Sport Witness

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.

Alejo Véliz has struggled since leaving Rosario Central for Tottenham Hotspur in August 2023.

The striker was at the north London club in the first half of the 2023/24 season and had disappointing loan spells at Sevilla and Espanyol.

Rosario Central have identified the 21-year-old as the target to improve their attack this summer.

Four days ago, we covered claims from Argentina that Rosario Central made a formal offer to the Tottenham player’s entourage. He’s willing to return and the two parties are waiting to find out what Spurs plan to do with him this summer.

Journalist Uriel Iugt took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to report that Tottenham have rejected the Argentine club’s loan offer as they intend to sell him.

TyC Sports state Rosario Central’s dream of securing Véliz’s services ‘fades’ given the Spurs stance.

The Europa League winners refuse to accept a loan move as they look to sell him with a percentage of a future sale. Therefore, the possibility of Véliz’s former club signing him even on a paid loan deal is ruled out.

As Tottenham paid €17m, Rosario Central feel they can’t even offer a fee to open talks for the frontman. At this moment in time, a move for Véliz is unlikely despite the desire of both parties.

If he were to not receive offers until the end of the summer window and Frank leaves him out of his plans, Rosario Central can sign the Argentine on loan. This seems to be difficult, but that’s what the South American club seem to be hoping for.

Christian Eriksen would be a smart addition for Tottenham Hotspur this summer, particularly after his success under Thomas Frank at Brentford.

That’s according to Nicklas Bendtner, via Tipsbladet, who believes that Tottenham should be looking to reunite with the 33-year-old.

Eriksen is set to become a free agent at the end of the month as his contract at Manchester United comes to an end.

He’s hinted that he would like to leave the Premier League and try something new, but this week was asked about a potential reunion with Frank, who he worked under at Brentford in a brief spell.

He laughed off that suggestion, insisting that the new Tottenham manager had not been in touch about a potential reunion this summer.

Eriksen, of course, spent a large part of his career at Tottenham, making 305 appearances for the club between 2013 and 2020 before a €27m move to Inter Milan. He returned to England in 2022 with Brentford, under Frank, before joining Manchester United later that year.

Now he’s set to be a free agent again and Bendtner believes that Frank should be looking to take him to Tottenham.

“He could make Tottenham better, and it would be a good reunion,” he said.

“In Brentford he also succeeded under Thomas, but I am sure that he will find a good club and find what is good for him and his family.”

Tottenham Hotspur’s Guglielmo Vicario is on a high after winning the Europa League with his club, but was dragged down to earth somewhat during the recent international break.

Italy beat Moldova 2-0, which was to be expected, but before that they lost 3-0 to Norway. That was a blow to their chances of qualifying for the World Cup, something they don’t want to miss out on again, and even prompted the exit of manager Luciano Spalletti.

The Tottenham star spoke to La Repubblica about Italy’s struggles and also spoke about the excessive number of games that footballers have to play in the modern era. Whilst he said he didn’t want to use that as an excuse, it very much sounded like one.

He said, as relayed by TMW: “We don’t want to find excuses, because if you lose important matches there’s no point in looking for them, you have to take responsibility. I say, however, that we went to play crucial matches after a season with more than fifty matches each.

“There’s no longer even the feeling of finishing a season and starting a new one. This is undeniable and it’s the thought of many players. You have to give those who go on the pitch the chance to give one 100%, and sometimes you’re not even at 50%.”

The 28-year-old is one of a number of growing voices when it comes to the packed football calendar. The Club World Cup has added to that, although Spurs won’t be taking part in this edition of the tournament.

The Italian is now able to rest after a hectic 2024/25 campaign, during which struggled with an injury.

Keeping him fit will important for Thomas Frank, with Vicario not only being first choice goalkeeper but also having a growing leadership role within the squad.

Antonio Conte’s first full season since his Tottenham exit has led to him winning the Serie A title with Napoli.

He’s won the title with three Italian sides and has cemented himself as one of the best managers in the history of the competition. Conte has won silverware at every major club he’s managed apart from Spurs.

The manager’s time with the London club isn’t the greatest section of his CV, and now Conte has opened up about his time at Tottenham.

He spoke to Sky Italia in detail about the multiple chapters of his career and when speaking speaking about Spurs, he said:

“It was a difficult year at Tottenham. I arrived in November with them ninth in the standings and we ended up in the Champions League, overtaking Arsenal and you know the rivalry between the two clubs. For them, going to the Champions League was like winning the Premier League.”

