BBC

The last 48 hours or so have seemed very un-Tottenham like.

Preparing to commit £115m on Mohammed Kudus and Morgan Gibbs-White isn't behaviour you'd necessarily associate with Spurs in the Daniel Levy era.

The general feeling around Tottenham and their transfer market spending in recent years has been one of frugality – although those at Spurs would be quick to point out they did spend £55m on Dominic Solanke last season, in a deal that could eventually become a club-record £65m.

Yet you can't escape the sense that the previous couple of days represents a change in narrative.

If Gibbs-White's £60m signing from Nottingham Forest goes through - after some late legal issues - it will be the biggest initial fee paid by the club.

Tottenham remain hopeful the deal will be completed despite Forest looking at whether a confidentiality agreement in the player's contract had been breached. It is also understood the club are claiming Spurs haven't asked permission to speak to the player.

Heading into the summer transfer window, well-placed sources indicated the club would be limited in the amount they would be able to spend.

But the capture of Kudus for £55m and the potential arrival of Gibbs-White for £60m flies in the face of any such restrictions.

So what has changed?

It is no secret Tottenham chairman Levy has been canvassing for external investment into the club in recent months.

However, BBC Sport understands the current spending on transfers is more likely to be the result of an injection of cash from owners Enic, who are understood to have kept a closer eye on club operations in recent months, rather than any external investment.

There has been talk of overseas investment – particularly from the Middle East.

For fans, of course, the source of the finances is neither here nor there.

All they really care about is the assembling of a team that can eventually challenge for the title and qualify consistently for the Champions League.

In Kudus and Gibbs-White, they would have two players capable of helping fulfil supporters' wishes.

Both are flair players that live up to Tottenham's attacking traditions and crucially are players who have Premier League experience.

Indeed, that was the remit for the club's recruitment team this summer.

The squad is already packed full of exciting young potential, but experience is what new boss Thomas Frank believes it needs.

While Kudus and Gibbs-White are relatively young - 24 and 25, respectively - they are well-versed in the rigours of England's top-flight.

Kudus has two full seasons for West Ham under his belt, making 80 appearances across all competitions, while Gibbs-White has played in the last three Premier League campaigns for Forest and had prior experience while a teenager at Wolves.

Spurs' interest in Brentford duo Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo is further illustration of Tottenham's recruitment remit.

get involved

Get Involved - 'Why shouldn't Henderson continue to try?'

#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

Ads in Leeds: Re Kieran @ 09:41. Why shouldn't Henderson continue to try? He's still a top, solid player with a lot to offer. He shouldn't have to retire if top teams are willing to sign him, and if he feels like he still wants to compete for an international place why shouldn't we let him? If he still has ambition, whether it matches his level or not, let him play!

Paul (Brentford fan): Getting Henderson in will go some way to softening the blow of Norgaard’s exit, and I think he’s a really good fit for the club in terms of personality and profile. Plus it’s a great bit of business financially, provided his wages fall in line with what we tend to pay our players. But replacing Norgaard directly isn’t as straightforward as it might appear - Christian was instrumental for us for years, brilliant at protecting the defence, and we have tended to suffer when he’s not played.

Henderson and his England future

England players moving outside of the Premier League to what have been deemed as lower levels of football have often sparked doubts over their England futures.

For Ivan Toney, he spent almost a whole season out of England's squad last term before making Thomas Tuchel's squad in June.

There has been more of an olive branch for Jordan Henderson. The midfielder featured in Gareth Southgate's first three England squads after his move to Saudi Arabia but did not play a single minute for the Three Lions in 2024, missing out on the squad that reached the final of Euro 2024.

Tuchel's arrival in place of Southgate in January sparked an England lifeline for Henderson, who has featured in both of Tuchel's squads.

In March, Tuchel said of Henderson that "he embodies everything we try to build".

From Liverpool to Brentford, via Saudi Arabia and Amsterdam

Rewind to two years ago and Jordan Henderson's exit from Liverpool had not long been confirmed, with the England midfielder calling time on a 12-year stay at Anfield.

