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Thomas Frank and Enzo Maresca will have to takt their search for defensive reinforcements at Spurs and Chelsea elsewhere.

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Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have been handed a fatal transfer blow on Wednesday with news that Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has signed a new five-year deal with the club.

The 23-year-old had been linked with a transfer away from Merseyside this summer after another impressive campaign, with the two London clubs credited with interest alongside Manchester United.

Branthwaite joined Everton from Carlisle United in January 2020 and was the subject of two bids from the Red Devils last summer. Several clubs were linked again this year with the BBC naming Spurs and Chelsea as contenders.

Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea transfer target signs new contract

TEAMtalk had claimed that Everton were prepared to accept a £70 million bid for the defender, who new Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank was said to have wanted in north London. However, that price tag was always going to be a big ask of Daniel Levy.

Spurs made the loan move of Kevin Danso from Lens permanent this summer for £21 million. Meanwhile, Chelsea are known to be in the market for a centre-back, having had to recall Trevoh Chalobah early from his loan stay at Crystal Palace last season.

Everton confirmed the new contract on Wednesday, with Branthwaite extending his stay until 2030. That deal will silence transfer talk with the player committing his immediate future to the Toffees.

Branthwaite ‘over the moon’ with Everton contract

The defender said: "I'm over the moon. It's been something we've been talking about since the end of the season and to get it signed now is something I'm really excited about.

"The trust the club's put in me and how many games I've played over the past two seasons has made it quite an easy decision for me to stay and to keep progressing as a player."

Branthwaite made his Everton debut under Carlo Ancelotti in July 2020 and has racked up 75 Premier League appearances so far. He added: "I've been at Everton for five and a half years now and I've seen the change the club's had over the past six months.

"It's very exciting for us as a team, as players, to have that going on in the background and obviously to be starting the new season at the new stadium. The ambition was a huge thing.

"The way the manager wants us to go as a team and what he wants us to do for next season and where he wants us to challenge for has had a big impact on the decision. I think you saw towards the end of last season as a team what we can do."

In other news, Club all-but confirm next Tottenham Hotspur transfer deal as exit announced after record sale agreed.

Tottenham Hotspur have a number of other targets in mind with Bryan Mbeumo opting for Manchester United

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Thomas Frank has arrived in North London and is looking to put his stamp on a Tottenham Hotspur side fresh from the contrast of Europa League glory but Premier League struggles which led to Ange Postecoglou losing his job.

Spurs are interested in several forward players in an attempt to become a more potent attacking threat next term, with replacing the goals and influence of ageing club legend Son Heung-min a necessity.

The 2025/26 season could be a competitive one in the battle for Europe and few from outside the Spurs camp will know what to expect from Frank’s side, who can use that to their advantage. They may look set to miss out on Bryan Mbeumo, but several other transfer targets remain in the offing.

Spurs’ major targets after missing out on Mbeumo

Three top Premier League targets have emerged, with Frank evidently looking for players already thriving at this level while hoping to weaken rivals as Spurs aim to shoot up the table under the former Brentford manager.

The Athletic report that Tottenham have already made an enquiry to Bournemouth about winger Antoine Semenyo, though the Cherries’ £70m price tag may provide a stumbling block in a deal for the 25-year-old. The Ghana international would offer an alternative to Mbeumo from the right wing.

Another player in whom Spurs are reported to have a long-standing interest is Crystal Palace talisman Eberechi Eze, who has a £68m release clause and has been targeted by several of the Premier League’s biggest clubs. The Athletic’s report states that there is no guarantee he leaves Selhurst Park this summer, though this could depend largely on whether the likes of Spurs or arch-rivals Arsenal are willing to meet his release clause.

Finally, there is Mohammed Kudus, Semenyo’s international teammate, who plays for neighbours West Ham United and could be available for £60m this summer. The Hammers may be inclined to sell for PSR reasons, though Kudus’ form declined in 2024/25 after a strong first season in England.

Which of their attacking targets should be Spurs’ priority?

