Sport Witness

Joshua Zirkzee scored his first goal of the season for Manchester United on Sunday. As the Dutchman now starts to get game time at the Red Devils, AS Roma are now looking to shift their attention towards Tottenham’s Mathys Tel.

Il Messaggero take a closer look at the Italian side’s ambitions to sign a striker in January.

The newspaper report Roma have been in contact with the Manchester United player’s agents for quite some time.The Dutchman is seen as the ‘number one target’ by manager Gian Piero Gasperini too. Roma sporting director Frederic Massara has been trying to iron out an initial loan deal for the player

However, Zirkzee spoke to the media after his goal against Crystal Palace and those comments are seen as a negative. The striker said he’s happy at Manchester United.

Massara is looking around for alternatives, in case the Zirkzee plan slips away. Tottenham’s Tel is a clear option to bolster their attack, as he too is struggling for game time.

The Frenchman’s last start in the Premier League came in October. Even against Fulham, he only came off the bench.

Roma now see the forward’s situation as an opportunity to exploit.

Valencia’s Arnaut Danjuma played for Bournemouth before being sold to Villarreal in 2022. He then returned to English football on loan at Tottenham and then had another loan at Everton.

AS have spoken to the winger about his career in recent years, after he joined Los Ches from Villarreal permanently last summer.

The Dutchman has thanked the Yellow Submarines for letting him move to Tottenham and Everton in the past, believing they were always fair with him.

Everton showed interest in the 28-year-old in January 2023, but Tottenham swooped in and hijacked the loan signing from their clutches.

Danjuma scored two goals from 12 games [199 minutes] for Spurs during the second half of the 2022/23 season. He returned to Villarreal, who then let him join Everton on loan in July 2023.

He was hardly utilised during his time at the Merseyside club. To put it in context, the attacker played less than 1,000 minutes from 20 matches for Everton, scoring two goals.

Last season, Danjuma joined Girona on loan. He was delighted to make a loan switch to the Catalan club, after struggles at Tottenham and Everton.

After several loan spells, he moved to the Mestalla on a permanent transfer. The player has scored four goals and contributed two assists from 14 matches this season.

Desire for stability after repeat loans

When AS asked whether he’s found stability at Valencia, he mentioned the support he received from Villarreal.

“Yes, yes, it was very important to me. Luckily, I have a great relationship with Villarreal, whose people have always been very helpful when making decisions,” he said.

“In the past, I chose things I wanted to do, like going to Tottenham and Everton to play in the Premier League; or later, to Girona to compete in the Champions League. Villarreal always respected my decision, and I really appreciate that, because not all clubs in the world are like that.

“This summer, the opportunity with Valencia came up, and they helped me there too. I signed a three-year contract looking for that family stability, because we have a home here in Torre en Conill, where I already lived as a Villarreal player.”

Last week, RMC Sport reported Randal Kolo Muani decided to join Tottenham Hotspur after being impressed by their project. He arrived at the north London club on loan from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day.

Luis Enrique left the striker out of his plans at PSG, and the club let him join Juventus in January. They were keen on bringing him back in the summer, but negotiations collapsed, allowing Tottenham to move.

The Europa League winners will be presented an easy route to buy the 26-year-old next summer.

Former Bordeaux left-back Benoît Trémoulinas has told L’Equipe it seems impossible for him to return to Paris after his temporary spell at Tottenham. Le10 Sport have relayed his comments.

Last week, the France international scored a brace and contributed an assist in Spurs’ 5-3 Champions League defeat to PSG. Despite impressing against his parent club, Trémoulinas insists Kolo Muani has no future under Enrique at Parc des Princes.

“Perhaps he’s realistic about how he arrived in the squad he joined. Maybe the style of play of this Paris Saint-Germain under Luis Enrique didn’t work with Randal Kolo Muani. However, what we can say about the player is that he has always had an impeccable attitude,” he said.

“Even Luis Enrique and his staff said it: in every training session, he gave it his all. He trained even harder, while many players would have given up, used injuries as an excuse to leave. He never gave up. So, what we can hope for Randal Kolo Muani is that he simply gets back on track elsewhere.

“Could he return to PSG while Luis Enrique is still there? No, I don’t believe it. I don’t believe it because Luis Enrique has a well-defined set of players in his system, and Kolo Muani isn’t one of them, so there’s no point in hoping for anything.”

