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Tottenham have entered the frame for Jean-Philippe Mateta with a view to making an offer in January and taking advantage of his contract situation.

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are in the frame to make their interest in Jean-Philippe Mateta known. Crystal Palace are struggling to get a contract renewal with the French striker in place, as Spurs are eager to take advantage of the situation to bring the attacker to North London.

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s situation would have surely alerted a few teams keen on signing the striker from the summer window. Back then, Crystal Palace were adamant about keeping him, while the French striker did not force the issue of leaving, as contract talks over at Selhurst Park had hit a standstill.

Palace could consider a sale if the talks remained stalled, but there’s no clarity on whether they are willing to consider offers in January. The winter window might be the best time to get the best value for the 28-year-old Crystal Palace mainstay, as the club may have to make a stern decision.

Mateta himself is open to a new chapter and furthering his career elsewhere after being labelled as a late bloomer of sorts. He has been sensational for Palace and a crucial performer under Oliver Glasner, meaning losing him would be a big blow, especially for a knocked-down price.

Tottenham are the latest to enter the frame for Mateta, as Thomas Frank continues to search for a new striker option ahead of the January window. Spurs have the financial capacity to make an enticing offer, as well as table an attractive contract for the 28-year-old Crystal Palace mainstay to take note.

Tottenham to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta?

Tottenham could make a case in the race, as they are currently exploring a host of options in the market. The potential arrival of Mateta might allow Spurs to offload the inconsistent Richarlison amid interest from many clubs, including Everton.

Spurs could be an attractive option for Mateta to consider, especially with Champions League football on offer, although any move might also depend on the projections of where they might finish this season. Overall, Mateta’s profile would suit Tottenham, while all eyes will be on how much Crystal Palace might want for him, if at all they are open to a January sale.

Tottenham could plot a £40 million move for Jan Paul van Hecke in future windows as Brighton are unlikely to entertain offers in January.

According to Team Talk, Jan Paul van Hecke is a reported target for Tottenham ahead of future windows. Spurs are eager to bring in a quality defender to their squad, with the Dutchman being targeted in a £40 million move, either in January or next summer, as Brighton are unlikely to sanction a move next month.

The January window does bring about opportunities to a few clubs but tensions for others, especially those who are shielding their prized assets. In Brighton’s case, they have a talented squad, with Fabian Hurzelar eager to keep hold of most stars, but at times, things may not be in his or the club’s power.

The Seagulls have shown plenty of resilience in the market before, and could prove a hard customer for buying clubs to negotiate their way through. Brighton are now sweating over key defender Jan Paul van Hecke’s future, with the Dutchman attracting the interest of Tottenham.

Spurs are eager to bolster their backline with a new centre-back, with Van Hecke perfect for their plans moving forward. The ideal time that Thomas Frank would want this defender is in the January window, but there are big challenges ahead in luring top talents next month.

For instance, they are facing competition in the race for Juventus’ Gleison Bremer, while there are some more names on their list. In Van Hecke’s case, they could exploit his contractual situation, given earlier reports stated the Dutchman was stalling on talks for a new deal.

Could Brighton sell Jan Paul van Hecke?

Tottenham are now planning a £40 million bid for Van Hecke, either in January or next summer, as they remain intent on landing the Dutch international. Brighton are unlikely to entertain January bids for the defender, given how important he has been to their plans so far, and will be crucial if the Seagulls were to challenge for a European spot.

The Seagulls and Hurzelar certainly want Van Hecke to commit his future to the club, but with just over 18 months left on his deal, Brighton might consider a sale in the summer. Whether the price Spurs are thinking for the £40 million-rated Dutch international will suffice remains the question, but that seems reasonable for a player of his quality with a year left on his contract in the summer.

Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are reportedly set to battle it out for Parma sensation Mateo Pellegrino.

Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United have joined a growing list of European clubs monitoring Parma striker Mateo Pellegrino, as interest in the Argentine forward intensifies ahead of the January transfer window. The 24-year-old has rapidly become one of Serie A’s most intriguing breakout performers, drawing attention with his blend of physical presence, technical security, and tactical maturity.

Pellegrino’s profile rose significantly during Parma’s recent match against AC Milan, where he struck the post, repeatedly troubled the Rossoneri defence, and outshone high-profile attackers such as Christopher Nkunku. According to Corriere della Sera, Milan directors Geoffrey Moncada and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were impressed with his performance, prompting fresh internal discussions at the club. But they are far from alone in viewing Pellegrino as a compelling long-term investment.

