Sport Witness

Earlier today we covered claims from France, specifically from French newspaper L’Equipe, which stated Tottenham Hotspur are advancing with their efforts to sign Randal Kolo Muani from PSG this month.

Multiple Premier League clubs have been linked with the forward in recent weeks, but it was Spurs presented as being the ones to push forward for a deal.

Daniel Levy was said to be key in the pursuit, with the Tottenham chief having a good relationship with his counterparts at the Ligue 1 side and therefore using that connection to initiate discussions over a January transfer.

L’Equipe have now returned with an update, and according to the French newspaper an offer has now been submitted by Tottenham.

The offer consists of a loan with a buying option on behalf of Spurs. That option isn’t compulsory so it would be totally down to whether Tottenham want to keep the player, and the amount isn’t reported by L’Equipe at this stage.

That obviously sounds weighted in favour of the Premier League club, and L’Equipe say both Randal Kolo Muani and PSG are waiting to see what other proposals arrive.

Tottenham Hotspur are in the mix to sign Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani in the winter market.

On Wednesday, Tutto Juve reported the north London club have held talks with the 26-year-old’s entourage. A day later, we covered claims from Italy that Ange Postecoglou has given assurance to the player over a prominent role at Tottenham.

L’Equipe cover Tottenham and Juventus interest in the striker and provide the latest on this case.

The Serie A side’s officials have held talks with their PSG counterparts, who explained the conditions needed to sanction the striker’s transfer. They want any club that takes him on loan to cover his monthly gross salary of €750,000 and insert a buying obligation.

This, as per the report, should rule out the France international joining Juventus, and he has other ‘solid leads’ to change clubs in January. Spurs are one of them and L’Equipe say they are ‘active’ in the race to sign the frontman.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has a very good relationship with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, and the report states the pair have now held talks, likely for Kolo Muani’s transfer. The report adds the opportunity to play in the Premier League ‘seduces’ him.

L’Equipe add Manchester United and Aston Villa are also in the picture to sign Kolo Muani.

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonín Kinský has been backed to make a move to Real Madrid in the future.

Monday’s edition of Czech newspaper MF DNES has published an interview with Viktor Budinský to discuss the new Spurs signing.

The 21-year-old joined Tottenham from Slavia Prague earlier this month and has already made two appearances for them.

His move to the north London club has created a lot of excitement in the Czech sports media, and MF Dnes discussed the stopper with his former teammate.

Last season, Kinský was on loan at another Czech side FK Pardubice where he competed with goalkeeper Budinský. The latter started the season as first-choice stopper before losing his place to Czech Republic U21 international.

Budinský kept four clean sheets and conceded 30 goals from 18 games and Pardubice’s record improved under the current Tottenham player, who kept six clean sheets and conceded 19 goals in 18 matches.

The 31-year-old is still at Pardubice and recognised his compatriot’s talent after the first training session.

“Great boy. Already at the first training session it was clear that he was different. Strong in the head, healthy confident and purposeful. He can be even higher in three years,” he said.

When the newspaper asked where he sees Kinský in the near future, the Pardubice player tipped him to join Real Madrid.

“At Real Madrid. Plus, he is learning Spanish, he’ll be ready, he won’t get lost there,” Budinský explained.

“When Tonda [Kinský] came to us in Pardubice from Vyškov [was on loan], who were playing in the second league, many would not have said that he would be in the Premier League within two years. And yet. I think Tottenham is an intermediate step for him, that an even bigger club is waiting for him.”

Keanan Bennetts came through Tottenham Hotspur’s youth academy but never made the breakthrough to the club’s first team.

The winger spent multiple years with Spurs at youth level and left the club for Borussia Monchengladbach in 2018, after scoring eight times and assisting just as many times for Tottenham’s U21s’ team.

Now 25, Bennetts has joined Austrian side Austria Klagenfurt after six months of being without a club.

He’s spoken to Kleine Zeitung Kaernten about his time at Tottenham and his career so far, and expressed his gratitude to the London club for helping him develop into a better player as a youngster.