The Italian explained that he didn’t want his staff to get used to celebrating qualifying for the Champions League.

“On the last day, the Champions League entry was celebrated in the dressing room. I called my staff and told them: we don’t get used to these celebrations. You don’t celebrate these things. We are used to celebrating other things. OK, great feat, but at the same time we understand what kind of celebration it is.”

Going further into reasons for his exit, Conte said that the deaths of Gian Piero Ventrone and Gianluca Vialli had a major impact on his mental state.

“The following year a few things happened, Gian Piero Ventrone died of leukemia in fifteen days and it was a terrible blow on an emotional and psychological level and it wasn’t easy.

“Then Gianluca Vialli also passed away, with whom I had met the month before at a restaurant with my wife. I had seen him very calm, he was even fine, but during that dinner I understood that something was wrong. You notice it when someone is enjoying something, he had drunk, eaten and after a month he passed away.”

The Napoli manager also spoke of Sinisa Mihajlovic’s death and the impact it had on him and this led to him reconsidering his priorities in life at Tottenham.

“Sinisa’s story also had an impact. A series of pains that made me rethink some priorities. I had my family far away, in Italy, while I was in a hotel. My wife had always made an effort for me. So I asked myself: how much is it worth sacrificing family and friends for this knowing that from one day to the next you find yourself facing tragedies of this kind and no longer being there? This made me change some priorities.

“Then I also had a problem and I had to urgently have gallbladder surgery and I was at risk of getting pancreatitis. In short, that period made me think a lot about the priorities.”

Conte’s words are understandable, especially given the number of personal tragedies around him and the relatively short time period that happened in. A return to Italy was therefore no surprise, and despite the usual stressed around the manager, he almost left Napoli after winning the league, he’s had a very successful return.

The Italian’s impact on Tottenham remains to some degree. A raft of players who won the Europa League were signed under Conte and he played a part in their development at the Premier League club.

Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel spent the second half of this season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur and was part of their Europa League winning squad. Spurs have an option to make his stay permanent and haven’t exercised it so far.

Last month, SportBild reported Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is particularly keen on buying the 20-year-old. They also said the north London club are unwilling to exercise the buying option.

Earlier this month, we covered claims from Germany that Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl is in talks with Tottenham for the striker’s transfer. It was also stated Spurs want to lower the €50m purchase option.

The Bundesliga winner’s sporting director discusses the negotiations with Tottenham for the striker and Abendzeitung München have relayed his comments.

Vincent Kompany left Tel out of the squad for the Club World Cup. He is now representing France at the U21 European championship, after Bayern Munich granted permission.

When discussing this, Eberl mentioned about talks with Thomas Frank’s new club for Tel.

“Mathys was at Tottenham for six months. He wanted to play in the U21 European championship with France, and we allowed him to,” he said.

“We’re talking to Tottenham, that’s no secret. We’ll see how that pans out.”

The Frenchman scored three goals and registered an assist from 20 games for Tottenham.

Luka Vušković will arrive at Tottenham Hotspur this summer, after they agreed a deal with Hajduk Split for his transfer in September 2023.

He’s been on loan at Radomiak Radom and KVC Westerlo since the start of last year.

Tottenham have been waiting for the centre-back to turn 18 years of age to bring him to north London. Vušković turned 18 in February and is now eligible to play for the Premier League club.

On June 4th, the defender said he can’t wait to arrive at Tottenham, after starring while on loan in Belgian. Despite operating in the heart of defence, Vušković scored seven goals and registered three assists from 36 games for Westerlo.

His fine displays helped him make debut for Croatia earlier this month. Sportske Novosti had a chat with HNK Gorica manager Mario Carević to discuss the player about to arrive at Tottenham.

He has given an insight into what the Premier League club can expect from Vušković.

“I’ve have known Luka practically since birth and he has a specific character. He has great leadership qualities, he was a leader in the Hajduk juniors and is three years younger than all his teammates. You have to have the courage to impose yourself as a leader,” he said.

“As for his playing qualities, he has incredible technique, excellent with both feet, reacts in a completely different way than other defenders in some situations where he doesn’t take risks. You can see his total security and control of all those situations. He also has a good feeling for the goal. He is the future of Croatian football, he is a miracle.”

“I talked to a lot of scouts from big clubs when he was leaving Hajduk. They said that this leadership trait cannot be learned, you have to be born with it. As a coach, I always like to have a centre-back who leads, who talks a lot, who is assertive, and he, regardless of his age, is already doing that in senior football.”