He ended July 2023 with a shock switch to Saudi Arabia to sign for Al-Ettifaq under former Reds and England team-mate Steven Gerrard.

That stay in Saudi Arabia lasted less than six month before Henderson swapped Al-Ettifaq for Ajax.

Henderson has spent the last 18 months in the Dutch capital but Ajax accepted his request to end his contract on Thursday, a year early, with a move to former club Sunderland seeming one of the likely destinations for the experienced midfielder.

Instead, Henderson is now in line to be Christian Norgaard's replacement at the Gtech Community Stadium.

get involved

Get Involved - Spurs' power moves; Forest blow

WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

This page is always improved by your input, and we are eager to hear your views on today's headlines.

Tottenham and Nottingham Forest supporters - what do you make of the Morgan Gibbs-White story and it's wider impact on your preparations for the coming season?

Let's also open this up to supporters of other Premier League clubs - how would you sum up your club's summer dealings so far?

Get in touch via:

WhatsApp on 03301231826

Or text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

What is going on at Forest?

Craig Nelson

BBC Sport reporter

Much of the chat in this page yesterday was coming from West Ham supporters concerned by the club's lack of transfer action this summer.

Today, the focus of ire has switched to Nottingham Forest.

Just a few short months after the club secured a route back into Europe, supporters are now facing up to life without two of their top attacking players.

Earlier this week, the club agreed a £55m fee with Newcastle to sell Sweden winger Anthony Elanga.

Now Forest look set to lose their chief playmaker, Morgan Gibbs-White for £60m.

With money in the bank, and only one new signing - the £10m capture of Igor Jesus from Botofogo - manager Nuno Espirito Santo and the club's recruitment team will have to work fast to prepare the squad for what promises to be a long, arduous season ahead.

Premier League experience key to Spurs recruitment remit - analysis

Sami Mokbel

BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

So that will be £115m spent in 24 hours for Tottenham. It's all very un-Daniel Levy-like, isn't it?

With Mohammed Kudus signed and Morgan Gibbs-White on his way to north London, both are flair players that live up to Tottenham's attacking traditions. But crucially are players who have Premier League experience.

Indeed, that was the remit for Tottenham's recruitment team this summer.

The Spurs squad is already packed full of exciting young potential, what Thomas Frank believes it needs is experience.

While Kudus and Gibbs-White are relatively young - 24 and 25, respectively - they are well-versed in the rigours of England's top-flight.

Kudus has two full seasons for West Ham under his belt, making 80 appearances across all competitions, while Gibbs-White has played in the last three Premier League campaigns for Forest and had prior experience as a teenager at Wolves.

Spurs' interest in Brentford duo Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo is further illustration of Tottenham's recruitment remit.

Post

Craig Nelson

BBC Sport reporter

What a huge 24 hours this promises to be at Tottenham - and after some fans were getting restless last week when young Japan defender Kota Takai became the first new face to arrive at Spurs this summer.

Fast forward seven days and the landscape has suddenly changed.

So exactly what is going on at Tottenham?

As BBC Sport's senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel put it: it's all very un-Daniel Levy-like, isn't it?

'It's a big moment' - Kudus on £55m Spurs move

All eyes were already on Tottenham on Thursday night as news emerged of their accelerating interest in Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White.

And the club used that increased exposure to confirm their first significant step into the transfer market since this summer's appointment of Thomas Frank as their new manager.

Mohammed Kudus cited former Brentford boss Frank as an important factor in his decision to make a £55m move from West Ham.

"From where [Frank] has come from, and seeing the amount of talent he has developed to become great players, it's a big sign as to why I wanted to work under him as well," said the 24-year-old Ghana forward.

Kudus was also tempted by the chance to play at the top level of European football with Spurs, saying he "always wanted to play at the highest level".

"How big the club is, the history and the Champions League as well, so it's a big moment. I'm very happy and can't wait to start," he added.

