Inside Futbol

Cameron Howard/Getty Images

Oxford United ‘appear to have beaten off interest’ from a number of sides to agree a loan deal with Tottenham Hotspur for forward Will Lankshear, according to journalist Jason Burt.

Spurs have been looking at finding loan homes for top talents who would not be set for game time under Thomas Frank this season.

A host of Championship clubs recently chased attacker Mikey Moore, but Tottenham decided to send him north of the border on loan to Rangers.

Moore’s fellow attacker Lankshear though is staying in England and is dropping into the Championship in the same way Ashley Phillips has, with the defender on loan at Stoke City.

It is Gary Rowett’s Oxford United who look to have won the race for Lankshear and they will sign him from Tottenham on a season-long loan deal.

The capture will be a boost for the U’s, who survived in the Championship last season under experienced tactician Rowett.

Playing in the Championship is not new to Lankshear, who spent the second half of last season away from Spurs on loan at West Brom.

Club Years Tottenham Hotspur 2024- West Brom (loan) 2025 Will Lankshear’s career history

He even featured in a 2-0 win for the Baggies over Oxford United in the Championship in February.

Lankshear will want to be playing regular first team football at the Kassam and it is unclear if Oxford United have given Tottenham any guarantees on that front.

The U’s are due to kick off their league campaign this coming weekend when John Mousinho’s Portsmouth pay them a visit and Lankshear could be involved in the game if Oxford United can get the deal done and dusted quickly.

Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur ‘explored’ the situation of Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, but the path to a Camp Nou exit for the player this summer is not clear.

Spurs have just landed defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich on loan with an option to buy, to boost Thomas Frank’s midfield options.

The Premier League side looked at a number of other possible additions though and one of those was Barcelona’s Casado.

According to Catalan daily Sport, Tottenham ‘explored’ a possible move to take the Spaniard to north London this summer.

Casado does not want to leave Barcelona though and the club would only agree to a sale if a big offer was put on the table.

Casado is currently valued at €30m by Barcelona and they are happy with the commitment he has shown to the club.

It is unclear just how central he will be to Hansi Flick’s plans over the season though and the situation is only expected to become clearer after Barcelona have had two La Liga matchdays later this month.

Competition Details La Liga 23 apps, 1 goal, 3 assists Champions League 10 apps, 2 assists Spanish Super Cup 2 apps, 1 assist Copa del Rey 1 app Marc Casado’s appearances last season

Tottenham may well now not follow up on interest in Casado after signing Palhinha, however Spurs could yet suffer departures from the midfield area.

Yves Bissouma has been drawing interest from several sides, though Fenerbahce have now backed out of trying to take him to Istanbul.

Fenerbahce even sent a representative to England to hold talks with Tottenham over Bissouma, but they are now shopping elsewhere.

Frank has other defensive midfield options, including Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur and even Archie Gray, however Spurs have a busy season ahead with a guaranteed eight games in the Champions League league phase.

Casado, just 21 years old, played ten times in the Champions League for Barcelona last term, experience which Spurs look to have found attractive.

Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Juventus have told Paris Saint-Germain that they are prepared to agree to a loan with an obligation in their bid to bring Tottenham Hotspur target Randal Kolo Muani back to Turin.

Kolo Muani spent the second half of the season on loan at Juventus from PSG and was a huge hit in Serie A.

The France international found the back of the net on eight occasions in Serie A for Juventus and helped the club to qualify for the Champions League in the approaching season.

Juventus want him back and Kolo Muani wants to return, but amid no agreement being in place, Tottenham have been trying to steal him away.

While Juventus are looking at a loan, Tottenham are in a position to pay a fee now and sign Kolo Muani on a permanent transfer.

With Juventus Kolo Muani’s preferred destination, the Italians have been trying to make progress in talks with PSG.

According to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato Web, Juventus have now told PSG that they are prepared to agree to a loan with an obligation to buy, but the obligation would be dependent upon certain conditions being met.

