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Kendrick and SZA deliver stadium-worthy show

Annabel Rackham

Culture Reporter

Kendrick Lamar and SZA's Grand National tour rolled into London on Tuesday night, setting a new standard in how to create the ultimate stadium experience.

Its an art form that some of the world's biggest stars are yet to perfect, but the pair breezed through their 52-track setlist at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, stripping back the gimmicks and distractions to focus on their epic back catalogues.

The California rapper and Missouri singer-songwriter have already broken records with the biggest co-headline tour in history, consisting of 39 shows across North America and Europe.

It serves as one big celebration of their recent achievements - Lamar's hit album GNX and SZA's deluxe edition of SOS, which both came out in 2024.

On paper, bringing together two of the world's biggest artists in a joint show - rather than consigning one to a support slot - should be a guaranteed success. Just look at the numbers - they have a combined monthly listnership on Spotify of150 million after all.

But bear in mind that these are two artists with wildly different performance styles and subject matter - SZA is melodic and ethereal, whilst Lamar is punchy and fired up.

SZA sings about her past relationships and her struggles with finding self-worth, whilst Kendrick explores social commentary, his upbringing and ever increasingly, his enemies.

Yet as they switched between sets, offering up five to six songs each in the early stages of the two-and-a-half-hour show, you realised that the shared headline slot was working.

It's clear the pair worked tirelessly to create a show that feels seamless - Lamar brought an intensity to the first act with tracks such as King Kunta and ELEMENT, which were punctuated by constant bursts of fire and pyrotechnics.

When the pair swapped over, the energy remained high, with SZA tearing through hits such as 30 for 30 and Broken Clocks, which were reworked to feel punchier.

The simplicity of the set design, which featured large moving screens on the main stage and a circular platform, allowed the focus to remain on the two artists.

Parts of the sets are punctuated with dancers, but both artists spent the majority of their sets out on their own, drawing full attention from the audience.

Their 10-year working relationship was certainly evident in the duet sections of the show, in which the pair came together seamlessly to perform All the Stars, one of the evening's highlights and more recent collaborations Luther and Gloria.

With any tour that features more than one headliner, it's difficult to determine the audience split, but the London fans greeted both performers with the same adoration.

The crowd's energy for some of Lamar's earliest songs was electric, with mosh pits erupting throughout the standing areas for Backstreet Freestyle and family ties.

Lamar was certainly captivating throughout, notably performing without backing vocals to showcase his impressive rap flow and breath control.

Several elements of the stadium show were borrowed from his Super Bowl half-time show from February this year, which was seen by more than 120 million people.

The crowd appeared delighted to see that many of the viral dances from that performance had made it to the tour, with the choreography during the track Peekaboo providing maximum entertainment.

His sets were also interspersed with marching band snippets, which are not only prevalent on Lamar's GNX album, but also helped to recreate the big American stadium atmosphere that his music lends itself to.

Watching Lamar as he stalked across the vast circular platform, he commanded every single audience member with his presence - there were no costume changes, no dance routines, just a rapper at the very top of his game.

He was at his most intense when he performed his diss tracks, which also elicited the biggest reaction from the crowd.

The 38-year-old's year-long rap beef with Drake has been incredibly well-documented and whilst he may have showed a little restraint during his Super Bowl show, none of that was on display tonight.

His performance of Euphoria - a track in which he lyrically expresses his hatred for the Canadian rapper, was particularly cutting,

But Not Like Us, Lamar's most commercially successful diss track and his most vicious takedown of Drake, was by far the biggest highlight of the night.

It came as song 50 of 52 on the setlist and it was clear the audience hadn't just been waiting all night for it, but probably since they booked their tickets - some spending as much as £571 - many months ago.

Who knew that a track centred around calling Drake a paedophile (something he strongly denies) could create the best atmosphere the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has seen in years?

Whilst Lamar's stage set-up was understated, SZA was a little more creative with her production elements.

Her individual sets were based around nature, with dancers appearing throughout dressed as anything from trees to giant insects.

SZA also performed several songs on the back of what appeared to be a giant green ant sculpture, before climbing into a harness and ascending the stage with huge butterfly wings.

Despite creating an out-of-this-world environment on-stage, tonight's performance saw her at her most natural.

After her disappointing Glastonbury headline slot at last year's festival, much of the discourse surrounded whether she understood British audiences and was able to connect to them.

That doubt was put to bed from the outset, as she displayed her true talents as a confident and multi-talented artist.

The 35-year-old connected with the crowd instantly, serenading them with fan favourites such as Scorsese Baby Daddy and F2F.

In comparison to Glastonbury, there was only one glaring similarity - she again suffered technical issues on Tuesday evening, appearing to struggle with her in-ear monitors throughout.

However, this didn't affect her vocals at all, which were beautifully crisp, even during fairly complicated dance choreography.

