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At the beginning of last season, Tottenham Hotspur were electric, with James Maddison’s quality being a huge part of their early success.

Unfortunately, his performances weren’t able to remain quite at that level, hence why Spurs are now looking to sign Eberechi Eze.

Luckily, the duo do have the capability to play alongside each other due to Eze’s ability to feature off the left-hand side.

So, who else could Spurs sign? Well, there's one target who would be pretty perfect for the aforementioned duo.

Spurs’ search for a centre forward

According to a report from Football Insider, Tottenham have "strong interest" in signing Ivan Toney from Brentford.

Ange Postecoglou is keen to secure his side a new centre forward, having played Heung-min Son in the role last season.

The England international currently has just a year left on his contract, which means the Bees may be forced into dropping their £50m-60m asking price.

Despite interest from West Ham United and Manchester United, it’s Spurs that are ‘particularly big admirers.’

Why Toney would be perfect for Eze and Maddison

It’s fair to say that the last 12 months have been rather difficult for Toney, mainly due to missing the majority of the 2023/24 campaign through a suspension for betting offences.

On his return, the Bees striker quickly reminded the Premier League why he’s a fantastic player, scoring on his return against Nottingham Forest.

The 28-year-old started a further 15 games, scoring four goals in total and providing two assists, which isn’t a terrible return considering he was playing for a struggling Brentford side.

An inclusion in the England squad for the European Championship will give him a huge boost ahead of next season, but it was his quality during the 2022/23 campaign that really showed his class.

Last season, other than Heung-min Son, Spurs lacked a reliable source of goals, a Harry Kane-esque player whose name popped up on the scoresheet more often than not.

This is exactly what Toney would provide, as the absolute “monster," as dubbed by Brentford boss Thomas Frank, is a huge threat due to his physicality and confidence, with his goal record speaking for itself.

The number 17 is a player who can successfully thrive in different systems and situations, whether it be dropping deep to get on the ball and progress it or operating on the shoulder of the defender, as shown by the number of touches displayed in the table above.

Given that Toney is comfortable receiving the ball to his feet, he’d bring the likes of Eze and Maddison into the game far more, particularly in central areas where a quick one-two can unlock a defence.

On top of that, because of the former Newcastle United striker’s insane aerial ability - ranking in the top 9% of strikers in the Premier League throughout 2022/23 for aerial wins - he would provide a completely different approach in the final third than the likes of Son or Richarlison.

Eze and Maddison are the definition of creators, as shown by the fact they both average two key passes per game, and having a constant target to hit in the box would increase their creativity significantly, especially against a team that sits in a low block.

Overall, Toney has all the attributes to succeed at an elite club, and Spurs may just provide him with the perfect environment to become unstoppable, especially with the potential service he'd be on the end of.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is ready to back Ange Postecoglou with a £100 million war chest this summer, and it is believed that one player has now verbally agreed terms to join the north Londoners.

Postecoglou gives scathing assessment of Spurs squad

Speaking earlier this year, Postecoglou gave a scathing assessment of his current squad, who eventually managed to qualify for Europa League football next season despite the absence of former star striker Harry Kane.

The odds were stacked against Postecoglou when he first took over from Antonio Conte in north London, having lost the club's record-goalscorer to Bayern Munich that summer, while also contending with a general ill-feeling after his predecessor's disastrous final campaign at the helm.

However, the Australian's brand of football and electric start to life at Tottenham turned many heads, and while they couldn't quite seal a place in the Champions League pot for next term, there are certainly positives to build upon.

Postecoglou does suggest that this Spurs squad needs multiple windows of upgrades before they're contending at the Premier League summit, though.

"We've got a lot of work to do still on the squad and I don't think we're anywhere near where we want to be. It probably will take a little bit more than three windows to get there, for sure," said Postecoglou on Tottenham's current team.

"Just in terms of the robustness, adaptability, and compatibility of the squad, I think there's still a fair bit of change we need to do. I certainly don't think we're one or two players away from getting to where I want us to be, nowhere near it. Some of that will be natural evolution. Some of it hopefully means we continue to get the improvement we've had this year from some of our players. If that happens over the next 12 months, then we'll be in a great position.