“It’s a top address, a world-class sports institute. It’s hard to imagine what goes on here. It offers you so many opportunities. You play against the best clubs, travel all over the world. All I can say is that I have learned an incredible amount here.”

Speaking further about his time at Tottenham, the former England U19s man stated that other players were often pushed more than he was.

“I had the feeling that I was not pushed as much at times. I would have hoped for more opportunities after my performances. Other players were more in focus.”

Speaking about his move to Klagenfurt, Bennetts said: “It hasn’t been easy recently because I haven’t been able to play for a while due to torn ligaments that were poorly managed. So trust from outside is important. I want to turn the tables and take on responsibility.”

Despite his injury problems, the 25-year-old is still playing professionally, even if he’s in the top five European leagues.

He was playing in the Bundesliga as recently as the 2021/22 season and also played in League One with Ipswich Town.

Now he has the chance to build a new chapter in Austria.

Earlier this week, we covered claims from Italy which stated Tottenham Hotspur are ready to get down to business to sign Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi in the winter market.

InterLive.it mention Tottenham when providing the latest on the Serie A side’s stance on the 25-year-old.

Frattesi has four league starts and three more in the Champions League this season and isn’t happy with his situation. The outlet makes it clear it’s their own information and states Juventus, Napoli and Spurs are keen.

The Italy international’s deal lasts until 2028, and InterLive.it believe his club value him around €45-50m and don’t plan to offer discounts, especially to league rivals.

Despite this, Juve technical director Cristiano Giuntoli plans to push for Frattesi in January and Napoli could also join if they manage to sell Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Serie A duo have to be wary about Tottenham as they are in the ‘front row’ to sign the midfielder, according to the report.

TV Play also cover the north London club’s interest and state that the Nerazzurri’s request is around €30-35m. AS Roma will find it difficult to match, while Tottenham could overtake Napoli.

It’s claimed Ange Postecoglou’s side are ready to offer €32m to take him ‘immediately’. Frattesi favours Roma but would be interested in joining Spurs and is ‘ready to pack his bags’ if they can find an agreement with Inter.

Manchester City made an approach for Luka Vušković before Tottenham Hotspur agreed a deal for him.

That’s according to the 17-year-old, and he revealed Manchester City interest during a chat with Het Nieuwsblad.

In September 2023, Tottenham agreed a deal with Hajduk Split for the defender to arrive at the north London club in the summer of 2025, once he turns 18 years of age.

The incoming Tottenham player spent the second half of last season on loan at Polish side Radomiak Radom and joined KVC Westerlo on another loan deal last summer.

The centre-back has starred for the Jupiler Pro League side this season and contributed to the attack, scoring six goals and registering one assist from 20 games.

Although he’s yet to arrive at Spurs, the Belgian outlet asked whether they could treat him like if he were at Tottenham. When responding to that, the Croatia U21 international revealed Manchester City’s approach and how his move to Tottenham took shape.

“Of course, anytime. How those first contacts went? I was at a bit of an impasse at Hajduk Split. Training with the first team was no longer an option. Everyone already assumed that I would leave. Then the cash register would ring,” he said.

“Anyway, they have to contact you first of course. Manchester City were the first club to register. Immediately afterwards my father told me that Spurs were also interested and that a very nice process was available for me. When I heard the details, I was convinced.”

The defender’s aim is to play alongside Micky van de Ven or Cristian Romero at Spurs, but as of now he isn’t clear about the Premier League side’s plan for him next season.

“What is the exact plan today? I’ll see. [Go out] On loan? Come back? I’m just going to do what the club asks of me,” Vušković explained.

“That a lot of central defenders are injured in London? I know that, yes (laughs). Playing alongside Micky van de Ven or Cristian Romero is a dream. Then you automatically start making progression. You have to because the Premier League is a very intense competition.”

Manchester City are ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United in the race to sign RC Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov in the winter market.

The defender made 16 appearances this season and has been one of the standout players for the Ligue 1 side.

