Sport Witness

Tottenham are once again interested in Vasco da Gama talent Rayan. This is being reported in Brazil by Léo Lacerda and Luiz Amadeu of NT Vascaínos.

According to their claims, representatives from the Premier League side will be in São Januário this weekend. They want to watch the 19-year-old forward in action against Cruzeiro. Barcelona will also have a scout present to monitor the teenager.

Rayan is considered one of the most coveted Brazilian youngsters at the moment. He has a contract with Vasco running until the end of 2026. His release clause is set at €40m (£34.3m). The Rio de Janeiro club are trying to keep him at least until the end of the current season.

After missing out on Savinho in the summer, Spurs’ pursuit of Rayan looks natural: he’s a 1v1 winger that can play in both sides, with outstanding quality on the ball and an eye for a goal, having scored eleven times in 36 starts this year.

It is said the London side are impressed with his quality and are expected to present a bid in the region of €30m (£25.7m). Vasco currently hold 70% of his rights, while the other 30% belong to the player. Their plan is to turn any future deal into one of the biggest sales in the club’s history.

The Brazilian outlet also reveals that Zenit Saint Petersburg are in the race. The Russian side are said to have already placed an official offer of £21.7m, plus 80% of defender Robert Renan, who is currently on loan at Vasco until the end of the year.

The competition for this Vasco da Gama gem is heating up, and the next moves from Tottenham will be closely watched.

A Tottenham Hotspur offer to Julian Brandt could tempt the midfielder to depart Borussia Dortmund.

That’s at least according to WA.de, who cover the potential interest today after a report in England stated Tottenham were one of the sides interested in the 29-year-old.

They say any move to England would be ‘completely unexpected’ for the midfielder, who has been a central figure at Dortmund since 2019. With over 200 appearances, he’s one of their most influential players.

But despite that, they’re yet to offer concrete talks about an extension to his current deal, which expires in 2026.

That has reportedly piqued interest in the Premier League and Tottenham have been named as one of the sides interested in him.

WA say their interest in Brandt would be because they’re looking for a replacement for James Maddison, and he could fill the void. It seems, though, to ignore the fact that Tottenham signed Xavi Simons to do that.

Anyway, they say Spurs would be an ‘attractive option’ from a sporting perspective while Dortmund would also see them as ‘financially attractive’ given they could offer a fee in January and generate transfer revenue rather than lose him on a free in the summer.

They also add that the Premier League offers financial and sporting ‘temptations’ which could help to influence Brandt’s decision. In simple terms, he and Dortmund would be more than happy to talk about a transfer with Tottenham.

We’ll take it all with a pinch of salt as the rumour firmly comes from England and WA seems to ignore Xavi Simons’ arrival completely. But they do insist that if it’s real, it could be something to keep an eye on.

Returning to Tottenham Hotspur is not currently in Harry Kane’s thinking as he’s “still very hungry” with Bayern Munich.

That’s according to ‘expert’ Marcel Reif, via BILD, who is convinced Kane isn’t thinking about the move back to Tottenham.

That topic has been a hot one this week after a report emerged that Tottenham can use a €60m clause. That was apparently negotiated as part of his original move to Bayern Munich.

The subject was put to Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, who insisted they would welcome the striker back with open arms. It’s then made its way to Germany, causing something of a panic at Bayern. Various people are now trying to talk it down and insist there’s nothing going on.

They have give the distinct impression of trying to insist that they are in control, when the reality appears to be that they are not. Now Reif wants to do some of that work on their behalf as well. He’s insisted Kane currently won’t be thinking about a return to Tottenham.

“Of course, there’s no question that he might want to return to his homeland at some point,” he said.

“But only after he’s done his job. And I believe he’s still very hungry. There’s no danger of that happening at the moment.”

Bayern Munich director of sport Max Eberl has insisted any decision over a Tottenham Hotspur return will be made by Harry Kane only.

