Sport Witness

On Thursday, Bild reported RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons had travelled to London to hold talks with Tottenham Hotspur over a potential move.

Later that day, Sky Deutschland journalist Philipp Hinze reported Tottenham had made the first bid, close to Leipzig’s demand of €70m.

Claims from Germany then stated the 22-year-old’s move to Tottenham is ‘getting really hot’. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy’s good relationship with Leipzig chairman of supervisory board, Oliver Mintzlaff, could be key to this operation.

At 4am BST on Friday, Bild published the latest on the north London club’s efforts to sign the attacking midfielder.

Simons has been in London since Wednesday, holding talks with Thomas Frank’s side, who are currently ‘in pole position’ to sign him.

Spurs have been looking for a new attacking midfielder, especially after James Maddison joined Dejan Kulusevski in the treatment room. They missed out on a few targets and are now ‘pushing hard’, to find a total agreement to sign the Netherlands international.

He was expected to return to Germany yesterday. The Dutchman hasn’t left London yet as the talks are still ongoing. The report suspects this could be probably because of Chelsea, who have maintained an interest in him for long.

The Blues haven’t completely ruled out a move and could make an attempt as Christopher Nkunku is on his way to AC Milan. The report says his exit gives them ‘financial flexibility’, but it’s unclear whether they’ll make advances for Simons.

Bild expect a ‘decision in Xavi poker today’, and it’ll be clear in the coming hours whether he will join Tottenham or Chelsea.

The Europa League winners have reportedly made an offer and seem to have a good chance to secure Simons’ services.

Tottenham Hotspur’s move for RB Leipzig forward Xavi Simons will lead the German club to exploring a move for Liverpool’s Harvey Elliot.

That’s according to BILD, who report that Leipzig will target a replacement for the playmaker should he depart.

Tottenham are currently pushing to sign the Dutchman, and he is currently in London holding transfer talks with special permission from Leipzig. Spurs have also reportedly made a first offer for the player that is close to the German club’s asking price.

A deal looks likely to be done and BILD report if it happens, Leipzig intend to enter the market for a replacement.

“When things get moving and there’s change, you as a club have to be well prepared and have a clear idea of ​​how to fill in and absorb certain things, and we have a clear idea in that regard,” coach Ole Werner told the newspaper when asked about the situation.

According to their information, Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott remains the ‘absolute dream player’ for the German side.

He is keen to leave Liverpool as he wants more playing time and has been persuaded by Red Bull’s head of Global Sport Jürgen Klopp. He was, of course, his manager at Liverpool before the German’s departure.

Leipzig need to secure a deal with Liverpool, though, and BILD say this will be a ‘multi-faceted transfer model’. The Reds are wanting, among other things, to secure a buy-back for the English midfielder.

Tottenham Hotspur youngster Luka Vuskovic has been pictured at HSV Hamburg’s training ground after completing a medical with the German side.

Hamburger Abendblatt cover the situation today, explaining that the Tottenham youngster completed a medical today after flying to Hamburg from London this morning.

They explain that the loan deal between Tottenham and Hamburg had not finalised the deal at that point, but both clubs had broadly agreed, and he was given permission to fly as a result.

They have pictures of the defender after his medical, explaining that he was driven from Hamburg’s UKE Athleticum around 2:50pm to the club’s Volksparkstadion to sign his loan deal from Tottenham.

He will join the Bundesliga side on loan until the end of the season. It does not include an option for them to make his move from Tottenham a permanent one.

Vuskovic will not be eligible for Hamburg’s derby clash with St Pauli on Friday evening but is expected to watch the game from the stands.

The move will bring an end to something of a transfer saga that has rumbled on for much of the summer. HSV had been forced to wait for Tottenham’s Daniel Levy to sanction the deal. He finally did so on Wednesday, and a medical has now been completed today.

Tottenham Hotspur have informed Rb Leipzig that they are taking to Xavi Simons but are yet to make an offer for him.