Her stage presence was impressive, as was her ability to adapt her slower songs so that they dovetailed perfectly with Lamar's frenetically paced sets.

Perhaps the greatest highlight of her set came towards the end of the evening, as she lulled the crowd into an almost dreamlike state with Snooze.

She then told the crowd how it was "crazy how you can go from being engaged, to complete strangers" before she sang ballad Nobody Gets Me.

After performing three of her own separate sets, which included songs from albums Ctrl, SOS and its recently updated deluxe version, Lana, SZA made one final appearance to end the show with Lamar.

They finished with two love songs - Luther and Gloria, before disappearing beneath the stage in a prop car, basically the production equivalent of riding off into the sunset.

Brentford forward Yoane Wissa has left the team's pre-season base in Portugal amid growing uncertainty over his future.

BBC Sport has learned the 28-year-old has returned to London from the Bees' training camp.

Wissa will now hold talks with Brentford director of football Phil Giles with a trio of Premier League clubs keen on him.

Newcastle, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are among those with a firm interest in the DR Congo international.

All three clubs can offer him European football next season and it is understood agreeing personal terms, particularly with either Tottenham or Newcastle - whose efforts to land Wissa have intensified in the last 48 hours - will not be an issue.

Wissa is understood to have been unsettled by the speculation regarding his future in recent weeks.

He is expected to join back up with the team upon their return to London if he continues to be a Brentford player.

The outcome of the meeting is likely to be pivotal towards how Brentford approach resolving Wissa's future.

A visually impaired Beyoncé fan said she was treated in a "dehumanising" way after being asked to give up her cane to access the VIP area at the pop star's concert at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last month.

Esther Obigbesan, who spent £489 on a standing VIP ticket, said staff told her she was a "health and safety risk".

Ms Obigbesan told BBC Radio London's Eddie Nestor she contacted the providers of the VIP package ahead of the 10 June show to flag her access needs but received no response.

A Tottenham Hotspurs spokesperson apologised, refunded her ticket, and said the experience "fell far short" of its standards.

When she arrived at the stadium, she said stewards initially helped her to the VIP check-in point, where she received her wristband and merchandise.

But when she reached the pitch area, security staff stopped her.

"They just automatically started talking to the ladies that were with me being like, 'she can't go down there, she can't go down there'," she said.

She said she tried to explain that her long cane was a visual aid and did not affect her mobility, as the staff told her walking aids were not allowed in standing sections.

"In the end, I gave up my cane to the medic team and then they let me go down," she said. "It was more my confidence and my independence… it felt dehumanising."

Ms Obigbesan said she later asked a security guard to help her find the toilet, but overheard staff discussing her while inside the cubicle.

"When I came out, they'd contacted the safety officer who was trying to relocate me," she said. "They were saying it's not safe for me down there because people won't know I'm visually impaired – I said I could have my cane back."

She was eventually moved to a seated area two levels above where she had originally been placed.

"It's a three-hour show but I barely remember any of it because I was crying so much," she said.

Ms Obigbesan said that while there may have been failure in communication between the ticket sellers and the stadium staff, people with disabilities should not need to warn venues to meet basic needs.

In a statement, Tottenham Hotspur said: "We accept this was not reflective of the VIP package Esther had purchased via the promoter and that her overall experience did not meet the standards we consider acceptable as a venue."

The stadium said its access team acted "in the interests of Esther's safety" on the night, but acknowledged the situation "fell far short of the experience" expected.

Leigh Luke, customer services operations manager at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, told the BBC the club had since improved steward training, reviewed briefings, and updated ticket holder communications.

He said the club had apologised to Ms Obigbesan, refunded her ticket, and invited her to a Kendrick Lamar concert on Wednesday as a guest.

"It's not about seeing the disability aid or the visual aid," he said. "It's about seeing the patron… and ensuring that we communicate with them, and not through them, which is what happened in this place."

Luton Town have signed goalkeeper Josh Keeley from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old has joined the Hatters on a permanent deal, having spent last season on loan at Leyton Orient.

He scored for Orient in an FA Cup second round tie against Oldham, one of 45 appearances last season, the last one coming in the League One play-off final against Charlton, which they lost 1-0.

"He is an excellent shot-stopper and can play out from the back and sweep up behind the defence," Luton boss Matt Bloomfield told the club website., external

"We're pleased to acquire a goalkeeper of his potential who already has plenty of experience."

Luton have not disclosed the length of Keeley's contract at Kenilworth Road.

Being Tottenham Hotspur manager has not recently aligned with job security, but new boss Thomas Frank is undaunted by recent history and says he is in it "for the long term".

Speaking in his first news conference since joining in June, Frank joked that, having never been sacked, he took the Spurs job to "get a little bit more risk in his daily life".