BILD cover comments from him today from a press conference, in which the subject of Kane’s potential return to Tottenham was brought up once again.

Reports throughout this week have linked Kane with a return to Tottenham at some point in the near future. Partly courtesy of an alleged clause that was agreed as part of his move to Bayern Munich.

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank added fuel when asked about the subject. The manager insisted that he and everyone else would welcome Kane with open arms if he wishes to return.

Bayern have been working to play down the idea. Making it clear that they are planning for life with Kane long-term and don’t believe he will be departing soon.

Eberl has now doubled down on that stance. He insisted that any transfer, and a potential return to Tottenham, will be decided by Kane alone.

“He’s old enough to make his own decisions,” he is quoted saying at the press conference today.

“Whether it’s a clause or no clause, whatever – if he says he wants to make a decision, then he’ll make it, as he showed at Tottenham. But our wish is, of course, to be very, very successful with Harry this season and in the future!

“At his age, he’s making huge progress on the pitch. We all knew him from Tottenham from his goal-scoring skills, but the way he’s playing football right now in this team, leading the way on the pitch as a leader, sacrificing himself for the team, shows: He simply wants to win titles! That’s his hunger, he can do it with us, we want to do it with him.”

Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso has admitted he spoke to Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou about their time at Tottenham following their Europa League meeting on Wednesday evening.

Estadio Deportivo cover comments from the Argentine midfielder today in which he hints at something of a confrontation with his former Tottenham manager.

Lo Celso and Postecoglou worked together at Spurs during the Australian’s first spell at the club, with the midfielder making 24 appearances, totalling 613 minutes, under him in total.

He was never a part of Postecoglou’s long-term plans at Tottenham, and eventually headed back to Betis last summer in a €5m deal.

It brought an end to a miserable time at Tottenham for him, having arrived in a €32m deal in 2020 but failing to establish himself under various managers in the four years he was there, including Postecoglou.

He’s now getting back on track at Betis, where he’s been a key player for Manuel Pellegrini since his arrival.

That was the case again this week as they took on Nottingham Forest and Postecoglou in the Europa League, something which gave Lo Celso an opportunity to speak to his former manager.

“Well, yes, we had… we were there for a while together at Tottenham, and the truth is that there were some things that were left up in the air, but we’ve talked about them,” he said.

“No, no, nothing, things that happened during the time we shared together. But nothing, now I wish him and his club the best.”

Manor Solomon has played just 29 minutes for Villarreal so far. Despite that he’s already seen as a great signing for the Spanish club.

The 26-year-old arrived at Tottenham Hotspur as a free agent in 2023. Last season he was on loan at Leeds United in the Championship and did well for the Yorkshire club. Indeed there were many Leeds fans who wanted him to return this summer but they didn’t get their way.

Instead Solomon moved to Villarreal on September 1st in a season long loan deal. He made his debut at the against Osasuna. In just 23 minutes he managed to pick up an assist for the winner.

Then on Tuesday he got just six minutes away to Sevilla. The home crowd had made clear they’d be hostile to Solomon in advance. That he’s from Israel and various comments served as enough reason for an all out attack.

Those six minutes proved key and the Tottenham player scored the winner.

‘He stole the limelight…’

Diario de Noticias state: ‘Manor Solomon’s emergence at Villarreal can only be described as spectacular from a footballing perspective.’

Some Villarreal supporters questioned the signing when it happened but that’s quietened somewhat now.

The newspaper goes on to say: ‘He stole the limelight. On and off the pitch. In the 86th minute, he scored the goal that sealed the match in his team’s favour.’

Bayern Munich are hoping Tottenham Hotspur use their clause to sign Joao Palhinha permanently, as he’s not a part of their long-term plans.

That’s according to BILD, who cover reports from England today that Tottenham are already planning a permanent deal for the Bayern Munich loanee.

Palhinha joined Tottenham on loan in the summer after it was made clear he wasn’t part of Vincent Kompany’s plans following a miserable year in Munich after his move from Fulham.

