Sport Witness

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dejan Kulusevski has been spotted turning up at Sweden training in Bosön on crutches and has been banned from doing interviews with the media there.

That’s according to Fotboll Skanalen, who report the Tottenham midfielder surprised his fellow national team players with an appearance at their training camp this week.

He turned up on crutches as he continues his recovery from surgery, after missing the end of the season with Tottenham following surgery on his left patella.

Ange Postecoglou has already stated the midfielder is uncertain for the start of next season, hence his absence from the national team set up this week.

He spoke briefly to the outlet, confirming that he feels good before then telling them that he is not allowed to do any interviews. In other words, he’s not allowed to talk about his injury situation, under orders from Tottenham.

The Swedish press officer then seemingly intervened, revealing that the Tottenham man will try to watch Sweden’s clash with Algeria on Tuesday. Then the doctors arrived and wanted to look at his knee, says the newspaper.

How they assess the injury remains to be seen, but it seems Tottenham don’t want him talking about it with any media outlets either way.

Over the past few days, Tottenham have been linked with a move for Pisa’s Francesco Coppola.

The Italian press have reported the newly promoted Serie A side rejected Spurs’ approach and want to keep the talent with them in their first season back in the top-flight.

Coppola, who had spent the 2024/25 on loan at Serie C side Vis Pesaro and impressed a lot, has now spoken to Cronache di Spogliatoio about his future.

He was asked directly about interest from Tottenham and he responded: “I heard the news from my friends, but I only have in mind to earn an opportunity in Serie A with Pisa.”

Speaking further, Coppola made it clear that he wants to play in Serie A for one season and then make a decision about his future.

“I want to stay and try to compete in Serie A, now I’ll enjoy the end of the season and then I’ll come back full of energy to grow further.”

Although an ambitious plan, given he’s hasn’t ever played in the top flight, it’s very much a sensible decision. The move from Serie C football to Serie A is big, but the jump to Tottenham, a whole new club and country, would be even harder.

Pisa are likely to struggle in Serie A and won’t have big funds to rebuild their squad, so despite being just 20-years-of-age and having no top flight experience, there’s a good chance Coppola gets minutes.

That has to be a better plan than chancing a move to Tottenham.

There’s a claim in the Turkish media that Fenerbahce are showing interest in Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma.

Jose Mourinho is keen to strengthen his midfield this summer, and the Spurs player has emerged as a target. There’s been recent reports Fred could leave the Yellow Canaries and Bissouma would be seen as a like for like replacement.

Hurriyet today report on Fenerbahce’s pursuit for Bissouma, and they say the Istanbul side have entered into transfer talks to sign the Mali international.

It’s claimed the Tottenham midfielder’s agent has been contacted by the Super Lig club and that Spurs are looking to offload him this summer.

According to the Turkish newspaper, Fenerbahce have offered to loan the 28-year-old, with an option to buy. However, Spurs are reportedly keen to sell Bissouma in a permanent deal as they look to raise transfer funds.

Negotiations are now likely to continue as both parties look to come to an agreement.

Bissouma made 44 appearances this season, scoring two goals. He’s contracted to the Premier League side until June 2026, which means a loan would be difficult.

In the winter market, Tottenham Hotspur signed Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich on loan with an option to buy. The forward played 1,257 minutes from 20 games for Spurs, managing three goals and an assist in the process.

Tottenham have secured a €50m purchase option but have no intention to activate it. Sky Deutschland provide the latest on the 20-year-old’s future and where he could play next season.

Vincent Kompany won’t include Tel in his squad for the Club World Cup, and he will be part of the France U21 squad for the upcoming games.

At this moment in time, ‘everything is still open’ regarding his future. The report states talks are planned, first between Tottenham and the attacker, and then between the two clubs.

The Europa League winners, who paid a €10m loan fee, find the €50m purchase option too high and want to renegotiate with Bayern to lower the price.

Sky Deutschland then came up with another update on Tottenham’s efforts to retain Tel.