With all three aforementioned players within a similar price range, the main question is likely to be who do the club feel is most worth their price tag. The likelihood is that they can only sign one of the three, with attacking players such as James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson and Mathys Tel already at the club.

Each signing would present differing questions as Frank decides who his top target should be. In the case of Semenyo, he has only played two full seasons in the Premier League since signing from Bristol City for £10m and last campaign was the first time he reached double figures for goals in his career. The fact Bournemouth have already made multiple sales of key players this summer has likely meant they have pushed Semenyo’s asking price higher than it would be in other circumstances. This may be a deal-breaker.

With Kudus, the issue surrounds what happened at West Ham last season. Not only did his goalscoring and creative output decrease significantly, the former Ajax man was at times accused by fans under former manager Julen Lopetegui of having attitude issues on the pitch and appearing as though he was dreaming of a big move away. Considering the struggles faced by Spurs in the league last season, it is important that Frank has the right characters on board who will continue to fight for the badge when the chips are down.

The obvious answer, who offers no doubts when it comes to character or value for money, is Eze. With five years of Premier League experience under his belt and 34 Premier League goals and an FA Cup winners’ medal to show for it, the 27-year-old is also known for his great character and inspiring story of battling against academy rejection off the pitch. The issue could be if Spurs are beaten to a deal by a Premier League rival, particularly Arsenal. While such a development would certainly cause embarrassment, it could also mean that Spurs get none of their top targets at all if they make the Palace man a priority. With the start of the new season just six weeks away, Frank and the Spurs board have a big decision to make.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with the Crystal Palace man but are yet to open bidding.

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Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish landed a jibe at Premier League rivals last summer as the south London club managed to keep hold of key man Eberechi Eze after months of transfer speculation.

The Eagles had sold the talented Michael Olise to Bayern Munich for £50 million and feared that they could also lose Eze too. Over the 2023/24 campaign, Eze had picked up 11 goals and registered six assists as he progress in the top flight continued.

Despite the transfer talk, following the close of the window, a bewildered Parish admitted that the club had received no concrete offers. He said: "I was really worried from a club point of view of losing Michael and Ebbs in the same window and we didn't have in Ebbs the interest that I thought we would have.

Steve Parish ‘astounded’ by summer 2024 transfer window

"I was astounded. Genuinely astounded. I mean, the guy's just an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person. He’s a gift to any football club.

“I don’t think any Crystal Palace supported would mind that fact that at some point Ebs wants to play at the highest level. He’s playing regularly for England, back in the squad again which we’re so proud about. Ebs is still here and it’s great for the football club. I was surprised that that’s what happened.”

That looked an opportunity missed for the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. The way Parish spoke suggested that any bid would be unopposed and that the player himself could be very open to a switch.

Fast forward 12 months, when Eze has helped Crystal Palace to an FA Cup trophy, a place in the Europa League and bagged 14 goals across all competitions, you’d think transfer interest would be high. The forward is reported to have a £67.5 million release clause in his contract, making an exit even easier, yet clubs such as Arsenal and Spurs appear to be targeting other players.

Spurs have made the signing of Mathys Tel permanent with talkSPORT claiming that ‘nothing is moving’ when it comes to interest in Eze. Meanwhile, the latest from The Athletic is that Eze is an ‘option being considered’ by Arsenal but that no contact has been made. It’s added that should the Gunners look to make a move, they hope to negotiate a price lower than the release clause.

Arsenal also remained linked with Anthony Gordon, Mohamed Kudus and Rodrygo, among other wide players. Both north London clubs are taking a backfoot approach to courting Eze and that seems a foolish strategy.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur should prioritise Crystal Palace swoop

Eze would be a top tier acquisition for both sides. He may not have Champions League experience, but he’s a proven big match player. Eze scored the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City and was also on target in the semi-final against Aston Villa and the quarter final against Fulham.

Speaking after the match against the Cottagers, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said: “I think Ebere has had a strange season, he hasn’t had many goals in the Premier League and he has been unlucky, but he keeps going, he’s also struggled with strange injuries. The goal against Latvia and his first for England means a lot for him. He always has the confidence, we know he’s an amazing finisher to cut inside on his right foot with an amazing finish. We need this quality, he helped us today massively.”