"But you've got to remember, a lot of our group are in their first year of the Premier League. A good chunk of them have been ever-presents, we need them to keep improving at the rate they are. We've still got a lot of work to do with the squad. I think we're a long way away from having one or two players away from getting where we want to be."

Levy, according to Football Transfers this week, is ready to spend on behalf of Postecoglou as he looks to build a winning team.

Levy ready to spend £100m as Toney agrees terms to join Tottenham

FT claim Levy is prepared to support Postecoglou with a £100 million budget this summer, and it is believed they've made headway in pursuit of a potential Kane replacement - Brentford star Ivan Toney.

Toney has verbally agreed personal terms to join Tottenham, who Brentford value at around £65 million. However, there is a belief that a deal could be done for around £55 million given the England international's contract situation.

Spurs are said to have the financial firepower to outbid competitors in the race for Toney, but recently had their opening £40m offer rebuffed by Thomas Frank's side. While there is still work to do in club-to-club talks, it at least appears player terms have been resolved pretty early.

A World Cup winner has spoken to Tottenham through his representatives over the possibility of him joining Ange Postecoglou's side this summer, and he'd be a very low-cost option for chairman Daniel Levy.

Ange's desire to sign new centre-back at Spurs

Various reports have indicated that the north Londoners are keen on bringing in another central defensive option, despite Radu Dragusin's arrival in January, and it is believed that Spurs actually made an offer to Tosin Adarabioyo before his move to Chelsea.

A new centre-back is one of Tottenham's key summer transfer agendas, as stated by The Times, with Postecoglou planning an overhaul of the squad ahead of his second Premier League campaign in charge. The Australian, speaking to national media in March, even admitted to the club's desire to sign another body for the heart of his backline.

“If you’re saying, ‘Is it an area we can strengthen?’, yes it’s an area we will probably look at”, said Postecoglou on bringing in a centre-back.

“With all these things, it’s about trying to strengthen the group as much as anything else. If you think about when I first arrived, we had maybe six or seven centre-backs at the club. So it’s not just numbers. It’s more about the ability of those players to play the football we want and to fit in to what we’re trying to build here.

“I think it is an area of the park we will look to strengthen, but I think we’ll look to strengthen all areas of the park come the end of the season. That is planning that’s already underway, and other people are in charge of it at the moment.”

Postecoglou's side struggled when the likes of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero were absent last campaign, prompting the recruitment team to bring in the left-footed Dragusin as an alternative.

However, the 22-year-old, who impressed for Romania against Ukraine at Euro 2024 on Monday, could just be one of two new centre-halves brought to N17 this year - as Levy attempts to back Postecoglou with strength in depth.

Hummels holds talks to join Tottenham via his agents

According to HITC, Spurs have now been offered the opportunity to bring in a very experienced, big-name World Cup winner at zero cost. Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels is out of contract at the end of this month and available on a free transfer, with the £113,000-per-week ace's representatives looking for a new home.

Hummels' agents have spoken with Tottenham over potentially joining Postecoglou this summer, as well as the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham and Everton, with the Lilywhites handed a chance to bring the 35-year-old to England.

The serial-winning German boasts an array of Bundesliga winners' medals from productive spells at both Dortmund and Bayern Munich, so he would also be an experienced figurehead for Postecoglou's dressing room if Spurs decide to press forward.

Tottenham Hotspur endured a Premier League season full of ups and downs under the guidance of new boss Ange Postecoglou last season, but all things considered, qualifying for the Europa League has to be seen as a success.

That said, there's no rest for the wicked, as the club now have a few months to bring in some real quality to help the side make the jump up to the Champions League places, especially as vice-captain Cristian Romero has been linked to European giants Real Madrid in recent days.

Luckily, Daniel Levy and Co have been at work, as the latest player touted for a move to N17 may be the perfect replacement, and he's been compared to six-time Premier League winner John Stones.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Tottenham Hotspur are incredibly interested in Bologna's star defender, Riccardo Calafiori, and have already held initial talks over a potential transfer.