He’s been a key player in Thomas Frank’s side since day one and several reports have already made it clear that Tottenham are planning a permanent deal for him. That has reportedly been made possible thanks to a purchase clause being included in the summer deal between the two clubs.

BILD now report that Bayern bosses hope that Tottenham are planning such a move and will exercise the clause option. Why? Because Palhinha no longer plays a role in the German champions’ plans.

It seems they’d be happy for him to move on and would welcome Tottenham using that clause. If not, there’s a deal there to be done for Palhinha to depart permanently either way.

Harry Kane has been urged to not think about a return to Tottenham Hotspur, as Alan Shearer’s record isn’t actually a motivation for it.

That’s according to Lothar Matthäus, via BILD, who isn’t convinced that Kane should be returning to Tottenham for that reason.

The striker has found himself being linked with a return to his former club this week, with Thomas Frank even questioned about the idea during his pre-match press conference.

He was enthusiastic about the idea, insisting that he and every Tottenham fan would welcome Kane back with open arms if the transfer was possible.

Kane is very much a club legend after scoring 280 goals and registering 63 assists in 435 games for Tottenham after breaking into the first team following years of unsuccessful loan spells.

He left in a €95m move to Bayern Munich in 2023 in search of trophies, which he’s now secured, winning the Bundesliga title with Bayern last season.

One prevalent idea has been that he would return to Tottenham at some point to close out his career and chase down Alan Shearer’s goalscoring record. He finished his career on 260 Premier League goals; Kane currently stands on 213.

Matthäus, though, isn’t convinced by that idea and doesn’t think that record is motivation enough for a return to Tottenham.

“There are always rumours that Kane could return to England next summer to break Alan Shearer’s record for most Premier League goals. I would recommend Kane stay at Bayern,” he said.

“I don’t think Shearer’s record is a motivation. He’s done his work in the Premier League, and therefore he should end his career at Bayern.”

Just when Timo Werner thought he might get a chance to revive things after his miserable time at Tottenham Hotspur, he’s been shot back down.

SportBILD do the damage today, insisting the Leipzig forward ‘doesn’t deserve a free pass’ or another shot at proving himself with them again.

They cover the striker today, pointing out that he hasn’t scored a goal for anyone since March 2024, when he was at Tottenham.

Since then, he’s mostly sat on the benches and in the stands at Tottenham or Leipzig or struggled with injury problems. Now, they are argue, he simply lacks the quality to meet Leipzig’s ambitious goals.

While some have been chanting, or at least calling, for him to be given a shot at redemption, SportBILD argue that there simply isn’t any reason to do so. And that’s definitely the case when you consider Leipzig have ‘promising players’ across the board that would benefit from the playing time.

They say that despite being a club legend he ‘doesn’t deserve a free pass’ and his focus should instead be on reinventing himself in the role of a sub.

That’s a job he’s been doing for some time now, including during his stint at Tottenham, and as far as SportBILD are concerned, he should be content with it. Talk about kicking a man when he’s down.

Tottenham Hotspur have included Sevilla’s Rubén Vargas in their transfer target list.

The forward, who joined the Spanish club from FC Augsburg in January, has enjoyed a good start to this season, managing a goal and three assists from four games.

His performances haven’t gone unnoticed, and Tottenham have set their sights on him.

Last Friday, Vamos Mi Sevilla FC reported Premier League sides are following the La Liga side’s players and Spurs and Aston Villa had sent officials to keep an eye on the 27-year-old.

Recent claims from the UK have talked about the Europa League winners and an approach for the 27-year-old in January.

A fresh report from Vamos Mi Sevilla FC relays that and then provides the Andalusian club’s stance on the Switzerland international.

The attacker has a contract until 2029, and it’s claimed Sevilla value him at €25m+, making him their ‘best asset’ ahead of the winter market.

To sum it up, Tottenham have sent officials to watch Vargas and have now been told they need at least €25m to sign him in January.