Sport Witness

A couple of days ago, we covered claims from Argentina which explained Rosario Central’s dream to get Alejo Véliz back from Tottenham Hotspur had been somewhat interrupted by reality.

Tottenham signed the 21-year-old from Rosario Central in 2023 and since then he’s had loans at Sevilla and Espanyol. The Sevilla spell was a complete disaster, and whilst Espanyol was a bit better in terms of game time it was a long way from being a success.

Rosario Central’s plan had been to sign the youngster back on loan so he could regain his confidence, and transfer value, in Argentina. Tottenham, however, want to sell him this summer.

The dream isn’t completely over, with Alejo Véliz himself very much wanting the move to happen.

As reported by Via Pais, who have pictures to prove it (the club also posted some, which you can see below), the forward was at Rosario Central training over the weekend, watching proceedings and even wearing a club coat.

Via Pais state: ‘According to club sources, Véliz’s presence reflects an emotional connection with his former team. He greeted members of the coaching staff and several players, which those close to him interpreted as a sign of his intention to return to the club’s jersey.’

Rosario Central aren’t giving up and despite having their initial loan offer rejected, negotiations are ongoing to find a formula that will convince Tottenham.

It’s that time of year again when Bryan Gil’s representatives need to think hard about where their client is going to be playing football next season. Despite being 24-years-of-age, Gil has played for seven clubs (if you count Sevilla twice) and five of those stints have been loans.

What usually happens is Gil impresses at first before the loan period becomes more difficult via a drop off in form, managerial decisions or fitness issues.

Last summer it was repeatedly reported the Spaniard wanted to leave Tottenham Hotspur on a permanent basis, having become frustrated with his time at Spurs and regularly changing clubs.

Whilst at Tottenham he’s been on loan at Valencia, Sevilla and Girona, the latter loan was arranged at the end of July 2024 when it became clear a permanent move may be too difficult.

The winger’s contract expires in 2026 so it would be assumed this is the summer he finally goes. Had it been down to Gil, it would have already happened, and he’s shared his frustration on a Spanish podcast.

Super Deporte have picked up his words, and he talked about the aftermath of his first loan at Valencia. He did pretty well during that period and was on the verge of returning for another loan but saw the deal collapse.

Gil is quoted as saying: “I didn’t decide to stay. In fact, I was going to go back to Valencia for the whole year. In the negotiations they told me it was practically a done deal. Tottenham needed a few days to close it, but it was 99% done, they had already spoken to the sporting director.

“But at the last minute they told me no, that I had to stay. It wasn’t on my part that I wanted to stay, I wanted to leave and they didn’t let me. I had already packed my bags, I was 99% sure I was going to leave.”

Tottenham will now hope they can recoup some of their initial outlay.

There’s a claim in the Turkish media that Fenerbahce have stepped up in their pursuit for Tottenham Hotspur forward Heung-Min Son.

The South Korea international has been linked with a reunion with Jose Mourinho in recent weeks following uncertainty over his future at Spurs.

Yagiz Sabuncuoglu reports on the latest developments regarding Son’s future and a potential move to Turkey, and says the 32-year-old has had a meeting with Mourinho. There have been similar reports in recent days, with it stated the Portuguese coach travelled to London to meet up with Son, along with Fenerbahce president Ali Koc.

The Turkish journalist also reports Tottenham are looking for an offer in the region of €30m and if his valuation is met by the Istanbul side transfer talks will progress. With just 12 months left on his contract, the Premier League side are looking to cash in on him this summer.

Perhaps the €30m request is just a starting point because it seems high given the player’s age and contract situation.

According to Sabuncuoglu, Son is keen on a transfer to Fenerbahce and the chance to play under Mourinho again is a factor.

Son made 46 appearances for Tottenham last season, scoring 11 goals.

Bryan Gil hasn’t managed to impress at Tottenham Hotspur since joining them in 2021.

Spurs have sent the winger on loan to Valencia, Sevilla and Girona, with a move to the latter was sanctioned last summer.

Gil managed four goals and three assists from 32 games before suffering a knee ligament injury in March. The Tottenham player is still recovering and is expected to be on the sidelines until July.

That’s according to AS, and they have a short report on where the 24-year-old could play next season.

Girona would like to keep the Spain international and he’s also in favour of extending his stay with them. The Catalan club have secured a purchase option but the chances of them using it are low.

Olympiacos is an option Gil can pick this summer. José Luis Mendilibar, who is currently in charge of the Greek champions, had previously managed the attacker at both SD Eibar and Sevilla.

Atlético Madrid have identified Tottenham Hotspur’s Cristian Romero as their main target to strengthen their defence next season. This has been reported by the Spanish media over the past several weeks.

Los Rojiblancos are at the ongoing Club World Cup and suffered a 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.

After the tie, Diego Simeone had a chat with DSports and was asked about signing the Tottenham player for Atlético. Olé have relayed his comments and points out the manager was smiling when responding to this.

“Do I want Cuti Romero? Obviously! He’s a great player,” he said.

On May 29th, the centre-back admitted he would like to play in La Liga. Two days later, we covered claims from Spain which stated the 27-year-old will do everything possible to leave if Tottenham sack Ange Postecoglou.

Spurs have parted ways with Postecoglou and appointed Thomas Frank as his successor.

Last week, Marca reported Atlético CEO Miguel Ángel Gil is trying to convince Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to sanction a move for the Argentina international. The Spurs chief is not in favour of a transfer and wants to extend Romero’s contract beyond 2027.

Simeone has gone public about Romero, but it won’t be easy for Atlético to come to an agreement with Tottenham.