Alongside the Lilywhites, the report has revealed that Chelsea, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Napoli, Juventus and Newcastle United are also interested in the 22-year-old and that the latter has also held initial talks over a potential move.

An offer of around €35m, about £30m, should secure the defender's signature. However, the player would reportedly prefer a move to the Old Lady if he were to leave this summer to join up with his former boss, Thiago Motta.

It might prove to be a complicated deal to get over the line, but with Romero potentially leaving the club this summer, this isn't a player that Spurs can afford to miss out on - the comparisons to Stones are just a nice bonus.

How Calafiori compares to Romero and Stones

Before looking at how the Italian stacks up against Romero, let's first take a look at the comparison to Stones, which has primarily stemmed from data analyst Ben Mattinson.

His main argument stems from the Italian's ability and willingness to step "into midfield to control games." This trait that Mattinson is talking about can be seen in his Serie A heatmap, which demonstrates that while he does most of his work where you would expect, he still takes a significant number of touches in the opposition's half.

Not only is this similar to the City ace's, but it would also serve him well if he joined Spurs, as Postecoglou has become famous for playing a particularly high defensive line, which should suit the "quality front-footed defender", as Mattinson dubbed him, down to the ground.

With that said, how does the Rome-born "monster", as dubbed by Mattinson, compare to the player he could be replacing at the heart of the North Londoners' defence? Well, the good news is that while he comes out second best in some areas, as you'd expect, he does emerge victorious in others, suggesting that he could well be an ideal replacement.

For example, while the Argentine produces a better non-penalty expected goal and assists figure, plays more progressive passes, has better-passing accuracy and makes more tackles, the Italian completes more progressive carries and successful take-ons, receives more progressive passes, produces more shot and goal-creating actions, blocks more passes and makes more interceptions, wins a higher percentage of aerial duels and recovers more balls, all per 90.

Ultimately, even if Spurs can keep hold of Romero this summer, bringing in a player of Calafiori's quality would be a fantastic move and one that may help the club push back up into the top four and beyond.

After a roller coaster of a season that saw Ange Postecoglou eventually secure Europa League football for Tottenham Hotspur, it's the recruitment team's turn to step up and deliver in the coming months.

Daniel Levy and Co have to bring in the right players to help the Australian guide the Lilywhites back closer to the top of the Premier League while simultaneously helping him flush out those not good enough to do so.

Luckily for the former Celtic boss, that may well happen as the latest player touted for a move to N17 is an incredibly exciting youngster who could be the perfect upgrade to Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report from football.london, Tottenham Hotspur have a 'strong interest' in Leeds United star Archie Gray.

The report has revealed that, alongside several other Premier League sides, the Lilywhites have monitored the 18-year-old's progress for some time and view his positional flexibility as a massive plus.

The report does not mention a potential price, but considering his importance to the team and his £5k-per-week contract, which runs until June 2028, it could be a costly transfer to get over the line.

However, according to The Athletic, following their failure to win promotion back to the Premier League, the Peacocks now need to sell this summer, which could help Levy and Co swipe Gray for below his market value, which could be bad news for Højbjerg.

How Gray compares to Højbjerg

Now, if Gray does move to North London this summer, he'd most likely do so under the promise of game time in the centre of midfield, as while he played well at right-back last season, that was more through necessity than design.

For example, in his 89 appearances for the senior and junior sides since the start of the 2021/22 season, the Durham-born prospect has started 41 games in attacking, central, and defensive midfield and 30 on the right side of the defence.

Therefore, his arrival at Spurs would put him up against the club's current crop of central midfielders, including Højbjerg, so how do the pair compare? Well, despite being a decade his junior, the Englishman stacks up very well, coming out ahead in more metrics than not.

For example, while he produced a lower non-penalty expected goal and assists figure, fewer clearances, progressive passes, ball recoveries, and shot-creating actions, he provided more actual assists, completed more progressive carries while receiving more progressive passes, made and won more tackles, made considerably fewer errors, produced more goal-creating actions, and completed more successful take-ones, all per 90.