After a frustrating final season at West Ham, new Tottenham signing Mohammed Kudus is looking to rediscover the glittering form that made him one of European football's hottest properties just two summers ago.

The Ghanaian completed his £55m move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on a long-term contract on Thursday.

BBC Sport looks at why new boss Thomas Frank wanted to add him to his squad – and why the transfer is a rare move for the north London outfit.

Kudus was the subject of huge interest from Premier League clubs in summer 2023 after a string of eye-catching displays in Ajax's 2022-23 Champions League campaign.

The Dutch giants were eliminated at the group stage but Kudus set up six goals in as many appearances - including a stunning effort off the underside of the bar in a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield - catching the eye of Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton, among others.

It was West Ham, though, who won the race to sign the Ghanaian, who wasted little time in recapturing the form of his final year in the Netherlands, plundering eight goals and six assists in the league in an excellent debut season under David Moyes.

Named the Premier League's best newcomer by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville at the end of the campaign, Kudus also won West Ham's goal of the season award for his magnificent solo effort against German club Freiburg in the Europa League.

His second season with the Hammers, however, was underwhelming to say the least.

Kudus struggled to adapt to Graham Potter's wing-back system after the Englishman succeeded Julen Lopetegui in January 2024, his final-day effort against already-relegated Ipswich Town one of only two efforts under the former Brighton boss.

He was often deployed as a striker by Potter and only rarely featured wide on the right, arguably his best position but one in which West Ham already have skipper Jarrod Bowen.

The Ghanaian attempted the most dribbles in the Premier League for the second season running in 24-25 - 198 compared to 281 the season before - but his success rate dropped from 55.9% to 47%.

He was also much less effective off the ball last term, winning back possession on 148 occasions compared to 298 times in his debut campaign.

Perhaps his most telling contribution - if you can call it that - in his final year with the Hammers came in a 4-1 defeat against Spurs last October, when he was sent off for kicking out at defender Micky van de Ven and raising his hands to both the Dutchman and midfielder Pape Sarr.

Kudus, who was subsequently handed a five-match ban, later said he was "deeply embarrassed" by his actions.

"Kudus can add attacking threat to Spurs either from the right flank, cutting inside, or from a more central position," explains former West Ham assistant Edu Rubio.

"He is very versatile and like Bryan Mbuemo - who became a very effective and important player for Thomas Frank at Brentford - can add goals, pace and work-rate when pressing high.

"Kudus can add an aggressive high-press style, since his approach to closing down the man on the ball is exceptional. He is rapid, intense and effective with it. He can add goals into the squad, too.

"He can be a game changer. He just needs to find that consistency needed at the top. He fits Thomas' 4-3-3 and 3-5-2 and also the manager's desire to have quick and direct attacks when possible; therefore I believe Kudus can reach his potential and the consistency under a manager like Frank.

"He may need to improve his variation on decision-making when on the ball, especially when playing centrally as he tends to get more exposed there and lose more possession easily.

"Overall he can add goals, work-rate off the ball, uniqueness and pour desire and character into the squad. He is a very exciting player."

Daniel Levy has often been criticised by Tottenham fans for a perceived lack of investment in the playing squad, but when the chairman does do business it is rarely with the club's London rivals.

Kudus is the first player to move between West Ham and Tottenham since August 2011, when Scott Parker signed for Spurs following the Hammers' relegation from the Premier League.

You have to go back even further for the last transfer between Spurs and Chelsea, who have not struck any deals since goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini moved from Stamford Bridge to White Hart Lane in January 2009.

Former France international defender William Gallas was the last player to move across north London from Spurs' fierce rivals Arsenal, joining on a free transfer in August 2010.

The only other West Ham player to join Spurs in the past 20 years was back-up goalkeeper Jimmy Walker, who failed to make a first-team appearance under then-manager Harry Redknapp after signing in 2009.

Former England internationals Michael Carrick and Jermaine Defoe both moved from Upton Park to White Hart Lane in 2004, while striker Frederic Kanoute joined Tottenham from the Hammers in 2003.