His performances have seen Manchester City, Tottenham, Newcastle and other clubs take notice.

That’s according to L’Equipe, who say Tottenham and Newcastle were ‘very interested’ in the 20-year-old at the start of this window.

Spurs and Eddie Howe’s side have ‘thrown in the towel’ in the last few hours because of the tough competition from Manchester City.

Citizens sporting director Txiki Begiristain has informally mentioned concrete talks with Khusanov’s entourage, and his side are discussing the figures. At this moment in time, the French club haven’t received any offers for their star player.

Lens have given super-agent Jorge Mendes a mandate to get a convincing offer for the Uzbekistan international and the report claims they aren’t willing to let him leave for less than €40m.

Pep Guardiola’s side are inclined to meet Lens’ request and L’Equipe suggest their bid could arrive this weekend. They are also working on signing Palmeiras centre-back Vitor Reis and this deal will not impact their efforts to sign the Lens defender.

In short, Manchester City are set to beat both Tottenham and Newcastle to Khusanov’s signature.

Perhaps one of the last things Tottenham Hotspur want to spend next summer negotiating is Bryan Gil’s future.

The Premier League club will have long ago given up on the Spaniard fulfilling what they had hoped for him, and since then there’s been a series of loans which have never got close to becoming permanent transfers.

Gil has often started out really well on his loan moves, leading to praise going overboard and big predictions for his level in the future. Usually that form then drops off and Gill is sent back to Tottenham who then have to find a new home for the attacker.

He’s currently at Girona and even if he does well for them between now and the end of the season they don’t seem so keen on paying the €15m buying clause they agreed with Spurs.

Estadio Deportivo report Girona would be contemplating whether to use that clause or wait a little longer, going into negotiations with Tottenham, and then try to pressure the Premier League club downwards as the summer grows older.

It’s not a scenario Tottenham will want to spend too much time on.

Tottenham Hotspur currently find themselves 12th in the Premier League and will be looking to bolster their squad in the January transfer window.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani is one name that has been linked with Ange Postecoglou’s side.

There has been an indication that Tottenham could be a suitable destination for the Frenchman, better than others such as Juventus and AC Milan.

More information has emerged about Kolo Muani from TuttoJuve today, with the outlet stating that Spurs are working on a move for the PSG striker.

The Ligue 1 side want a fee of €60m to part ways with the player and even though the fee is not something Tottenham would pay, they are not going to give up on the chase quickly.

That is why Spurs made contact for Kolo Muani yesterday and they spoke to his entourage, as they attempted to beat competition from Juventus.

The situation seems to be open right now but the indication is clear that the Lilywhites are quite keen, with the ex-Eintracht Frankfurt said to be out of Luis Enrique’s project at PSG already.

TuttoJuve report they’ve found out Tottenham are also keen on Juventus’ Douglas Luiz, who arrived from Aston Villa in the summer, but haven’t yet made any efforts for him.

Last month, we covered claims from Italy that Tottenham Hotspur could be a ‘plausible’ destination for Milan Škriniar in the winter market. Spurs aren’t the only Premier League side as Aston Villa are also chasing the Paris Saint-Germain player.

That’s according to L’Equipe, and they cover Tottenham and Aston Villa interest in the defender.

The Slovakia international played five matches this season and his last appearance was against Toulouse on November 22nd.

Škriniar is on the exit ramp and has several options to pick from in the ongoing window. The report claims his agent was recently in Paris to negotiate his exit with the Ligue 1 side and there could be developments soon.

Galatasaray have been keen on signing the 29-year-old, but his high salary is a concern for the Turkish champions. Tottenham and Aston Villa have positioned themselves in the transfer battle and the player is attracted by the Premier League.

Škriniar is also talking to Napoli, but it’s not a given that he would be a starter under Antonio Conte.

The central defender will leave PSG on loan in January and is expected to pick his next destination ‘this week’. It’ll then be up to the interested party to find an agreement with PSG.