What's even more impressive is that most of his metrics came while he was playing fullback, so it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect his progressive passes to increase considerably when in a more central role.

Ultimately, given how impressive Gray looked last season and the fact that data analyst Ben Mattinson described him as a "future £100m cm," Levy and Co must do what they can to bring him to North London this summer.

He may still be a little raw, but the talent is undeniable at this point, and as he has already surpassed Højbjerg in a number of key underlying metrics, he might be the long-term future of the Lilywhites' midfield.

With a keen eye on Euro 2024, Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly interested in signing one particular star who has already impressed by keeping Harry Kane quiet.

Tottenham transfer news

Whilst Ange Postecoglou's project showed signs of promise last season, the squad at the Australian's disposal undoubtedly has its limitations, as proved by their failure to qualify for the Champions League. Those limits should be solved this summer, however, especially if Daniel Levy wants to put his full trust in what Postecoglou is attempting to build.

Reports certainly suggest that's the case too, with Eberechi Eze and Riccardo Calafiori already linked with a move to North London this summer. Both players are at Euro 2024, with the latter stealing the spotlight in Italy's 2-1 victory over Albania in their opening game. The young defender was a standout even after his side conceded within 23 seconds.

Calafiori isn't the only Euro 2024 defender to keep an eye on when it comes to Spurs either, it seems. According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Spurs now want to sign Nikola Milenkovic from Fiorentina this summer. The central defender has also attracted interest from West Ham United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Fulham in a busy race that Spurs should be looking to win this summer.

Milenkovic impressed in Serbia's Euro 2024 opener against England. Whilst his side came out 1-0 losers, Milenkovic played a large part in keeping Kane quiet, which is no easy task. By the end of the game, the Bayern Munich star had been limited to just one touch in the Serbia box and one shot, as per Statman James, highlighting the job that Milenkovic and the rest of Serbia's backline completed.

"Perfect" Milenkovic is Premier League ready

If keeping one of the Premier League's greatest ever players quiet doesn't say that Milenkovic is ready for such a move this summer, then not much will. The defender could prove to be the difference next to either Cristian Romero or Micky van de Ven to truly solidify Postecoglou's backline with three quality options. What's more, if Romero did leave, Spurs would have enough depth to cover for his exit.

A player to keep an eye on for the rest of Serbia's tournament, Spurs will hope that Milenkovic's price tag doesn't skyrocket as a result of any form throughout the Euros, as they continue to eye a move.

After missing out on Champions League qualification last season, Ange Postecoglou has reportedly given the green light for Tottenham Hotspur to sanction the exit of one of last season's regular features.

Tottenham transfer news

The Premier League saw plenty of glimpses of promise from Spurs and Postecoglou last season, especially at the start of the season, but their drop-off in form at the end of the campaign exposed their lack of depth for all to see. When the likes of Destiny Udogie and Micky van de Ven suffered injuries, the lack of quality beyond Spurs' starting side was instantly apparent, as the likes of Emerson Royal failed to step up.

Perhaps aware of that, the Lilywhites could be in for a busy summer transfer window. Already, they've been linked with Eberechi Eze and Takefusa Kubo. Two attacking players, it seems as though Heung-min Son could finally get the attacking talent around him that Spurs have arguably lacked since Harry Kane's exit last summer.

Eze, called up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024 this summer, would especially add the creative spark to get the best out of Son and the rest of Spurs' attack. But it's not just incomings that look to be on the cards this summer.

According to The Daily Star via Football London, Postecoglou has given the green light for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to leave Tottenham this summer, with Jose Mourinho eyeing a reunion with the midfielder at Fenerbahce. Reportedly valued at £20m by Spurs, the Dane has been linked with Juventus, Napoli, Fulham and now Fenerbahce, as a crucial career decision awaits.

Hojbjerg struggled for a consistent starting role in Postecoglou's debut campaign but did feature regularly off the bench, and with just one year left on his current contract, Spurs look set cash in this summer to avoid eventually losing the midfielder for free.