Tottenham have completed the signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham for £55m, subject to a work permit.

The Ghana midfielder, who had an £85m release clause, has joined Spurs on a six-year contract until 2031.

West Ham rejected an initial £50m from Tottenham last week.

Kudus, 24, made 65 Premier League appearances for the Hammers, scoring 13 goals and providing nine assists.

Speaking to the club's social media,, external Kudus said he has "always wanted to play at the highest level."

He added: "How big the club is, the history and the Champions League as well, so it's a big moment. I'm very happy and can't wait to start."

He could be joined by Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, who is set to have a medical at Spurs on Friday before completing a £60m move.

Kudus has been a key member of West Ham's squad since he signed in a £38m deal from Ajax in August 2023. He made his top-flight debut as a substitute in a win over Luton Town a month later before scoring his first goals for the Hammers during the Europa League group stage shortly after.

In his first season at West Ham he scored 14 goals, including nine assists.

Sources told BBC Sport that Kudus had prioritised a move to north London despite at least six top clubs enquiring about him.

He cited head coach Thomas Frank, who replaced former Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou last month, as one of the main reasons for joining Tottenham.

"From where [Frank] has come from, and seeing the amount of talent he has developed to become great players, it's a big sign as to why I wanted to work under him as well," said Kudus.

With Mohammed Kudus on his way to N17 and Morgan Gibbs-White and Yoane Wissa possibly set to follow him, how will Thomas Frank ensure he gets the best out of his ever-increasing attacking options next season?

Scoring goals was not exactly an issue for Spurs under Ange Postecoglou, but burnout was. As Frank puts his players' fitness to the test with a pre-season 1,000-metre sprint race, the news of reinforcements to boost our strength in depth is very welcome.

Kudus' best position and consistency is still to be confirmed, but what is clear is that if Frank can support him to find his place and form at Spurs, we could see some very exciting attacking partnerships on the pitch.

We were never going to replace Harry Kane with one other individual, but adding Gibbs-White and Wissa into the mix of players that includes Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson, Son Heung-min and now Kudus, could improve us in several ways – not just more goals.

Strength in depth does not only guard against injury, it creates healthy competition for the starting XI – something that is needed when managing a team of elite internationals with egos to match.

New players can also bring out the best in existing squad members by helping to forge strong bonds that give team-mates the confidence to express themselves on the pitch.

Frank's job is to foster and capitalise upon these relationships.

However the manager sets up his team this season – and it is sure to evolve across multiple competitions, including the Champions League – it is the work everyone puts in away from matchdays themselves that will determine how successful Spurs are in the big moments.

Tottenham have opened talks with Nottingham Forest over a possible £60m move for midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.

Well-placed sources have told BBC Sport the 25-year-old has a £60m release clause, and a potential move to north London is set to accelerate in the coming days.

Gibbs-White, who has four England caps, was on Manchester City's radar this summer but Pep Guardiola's side have cooled their interest.

He scored seven goals and added eight assists in 34 Premier League games last season, and has attracted interest from a number of England's top clubs in recent months, but Spurs have stepped up their efforts to sign him.

Forest are under no pressure to sell having agreed Anthony Elanga's £55m transfer to Newcastle this week.

Spurs, who appointed Thomas Frank as new head coach last month, are also set to sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham for £55m and have an interest in Brentford attacker Yoane Wissa.

Gibbs-White joined Forest from Wolves for a then club-record fee of £25m plus add-ons in August 2022, on a five-year deal. He has made 118 appearances in three years at Forest, scoring 18 goals and providing 28 assists.

He made his England debut as a substitute in the Nations League win over the Republic of Ireland in September under interim manager Lee Carsley, with his most recent appearance coming off the bench in the 3-1 friendly defeat by Senegal at the City Ground under new boss Thomas Tuchel.

Tottenham have agreed a £55m fee with West Ham to sign midfielder Mohammed Kudus.

The Ghana international is now set to have a medical before signing a long-term contract.

BBC Sport reported on Saturday that the Hammers had rejected an initial £50m but a deal has now been clinched.