According to Calciomercato, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are both evaluating striker options for different reasons, yet Pellegrino fits the recruitment vision of each club. Spurs, still seeking attacking depth to support and eventually succeed their current striker options, are attracted to Pellegrino’s ability to occupy defenders, link play, and offer a late-game physical alternative.

For Ange Postecoglou’s successor, Thomas Frank, who favours transitions and aerial threat, the Argentinian attacker offers a stylistic profile that does not currently exist in the squad. West Ham, meanwhile, face uncertainty over the future of their forward line, with long-term considerations around Callum Wilson and continued inconsistency from their attacking alternatives.

Pellegrino’s aggression, hold-up ability, and directness make him a fit for the physical demands of Nuno Espirito Santo’s system, particularly as the Hammers look toward strengthening depth for both domestic and European campaigns.

Parma, however, have made their stance clear. The club rejected a bid from the Premier League last summer, signalling their belief that Pellegrino’s value will rise significantly. Sporting director Francesco Cherubini, who secured the player from Velez Sarsfield for €2 million plus 50% of future resale, views Pellegrino as a long-term asset rather than a short-term cash opportunity. Any club wishing to secure him in January will likely need to submit an offer over €30 million.

The competition for Pellegrino extends beyond England. AS Roma, Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, and Nottingham Forest are all tracking his development, while AC Milan are weighing a move either in January or during the summer window. For now, Pellegrino’s future remains in Parma’s hands, but the Premier League pull, particularly the financial strength of Tottenham and West Ham, cannot be ignored.

Whether January proves the right moment for a bidding war remains to be seen. What is certain is that Pellegrino has positioned himself as one of Europe’s most sought-after emerging forwards, with both London clubs firmly in contention as the chase begins to heat up.

Tottenham, Newcastle United and Everton are all alerted to the possibility of signing Conor Gallagher in January as Atletico Madrid name their price.

According to Fichajes, Conor Gallagher could be made available in January as Atletico Madrid could demand between €50-60 million for the midfielder. Tottenham, Newcastle United and Everton are all vying for the England international’ signature, who could seek a return to England to boost his World Cup chances.

Conor Gallagher is no longer holding a key role in Diego Simeone’s side, as the Argentine manager prefers to use other players instead of the midfielder. There’s a strong possibility of the English star leaving Spain this January, with a return to the Premier League being mooted.

There had been a few clubs interested in the midfielder at the back end of the summer window, as Newcastle United angled a loan deal then. Atletico Madrid might have considered a permanent sale had interested clubs come in with a sizeable offer, as the Spanish side are now ready to sell him for around €50-60 million in January.

Newcastle United are expected to rekindle their interest, while Everton are also ready to take their chances by approaching. David Moyes seeks a quality midfielder who could offer something different from a central position, as the €50-60 million-rated La Liga midfielder could be the right fit for the Toffees.

They could sell the vision of making Gallagher a key star in their project, which might come with the possibility of regular game time. The midfielder is desperate to play regularly and boost his chances of playing for England at the World Cup, which, as things stand, are not looking good.

Why are Atletico Madrid willing to sell Conor Gallagher?

To compete with Newcastle United and Everton, Tottenham are seemingly seen as the front runners for Gallagher, as they too were told to pay a significant fee back in the summer. Thomas Frank could see a place for the €50-60 million-rated La Liga midfielder in his squad, with Gallagher reportedly open to the idea of returning to the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen on Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner as a potential replacement for Thomas Frank.

According to a report by TEAMtalk, the future of Thomas Frank is in doubt after Tottenham’s recent performances. Spurs started the season really well, but they have lost their way in recent weeks. Their performances have been quite mediocre, and it would not be a surprise if the manager is shown the door in the near future, with Oliver Glasner emerging as a target.

There is no doubt that Frank is a quality manager, and he has proven himself in the Premier League with Brentford. He will be hoping to hold onto his job and turn things around at the north London club. However, Tottenham are already preparing for alternatives.

Crystal Palace Oliver Glasner manager is on their radar, and it will be interesting to see if they decide to make a move for him in the near future. The Austrian tactician has done an exciting job at Crystal Palace, and he helped them win the FA Cup and the Community Shield recently.

There is no doubt that the 51-year-old is good enough to manage a big club, and he could be an exciting addition for Tottenham. It will be interesting to see if the North London club are already willing to give up on their new man and bring in a replacement.