Steve Parish has outlined that a transfer swoop for Eze would be a very realistic move. Oliver Glasner has kept no secret of his talent, but any football fan has witnessed that. So why have neither Arsenal nor Tottenham Hotspur - or any other rival - made a decisive swoop?

In other news, Arsenal transfer round-up: Gunners make 'contact' with Tottenham target as fresh offer submitted.

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be closing in on their next summer transfer

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Tottenham Hotspur’s Thomas Frank chapter is about to get underway, with the Dane making adjustments to his squad in preparation for their opening-day fixture against Burnley on August 16.

Multiple new faces have already been brought in to strengthen the Europa League winners, though the majority were on loan with the North Londoners last season - including Mathys Tel, who has joined for £29.8m from Bayern Munich, and Kevin Danso, who has arrived for £20.9m from RC Lens.

While Luka Vuskovic has arrived from Hajduk Split, having signed as a 16-year-old for £12m back in 2023 in a deal which would see him arrive at Spurs after his 18th birthday.

Spurs’ next deal is reportedly set to be completed, with a prospective signing preparing an emotional goodbye ahead of a club-record move.

Takai departure announced

Japanese international Kota Takai is set to join Spurs from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale. The 20-year-old will move to North London after a £5m fee was agreed for the centre-back, almost doubling the Asian club’s previous record £2.6m sale of Kaoru Mitoma to Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021.

Takai will join up with Frank’s men next campaign, where he is expected to offer additional defensive cover as he adapts to life in England. A club statement by Kawasaki Frontale all-but confirmed the move for the four-cap Japan international.

“We would like to inform you that Kodai Takai will be leaving the team at the end of the activity on Saturday, July 5th in order to complete the necessary procedures and preparations for a transfer to an overseas club,” a club statement from the Japanese outfit confirmed.

“We will notify you further regarding future plans as soon as they are officially decided. After the match against Kashima Antlers in the 23rd Meiji Yasuda J1 League on Saturday, July 5th, Takai Kodai will greet the supporters.”

Spurs are signing youth

Spurs’ early transfer dealings have shown a focus on youth, as Takai becomes the third U21 player to arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer. It remains to be seen whether Frank will use the Japanese within the first-team set-up right away, but he will have the opportunity either way to learn from top defenders such as Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.

Frank’s existing squad includes young talents such as Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Mikey Moore and Wilson Odobert, and the Danish manager will be excited at the chance to help the club’s young talent reach their potential in the present and the future.

During his time at Brentford, Frank was known as a supreme man-manager who was able to get the best out of players. He turned average players into good players, and good players into great ones. If he can continue that trajectory at Spurs, there is good cause for optimism.

Expectations will be higher and scrutiny will be more intense if things are not going well. But Frank defied the odds time and time again at Brentford, so there is every chance he will be able to do that again.

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to bring in attacking reinforcements this summer

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Thomas Frank has a big summer ahead of him, as he settles into life as Tottenham Hotspur manager and prepares to drag the Europa League winners back up the Premier League table.

Incomings are crucial into a squad which was plagued by injuries last season, particularly with Champions League football on the horizon and the chance for Frank to make the perfect start to his reign both domestically and in Europe.

Crystal Palace’s FA Cup match-winner Eberechi Eze has been linked with a £68m move to Spurs, though reports in recent days have stated that North London rivals Arsenal have joined the race for Eze to make things that bit more difficult.

Links with Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo continue, as Frank evidently aims to add an already-Premier League proven creative force to his squad. Fresh reports have linked the Lilywhites with one further player who fits this mould and he may be available for a cut-price deal.

West Ham United open to selling Kudus

London rivals West Ham United are reportedly considering sanctioning an exit for playmaker Mohammed Kudus this summer, with a £60m fee believed to be enough despite the player’s £85m release clause. This has alerted several Premier League clubs.