Game Result Napoli (A) 2-1 Empoli (H) – two 4-1 Como (A) – two 1-2 Monza (H) 2-0 Lazio (A) 1-1 Venezia (A) 2-3 Serie A games Randal Kolo Muani scored in last season

The main condition that would have to be met would be Juventus qualifying for the Champions League once again.

PSG are prepared to agree to a loan, but want the obligation to be a guarantee, rather than dependent upon certain objectives being met.

Kolo Muani, who is not in Luis Enrique’s plans, is pushing to rejoin Juventus.

Given the player’s preference, talks between Juventus and PSG would likely have to break down for Tottenham to be able to insert themselves into the mix.

Kolo Muani, 26, has a further three years left to run on the PSG contract that he signed in the summer of 2023 when he joined from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Joao Palhinha is ‘already in London’ and has effectively signed and sealed his move to Tottenham Hotspur, with his eyes now on an approaching friendly fixture.

Bayern Munich splashed the cash to sign Palhinha from Fulham last summer, but the Portuguese disappointed last term in Germany.

The Bavarians are ready to cut their losses and a loan to Tottenham has been agreed, following the player’s green light, that will see the Premier League side cover all of Palhinha’s wages.

Spurs also have an option to sign him on a permanent basis if he impresses during his time in north London.

Matters are moving quickly and, according to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Palhinha is ‘already in London’.

The paperwork relating to his move has been completed and signed off, leaving the Portuguese now eyeing his Spurs debut.

Spurs have a friendly against Palhinha’s parent club, Bayern Munich, set for 7th August and the midfielder is keen to feature in it.

Club Years Sporting Lisbon 2014-2022 Moreirense (loan) 2015-2016 Belenenses (loan) 2016-2017 Braga (loan) 2018-2020 Fulham 2022-2024 Bayern Munich 2024- Joao Palhinha’s career history

Spurs’ option to buy is set at €25m, but add-ons could see that pushed up to €30m.

They have also paid Bayern Munich a loan fee to take Palhinha to the Premier League for a year, which comes in at €5m.

Palhinha will be looking to quickly get back into the groove of Premier League football and contribute for Thomas Frank’s side.

Winning the Europa League means Tottenham are in the Champions League in the approaching season and Palhinha could potentially come face to face with Bayern Munich in that competition.

Much more transfer business is expected to happen at Tottenham over the coming weeks, but one move which will not take place is that of Yves Bissouma to Fenerbahce.

The Turkish side have, despite holding talks over a deal, decided to back off and turn elsewhere.

Tottenham have now confirmed the arrival of Palhinha.

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Turkish giants Fenerbahce have ‘decided not to’ make an offer for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma this summer.

Fenerbahce are backing Jose Mourinho in the transfer market in the ongoing window as he tries to overhaul Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig next season.

Mourinho is an admirer of what Spurs midfielder Bissouma can bring to the table and the Yellow Canaries have been looking at a deal to take him to Istanbul.

The Portuguese made Bissouma his top target, with the Turkish side then sending a representative to London for talks with Tottenham.

Fenerbahce have mulled over the situation though and come to a decision about their push for the midfielder.

According to Turkish broadcaster TRT Spor, Fenerbahce have ‘decided not to’ make an offer for Bissouma this summer.

The Istanbul giants are switching away from the Spurs man and towards alternative options on their list; it is unclear why they are not proceeding, but it could likely be linked to the cost of any deal.

Bissouma could yet have options to leave Tottenham this summer, with Juventus considering him as a potential target.

There are question marks over just how much game time Bissouma will get if he stays at Tottenham into the new season.

Spurs are currently moving to try to bring in former Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich on loan.

Bissouma is due to turn 29 years old towards the end of August and still has another year left to run on his contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The midfielder is likely to want to make sure he is playing regularly over the first half of season as the Africa Cup of Nations is set to take place in Morocco at the end of the year.

