Sport Witness

Tottenham remain among the European clubs monitoring Rayan, as new reports from Brazil point to growing interest from Real Madrid.

Spurs officials have followed the 19-year-old closely this season. Meanwhile, Brazilian media suggest the Spanish giants could move in the next transfer window.

According to O Dia, Real Madrid are tracking Rayan and may prepare a bid of around €50m. The club are searching for alternatives after Endrick’s loan move to Lyon. There is also uncertainty over the teenager’s short-term role in Madrid. Internally, Real Madrid believe Rayan can adapt quickly to European football.

That valuation sits above the €40m figure mentioned in Brazil when Tottenham’s interest first surfaced. As reported by NT Vascaínos, Spurs assistant coach Matt Wells and scout Alex Fraser reviewed footage of Rayan’s recent match against Fluminense. Both came away impressed. Even so, Tottenham have yet to make a formal approach. Vasco remain in control.

The Brazilian club recently renewed Rayan’s contract until 2028. The deal includes an €80m release clause. Vasco expect European approaches but see the middle of next year as a more realistic moment for talks, rather than January.

Rayan’s status continues to grow. He has scored 20 goals and added one assist this season. His senior record stands at 23 goals and two assists in 96 appearances.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona and Inter Milan have also been named as interested clubs, increasing competition as Tottenham continue to monitor developments.

Back in October, Gazzetta dello Sport presented Tottenham as candidates to sign Juventus’ Jonathan David.

Despite having only joined the Bianconeri in the summer, there seemed to be a possibility of a January exit. Bayern Munich were also seen as suitors for the Canada international.

Even if David has scored two Champions League goals recently, his situation is causing drama in Italy. This can help Tottenham in a potential move.

Journalist Massimo Pavan has addressed reports David is being excluded by others in the squad. There’s been claims he isn’t invited for some team meals, and there’s little integration help.

Pavan has tried to calm things, quoted by TuttoJuve as saying: “How can anyone think that such things could happen at a club like Juventus?”

Despite that, the claims – which sound almost like school-style bullying – are causing drama.

Perhaps a quick sale was always the plan

Since David joined Juve on a free transfer in the summer, he hasn’t made a big impact. He is one of their biggest wage earners and all of it is weighing heavily on his shoulders and the club’s accounts.

A sale in January would help them earn a massive capital profit, given he arrived for free. Indeed, that may have been the intention all along.

With Tottenham struggling for goals, this could be something worth keeping an eye on.

Even during the 25-year-old’s time at Lille, Spurs were constantly mentioned as a potential destination.

Last season, he scored 25 goals and contributed 12 assists, in 49 matches for the French club. The season before it was 26 and 9 in 47 matches.

Maybe a rescue transfer could be on the agenda.

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are the latest clubs to join the battle for 1. FC Köln’s Said El Mala.

That’s according to this week’s edition of SportBild, who report Tottenham and Manchester United have both made approaches.

Last summer, Brighton & Hove Albion offered €20m and it was turned down. Last week it was reported Seagulls owner Tony Bloom got involved personally and that interest remains.

The winger has managed to attract interest from multiple European clubs in recent months.

On Monday, Bild reported Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are in the picture to sign the 19-year-old. It was also stated Köln are expected to wait until next summer to sell him for €50-60m or more.

The same report explained unnamed English clubs have expressed interest to sign El Mala for €30-40m. These two clubs could be Tottenham and Manchester United.

Said El Mala hype being pushed

Despite attracting interest from several clubs, SportBild now report Köln ‘received the first concrete inquiries from’ from Spurs and the Red Devils.

It’s claimed the Premier League duo have asked the German club of their willingness to negotiate for the player. The two English clubs have also indicated they are willing to offer around €30-40m.

SportBild states: ‘It’s also clear that if they’re offering FC Köln such sums so early on, they know the final transfer fee will be even higher.’ It’s likely to be above €50m if yesterday’s report is to be believed.

El Mala has already ruled out a winter move but could change clubs next summer. The report states his future is likely to be in the Premier League despite interest from the likes of PSG and Bayern Munich.

The winger has six goals and three assists from 14 league matches this season.

It feels like the German media are creating hype around El Mala to drive up his price.