The player is ‘still waiting for his final breakthrough at Spurs’ and it’s unclear whether that can happen.

It’s claimed the north London club are considering extending his loan for one more season with a high loan fee and an obligation to buy. There’s no mention of any figures.

The Bavarian club are looking for a sale and it’s unclear whether they would sanction a new loan move. Sky add Bayern sporting director Max Eberl ‘continues to hold intensive talks’, most likely with Tottenham for Tel.

The Bundesliga winners may have to give in eventually or find a new club as he’s not part of Kompany’s plans next season.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven has spoken about Paris Saint-Germain making an approach for him earlier in his career.

The Netherlands international was a guest on Humberto op Zondag, where he discussed a few topics, including PSG’s interest, and Voetbal Primeur have relayed his comments.

Van de Ven received an approach from PSG before he left VfL Wolfsburg for Tottenham in August 2023.

The centre-back is a product of Dutch side FC Volendam’s youth system and spent two years with their first team before moving to Germany in 2021. He spent two years with the Bundesliga club and then moved to the Premier League side.

Prior to his move to the north London club, the newly crowned Champions League winners had registered their interest with his entourage.

“I know that they have reported to my agent Mino Raiola. It never got to the point where it would lead to serious matters. It was comparable to the time when Tottenham reported,” he said.

“At a certain point, clubs start to pull at you, and they start to report. But before it is serious, you are further away from home.”

Raiola passed away in April 2022 and if PSG had contacted him and not his successor, then it would have been at least a year before the Dutchman joined Tottenham.

When asked if he regrets not joining PSG, Van de Ven explained: “I’m not looking at that now. I’m very much in my element at Tottenham Hotspur.”

The 24-year-old started in Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final last month.

Spurs take on PSG in the UEFA Super Cup in August and on facing the French club, he added: “They have a fantastic team of course. The trainer has done an incredible job.”

Int August, Tottenham Hotspur secured a preferential option to buy Johnny Cardoso for €25m this June as part of the deal that saw Giovani Lo Celso move to Real Betis.

Atlético Madrid have come forward to sign the 23-year-old in the summer window. Three days ago, Marca reported a full agreement is ‘imminent’ with the player.

Earlier claims stated Tottenham will be entitled to receive 20% of the profit if Cardoso is sold to another club.

At the weekend, ABC Sevilla stated this is not valid since Spurs and the midfielder never came to an agreement. They also reported Real Betis will request €40m to sanction his sale.

Diario de Sevilla, a newspaper local to the Andalusian club, provides the latest on Spurs’ €25m preferential option to buy the American. He’s happy with Manuel Pellegrini’s side but the opportunity to earn more and play at a higher level could convince him to leave.

They also point out the north London club’s €25m clause is valid between June 1-30th. At this moment in time, Tottenham haven’t contacted Real Betis or Cardoso to inform them that they want to trigger the clause.

That’s because some sources suggest he’s ‘not of great interest’ to the Premier League side, although things may change in the coming weeks.

Atlético have been keen and have been in talks to secure his services. Tottenham’s latest stance on Cardoso allows them to work calmly on this operation.

Over the past few months, multiple claims from Spain have stated Real Betis’ Johnny Cardoso isn’t keen on joining Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs secured a preferential option to buy the midfielder for €25m this summer, as part of the deal that saw Giovani Lo Celso move to Real Betis last August.

Despite Tottenham’s buying option, Atlético Madrid want to beat them to sign Cardoso in the summer window. Two days ago, Marca reported a full agreement between the two parties is imminent.

Saturday’s edition of ABC Sevilla states Atlético have been in talks with his entourage for a while. They are trying to attract him with a higher level and salary. They should soon start negotiations with Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

Real Betis are requesting €40m for the midfielder. They haven’t received any offers but are optimistic a bid around this region will arrive eventually.

The report again points out Tottenham’s €25m buying option that’s valid throughout June. The Europa League winners will get 20% of the profit if the American is sold to another club before June 30th. This was also agreed as part of the Lo Celso deal.

