Sport Witness

AC Milan have been repeatedly linked with Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko over the past week or so as they look for a new left-back.

The 28-year-old is seen as a Rossoneri option who won’t cost too much and who can be versatile and play in other positions when required. Wednesday’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport brings up an alternative, Tottenham Hotspur’s Destiny Udogie.

At this point it’s worth rewinding back to last month, and reiterating what the player’s agent, Stefano Antonelli, said to the Italian media at the time.

Antonelli was quoted as saying: “It’s the second year of an incredible experience at Tottenham, where he’s always played: talking about vertical growth is absolutely in line with reality.

“He’s a player who could play in all the top European clubs. With the conquest of the Champions League, next season will be completely different.

“The transfer market is always open in all directions. Now I challenge anyone to go and buy Udogie from Tottenham for a sum less than €50m. Which Italian team can do it lightly?

“In Italy many players have arrived from the Premier League who have done not well, but very well, look at Anguissa, Lukaku, Tomori, to name a few. McTominay is a player of another category. Players who perhaps had little space in England: how can you think of going to take a Tottenham regular? Something special has to happen for the club to let him go.

“Translated: either a large amount of money, or because he is not part of the technical plans. As of today, I think I can exclude the second hypothesis.”

Perhaps AC Milan and/or Gazzetta dello Sport have completely forgotten those comments.

The Italian newspaper state Tottenham would be asking for over €30m, and add: ‘What seems impossible today, could become possible at the end of August.’

That is very unlikely indeed.

Udogie’s market value is surely well in excess of €30m, closer to the €50m his agent suggested, and there’s no signs that either the player’s camp or Tottenham have any plans for a transfer whatsoever.

Given all of that, the claims of a relatively cheap deal are laughable, and taking Zinchenko from Arsenal looks the much likelier transfer.

Atlético Madrid haven’t made progress in their pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur’s Cristian Romero.

On May 29th, the centre-back, who has a contract until 2027, said he would like to play in La Liga. Last Monday, Marca stated Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy wants to extend his contract and block his exit.

Two days ago, Diego Simeone went public with his desire to sign the Tottenham star this summer.

TyC Sports relay Simeone’s comments and then provide the latest on the 27-year-old’s chances of ending up at Atlético.

After Spurs’ Europa League final win last month, an earlier report from TyC Sports stated Romero wants to leave Tottenham and move to Spain. They even reported his move to the Madrid club is getting closer, but that wasn’t the case.

Last month, claims from Spain stated the centre-back will do everything possible to leave the north London club if they didn’t keep Ange Postecoglou. Tottenham, however, parted ways with him and appointed Thomas Frank as his successor.

The latest report from TyC Sports explains Frank’s appointment could be key for the Argentina international staying at Tottenham.

Frank’s arrival could be a ‘breath of fresh air’ for the club that finished 17th in the league. Spurs are starting a new project under the Dane, where they will play in the Champions League.

The report states these are the multiple factors that could lead Romero ‘decide to stay’ at stay at Tottenham at least for one more season. This could be blow for Simone and his side, who are keen on signing the World Cup winner.

Tottenham Hotspur are chasing Stade Rennais’ Arnaud Kalimuendo, according to claims from France.

On Tuesday, L’Equipe reported Tottenham have decided to accelerate their efforts to sign the striker. They also stated Spurs are waiting to find out the Ligue 1 club’s asking price before considering making an offer.

Ouest-France now provide the latest on Tottenham’s pursuit and the French club’s asking price.

This is mentioned in a report that focuses on Stade Rennais’ efforts to trim their squad. It indicates they are in favour of sanctioning the 23-year-old’s sale this summer.

Tottenham are ‘hot’ for the frontman, who impressed this season, scoring 18 goals and registering four assists from 34 games.

The France U23 international held talks with Tottenham and others last week. Ouest-France explains the Europa League winners and another unnamed club are the hottest candidates to sign the frontman.

At this point in time, neither Thomas Frank’s side or another interested party have started direct negotiations with Stade Rennais.

Tottenham are told the fee needed to sign Kalimuendo as the report states the French club are expecting more than €30m for him.

On Tuesday, UOL in Brazil reported Tottenham Hotspur want Vanderson and are willing to invest heavily on him this summer. They also stated Barcelona are negotiating, while AS Monaco would favour selling him to the north London club.