The frontman has two goals and two assists from 11 matches for Thomas Frank’s side. His entourage are optimistic that he’ll regain his best form.

Kolo Muani has a contract lasting until 2028 at PSG and Transfermarkt currently value him at €30m. With Enrique not considering him, PSG could offer Spurs a reasonable price to buy the Frenchman.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are all interested in Everton star Iliman Ndiaye.

That’s according to Foot Mercato. They report that Ndiaye’s start to the season has ‘caught the eye’ of the Premier League trio.

Ndiaye has been in fine form for Everton this season once again, firmly establishing himself as the star man even with the arrival of Jack Grealish pushing him to the right wing.

He’s very much instrumental to David Moyes and his team, but his performances are earning admiring glances. A tally of four goals and one assist in 12 games also doesn’t hurt matters.

He was scouted throughout the summer by numerous clubs. Indeed, reports have already credited Inter Milan with making a big offer for him.

According to FM’s sources, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham have all ‘made enquiries’ about him. They all, reportedly, believe that they need to bolster their attacks and see the Senegalese star as a target. Ndiaye certainly features ‘prominently’ on their shortlists, according to the website.

There’s no mention of an asking price, or it moving beyond that point for now. Everton, for their part, are likely to demand a huge fee for the forward. He cost them €20m to sign from Marseille in 2024, and they won’t be interested in selling him on the cheap. Ndiaye’s current deal also runs until 2029, so they’re under no pressure to sell.

It now remains to be seen if Liverpool, Manchester City or Tottenham advance their interest and test Everton’s resolve.

Tottenham had a scout at the Estádio do Dragão on Thursday, according to A BOLA. The club were part of the group that monitored FC Porto’s 3-0 win over Nice, and the visit fits the recent pattern of Spurs keeping a close watch on the Portuguese market.

It also follows earlier reports from Correio da Manhã linking Tottenham with Porto striker Samu – who scored the third goal of the night. He won and converted a penalty, adding another solid performance to a season that already put him on Tottenham’s list.

The 21-year-old remains one of the most monitored forwards in Portugal, and his form continues to draw attention across Europe.

However, midfielder Gabri Veiga was the standout name. He scored twice and delivered the kind of display that attracted scouts from several clubs. His movement, finishing and control were praised in Portugal, where outlets described his performance as decisive and technically clean.

Pepê also impressed. The Brazilian provided the assist for the first goal and created problems on the right side. Alberto Costa and Victor Froholdt received positive reviews as well, reinforcing the idea that Porto’s core continues to generate market interest.

For Tottenham, the presence at the Dragão strengthens the ongoing scouting cycle. The club have intensified checks on Samu in recent months, and Veiga’s current rise adds another profile worth tracking.

Whether this leads to concrete steps remains unknown, but Spurs’ repeated trips to Portugal suggest they do not want to fall behind in the race for emerging talent.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Luka Vušković has impressed for Hamburg SV since joining them on loan last summer.

The centre-back has played 10 matches and the German media have praised him for his fine displays. This has also led to speculation of Spurs possibly recalling him in the winter market.

Last month, SHZ reported Tottenham can exercise a clause to bring him back if they’re hit by injuries.

Friday’s edition of Hamburger Morgenpost backs that up and provides more on the 18-year-old’s future plans.

His contract at Tottenham expires in 2030. The defender’s impressive performances have led to reports of Spurs wanting to offer him an extension.

According to MoPo, claims that Tottenham want to extend Vušković’s contract in the near future are ‘false’. The Croatia international feels comfortable with the current terms.

However, the youngster’s agent will have a meeting with the Europa League winners in the ‘coming weeks’. The purpose will be to understand Thomas Frank’s plans for him at Tottenham.

The report also states: ‘This conversation could be the first step in a long and potentially decisive move.’

Vušković’s representatives are receiving enquires from top clubs regularly.

MoPo claims major clubs have contacted the agent, with Barcelona mentioned. The newspaper adds Barca ‘in particular’ are keen and are ‘seriously considering’ signing him next summer.

Anderlecht’s Nathan De Cat is on Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion’s transfer agenda

That’s according to La Dernière Heure, and they mention Tottenham, Aston Villa, Brighton when reporting the latest on Anderlecht’s plans.

The 17-year-old is a product of Anderlecht’s academy and made his way into their first team earlier this year.