The newspaper states it’s now not valid because Tottenham have no agreement or pact in place with the player. Therefore, the deal agreed between the two clubs is ‘not valid’.

ABC Sevilla state: ‘As there is no closed agreement between the London club and the player, this pact between entities is not valid, according to sources involved in the negotiations, and the transfer to another entity, such as the aforementioned Atlético, can take place without taking the English club into account.’

If this is true, it’ll be more disappointment for Tottenham as they are set to miss out on the player and the possibility of earning money.

Tottenham youngster Alejo Veliz would like to move to Rosario Central this summer, after they brought Angel Di Maria back to the club.

That’s according to journalist Cristian Camiño, whose quotes regarding the Tottenham striker have been relayed by Soy del Millo.

They report him saying that “Alejo Véliz wants to join this super Rosario Central that is being built,” when discussing transfers on TNT Sports.

The website then explains things further, detailing that Véliz has plenty of offers in Argentina this summer as River Plate, Boca Juniors and Rosario Central are all looking for new strikers. The Tottenham man has already received a call from River Plate and Boca Juniors to ask about his situation.

The belief is that he isn’t wanted by Tottenham, and they will be happy to move him on for the right price after another unsuccessful loan in Spain this season.

Rosario Central, his former club, are seen as having the advantage, though, specifically after they brought Di Maria back to the club. They’re building ‘a team full of stars’ so they can ‘seriously compete’ this season and that’s led to several players looking at them favourably. The Tottenham youngster is one of them.

It remains to be seen if a deal can be done with Spurs for him, particularly after he cost nearly €15m to sign in 2023. Either way, he is apparently keen on the return and that’s a basis for negotiations to start this summer.

Over the past few weeks, Tottenham Hotspur star Cristian Romero has been repeatedly linked to Atlético Madrid.

The Argentina international played a key role in helping Spurs win the Europa League this season. After the success in the final, Romero said he loves Tottenham “very much” when asked about his future.

That didn’t stop the Atlético links, and earlier this week, the defender admitted he would like to play in La Liga.

Two days ago, we covered claims from Spain which stated Atlético CEO Miguel Ángel Gil is set to contact Spurs chairman Daniel Levy for Romero. Spanish journalist Rubén Uría has told El Desmarque that Ange Postecoglou’s situation can influence the Argentine’s future.

In short, the centre-back is likely to stay at the north London club if they were to stick with their current manager.

“The key lies in who will be the Tottenham manager. If Postecoglou stays, I think Cuti won’t leave. Now, if there’s a change of coach, Cuti will do everything possible to leave,” he said.

“He wants to live in Madrid, not London. He wants to play for Atleti and has already spoken with Cholo Simeone several times. A meeting is planned between Miguel Ángel Gil Marín and Levy to find out if they can sit down and negotiate or if the player will stay in London.”

Levy’s decision on whether to retain Postecoglou and the upcoming meeting with Miguel Ángel Gil will be key for the World Cup winner’s future at Tottenham.

If Diego Simeone’s side fail to sign the Tottenham player, Uría claims they will shift their focus on Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapié.

Alejo Véliz hasn’t impressed since leaving Rosario Central for Tottenham Hotspur in 2023.

Last month, the striker told Olé he would “absolutely” like to return to his former club and win the title with them.

The Tottenham player could be presented an opportunity to return to Rosario Central in the summer window.

That’s at least what journalist Esteban Edul is reporting, and he took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to provide an update.

On Thursday, the Argentine club announced that their former player, Ángel Di María, has returned to the club.

Edul reports that after signing the former Real Madrid man, Rosario Central “will begin work” to sign the 21-year-old. He claims Véliz is the “No.9 they dream of”.

That’s all he has to say about the Argentina U21 international, without providing Spurs’ stance on the potential operation. Véliz, for his part, has already left the door open if we take his recent comments into account.

Tottenham have sent the frontman on loan to Sevilla and Espanyol in last 18 months, but neither spell worked out. The Europa League winners have to make a decision on his future once he returns to the club this summer.