A ‘confidential’ report from Wednesday’s edition of Sport is titled: ‘Tottenham go for Vanderson’.

They cover Tottenham’s interest in the 23-year-old and Barcelona plans for the right-back position.

Jules Koundé was first choice right-back last season and suffered a hamstring injury towards the end of the season. In his absence, the Barcelona manager deployed Eric García, who impressed in the role.

Therefore, the Catalan club have decided not to strengthen their right side of defence and have cooled their interest in Vanderson. Sport say he would have been delighted to join Barcelona but now has to look for a new club.

Vanderson’s future points to the Premier League where both Tottenham and Liverpool are named as suitors. The Reds are no longer looking at him after signing Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.

Tottenham are ‘best placed’ to sign the Brazil international. Sport state Monaco value him at €35m and are ‘convinced that Spurs will meet their request’, which Barcelona were unwilling to do.

Thomas Frank departed Brentford last week for Tottenham Hotspur, to become Ange Postecoglou’s successor at the north London club.

Frank spent over six years at Brentford before leaving them for Spurs. On Monday, the Bees confirmed that his assistant, Claus Nørgaard, has left the club.

Nørgaard joined Brentford as Frank’s assistant in December 2022 and now steps down from his role. He won’t be following the 51-year-old to Tottenham.

Denmark’s Bold spoke to Nørgaard, who explained he’s pleased to have worked with the new Tottenham manager at Brentford.

“Everything has happened with great respect for each other. I have the best memories with Thomas after working closely together for two and a half years,” he said.

The former Brentford assistant manager then went on to explain why he won’t accompany Frank to Spurs.

“There were several things that came into play when Thomas moved to Tottenham. Personally, I couldn’t make it fit in that well,” Nørgaard explained.

“When you take a job like the one Thomas has taken, it requires enormous dedication. Now we’re parting ways, and I greatly appreciate our collaboration over the many years.”

Having left Brentford, Nørgaard wants to spend the rest of the year with his family. He has plans to travel with them in the coming months and then his aim is to look for a new job.

Nørgaard started his coaching career at lower division Danish side VSK Aarhus in 2012. He managed Superliga side Sønderjyske Fodbold between January 2017 and December 2018 and that’s been his only experience in the Danish top division.

On his future plans, he added: “I’m a football coach and will be coaching again, but it won’t be until the new year.

“Due to Brexit, we will be out of England in two months. So, our plan is to travel around the world and then return to Denmark, where we will then find a place to live.”

Tottenham Hotspur are set to battle with Barcelona for AS Monaco’s Vanderson this summer.

That’s according to UOL, who mention Spurs’ plan when covering Barcelona’s advances to sign the right-back.

Both Tottenham and Barcelona have looked at the 23-year-old in the past and are now keen on securing his services.

UOL state the Spanish champions are ‘counting on the player’s preference to play for the club’ and have intensified talks with the Ligue 1 club.

The Catalan club have to be wary about Tottenham, who are ‘still firmly in the running’ to sign the defender.

According to the report, the north London club are willing to ‘invest heavily’ to acquire his signature. Monaco are dreaming of collecting over €35m for the fullback.

UOL say the Ligue 1 club would prefer to sell Vanderson to Tottenham. They still have to convince the player as he wants the La Liga winners.

Pedro Porro is the first choice right-back for the Premier League club. It’s unclear whether they would invest close to €35m on Vanderson just as a back up for the 25-year-old Spaniard.

Tottenham Hotspur can get ahead of both Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen in the race to sign Stade Rennais’ Arnaud Kalimuendo.

Last month, we covered claims from France that Newcastle have made an approach for the striker. It was also stated Eddie Howe’s side are willing to pay a substantial fee to sign him.

A fresh report from L’Equipe now states Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen haven’t made any advances despite their initial approaches.

On the other hand, Spurs have ‘decided to accelerate in the last few hours’ to secure the 23-year-old’s services.

The newspaper states Tottenham will contact the Ligue 1 club’s management over a move for the France U23 international. At this moment in time, the Europa League winners have not made an official offer yet.

That’s because Thomas Frank’s side will wait to find out the French club’s demands to sanction Kalimuendo’s sale this summer. This is assuming Stade Rennais are willing to let go of the frontman, who has a contract until 2027.

There’s no mention of Stade Rennais’ request and Transfermakrt currently value him at €22m.

Kalimuendo managed 18 goals and four assists from 34 games this season.

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.