Over the past few years, Alessandro Bastoni has emerged as one of the best defenders in Italian football. Unsurprisingly, he’s caught the attention of Tottenham Hotspur sporting director Fabio Paratici.

FCInterNews cover the 26-year-old’s situation, explaining that he’s popular with multiple major clubs.

Al-Hilal and Al-Qadsiyah tried to sign him in the summer. Simone Inzaghi was keen on reuniting with the centre-back in Saudi Arabia but all approaches were rejected.

Advances from Tottenham and Chelsea were also rejected.

Bastoni hasn’t seriously considered leaving Inter Milan. He feels ‘deeply attached’ to the Nerazzurri and it’s possible that talks about his renewal could take place in the next few months.

The report claims Paratici is ‘crazy’ about the defender but a move to Tottenham would prove difficult. Bastoni’s objective is to become a legend for Inter and he’s keen on a new deal.

This is FCInterNews’ way of hyping up their star player’s loyalty to the club. Barcelona interest has also been pushed recently, and there appears a desire to present Bastoni as rejecting half of Europe’s great and good.

On October 6th, Sport reported Tottenham Hotspur had contacted Barcelona over a move for Marc-André ter Stegen in the winter market.

Later that month, the same newspaper backed up the Europa League winners’ interest in the goalkeeper.

Fast forward to December and Sport mention Tottenham again when covering the latest on the 33-year-old.

The Germany international picked up a back injury in July and was sidelined for months. He made his first appearance of the season in Barca’s 2-0 Copa del Rey win over CD Guadalajara yesterday.

Hansi Flick’s side have made it clear to him that Joan García is their No.1. However, Ter Stegen isn’t considering leaving the Camp Nou next month. He has a contract until 2028 with an ‘important salary’, and his family is comfortable in Barcelona.

Beşiktaş, Bologna, and Ajax have all contacted Barcelona but are unlikely to be able to afford his wages. Ter Stegen isn’t keen on joining any of these clubs anyway. Manchester United had made a move via intermediaries but there’s nothing serious as of now.

It’s claimed the stopper’s situation could only change if Tottenham enter the bidding in January.

Guglielmo Vicario has made errors in his recent matches. Thomas Frank has defended the Italian, but Spurs have conceded 21 goals so far in the league. The German’s experience can help them solve some of their defensive problems.

Sport report that behind the scenes, the ‘tension is palpable, and the English club could make a move’ for a new stopper in January.

This is where Ter Stegen could come into the picture. Tottenham can sign him on loan with an option to buy. A move to London may suit the player and his family better than other options.

Tottenham’s ability to act decisively in the transfer market has been underlined by Croatian agent Leo Dragicevic. He explained how Spurs moved ahead of Serie A clubs to secure highly-rated defender Luka Vuskovic.

Speaking to TuttoMercatoWeb, Dragicevic revealed that Italian clubs explored a move for the young defender before Tottenham stepped in and closed the deal.

According to the agent, the difference came down to timing and conviction. “I was in a situation where I tried to bring him to Italy, but Tottenham were quicker,” he said. “Italian clubs need to react faster. Croatia is a nearby country and Croatian players adapt easily in Italy, but if you hesitate, you lose opportunities like this.”

Vuskovic compared to Gvardiol

Dragicevic used Vuskovic’s case to reinforce his view of Croatia as a consistent producer of elite defensive talent. He compared the teenager’s trajectory with that of Josko Gvardiol and made clear how highly he rates the player.

“If we talk about defenders, Gvardiol has been doing top-level things for years. Now Luka Vuskovic is following in his footsteps. At this moment, he may be the best young defender in the world because his numbers are impressive”, he said.

The agent stressed that Croatia continues to produce three or four top-level prospects every year. In his view, Vuskovic fits perfectly into that pattern and stands out even among his peers.

Why Spurs moved early

Dragicevic also highlighted the technical and physical qualities that caught Tottenham’s attention so early. “He shows everything a modern defender needs. Aerial duels, carrying the ball forward, impressive technique. He plays as if he already has 500 matches in his legs,” he explained. The agent stressed how rare that level of composure is at such a young age.

While Italian clubs weighed their options, Tottenham acted with clarity and speed. As a result, Spurs secured one of the most highly regarded defensive prospects in European football.

Vuskovic is currently on loan at Hamburger SV, and is expected to go to the World Cup with Croatia.