That’s according to journalist Phillipp Hinze, who reports that although Tottenham have expressed an interest to Leipzig, they are yet to make a formal offer.

He confirms that Simons is currently in London and has been released from his duties with Leipzig until further notice. Reports earlier today made it clear that he had missed training with the German side to hold transfer talks in London.

Tottenham have now informed Leipzig that they are speaking to the Dutchman, but they are yet to make a formal offer for him. Chelsea also remain in the race, despite them seemingly turning their attention to Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez.

Leipzig are simply waiting for official offers to arrive for their player. They are happy to sell and sanction his departure, with the player reportedly determined to leave this summer.

Tottenham are seen as an ideal destination as they can offer him guaranteed playing time after the injury to James Maddison. They also have the money to spend, with Simons’ release clause the same as the figure they were willing to pay to sign Eberechi Eze.

The big question is whether they will pay Simons the wages he wants, with reports in Germany putting the figure above the €11m he currently earns in Leipzig.

The talks with him today are likely to be focused on that, with all eyes on whether they can reach an agreement that will see Spurs then make an official offer.

Tottenham Hotspur have informed Rb Leipzig that they are taking to Xavi Simons but are yet to make an offer for him.

That’s according to journalist Phillipp Hinze, who reports that although Tottenham have expressed an interest to Leipzig, they are yet to make a formal offer.

He confirms that Simons is currently in London and has been released from his duties with Leipzig until further notice. Reports earlier today made it clear that he had missed training with the German side to hold transfer talks in London.

Tottenham have now informed Leipzig that they are speaking to the Dutchman, but they are yet to make a formal offer for him. Chelsea also remain in the race, despite them seemingly turning their attention to Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez.

Leipzig are simply waiting for official offers to arrive for their player. They are happy to sell and sanction his departure, with the player reportedly determined to leave this summer.

Tottenham are seen as an ideal destination as they can offer him guaranteed playing time after the injury to James Maddison. They also have the money to spend, with Simons’ release clause the same as the figure they were willing to pay to sign Eberechi Eze.

The big question is whether they will pay Simons the wages he wants, with reports in Germany putting the figure above the €11m he currently earns in Leipzig.

The talks with him today are likely to be focused on that, with all eyes on whether they can reach an agreement that will see Spurs then make an official offer.

Savinho is set to stay at Manchester City, with Globo Esporte reporting the club have ruled out selling him to Tottenham in this transfer window.

After weeks of speculation and back-and-forth, Pep Guardiola’s side made it clear they would not part ways with the Brazilian, regardless of Spurs’ determination to push the deal.

Tottenham had already tabled a €70m (£59m) bid, which was swiftly rejected. Reports suggested they were ready to return with €80m (£67m), but City informed them there was no point in making a fresh offer.

Guardiola sees Savinho as part of his plans and does not intend to sanction a departure. The forward is tied to the club until June 2029.

Savinho last featured in an official match on 30 June, when City were knocked out of the Club World Cup by Al-Hilal. He returned for pre-season on 28 July and played in the friendly against Palermo on 9 August, but Guardiola later explained that a knock sidelined him for the opening Premier League games against Wolves and Spurs.

Over the summer, the 21-year-old also spent time in Brazil with his family while carrying out individual training to ensure he returned in shape. His focus is now firmly on gaining more protagonism at City and maintaining his trajectory towards the 2026 World Cup.

Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and West Ham United are keen on signing Atlético Madrid’s Conor Gallagher this summer, according to Thursday’s edition of AS.

On Tuesday, we covered claims from Spain that the midfielder has an offer from Crystal Palace. It was also reported the La Liga club will need at least €35-40m to sell him.

AS reports Tottenham, Aston Villa and West Ham are also interested in the 25-year-old.

Atlético consider this market to be closed and will only look for a new addition if there’s an exit. AS say this is possible considering the England international and Nahuel Molina are both attracting interest.