The Guardian report that Spurs are interested in the Ghanaian, having identified the 24-year-old as a “key target” who could take their side to the next level. The Hammers may be forced to sell for less than they had initially hoped, as PSR concerns have put the East London club in a difficult position in the transfer market this summer after a poor 2024/25 season. They may need to sell in order to buy, with Kudus one of their biggest assets.

Kudus arrived in the Premier League from Ajax in 2023 in a £37m move and shone in his first season at West Ham, scoring 14 goals in all competitions and wowing fans at the London Stadium with his mesmerising footwork and dribbling ability.

But his influence waned last campaign and he scored just five times, amidst concerns over where he fits into Graham Potter’s system. A move may therefore be viable for all parties, with new faces needed at the Irons and a £60m sale of Kudus viewed as the most realistic way of this happening.

Where would Kudus fit in at Tottenham?

Kudus is most comfortable operating from the right, though he can also play in more central positions just behind the striker as he looks to wreak havoc on opposition defences.

It may well be that Spurs can bring in either Kudus or Eze, with both players together unlikely to fit into Frank’s new-look side amongst existing stars such as James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson. Richarlison is set to leave, but a £20m reported fee is unlikely to raise the funds for two marquee signings.

If Frank decides that Kudus is his man, he should move quickly with Chelsea also reported to be interested. He would become the first West Ham player to join rivals Spurs since Scott Parker back in 2011.

Tottenham could be close to selling one of their key players.

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One Tottenham star is said to be edging towards a big-money exit this summer. It’s going to be an interesting few months for Thomas Frank as he looks to put his own stamp on his new team.

New signings are inevitable, but we could also see some exits at Spurs, both to balance and freshen up the squad. Frank and the club’s recruitment staff need to figure out a plan to get this team from the club’s lowest-ever Premier League points tally to competing for Europe and competing well in the Champions League.

There are a number of areas Tottenham are expected to strengthen in, including the striker, winger and centre-back positions, but one centre-back could be on his way out, potentially leading to an added need at the back.

According to DSports, Romero is ‘getting closer’ to joining Atletico Madrid on a deal believed to be worth £46.9million upfront and a further £8.5million in add-ons, rounding up to a total value of £55.3million. Atletico have been bold in the summer window already, expected to sign Matteo Ruggeri and Alex Baena.

Romero would be another statement signing as they look to close the gap on the title race this coming season. The Argentine has already spoken of his desire to play in LaLiga. He said during a Spanish-language interview last season: “Well, I try, above all else, to always live day by day. There are almost two months left until the end of the season, and my focus is always on performing at my best and trying to finish in the best way possible...after this, when the season ends, we’ll see.

“Honestly, I haven’t spoken with my agent yet, but I’m open to anything. My mindset is always about growing, also about going to new places to keep developing, but I don’t want to talk about that just yet because there are still a few months left before the season ends.” He added: “Yes, the league I’m missing is Spain’s. I’d love to, honestly. La Liga. I’d love to play there because it’s the one I haven’t played in yet.”

Romero criticism

Romero attracted plenty of criticism for his performances last season, with Jamie Redknapp saying after one game: “Teams pray on Vicario’s weakness from set-pieces – because people have seen Vicario’s weakness, they stick loads of players in front of him. Tottenham, they have gone for man-to-man so they are all obsessed with their players and it is a little bit selfish.”

But the centre-back has also been defended by a pundit and former player. “Cristian Romero is a World Cup winner and I’m a big, big fan of his, but I’m an even bigger fan of Micky van de Ven. The way Cristian plays, he’s all heart and he’s strong. He makes rash decisions at times, but he’s a World Cup winner,” Michael Dawson told Boy Hotspur.

“He’s got that experience, and he has been linked [with a move away], but I’m sure Spurs don’t want to lose him. It would have to be a high price for me to lose him, because how do you then go and replace that calibre of centre-half?”

Tottenham Hotspur are keen to keep their rising star but a big Sheffield United bid could test the club’s resolve.

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Sheffield United could come knocking at the door of Tottenham Hotspur this summer in their quest for a new defender having missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season.