Thomas Frank taking over as Tottenham Hotspur manager made it somewhat inevitable the Premier League club would be linked to Danish players, and Morten Hjulmand looked a likely candidate.

Spurs have been linked previously, and in February it was reported Tottenham may be able to negotiate a lower fee than Hjulmand’s €80m release clause at Sporting.

Thomas Gravesen has now tipped Hjulmand to be Frank’s first big signing at Tottenham, explaining he’s just the type of player the manager likes: “He is a captain of calibre. Frank was with Norgaard for several years, and Hjulmand is an improved version and is even younger. That is why I think Frank’s first big purchase for Tottenham should be Hjulmand.”

That perhaps makes some sense, with the 25-year-old having another great season and showing at Sporting that he’s a very accomplished midfielder. His contract lasts until 2028, and he’s protected by that €80m release clause.

Saturday’s edition of A Bola reports ‘the door has been firmly locked’ and Sporting don’t want to sell the Denmark international.

However, there’s a bit of light… it’s then stated they’ll only sell him for a value close to his €80m clause.

The Italian media linked Inter Milan on Saturday, and the €80m message is also being sent out to them. How far below that Sporting would feel is close enough isn’t made clear.

Tottenham fans may want to note that Morten Hjulmand is a huge Arsenal fan and even has a Gunners tattoo.

Mathys Tel is on the verge of completing a full transfer to Tottenham, with Thomas Frank keen to keep him on board.

That’s according to journalist Florian Plettenberg, who reports that Tottenham and Bayern Munich are closing in on a permanent agreement for the 20-year-old.

He reports that Tottenham and Bayern are currently holding advanced negotiations over the loanee, whose initial loan deal at Spurs is set to expire at the end of the month.

Tottenham will reportedly pay a €35 fixed fee for the Frenchman, having already paid a €10m loan fee to sign him in the January transfer window. Tel will sign a long-term deal at Spurs.

The whole move is expected to go through and is now in the final stages. It has been approved by new Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, who has reportedly made it clear that he wants to keep him.

Whether Tottenham would pay a fee for Tel this summer had been part of a big debate in Germany, with his loan spell in London seen as very hit and miss.

The feeling had been that they would negotiate down after initially agreeing to a €60m clause and it seems that is what has finally happened.

Manor Solomon is set to be given his chance to impress at Tottenham in pre-season, following his successful loan spell at Leeds United.

That’s according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who reports that new Tottenham manager Thomas Frank likes what he has seen of the 25-year-old.

Solomon spent last season on loan with Leeds and was a key player as they won the Championship title and secured a return to the Premier League. He managed ten goals and 13 assists in 41 games in all competitions.

Leeds had been eyeing up a permanent deal for him but are not his only suitors, with Marseille also making moves to try and secure his signature. Indeed, a report in the middle of May made it clear that they had been scouting him extensively during his time at Leeds.

It seems both sides will be held off this summer, though, as Tavolieri reports that Solomon will be a part of Tottenham’s pre-season plans.

He states that Thomas Frank is aware of the forward and wants to judge him personally in training before making any decision on his future. That means the plan is for him to stay and play for Tottenham next season.

That could always change, of course, but until then the likes of Leeds and Marseille may need to wait for their transfer chance.

That’s according to AS, who report that the 24-year-old hasn’t forgotten about Girona and would like to return to the Spanish club.

The newspaper explains that Girona have Gil on their radar after his loan spell with them from Tottenham this season.

The belief is that the forward will have a busy summer ahead of him. First, he needs to come back an injury which has ruled him out since March. He’s likely to be out until the end of July.

Then he will turn his attention to his future, with his current Tottenham contract expiring in 2026. He has already received offers, including from Girona. A return to them is ‘tempting’.

He was happy at the club, enjoyed the confidence of manager Míchel Sánchez and played regularly when fit. That is a far cry from what it was like for him at Tottenham. Girona, though, have made it clear that they if they do pursue him, it won’t be for the €15m purchase option they agreed with Tottenham in his loan deal.

The plan for Gil is to sit down with Tottenham and see what their plans for him are. He will then analyse the offers in front of him. AS insist that ‘many clubs have him on their radar’.

Indeed, the point out that Olympiacos are also keen. They’re managed by José Luis Mendilibar, who managed the player at Eibar. In fact, Gil has made more appearances under him than any other manager.

So that means there are at least two options on the table for him, if Gil decides to leave Tottenham as expected.

Lazio’s Mario Gila is on Chelsea, AFC Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur’s agenda for this summer.

That’s according to Il Messaggero, who state Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are all keeping an eye on the 24-year-old.

Chelsea and Bournemouth have both made advances in their pursuit of the centre-back.

On Friday, Italian journalist Alfredo Pedullà reported the Serie A club have turned down the Cherries’ €40m offer. He also said Lazio consider the defender to be non-transferable.

Il Messaggero backs up Bournemouth’s €40m proposal and adds that Chelsea also made a €35m bid, which was also rejected.

Maurizio Sarri returned to the club and has asked not to sell the Spaniard. Gila impressed under the manager in his first spell at Lazio and the Italian has to fix some of his ‘flaws’ that emerged this season.

Therefore, the Biancocelesti rejected Chelsea and Bournemouth’s €35m and €40m bids respectively, but the report states ‘with €50m it’ll be another matter’. This indicates Lazio would be open to selling Gila for around €50m.

The Premier League duo are joined by Tottenham, PSG and Real Madrid, who haven’t made advances. Los Blancos sold Gila to Lazio and are entitled to receive 50% from his future sale.