Kudus, who has an £85m release clause, joined West Ham in a £38m deal from Ajax in 2023. He has made 65 Premier League appearances for the club, scoring 13 goals and providing nine assists.

At least six top clubs have enquired about Kudus in recent weeks but well-placed sources told BBC Sport the 24-year-old had prioritised a move to Spurs.

How Mbappe's PSG exit paved way for Dembele to become the 'best'

All 23 Britons are out of Wimbledon singles - what did we learn?

Sabalenka and Alcaraz top best shots from day nine at Wimbledon. VideoSabalenka and Alcaraz top best shots from day nine at Wimbledon

'Racquet like a magic wand' - How Alcaraz saw off Norrie. Video'Racquet like a magic wand' - How Alcaraz saw off Norrie

My photo by the toilet sums up my season - Open champion Schauffele

Germany come from behind to beat Denmark. VideoGermany come from behind to beat Denmark

'This doesn't feel like a win' - Sinner through after Dimitrov retires hurt. Video'This doesn't feel like a win' - Sinner through after Dimitrov retires hurt

Spain's Pina scores 'one of the goals of the tournament so far' VideoSpain's Pina scores 'one of the goals of the tournament so far'

Taylor v Serrano 3 – all you need to know

Arsenal are favourites to sign Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze, Manchester United will have to pay £65m for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and Jadon Sancho tries to facilitate a move to Juventus.

Arsenal are prepared to offer a player swap for Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze, 27, and look set to beat Tottenham Hotspur to the Englishman's signature. (Sun), external

Brentford are likely to demand £65m for their striker Bryan Mbeumo, 25, having already rejected bids of £55m and £62.5m from Manchester United for the Cameroon international. (Mirror), external

Sporting and Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, 27, is prepared to wait until the end of the summer window to get a loan deal to another European club if his move to Arsenal does not materialise. (Sun), external

England winger Jadon Sancho, 25, is prepared to take a significant pay cut in order to move from Manchester United to Juventus, but the Serie A club are still unwilling to meet the terms. (Il Corriere dello Sport - via The Mail), external

Nottingham Forest are targeting a move for PSV Eindhoven and Belgium winger Johan Bakayoko, 22, as they line up a replacement for 23-year-old Sweden international Anthony Elanga, who looks set to move to Newcastle United. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Manchester United are set to get £8m as part of a sell-on clause they negotiated when they sold Elanga to Forest in 2023. (Talksport), external

Forest are also considering Bakayoko's Belgium team-mate Malick Fofana, 20, with the Lyon winger also linked with Chelsea and Bayern Munich this summer. (Sky Sports, external)

Unai Emery is keen to bring Barcelona striker Ferran Torres, 25, to Aston Villa and is prepared to offer £43m for the Spaniard. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Arsenal's attempts to sign Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, 21, have stalled as the La Liga club are asking for more than £20m for the Spanish international. (Mirror), external

Bayern Munich have held talks with Christopher Nkunku's agent as they consider a move for Chelsea's 27-year-old France striker. (Bild - in German), external

Napoli have made a £42m bid for Liverpool's 26-year-old Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez. (Gianluca di Marzo), external

Sunderland are close to completing a deal to sign 20-year-old Morocco forward Chemsdine Talbi from Belgian side Club Brugge. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Atalanta have rejected a £45.7m offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah for Italy striker Mateo Retegui, with the Serie A side wanting £51.8m for the 26-year-old. (Football Italia), external

Everton's Peter Crouch?

Matthew Hobbs

BBC Sport

Thierno Barry’s 6ft 5in frame makes him a huge threat in the air and he ranked second of all forwards in Europe’s major leagues (and top of anyone in La Liga) for aerial duel success in 2024-25, winning 66.7% of his 153 challenges (minimum 100 aerial duels).

It is a facet of Barry’s game that has undoubtedly attracted Everton boss David Moyes, whose sides typically get lots of crosses into the box.