"Professional" Hojbjerg needs Tottenham exit

After starting just eight Premier League games last season, Hojbjerg must take this summer as an opportunity to move on with a number of impressive interested parties in his signature. What's more, his exit would also be a win for Spurs if they managed to receive their £20m asking price and clear Hojbjerg's reported £100k-a-week wage, before reinvesting that in a younger, more suitable option for Postecoglou.

Despite green-lighting a move this summer though, the Spurs boss was full of praise for Hojbjerg at the start of last season, saying via The Independent: “With Pierre, he is a professional and very determined to win a spot in the team. He presents himself well every day and over a 38-game season all of these guys will get an opportunity at some point. What they do with that is up to them.

“In the meantime, what is important is if they want to keep getting opportunities, they have to train well and when they do play, whether they start or not, they contribute to the team.”

Of course, eight months later and it's clear that whatever opportunity that the Australian gave Hojbjerg, it was not enough with both parties seemingly on course to part ways this summer.

Eberechi Eze is a name that’s been circulating in the Tottenham Hotspur fanbase over the last few weeks.

The reason for this is due to the Crystal Palace star being linked with a move to Spurs recently, and given his quality, it’s no surprise the Lilywhites faithful are excited.

Palace’s number ten was absolutely instrumental in the Premier League, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists.

A big price tag may well be needed to prise him away from Selhurst Park, although it's not more than one of their current star men.

What Spurs paid for Cristian Romero

Prior to the start of the 2021/22 campaign, Tottenham reinforced their backline with Cristian Romero from Atalanta.

The Argentine moved to Spurs off the back of an impressive Champions League and Serie A campaign in Bergamo, picking up three goals and five assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.

Romero originally joined on a season-long loan, starting 22 league games in his debut Premier League season and becoming an important player.

Therefore, upon the expiration of his loan, Spurs triggered his option to buy for £41m without hesitation, with Daniel Levy viewing him as a player who could develop into a world-class defender at Tottenham.

However, Romero’s signature wasn’t exactly cheap, as they also had to meet his salary demands, and he eventually signed a £165k per week deal until 2027.

Romero’s transfer value in 2024

His first season as a permanent Spurs player featured plenty of ups and downs, including picking up two red cards.

However, under Ange Postecoglou, the World Cup winner has progressed brilliantly, starting 33 times in the Premier League last season.

The centre-back ended the campaign as Spurs’ fourth-highest goalscorer with five, while also boasting the most passes completed, interceptions, and clearances in the squad.

Tottenham’s “perfect” defender, as dubbed by football scout Jacek Kulig, has truly become irreplaceable, acting as a true leader at the heart of the backline, but what is he exactly worth today?

Well, as you can see from the table above, Romero is now estimated to be worth an incredible £51m, as per Transfermarkt.

This makes the 26-year-old the fourth-most valuable centre-back in the entire Premier League, only behind the Arsenal duo and Ruben Dias, which just proves how important he truly is.

On top of that, he’s currently the second-highest valued player in the entire Spurs squad, only behind James Maddison, who’s worth £59m.

Interestingly, despite the season that Eze just had, Romero is also worth more than the attacking midfielder, who’s currently valued at £47m. The Palace sensation was a true hit last term and would be a fantastic signing for Tottenham.

Fans may even get a look at him in action at Euro 2024 with the winger earning a well-deserved call-up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for the tournament.

Nevertheless, as impressive as Eze has been, it’s also quite clear that Romero is one of the finest in England, with his £51m market value reflecting that perfectly.

Despite costing £41m originally, Spurs have truly hit the jackpot on the number 17, and if he continues to perform as he did last season, he’ll only be viewed as an even bigger bargain.

After a mixed first season under Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur are looking to add further firepower going forward and are now reportedly willing to make their first summer bid in pursuit of that.

Tottenham transfer news

The Lilywhites paid the price for their form at the back end of the Premier League season as they failed to qualify for the Champions League and were forced to settle for a fifth-place finish in Postecoglou's first season in charge. That first campaign did at least highlight just where the Australian must look to improve his side, with transfer rumours already starting.