Bissouma’s Mali side have been drawn into Group A of the competition, along with the hosts Morocco, Zambia and Comoros.

Adam Pretty/Getty Images

Bayern Munich star Joao Palhinha ‘can now imagine’ making a move away from the Bavarians, with Tottenham Hotspur being in the midst of talks to land him.

The north Londoners are yet to do a massive amount of business, as Mohammed Kudus has only been the big-money signing so far.

Young centre-back Kota Takai has been the other permanent signing, and Nottingham Forest stopped the proposed signing of Morgan Gibbs-White, who has signed a new contract at the City Ground.

They will be playing in the Champions League and quality players will be necessary to compete and go deep in the competition.

Spurs are now working to add to their midfield options and ex-Fulham star Palhinha has been on their radar for a few weeks now.

And now, according to German journalist Kerry Hau, Palhinha ‘can now imagine’ leaving Munich this summer as Spurs push for him.

Tottenham are holding talks to sign Palhinha and they favour a loan deal for the former Fulham man.

Competition Appearances Bundesliga 17 Champions League 5 German Cup 2 FIFA Club World Cup 1 Joao Palhinha at Bayern Munich last season

The Bavarians paid a massive €51m to Fulham last summer, but that move did not pay off at all, as Palhinha played under 1,000 minutes all season.

Vincent Kompany does not see him as a part of his future plans at the Allianz Arena and could be on his way out of the club by next month.

Spurs are looking for a loan for now, but it remains to be seen if Bayern Munich are willing to entertain anything other than a permanent sale for the 30-year-old.

Palhinha was a stalwart at Craven Cottage during his two-year spell and Spurs are hoping that they can get that player for the upcoming season.

Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur want to sign Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain and talks are under way to see if a deal is possible.

Spurs boss Thomas Frank is desperate to add to his attacking options in the coming weeks and the club have been linked with a host of options.

Frank has fancied his former charge at Brentford, Yoane Wissa, but the Bees have been blocking an exit due to having already lost Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United.

Now Spurs are looking towards doing a deal to land Muani, who has been tipped to move on from PSG this summer as he is surplus to requirements.

According to French outlet Foot Mercato, Spurs have opened talks with PSG over Muani and are in a position to pay a transfer fee to snap him up permanently now.

That is something which appeals to the French giants and reigning European champions, whereas Juventus, who want Muani back following his loan stint, are favouring a fresh loan.

Juventus would like the striker to return to Turin on loan with an obligation to buy.

Tottenham are not the only Premier League side showing interest in the striker though as Manchester United and Newcastle United have made enquiries.

While Muani would like to head back to Juventus, the lack of movement on an agreement between the two clubs looks a serious issue.

Tottenham, who can offer Muani the chance to play in the Champions League next season, also have other attacking irons in the fire.

They are keen on Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and have been exploring a deal for a player that Los Blancos will sell for €90m.

However, Rodrygo could yet stay put and if he does move, then his preference would be to join Liverpool.

With the clock ticking on the transfer window, Spurs boss Frank will be keen to see his side move decisively and not leave key business until the last minute.

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Juventus are ‘evaluating alternatives’ to Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand and Tottenham Hotspur star Yves Bissouma is on their radar.

Spurs signed the 28-year-old defensive midfielder from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2022 and he as made 100 appearances for Tottenham so far.

Last season, Bissouma made only 16 starts in the league for Spurs and he has struggled to make himself indispensable, with former Spurs star Jamie O’Hara remarking on a form dip last year.

Bissouma has gathered interest from European outfits this summer and Turkish giants Fenerbahce are keen, having even sent a representative to speak to Tottenham about him in early July.

Now the midfielder could well have another option this summer in the shape of Juventus.

Juventus want to introduce more physicality into their midfield department and Douglas Luiz could well leave, meaning they would be a player short.

Sporting Lisbon’s Hjulmand is the man that Juventus ideally want and they do have an agreement on personal terms with him.

However, Sporting Lisbon want at least €50m to let him go, while Juventus will only go up to €40m.