Chris Wilder took his side to the play-off final but was beaten by Sunderland and the veteran manager has since been replaced by Ruben Selles. The Blades’ summer window would have looked different with promotion secured but, instead, they are tasked with planning for another Championship campaign.

In January, the Blades prioritised a move for a defender and that is set to be a key position again for Selles. One player on the shortlist is Tottenham Hotspur youngster Ashley Phillips.

Sheffield United eye Tottenham Hotspur youngster

The Sun reports that Sheffield United are willing to pay a ‘stunning’ £6 million for the 20-year-old, who has never made a senior appearance in north London. Phillips spent last season on loan at Stoke City and there had been interest from the Potters to bring the player back.

However, the report claims that Spurs had rejected that interest with new manager Thomas Frank keen to work with the player. A multi-million offer from Sheffield United could cause Tottenham Hotspur to rethink that strategy.

The Premier League club paid £2 million to sign Phillips from Blackburn Rovers in 2023 after the player had made just 14 senior appearances. He is an England under-20 international and spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Plymouth Argyle, where he won the Young Player of the Year Award.

Sheffield United had been heavily linked with a return move for QPR defender Jimmy Dunne to strengthen in defence. The 27-year-old has made the right back berth his own at Loftus Road but is more traditionally a centre-back.

QPR set to keep Jimmy Dunne despite Blades interest

The Blades saw a January bid for the player rejected with Chris Wilder outspoken over his admiration for the player. Sheffield United were tipped to return with an offer but that now looks unlikely to happen with Phillips a more realistic target.

That is partly due to Wilder’s departure but also because Dunne will now not leave QPR as a free agent, signing a new deal. A club statement last week read: “Jimmy Dunne has extended his stay with QPR after signing a new deal with the club on Tuesday afternoon.

“The 27-year-old defender joined four years ago from Burnley. His passion and commitment in the blue and white hoops have made him a firm favourite with R’s fans during that time, culminating in him being named MyGuava Supporters' Player of the Year for the 2024/25 campaign. Dunne – who also scooped the Ray Jones Players’ Player of the Year and Achilleus Security Junior Hoops Player of the Year awards last season – is thrilled to be continuing his journey in west London.”

In other news, QPR transfer latest as new signing confirmed and club make approach for 24-year-old.

Tottenham Hotspur legends feature among the players with the most appearances in the club’s history.

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It’s set to be a new dawn at Tottenham Hotspur this season with the arrival of Thomas Frank to replace Ange Postecoglou.

The former Brentford manager is expected to breathe new life into the squad, with outgoings inevitable. Stalwart Son Heung-min has been linked with an exit, which would bring about an end to a 10 year stay with the club.

Son has made a huge 454 appearances for the team, but that doesn’t come close to some of Tottenham Hotspur’s legends with the most appearances.

Tottenham Hotspur players with the most appearances

Glenn Hoddle – 490 appearances (1975–1987)

One of Tottenham Hotspur’s most recognisable former players, Hoddle is still regularly seen around the football scene thanks to his punditry work. Hoddle won two FA Cups and the UEFA Cup with Spurs, spending a total of 17 years with the club having worked his way up through the academy.

Hoddle, of course, returned to manage the club in 2001 after stints in charge of Swindon Town, Chelsea, England and Southampton. Hoddle took Spurs to the League Cup final in September 2002 but lost to Blackburn Rovers. He won the Premier League Manager of the Month award twice while managing the team.

Cyril Knowles – 507 appearances (1964–1976)

Knowles was a full-back ahead of his time with bombarding runs and dangerous crosses in from the flank. He helped Tottenham Hotspur to a FA Cup, two League Cups and the UEFA Cup of 1972. Knowles had a brief stint in management after his retirement, working at Darlington, Torquay United and Hartlepool United, before he passed away in 1991 from cancer.