One player at the centre of such rumours has been Eberechi Eze, whose full focus will undoubtedly be on his first major tournament with England, before he potentially has a decision to make over his Crystal Palace future. The attacking midfielder enjoyed another excellent campaign at Selhurst Park to more than earn a spot in England's Euro 2024 squad this summer.

The England international isn't the only name to be linked with a move to North London, however. According to Mundo Deportivo via Sport Witness, Tottenham are now willing to make an offer to sign Takefusa Kubo from Real Sociedad ahead of both Liverpool and Manchester United this summer after being in contact with the La Liga side. The winger reportedly has a €60m (£51m) release clause, but it remains to be seen whether Spurs choose to trigger that option in the coming months.

Still just 23 years old and a former Barcelona youth player and Real Madrid prospect, Kubo represents ideal competition for the likes of Dejan Kulusevski, who struggled at times last season. Though, with Liverpool and Man United also interested, the Lilywhites may need to act fast.

"Fantastic" Kubo can compete with Kulusevski

After ending last season with eight goals and three assists, it could be argued that Kulusevski is a point of weakness in Spurs' frontline and someone who could quickly fall victim to competition in the form of Kubo. The young transfer target has shown plenty of potential in Spain and a move to the Premier League could only accelerate his rise even further.

What is most impressive about both is that they managed to remain clinical in front of goal when they did get an opportunity last season. Now, however, whether it is Kubo or Kulusevski in Spurs' frontline, they must present them with more chances to show off that ruthless streak.

Kubo is certainly someone who's earned plenty of fans after his work in Spain too, with Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig among those. He praised the winger's "fantastic" start to the campaign in September.

As the transfer window progresses, the Japan international looks set to be one to watch, as Spurs potentially make their move.

Tottenham are looking at a £50 million potential replacement for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from the Premier League, with the Dane widely tipped to quit Spurs this summer.

Hojbjerg set to leave Spurs with successor targeted

Hojbjerg was a mainstay player under previous Spurs head coaches - José Mourinho, Nuno Espírito Santo and Antonio Conte - but the midfielder was relegated to the bench more often than not during Ange Postecoglou's first full season in charge.

Hojbjerg actually featured 39 times in all competitions under Postecoglou last term, but only eight out of his 36 league appearances came as full starts. The 28-year-old is therefore looking for more opportunities, and it was reported this week that Hojbjerg is keen to follow Tanguy Ndombele out the Spurs exit door.

The former Southampton star, who Tottenham signed for around £20 million in 2020, has gone on to make 184 appearances for the club in total - chipping in with 10 goals and 16 assists during his four-year stay in north London.

However, it appears this summer may well be Hojbjerg's last in a Lilywhites jersey, as the Spurs recruitment team reportedly look at replacements for him. Tottenham are rumoured to eyeing a central midfielder as one of their main transfer priorities with the window now open, and are still in the mix to sign Chelsea star Conor Gallagher.

Postecoglou is a big fan of Gallagher, but much will depend on whether the Chelsea favourite is willing to swap Stamford Bridge for a rival club - or whether two clubs would be willing to do business.

It is perhaps wise to have alternatives to the England international, and one is apparently Everton's Amadou Onana.

Tottenham looking at signing Amadou Onana from Everton

As per journalist Ignazio Genuardi, Tottenham are looking at signing Onana from Everton, with the Toffees setting a price tag of around £50 million.

The 20-year-old made 30 league appearances as a mainstay of Sean Dyche's midfield, and has been praised as one of Europe's brightest talents in the past.

"He's a really exciting footballer. I know sometimes when we speak about players it's very difficult to measure potential," said former Belgium manager Roberto Martinez on Onana to Sky Sports.

"We're talking about a 20-year-old boy that is probably one of the most talented young players at that age in European football. That's how excited we are in Belgium. He's already played in two major leagues in Germany and France, he joined Lille for a big fee and nothing is going to faze him to go into a new project after a big transfer fee.

"He has the physicality and the presence of a player Everton fans know very well - a Marouane Fellaini type. I can understand the excitement around Everton, this is one of the most exciting prospects in European football at this time."