Thomas Frank deserves more time

Tottenham will need stability to develop as a team. Keeping the Danish manager at the club for the foreseeable future might be a good decision. Thomas Frank’s pedigree is beyond any doubt, and he might need some more time to get the best out of his team.

Tottenham will be hoping to finish in the top four this season and do well in the domestic competitions. It will be interesting to see if Thomas Frank can guide them to a successful season. The North Londoners managed to win the UEFA Europa League last season, and they have backed the new manager with substantial funds.

Liverpool, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur are all rumoured to have made inquiries for Iliman Ndiaye ahead of a future transfer.

According to Foot Mercato, Illiman Ndiaye continued to attract some of the best clubs in the Premier League. Liverpool, Manchester City, and Tottenham have all been rumoured to have made inquiries for the Everton star, and an approach could be anticipated around next summer.

Iliman Ndiaye was considered a flop at Marseille, and Everton got hold of the attacker in the summer of 2024 in a reported €20 million deal. Since then, the Senegal international has grown under David Moyes to become one of the sought after attackers in the Premier League.

Back in the summer, a few top clubs did consider signing him, but Everton were steadfast in their stance about keeping the player. Ndiaye is tied until 2029, which does give the Toffees plenty of power in negotiations if, at all, a club comes calling for his signature.

Now, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur are rumoured to have made enquiries with Iliman Ndiaye’s agent for the availability of the €20 million Everton star. Spurs are definitely interested after missing out on Morgan Rogers, with Thomas Frank eager to add a new attacker to the mix following a difficult start to life at Spurs.

Manchester City are on the same boat, as they may feel the need to offload Savinho despite choosing to keep him back in the summer. There are some high-profile players like Antoine Semenyo being linked as well as Real Madrid’s Rodrygo Goes, although Ndiaye could also be considered as a good enough option to improve their attacking setup.

Will Everton sell Iliman Ndiaye?

Everton are likely to demand a premium price for Ndiaye if they have to sell the Senegalese international, although that could increase even more if Liverpool are in the mix. Dealings between the Merseyside rivals are rather rare, so the likelihood of the Toffees selling one of their best players to their bitter rivals could seem unlikely.

As for the report itself, that those clubs have made inquiries, Iliman Ndiaye himself re-posted the post from the journalist on X, which may suggest these are simply rumours. However, in the future things could change, as there is no doubt that Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur could indeed be genuinely interested in signing the Toffees star.

Tottenham rpeortedly see a window to hijack Manchester United’s move for Brighton & Hove Albion midfield sensation Carlos Baleba.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Tottenham have entered the race to sign Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba. The North London club sense an opportunity to beat Manchester United to the signature of the Cameroonian international.

Baleba has only gone from strength to strength in recent seasons. The 21-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best young defensive midfielders in the world. While he has had a dip in form since being linked with the Red Devils during the summer, the interest in his signature still remains very high.

Manchester United remain keen on Carlos Baleba

Multiple top clubs from across Europe have been linked with Baleba, but as per the report, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are the two main teams to watch out for. The Red Devils were keen on signing him ahead of the ongoing campaign in an attempt to bolster their midfield.

However, they did not make any concrete moves to bring Carlos Baleba to Manchester. But the Red Devils retain interest in his services, as they consider him a perfect long-term replacement for Casemiro. The fact that he is a Premier League-proven player makes him a much more reliable option for Manchester United.

While the 21-year-old is still very high on their wishlist, they do have other options like Elliot Anderson and Joao Gomes. If Manchester United back off, Tottenham could go all out to sign the Cameroonian international.

Tottenham sense a golden opportunity

The North London club are closely monitoring Carlos Baleba’s situation, and they sense there could be an opportunity to beat United to his signature if the Red Devils decide to focus on other targets.

Thomas Frank is not pleased with his midfield options. He wants more quality and considers Baleba an ideal fit for his system and the club’s project. As a result, Tottenham would pounce on any opportunity. However, Brighton’s massive €100 million valuation could complicate things for them.

While Baleba has not been in the best of form, the Seagulls consider it to be just a brief blip. They have no intentions of lowering their demands. Brighton are reluctant to let him leave in the winter window, but if the right offer arrives, things could change.