Pat Jennings – 590 appearances (1964–1977)

The only player in the top five Tottenham Hotspur appearance makers not from England, the Northern Irish shot-stopper was only 10 outings from the 600 mark in a Spurs shirt. A FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup winner, Jennings made the rare decision of joining Arsenal when leaving the club in 1977 but remained loved at White Hart Lane. He later returned to Spurs in 1985 but worked with the reserve side to retain his sharpness for Northern Ireland’s 1986 World Cup campaign.

Gary Mabbutt – 611 appearances (1982–1998)

The defender captained Spurs for over a decade and was part of the FA Cup winning team of 1991 and the UEFA Cup winning side of 1984. A versatile player, Mabbutt could also play in midfield and earned 16 caps for England during his career. He scored on his Tottenham Hotspur debut, in a 2-2 draw with Luton Town and was famously on the receiving end of an elbow from Justin Fashanu, which left him with a fractured skull and eye socket in 1993.

Steve Perryman, 854 appearances (1969–1986)

The midfielder is currently the Tottenham Hotspur appearance record holder. Now 73 years old, Perryman captained Spurs during one of the club’s most successful eras and played an important part in the UEFA Cup wins of 1972 and 1984. He also won two FA Cup titles and two League Cup trophies with the club.

Perryman went on to finish his career at Oxford United and Brentford before moving into management. He worked as head coach at Brentford and Watford before a brief stint as Spurs caretaker in 1994. He was then director of football at Exeter City from 2003 to 2018.

In other news, Fabrizio Romano: Tottenham "love" unpredictable star who is "on the list" as Thomas Frank eyes next signing.

One Tottenham Hotspur target has told he can have the same impact as Spurs as Eric Cantona did with Manchester United

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Teddy Sheringham has likened Eberechi Eze’s potential transfer to Tottenham Hotspur to Eric Cantona’s move from Leeds United to Manchester United back in 1992.

The Frenchman arrived at Elland Road in January 1992 and helped them win the top-flight title but lasted less than a year in West Yorkshire before being snapped up by the Red Devils in November 1992 after issuing a transfer request.

He went on to have a major impact at Old Trafford, scoring 82 goals and providing 63 assists before retiring at the age of 30 in 1997. He won four Premier League titles with the Red Devils, along with two FA Cups.

He is widely revered as a club legend at Old Trafford - and Teddy Sheringham believes Eze has the potential to shine at Tottenham the way Cantona did at United.

Teddy Sheringham sings Eberechi Eze’s praises and hails potential impact

Speaking to London World, Sheringham was discussing Spurs’ potential transfer business under Thomas Frank and believes somebody like Eze can “enchance” the current squad.

He said: “I think there are players they can add, still. Players like Eze would enhance that football club. They’re in the Champions League this coming season so they can afford to push the boat out and sign some players with a big stature and reputation.

“I think Eze is definitely one of those that would walk into Tottenham Hotspur and think ‘this is a proper place, I’m going to enjoy playing my football here’. I think he can shine the way Eric Cantona did when he went to Man United all those years ago. He could become the main man at Spurs. And that’s the type of player you want coming into your club.”

Tottenham are interested in Eze, who has a £68m release clause in his Crystal Palace contract.

Time for Tottenham to “kick on”

Spurs will be playing in the Champions League next season after winning the Europa League. They have made the bold decision to sack Ange Postecoglou after his Europa League triumph and replaced him with Frank.

Sheringham feels getting into the Champions League has provided a big boost and has urged them to sign two top players.

He continued: “Well, this is a prime time to kick on. They’ve had a touch with the Europa League win getting them into the Champions League, given where they finished in the Premier League. And now they’re in a similar position to when Pochettino got them into the Champions League final that year. Like then, they’re in a real good place, with a real chance to kick on and get players of a big stature.

“They absolutely should be signing at least two players this summer that lift the football club, same as when Spurs signed Jurgen Klinsmann back in my day. When he arrived at the club, it was a proper ‘wow, what a player this is we’ve signed’ moment. It was a proper move for Tottenham Hotspur. And with Champions League football, they need to start doing that again.

“I think it would be a statement of intent to sign two players of that level. I think Eze can be one of them, without a doubt.”