While Frank's tone was light-hearted, there is no doubting the demands of the role have proved difficult in the past four years.

Spurs have had four managers since June 2021, with Nuno Espirito Santo lasting just four months, Antonio Conte 16 months and Ange Postecoglou - despite ending the club's 17-year wait for a major trophy by winning the Europa League - two years.

"Coming to a big club, there are pressures," said the Dane. "I like the ambitions and everything I do - every decision I've made - is for the long term. It's not about surviving 18 months, it's for the long run."

The 51-year-old said it was "extremely positive" for the club to have lifted the Europa League last season and, while he wants to bring more trophies, his main ambition is to ensure Spurs are able to compete on all fronts.

"[Winning the Europa League] gave them that fantastic trophy that this club deserved and needed," he said.

"My aim is to add to that. The first aim is that we need to be able to compete in all four tournaments and do it consistently."

Frank was speaking before Tottenham's first pre-season game against League One side Reading at 15:00 BST on Saturday.

Frank had been the Premier League's second longest-serving manager, leaving Brentford in June having managed them in the top flight since winning promotion in 2021.

He said it was a tough decision to leave the west London side, but managing Tottenham was an opportunity he could not refuse.

"In a way it was very difficult and in a way it was very easy," said Frank.

"It was very difficult because I'm a person that goes 'all in' in every relationship: work, friends, marriage, whatever it is. When you go all in and work at a football club, you get attached. I really loved my time there.

"I also felt maybe it was time to challenge myself and get another opportunity. When a club of Tottenham's magnitude are knocking on your door, I couldn't turn it down."

BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray says it appears Forest "aren't looking for a quick resolution" to Tottenham's approach for Morgan Gibbs-White.

Forest are considering legal action against the north London club as it is believed they are looking at whether a specific confidentiality agreement in the £60m release clause in Gibbs-White's contract has been breached.

"It is certainly one that Forest could have been doing without and one that has got the fans worried," Fray said on the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast.

"On the back of the exit of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle, fans were willing to accept that a big sale might be necessary this summer because that's life in the days of PSR and the Premier League. Although disappointed with that possibility and subsequent reality, people accepted that.

"But, to have this right on the heel of the Elanga deal caused a lot of concern among supporters, and still is. It is a moving situation and things may change quickly - but it is messy, it is horrible, Forest don't want to be there in that situation. I'm fairly sure Gibbs-White doesn't either."

Gibbs-White returned to training with Forest this week, adding to the speculation surrounding his future.

"It's going to be interesting to see how it plays out from here," added Fray.

"Most thought it would be ironed out and the transfer go through. Not many were expecting him back at training and here he is. That is another twist in the story.

"Forest have set their stall out that they aren't looking for a quick resolution. They want to keep him."

Tottenham women's green belt plan gets green light

James W Kelly

BBC News

Tottenham Hotspur have been given the go-ahead to build a new training ground by City Hall, despite calls by campaigners seeking to save a park.

The football club plans to fence off a section of Whitewebbs Park in Enfield, north London, and build a new women's academy, with 11 pitches and a new clubhouse.

A City Hall spokesperson said "while the proposal represents inappropriate development on the green belt, very special circumstances have been demonstrated".

Campaigners aiming to save the park said they were disappointed in the decision.

Enfield Council approved the plans in February despite 296 objections, many of which were related to the loss of green space and impact on local wildlife.

The decision was referred to the mayor because the proposed site falls into green belt land.

It did not give Sir Sadiq Khan, or his deputy, powers to act as the planning authority and options were limited to either allowing Enfield Council's draft decision to grant permission to proceed unchanged, or directing Enfield Council to refuse the application.

The main reason given for not blocking the development was that special circumstances had been demonstrated, and a package of public benefits had been secured.

These factors were deemed to outweigh any harm caused by the development.

The academy's location, adjacent to the existing men's facility, would allow for approximately 11,000 sq m (2.7 acres) of facilities to be shared, reducing new building work and carbon emissions compared to isolated sites.

Public benefits include a community engagement plan for local football training for around 36,700 people annually, and free transport to community training for schools.

The Guardians of Whitewebbs, a local ecology group which opposed the Spurs development, called the public benefits "paltry" and that the decision "flies in the face of common sense".

It argued the development represented a loss of public and biodiverse green space - specifically the loss of about 40 acres of re-wilded grassland and the felling of 207 trees.

"Football pitches can in no way make up for the permanent loss and degradation of green space."

The leader of Enfield Council, Ergin Erbil, said he was pleased to see the "exciting vision" for Whitewebbs Park move forward.

The Guardians of Whitewebbs said they remain resolute and "are determined to explore all avenues for safeguarding the park for all".

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.

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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.

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Get Involved - Spurs' power moves; Forest blow

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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?

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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.