The Toffees ranked seventh for open-play crosses in the Premier League in 2025-25, although they struggled to convert crosses into goals, scoring just three times from such situations – the fewest of any club other than Chelsea (2).

get involved

Get Involved - do Everton need more attacking signings?

WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

What do you think Everton fans?

Would the arrival of Thierno Barry be enough to supplement the club's current attacking resources, or do you need more signings before the end of the summer transfer window?

Get in touch via WhatsApp or text using the contact details above.

From fifth tier of French football to Everton?

Matthew Hobbs

BBC Sport

A Premier League move at the age of 22 would cement Thierno Barry’s rapid rise in European football in recent seasons.

Only three years ago, he completed his first season of senior football in France’s fifth tier before moving to Belgian second-tier side Beveren in July 2022.

A haul of 20 goals in 28 starts was enough to earn a move to Swiss Super League side Basel a year later and he subsequently finished as the club’s top scorer on 12 goals in his first campaign of top-flight football.

A flurry of eight goals in the first four matches of 2024-25 convinced Villarreal to pay 15m euros [£12.9m] for his services in August.

The 6ft 5in striker was an instant success, scoring 11 goals to help the Yellow Submarine finish fifth with their highest points tally in 17 years and qualify for the Champions League.

Everton eye Barry after Calvert-Lewin & Broja departures

Should Everton complete a deal for Villarreal's Thierno Barry, the France striker would add to the club's attacking resources after Dominic Calvert-Lewin left at the end of his contract.

Forward Armando Broja also exited when his loan ended, returning to Chelsea without the deal being made permanent.

Barry was born in Lyon and left French club Sochaux aged 19 to play in the Belgian second division with Beveren.

The following season he moved to Swiss Super League club Basel, before joining Villarreal in August 2024 in a deal worth about £13m.

Villarreal striker Barry set for Everton medical

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Everton are close to ending their striker search with Villarreal's Thierno Barry expected to fly into Merseyside for a medical before completing a £27m deal.

The formalities are not completed yet, but the move is progressing with manager David Moyes ready to clinch Everton's biggest deal of the summer so far.

Barry had a £34.5m release clause in his Villarreal contract, but Everton expect to pay a lower fee for the 22-year-old, who scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 38 games last season as the Spanish club finished fifth in La Liga to qualify for the Champions League.

get involved

Get Involved - 'Very concerned' Fulham fan

Get Involved: WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

Laura, London: Fulham fan here and very concerned about being the only club without a signing on the 8:55 post of deals done so far. Think part of our drop off at the end of last season was a lack of squad depth - fingers crossed we can get some reinforcements soon and not leave it to a mad scramble on deadline day!

Takai's achievements

Tottenham's new signing Kota Takai is also a proven winner, having helped Frontale to two trophies during his short time at the club.

He was part of the Frontale team that claimed the 2023 Emperor's Cup, winning the final 8-7 on penalties after a 0-0 draw with Kashiwa Reysol.

The 20-year-old defender also helped his side claim the Japanese Super Cup in 2024, beating 2023 J-League champions Vissel Kobe 1-0 in the annual match between the Emperor's Cup and J-League winners.

He was also named as the J-League's best young player.

Who is Spurs signing Kota Takai?

Jordan Butler

BBC Sport

So Spurs have their third summer signing (if you include Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel...) so let's take a look at what they're getting.

Takai has a wealth of experience despite being just 20-years-old.

He played the first of his 77 senior games in the Asian equivalent of the Champions League at just 17.

He featured at the 2024 Olympic Games for Japan and has since won four senior caps.

He is athletic, comfortable on the ball and has an eye for a pass – Takai completed almost 2,000 passes in the J-League since the start of last season with an 88% success rate, which ranks him 15th among all defenders.

Recap - Forest's Elanga set for £55m move to Newcastle?

In case you are just joining us, the main news of the morning has been Newcastle's move for Nottingham Forest's Sweden winger Anthony Elanga.

The two clubs have agreed a £55m fee for the 23-year-old former Manchester United player.

Stick with us as we look into the proposed deal in more detail.