Tottenham are interested in FC Midtjylland striker Franculino Dju, with Arsenal and Barcelona are also keen on the attacker.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness, Tottenham are showing serious interest in FC Midtjylland striker Franculino Dju. Spurs are in the market for a new centre-forward to add to their attacking setup. Arsenal and Barcelona are also monitoring his situation, but Tottenham could have a chance to sign him.

FC Midtjylland has a big talent on their hands, after signing Franculino Dju in the summer from Benfica. The attacker has flourished with the Danish side, with 22 goals and assists so far this season, which has attracted interest from elsewhere.

The striker was watched by Leeds United and West Ham, which could pave the way for the 22-goal star to make a switch to the Premier League. However, there’s reported interest from Roma, who have been monitoring his displays for the last six months, and are ready to make a move in January, as Gian Piero Gasperini wants a new striker in his ranks.

However, FC Midtjylland’s €30 million demand could have pushed Roma away, which has allowed Tottenham to take the front seat in the hunt. The north Londoners are planning on signing a new striker and winger in January, as they are now looking at Franculino Dju in the winter window.

They have a few names on their list, including Samu Aghehowa, as Thomas Frank wants someone young to develop at the club for the long run. Hence, they might be willing to pay up for someone like the FC Midtjylland star in January, if a move is possible,

Does Franculino Dju have more suitors?

As per Campo, Franculino Dju also has Arsenal and Barcelona as admirers, which could complicate Tottenham’s chase of the forward. The two teams are not particularly desperate for a new striker at the moment, which could allow Spurs to make their move, although West Ham United are also keen.

Whether Fanculino Dju is keen on a switch to Spurs remains to be seen, although the lure of Champions League football as well as playing in the Premier League could tempt the forward. Much will depend on whether Spurs are ready to pay what’s necessary for FC Midtjylland, with the Danish club not keen on letting him leave just yet.

Tottenham Hotspur will reportedly look to sign 21-year-old Spanish international Samu Aghehowa from FC Porto in the winter transfer window.

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Samu Aghehowa is the subject of interest from Tottenham Hotspur. The Lilywhites are eager to bolster their offensive unit by signing a striker in the winter transfer window. So, the 21-year-old FC Porto centre-forward has emerged as a target for the North London outfit.

The 2024/25 UEFA Europa League winners are ready to back Thomas Frank by signing a striker in the winter transfer window. Meanwhile, FC Porto will demand around £80 million to part ways with the Spaniard next year. The report has revealed that Samu’s “clinical finishing represents the profiles” Tottenham will want in the second half of the 2025/26 season.

How has Samu Aghehowa fared at FC Porto?

Samu Aghehowa has established himself as one of the world’s best young strikers since joining FC Porto from Atletico Madrid last year. While the 21-year-old was impressive during his loan spell with Deportivo Alaves in the 2023/24 season and won the gold medal with Spain at the 2024 Paris Olympics, he could not establish a foothold at Atletico Madrid.

Meanwhile, the Spanish striker enjoyed a solid debut campaign with FC Porto, and he has been hot off the blocks in the 2025/26 campaign. The youngster has amassed nine goals and one assist in 15 appearances thus far. Meanwhile, Samu’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs. Tottenham Hotspur will be among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.

London calling?

Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in Samu Aghehowa makes sense. The Lilywhites are combing the market for a striker, even though they completed a loan move for Randal Kolo Muani in the summer transfer window. However, it is unclear if the French international will complete a permanent move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next year.

Additionally, recent reports have claimed that Tottenham may cash in on Richarlison next year due to financial reasons. Meanwhile, Dominic Solanke has yet to make his mark since joining Tottenham. So, the North London club must sign a striker in the winter transfer window, with Samu emerging as a viable target. They are ready to back Thomas Frank by securing the Spaniard’s services in January.

Paris Saint-Germain will be eager to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they host Tottenham Hotspur at Parc des Princes on Wednesday.

The curtains will fall on Matchday 5 of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. The action on the day will start with two early matches before ending with simultaneous games, including PSG vs Tottenham Hotspur at Parc des Princes.

Paris Saint-Germain’s perfect start to the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League ended on Matchday 4, as Bayern Munich clinched a narrow 2-1 win at Parc des Princes. That result has dropped PSG to fifth in the standings, falling behind Bayern, Arsenal, Inter Milan, and Manchester City. However, domestic results have brought some relief, as Les Parisiens beat Le Havre 3-0 this past weekend to remain atop the Ligue 1 table.