Earlier this month, Gazzetta dello Sport shared their confidence Guglielmo Vicario will leave Tottenham next summer.

The Italian was attracting interest from Inter Milan, who see the 29-year-old as a replacement for Yann Sommer.

This came right after Vicario was booed by Tottenham fans after a loss to Fulham. He was again deemed to be at fault during Spurs’ 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Naturally, alk about Inter’s interest has resurfaced.

L’Interista report the goalkeeper is in ‘pole position’ to be the Nerazzurri’s next goalkeeper.

To lure him away from Tottenham, Inter are willing to offer him a pay rise on what he currently earns.

Even if Vicario is 29, the Italian giants’ management feel that his profile is in line with their demands from a financial perspective. CEO Beppe Marotta has been a big fan of the Italy international for a while now and there is confidence that a move can now be possible.

He is also expected to cost less than other targets like Elia Caprila, Mile Svilar and Marco Carnesecchi.

The keeper’s contract at the London club runs out in 2028. That could ideally make a move to Inter complicated, or at leats more expensive than the Italian media appear to expect.

Tottenham are back on Rayan’s trail after fresh reports from Brazil. Sources detailed renewed admiration for the Vasco forward, even after a recent contract extension.

According to NT Vascaínos, Spurs staff revisited his latest performance. Matt Wells, assistant coach at Tottenham (who will soon be joining Colorado Rapids), alongside Alex Fraser from the club’s scouting department, analysed footage of Vasco’s recent win over Fluminense. They came away convinced they are watching one of the standout young attackers in Brazilian football.

Both were said to be impressed by Rayan’s display. They now see the 19-year-old as a priority profile. Internally, Spurs understand that any move would require a fee above €40m.

Vasco, however, have moved quickly to strengthen their position. Globo Esporte confirmed the club renewed Rayan’s contract until 2028 over the weekend, inserting a release clause of €80m.

The agreement is described as a strategic move to shield the player from January pressure, with the club seeing the middle of next year as a more realistic window for negotiations.

Behind the scenes, Vasco acknowledge European approaches are inevitable. Still, the plan is clear: keep Rayan central to the sporting project while maximising his value.

That status was underlined by Nike choosing him as the face of the club’s new kit launch. Nike, notably, also supply Tottenham.

Tottenham Hotspur allowed Manor Solomon to join Villarreal on a season-long loan deal in the summer.

The striker managed a goal and an assist in his first two league appearances for the La Liga side. The Spanish media were impressed with his good start at Villarreal, but it’s not gone as well since then.

The Tottenham owned player made only one league start for the Spanish club. He has a goal and four assists from 351 minutes from 10 matches so far.

El Periódico Mediterráneo, a newspaper local to the Yellow Submarine, provides the latest on the 26-year-old’s future.

The Israel international has played over 100 minutes since October’s international break. Villarreal manager Marcelino has utilised him as a substitute. Last month, the Spurs man had expressed his frustration over his restricted role.

Due to his limited game time at Villarreal, the report claims the attacker ‘could be on the move’ in January.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, there’s a clause in the loan deal that allows him to ‘unilaterally terminate’ his temporary stay in January. It’s claimed Solomon’s entourage haven’t ruled out a Villarreal exit in the next window.

Marcelino has the attacking positions covered and Solomon’s exit is said to not impact the Spanish club’s plans.

Brentford have now set a clear valuation for Igor Thiago, according to Brazilian journalist Felipe Silva. The Premier League club reportedly want £70m for the striker, who has become one of the most productive Brazilian forwards in Europe this season.

The update comes as Aston Villa, Tottenham and clubs from Spain and Italy continue to make enquiries. Newcastle, who appeared among the Premier League clubs linked to Igor Thiago in earlier reports, no longer feature in the latest round of enquiries.

Brentford still do not plan to sell the 24-year-old in January, but they expect formal offers to arrive due to his form and age profile.

Silva states that Tottenham only established the price because interest is growing and approaches are likely to follow, they sound a little ahead of Aston Villa.

His scoring run has already placed him on the radar of Carlo Ancelotti and drawn attention across Europe. The valuation reflects both his output and the length of his contract, which runs to 2029 with an option for an extra year.

Brentford’s stance remains firm for now, and the next steps depend on whether any club decides to match the figure. The situation should grow more active as the window approaches.