bench in the league, totalling a combined 46 minutes. Behind the likes of Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku and João Félix in the pecking order, the creative midfielder has seen his minutes in other competitions diminish in recent weeks.

As a result of this lack of game-time, Chelsea are understood to be willing to sanction a loan move for the 26-year-old, so that he can revive his career, with a host of Premier League sides said to be interested in a potential deal. Spurs, Newcastle and Villa have emerged as three of the more likely suitors, with the trio of clubs all in the market for an additional playmaker.

Spurs, Newcastle and Villa Interested in Dewsbury-Hall

He needs more minutes

After scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists in 44 Championship appearances for Leicester under Enzo Maresca last season, Chelsea opted to fork out £30 million for Dewsbury-Hall's services. Likely expecting a prominent role at Stamford Bridge under the stewardship of the coach who had given him the platform to thrive in the East Midlands, the Englishman has certainly not been granted such responsibilities.

Not starting yet in the league, the Nottingham-born man has been limited to Europa Conference League and EFL Cup outings. However, hooked against Newcastle in the latter competition after just 56 minutes, and only given the second half against FC Noah in the former, even at this level, his role is being reduced.

Subsequently, the Daily Briefing report that Chelsea are pondering allowing Dewsbury-Hall to leave on loan. The Blues hope that during a potential spell away, he'll either showcase his talents to the extent that Maresca will start using him, or he'll put himself in the shop window, and the West Londoners are thus then able to reclaim their investment.

Tottenham want to sign another creative player to reduce the burden on out of form James Maddison, while Newcastle feel an additional central midfielder is required to aid their push for the top four. Meanwhile, Unai Emery is an admirer of Dewsbury-Hall, and wants greater depth so that his side can compete on multiple fronts.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero produced a below-par display during Argentina's loss to Paraguay, described as not having 'his usual solvency', and he was ultimately forced off with injury at half-time.

Lautaro Martínez gave the 2022 World Cup winners the lead early on in Asunción, tucking home neatly after being played through by Enzo Fernandez. However, Paraguay launched a comeback, as Antonio Sanabria's spectacular bicycle kick drew them level, before Omar Alderte's header shortly after the break proved to be the winner.

The result doesn't impact Argentina's position at the summit of the COMEBOL World Cup 2026 qualifying group, with Lionel Scaloni's men still three points clear. However, it was a disappointing night all round for the Argentines, and Romero's meek performance and his injury set-back will be a concern for Spurs ahead of a crucial set of fixtures.

Romero Forced off at Half-Time

He'd been playing poorly

Joining Tottenham from Atalanta in the summer of 2022 for £42 million, Romero has established himself as one of the best central defenders in the Premier League since his arrival in North London, and has been described as 'outstanding'. Making over 100 appearances for the Lillywhites, the 26-year-old has become a pivotal figure at the back for Ange Postecoglou's men, forming an impressive partnership with Micky van de Ven.

Thus, news of a potential injury will be a worry for the Australian manager. Deployed alongside Nicolas Otamendi for Argentina last night in Paraguay, the Spurs man only lasted 45 minutes.

Criticised for his lack of aerial dominance in the game, Argentine outlet La Voz slammed the defender for his performance, whilst confirming the injury news, giving him a five out of ten in their player ratings:

"Like the entire defense, he had a hard time with the home team's aerial play. He is injured and came off in the ET."

Winning no tackles, just one aerial duel and making just one clearance, it certainly wasn't Romero's most assured outing. Attributing the player's ball watching as a cause for Paraguay's first goal, Clarin gave the former Atalanta man a four:

"He did not have his usual solvency. He was left standing in Paraguay's first goal."

Postecoglou will hope that the set-back is nothing serious, as he prepares his team for a trip to champions Manchester City after the break.