Los Rojiblancos don’t want to let the former Chelsea man leave as he’s important for them. The report states his English suitors aren’t giving up and will approach Atlético ‘with offers in the coming hours’ to bring him back to England.

AS immediately say it’s not just Crystal Palace, because Tottenham, Aston Villa and West Ham are all keen on Gallagher, ‘with money in the bag’.

This indicates the Premier League trio have funds and will soon send offers to the La Liga club.

A potential move to Tottenham for RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons is now ‘getting really hot’, with the route to Chelsea having gone cold.

That’s according to BILD, who look at the pros and cons for Tottenham today as they seem to be a more likely destination for Simons at the end of the transfer window.

They say that Tottenham specifically inquired about a transfer with Simons’ agents some time ago but were told it was a case of him either joining Chelsea or staying with Leipzig this summer.

His agent, Ali Barat, has excellent connections at Chelsea after doing many deals with them in the past and that played its part. There was a conviction on both ends that a deal would work out somehow.

But now an extra round of negotiations are needed and that’s opened the door for Tottenham to potentially get him. They have an excellent relationship with Leipzig working in their favour.

Indeed, Leipzig supervisory board chairman Oliver Mintzlaf and Tottenham’s Daniel Levy know each other well and that will help facilitate matters.

One big plus point for Tottenham on the player’s side is their need for a playmaker in the number 10 role after they lost James Maddison. They’ve already tried to sign Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White for the position so it’s obvious it’s a key element for them. Simons would, therefore, be almost guaranteed a starring role.

Tottenham can also pay Leipzig’s €70m asking price, having already indicated they would do the same for Eze.

Simons is yet to be convinced of the move, particularly as Tottenham are unlikely to match his high wage demands. He already earns €11m a year at Leipzig. There’s also doubts about how well he would fit in under Thomas Frank.

But the idea is there and with Chelsea looking elsewhere, perhaps the opportunity to get the deal done too if Spurs want it.

Tottenham Hotspur are exchanging the final documents with HSV Hamburg before sanctioning Luka Vuskovic’s move to the club today.

That’s according to BILD, who report that the German side are hoping to get the youngster in for a medical tomorrow morning.

A report earlier today stated that Tottenham had finally sanctioned Vuskovic’s long-gestating move to the German side and that talks between the two clubs were now progressing quickly.

They now pick up on that and say a deal has been struck for the defender to spend the season on loan. There will not be a buy clause included in that deal.

The focus is now on when he will catch his flight to Hamburg and BILD are even flight watching in anticipation of that. For those that want to know, the last flight from London is at 10:40pm.

For now, the focus is on finalising the move and while it’s already being celebrated on social media. There is still work to be done. Tottenham and HSV are dealing with the last documents this afternoon.

Hamburg’s hope is then to fly the youngster out this evening, get his medical done tomorrow morning and perhaps even have him join in with their last training session which is scheduled for the same time ahead of Friday’s clash with St. Pauli.

There’s a claim in the Turkish media that Tottenham Hotspur will shortly make a decision on whether to accept Galatasaray’s offer for Yves Bissouma.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a move to the Istanbul giants over the past week, having previously been linked with their local rivals Fenerbahçe, managed by Jose Mourinho.

Haber Sarikirmizi have covered comments made by Süleyman Rodop when discussing Gala’s pursuit for the Spurs player.

The Turkish journalist reports Galatasaray have made an offer for the Mali international and that the Premier League side will make a decision in the next couple of days.

Rodop also claimed Fenerbahçe are still monitoring the situation, with Mourinho publicly pushing for more signings.

“Tottenham will make a decision regarding Galatasaray’s offer for Yves Bissouma within two days. Fenerbahçe are also involved in Bissouma,” said the journalist.

Earlier today, we covered reports Galatasaray are looking to loan Bissouma, with an option to purchase. However, this would involve extending his Tottenham contract for another season due to his current deal expiring next summer.

BIssouma has also reportedly agreed to Galatasaray’s offer on personal terms, said to be €3m a year, a figure that’s likely to be after tax.