He’s been a regular for the Jupiler Pro League side this season, making 20 appearances so far. The midfielder’s performances have seen Tottenham, Aston Villa and Brighton take notice.

It’s claimed the Premier League trio are ‘keeping tabs’ on him, without making it clear whether their scouts have followed De Cat. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are also said to be in the mix.

The Belgium U19 international has a contract until 2027, and Anderlecht’s plan is to retain him until then.

There’s a possibility the youngster leaves before 2027. An exit in the winter market seems unlikely while the report indicates Anderlecht would have to fight to retain him beyond next summer.

The report mentions a €35m price tag. La Dernière Heure insist none of his interested parties are willing to offer this price.

They claim a price of around €20-25m seems ‘more reasonable’. Anderlecht believe they will be able to earn €35m if he stays until 2027.

For now, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Brighton are only following him. De Cat’s agent Stijn Francis and his family will have a major role in his next move.

If he decides to move to England, the Belgian won’t be able to arrive until he turns 18 years of age next July.

Tottenham forward Richarlison spoke to TNT Sports Brasil after the defeat to PSG and delivered a series of candid remarks about Spurs’ progress, his own form and the World Cup year ahead.

The Brazilian outlet shared the full interview, and his comments give a clear picture of a player who feels he has turned a corner.

Richarlison began by comparing the match in Paris to Spurs’ previous fixture: “It was much better than the last derby in London”, he joked. “I think the team evolved well. We managed to score three goals. Unfortunately, we couldn’t hold the result, but you could see the team’s evolution.”

Rodrigo Bentacur recently also spoke of progress under Thomas Frank and how the team is improving.

Richarlison stressed there is little time to dwell on the setback because “now we have to rest, because on Saturday we already have a game, already have the Premier League, and we have to get back to winning ways again.”

The striker also reflected on the trust he has received from both Thomas Frank and Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti, saying: “With all this confidence, the work flows, the goals come, the assists come. Everything gets lighter. I’m going to keep working hard to maintain this high confidence so I can help the team during the games.”

Tottenham form key for World Cup

Looking ahead to the World Cup, he said everything starts with his level at Tottenham: “I have to do my best here at the club so I can arrive at a high level with the national team. Thank God things are going well and I hope to continue like this, focused, training well and doing my best here.”

His words reflect a player who feels settled, trusted and on an upward trajectory. Tottenham will now look for him to carry this form back into the Premier League as the schedule tightens and the stakes rise.

Tottenham Hotspur remain in the picture to sign FC Midtjylland’s Franculino Djú, according to claims from Italy.

Gazzetta dello Sport reports AS Roma are looking for a new striker and have Franculino on their agenda. They add he’s also a target for Tottenham.

Thursday’s edition of Corriere dello Sport backs up Tottenham’s interest in the 21-year-old when covering the latest on Roma.

The frontman has starred for the Danish club this season, managing 19 goals and three assists from 27 matches.

Corriere dello Sport report Roma have been following the Guinea-Bissau international for the last six months. His impressive performances for Midtjylland have seen several other clubs take notice.

According to the newspaper, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund have been added to his suitors list.

The Guinea-Bissau international has a contract until 2029 and Transfermarkt currently value him at €13m. However, interested clubs would have to spend much more to secure his services.

It’s claimed the frontman was valued at €20m last summer and the price has now been increased to €30m. The €10m rise in price sees Roma back away, while Spurs are still in the mix.

Gleison Bremer’s time at Juventus has been disrupted by injuries in the last two seasons, leading to doubts about his future. Tottenham have now been pushed forward as an option for the Brazilian centre-back.

TuttoJuve report the 28-year-old is of interest to multiple clubs. There is a possibility of him departing in the summer – or even in January.

Tottenham are said to see the centre-back as the ‘ideal candidate’ for their backline. Spurs will now all about the player’s situation thanks to Fabio Paratici, and any transfer effort be guided by him.

The report claims that Thomas Frank’s side are ‘closely monitoring’ the player, with a January approach possible. Spurs are said to be ‘ready to make an offer’.

Bremer’s contract in Turin runs until 2029, and it’s believed Tottenham will have to shell out around €40m to sign the defender.

While Juve aren’t looking to sell the Brazil international, their stance could change if the right offer is on the table.

So far this season, Bremer has played only five times in all competitions. He is currently nursing a knee injury, having previously also dealt with similar problems.

Tottenham would obviously need to consider that.