Club Years Real Bamako 2014-2016 Lille 2016-2018 Brighton & Hove Albion 2018-2022 Tottenham Hotspur 2022- Yves Bissouma’s career history

And, according to Italian daily Corriere dello Sport (via Tutto Mercato), Juventus do see Bissouma as an alternative.

Wolves midfielder Andre is another alternative and Juventus have spoken to the Molineux outfit about him, but face needing to pay a ‘crazy’ price to land him.

Tottenham refused to look to sell Bissouma last summer, when Ange Postecoglou was in charge, but the story could be different this summer.

Thomas Frank is continuing to reshape the squad he inherited from Postecoglou and Spurs are likely to be busy in the final month of the transfer window.

Frank must also make sure the squad has the depth needed to cope with a guaranteed eight league phase games in the Champions League.

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Wolfsburg are seeking to sign Rayo Vallecano right-back Andrei Ratiu on a loan deal, but Tottenham Hotspur and Roma are also keen on him.

Spurs have a new manager in the form of Thomas Frank at the helm and he wants to bring in players in the ongoing window who will fit his tactical approach.

They have brought in two new faces in the defence in the form of Koto Takai and Luka Vuskovic, but both are youngsters and not expected to play major roles yet.

At right-back, an extra body may be needed, with Pedro Porro the senior option, but Archie Gray having filled in when needed.

Wolfsburg feel they have found a competent right-back in the shape of Ratiu at Rayo Vallecano, but Tottenham are also keen.

According to German daily WAZ, Wolfsburg are plotting to sign him on loan as they find his €25m release clause too high and have already failed with an offer of between €12m and €14m.

Spanish side Villarreal have a 50 per cent sell-on in the Romania international and a buy-back clause set at €8m.

Club Years Villarreal 2016-2021 ADO Den Haag (loan) 2020-2021 Huesca 2021-2023 Rayo Vallecano 2023- Andrei Ratiu’s career history

Bayer Leverkusen are also considering Ratiu, who featured 35 times for Rayo Vallecano last season, as a potential replacement for Jeremie Frimpong.

Spurs are working on several fronts at the moment, as they have a number of positions to improve, with the forward department being one of them.

Talks have been held about signing Rodrygo from Real Madrid and he is available for €90m.

However, while the Brazilian winger will not object to being sold if he can decide the destination, he currently prefers a move to Liverpool.

The Reds may move for Rodrygo after selling Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich for €75m.

Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Despite Tottenham Hotspur moving to try to sign him, Real Madrid winger Rodrygo’s ‘preference is Liverpool‘.

Rodrygo could move on from Real Madrid this summer, with Los Blancos having signalled they are ready to do business for €90m.

The winger’s mind is still firmly on Real Madrid and he is set to have talks with the club about his future.

Tottenham though are hugely keen, though they are trying to negotiate the price tag down and could be encouraged by suggestions that Rodrygo will not stand in the way of being sold.

Spurs though are wary of possible competition from Liverpool, who are selling Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich.

Now, in another development which will concern Tottenham, according to Spanish journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon, ‘Rodrygo’s preference is Liverpool’.

If Liverpool do go in for the Brazilian winger, it would appear he will give them priority over Tottenham.

Liverpool are flexing their muscles in the transfer window this summer, making up for a quiet period last summer and backing Arne Slot.

They are working on the capture of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, which would likely be on a British-transfer-record fee.

The Merseyside giants have already splurged over £100m to bring in Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.

In addition to selling Diaz, Liverpool are also expected to offload Darwin Nunez after he failed to hit the heights at Anfield.

Tottenham have added Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United this summer, while also keeping Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich on a permanent basis.

Bayern Munich could have used some of the €35m fee to finance a move for Liverpool’s Diaz, with that money then being deployed against Tottenham in the battle for Rodrygo.

Spurs also signed Kevin Danso on a permanent basis, along with snapping up young Japanese defender Kota Takai.