Thomas Frank knows how to develop young wingers, which bodes well for one Tottenham Hotspur star.

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank will hopefully give youngster Yang Min-hyeok special treatment during his first campaign in north London and help the prospect fulfil his lofty potential.

For now, Frank and Spurs remain focused on the summer transfer window and recruiting ahead of the Premier League season and a return to the Champions League. One the window closes and the campaign is underway in full, the new Tottenham Hotspur manager should keep a close eye on Yang.

The 19-year-old was signed by Spurs in December and quickly sent out on loan to QPR in January. Yang was afforded 14 Championship appearances under Marti Cifuentes, scoring twice and picking up an assist.

Yang Min-Hyeok tipped for bright future at Tottenham Hotspur

The winger hardly set the second tier alight but there were moments of promise. The forward showed drive and a desire to make things happen, making an impact as soon as he entered the pitch for his debut against Millwall in February.

Speaking about the player’s development towards the end of last term, Cifuentes said: “He’s progressing, doing well. The last two games at home especially, he did well. The impact from the bench against Portsmouth was very positive.

“He’s growing, learning our way of playing and the pace of the game. He’s doing good things and is still a young lad that needs to keep learning and improving some areas. His attitude is top. He is dangerous and has the pace to go forward, get in behind and go one vs one.”

In reality, still a teenager and having just moved to the UK, that loan may have come a little too soon. For the 2025/26 season, Yang will likely be best off progressing by training with the Spurs first team squad and enjoying minutes for the under-21 side.

Yang tipped to follow in footsteps of Son Heung-min

Tottenham Hotspur supporters should be excited. After the player signed for QPR, Korean football expert Joel Kim told LondonWorld why there is so much hype around the youngster in his home country. He said: “We want him to be the best he can be and to take Korean football to another level, he’s the youngest player to have been recruited by a Premier League club.

“He’s going to break those records being so young and already making an impact. We are hoping that Son Heung-Min’s ceiling will be Yang’s floor, if he can take Korean football to another level. We’re seeing some promising signs of that for sure, especially with his adjustment to the Championship. We have hopes but it’s too soon to say he’ll be the next Son Heung-min or the next legend. Only time will tell.”

There can be no underestimating the impact that Son can have on Yang either. Two players with a similar profile on the pitch, Son also knows what it takes to adjust to a new country and can be a father figure to Yang.

Keane Lewis-Potter progress offers hope for Frank and Yang

Frank has experience developing young wingers, with the progress of Keane Lewis-Potter at Brentford an easy comparison. The former Bees manager worked closely with Lewis-Potter, whose more slender build is similar to that of Yang, to create a versatile player ready for any challenge. That adaptability and knowhow is exactly what he must foster in Yang.

Speaking about Lewis-Potter after he signed a new contract in January, Frank said: "I'm very happy that we've agreed a new contract with Keane. He has been through a great development over the last couple of years.

"We know that he's an offensive player - a winger - mostly, but he can play all the front four roles; what he's also turned out to be is a very flexible and versatile player that can play multiple other positions, which he has shown this season by playing games at left-back, where he has done fantastically.

"For me, he is a fantastic Brentford player with a big skillset: one-on-one he is fantastic, his crossing is very good, and the way he helps the team is also so good. There is a big future for him here at Brentford."

Lewis-Potter has been outspoken in praise for Frank too, highlighting how good the manager is with young talents. Speaking about his positional change, Lewis-Potter said: “Thomas Frank called me into his office to speak with him… I thought I was in trouble! But he sat me down and just said, ‘I’ve got an idea’.

“He explained that he wanted me to play left-back and detailed what he thought I could do to help the team in that position. At the end, he just asked me, ‘Would you be okay with that?’. I could have turned around and told him I didn’t want to do it! But as soon as he described the plan he had for me, I just said: ‘I’ll do whatever you want me to for this team’.

It’s too early to be putting pressure on Yang, but Frank has the credentials to help the South Korean reach lofty heights and maybe even become a world-beater.

In other news, Tottenham legend claims deal could already been done for £30m Son Heung-min replacement.