The Croatia international’s impressive displays for the Jupiler Pro League club have seen him attract interest from big clubs in Belgium. Carević says Spurs have a decision to make on whether to retain Vušković or send him on loan this summer.

“I know that all the big clubs from Belgium want him, Club Brugge wanted him already halfway through the season. The only question is what Tottenham will decide, whether it is good for him to change leagues or not,” Carević explained.

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for Lazio’s Gustav Isaksen in the past few months.

One aspect about the player that wasn’t been talked in the rumours is that his partner – Olivia Holdt, plays for Spurs and she joined the club back in January.

The Lazio winger, who was an important part of the Roman club in the 2024/25 season, spoke to Ekstra Bladet about his future. He was also asked how his relationship with Holdt is going and he hinted at potentially joining the same club as his girlfriend at some point in the future.

He also revealed that he is in London often to spend time with Holdt.

” [There are] occasions to see each other are not very many even if when it happens I go to London or she comes to Rome , we miss each other, but it’s a part of our life that, for the moment, is fine like this , but not for long.”

He made it clear that things do get difficult for them and it would be better if they stay in the same city.

“I have to admit that 1800kms away is really too many to maintain a relationship, but we are doing it and luckily there is technology that keeps us close and lets us spend time together, but being both in the same place is something else, this is normal.”

Speaking further, the Dane made it clear that both of them can play for the same club soon enough and that would be ‘fantastic’ for both of them.

“Sooner or later we will play in the same place, maybe in the same team. It would be fantastic if she came to play for Lazio but I don’t know, honestly. For sure, sooner or later she or I will play in the same place or maybe in the same team. It’s our dream.”

It shows that if Tottenham do move for the winger, there could be a clear reason for the 24-year-old to move to the London giants.

Lazio failed to qualify for European competitions in the 2024/25 season and this can also help Spurs lure Isaksen because they will play in the Champions League.

There has been talk of the Rome club considering sales of multiple key players and if that happens, Tottenham can certainly take advantage.

Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister has expressed his admiration towards Tottenham Hotspur’s Cristian Romero.

The Reds midfielder and the Tottenham defender have been playing alongside each other for Argentina regularly for few years, and had great success doing so.

Mac Allister would like to extend his partnership with the 27-year-old centre-back to club football Liverpool.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion man has been speaking to the Argentine media and TNT Sports have relayed his comments. When asked which player he would like to sign for Liverpool, the 26-year-old ‘didn’t hesitate’ to name the Tottenham player.

“Oh, Cuti [Romero]. He’s a player I love,” he said.

Mac Allister and the ex-Atalanta defender have been part of the national team squad that won the World Cup and the Copa América in 2024. Romero also won the latter in 2021.

The Premier League winner has explained what is that he likes about the Tottenham star.

“The way he speaks and plays, sometimes you feel like he’s too much because he makes everything so easy. He gives me confidence. For me, he’s been the best centre-back in the world for several years,” Mac Allister explained.

It’s highly unlikely Romero would leave Tottenham for Liverpool, especially considering his desire, reportedly, is to join Atlético Madrid this summer. Two days ago, Marca reported Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is trying to renew his contract beyond 2027, to block an exit.

The Liverpool player then went on to praise his club teammate and star centre-back, Virgil van Dijk.

“Van Dijk, with his height, already commands a lot of respect,” he added.

Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have all been credited with interest in Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sané.

On May 28th, we covered claims from Germany that the winger’s agent, Pini Zahavi, has held talks with Arsenal.

They also stated that despite this, Tottenham were ahead and the hottest candidate to sign him. Newcastle United are thrown into the mix, along with the two north London clubs.

Tuesday’s edition of Bild covers the Germany international’s future at Bayern and his view on Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle.

The former Manchester City man’s contract expires on June 30th and he will travel with the Bayern squad to the US for the Club World Cup.

Bayern can offer him a short-term contract if they go beyond the group stage of the Club World Cup. Bild say their sporting director, Max Eberl, would like to finalise this.

Sané would like to continue to Bayern but is also ‘very interested’ in joining Arsenal. A move to London is appealing to him and his wife, Candice Brook. That doesn’t mean Spurs are a favoured option, according to Bild.

The report states Tottenham, Newcastle and Napoli are ‘not so appealing’ while Galatasaray and Saudi clubs don’t hold any attraction.