On the other hand, Tottenham Hotspur suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League this past weekend, which took the North London club from the top four to eighth on the table. However, the Lilywhites are unbeaten thus far in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, cruising to a 4-0 win over FC Copenhagen to rise to tenth in the standings.

PSG and Tottenham Hotspur have already clashed once this season, with the French giants winning the UEFA Super Cup by clinching a narrow victory in the penalty shootout. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.

Team News & Tactics

PSG

Luis Enrique has received a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The PSG manager will be bereft of the services of only three first-team players vs Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.

Illia Zabarnyi is available after serving a suspension against Bayern Munich on Matchday 4. So, Achraf Hakimi (ankle), Desire Doue (hamstring), and Ousmane Dembele (calf) are the only players on the sidelines, with the trio in the treatment room for a few more weeks.

Lucas Chevalier is an automatic pick between the sticks, with PSG lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him vs Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. The backline will feature Warren Zaire-Emery, Illia Zabarnyi, Willian Pacho, and Nuno Mendes.

As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, and Joao Neves in the middle of the park. Finally, Bradley Barcola will spearhead the PSG attack against Tottenham Hotspur, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Lee Kang-in completing the numbers in the offensive third.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Chevalier; Zaire-Emery, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Lee, Barcola, Kvaratskhelia

Tottenham Hotspur

Unlike his counterpart in the Paris Saint-Germain dugout, Thomas Frank has a new roster issue to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The Tottenham Hotspur manager will be without eight first-team players on Wednesday.

Brennan Johnson is the latest absentee, as he will serve a suspension after being sent off against FC Copenhagen on Matchday 4. Additionally, Radu Dragusin (knee), Kota Takai (hamstring), Ben Davies (thigh), Yves Bissouma (ankle), James Maddison (knee), Dominic Solanke (ankle), and Dejan Kulusevski remain in the treatment room.

Guglielmo Vicario will take his usual spot between the sticks, with Tottenham Hotspur lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs PSG on Wednesday. The backline will feature Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Destiny Udogie.

As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Joao Palhinha and Pape Matar Sarr in the double pivot, with Xavi Simons reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Randal Kolo Muani will spearhead the Tottenham attack against PSG, with Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison being the two wide attackers.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Sarr; Kudus, Simons, Richarlison; Kolo Muani

Key Stats

PSG and Tottenham Hotspur have met just once before in European competition, with the French side coming back from 2-0 down to win the UEFA Super Cup on penalties earlier this season.

Across major European competitions, Tottenham have lost only two of their last 13 games against clubs from France (W6 D5), with their most recent outing on the road witnessing them draw 0-0 with AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League this term.

PSG have lost only one of their last six home UEFA Champions League games against English opponents (W4 D1), a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in March 2025 in the Round of 16 of the 2025/26 edition.

Tottenham are unbeaten in their five most recent UEFA Champions League games (W2 D3), keeping four clean sheets in that time. The North London outfit last enjoyed a longer undefeated run in the competition between October 2018 and April 2019 (seven games).

Tottenham have recorded seven clean sheets in their 13 games across the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League in 2025, the most of any team in major European competition this year. The 0.35 xG Spurs allowed on Matchday 4 against FC Copenhagen was the lowest tally they had faced in a Champions League match since February 2019 against Borussia Dortmund (0.10).

Player to Watch

Micky van de Ven

Embed from Getty Images

While Richarlison, Bradley Barcola, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Micky van de Ven as the Player to Watch for Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur at Parc des Princes.

The Dutchman is Tottenham’s top scorer in the UEFA Champions League this season with two goals. The last defender to score more times in a single edition of the competition for a Premier League club was John Stones for Manchester City in 2017/18 (3).

However, while van de Ven’s offensive prowess will be crucial for Tottenham, Thomas Frank will need the 24-year-old to be at his best at the back to ensure the visitors frustrate PSG for long periods and get something from Wednesday’s clash. So, the Dutch defender will be the pivotal figure for the away side in the midweek Champions League clash.

Prediction

PSG 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Smarting from the defeat to Arsenal this past weekend, Tottenham will be desperate to return to winning ways. However, while the away side will take the game to Paris Saint-Germain, they will not have enough quality to take anything from Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash at Parc des Princes.

Richarlison and Mohammed Kudus will be the torch-bearers for the visitors. However, their defensive frailties will come to the fore again, with Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia pushing them into submission. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Luis Enrique and his charges.