CaughtOffside

Tottenham forward Mathys Tel is set for a dramatic career revival under new manager Roberto De Zerbi, just months after the young Frenchman was linked with a January exit.

The 20-year-old, who joined Spurs permanently from Bayern Munich for £30 million last summer, has endured a nightmare season.

Despite being a fan favorite, Tel was controversially omitted from the club’s Champions League squad for the majority of the league phase and saw his minutes severely limited under Frank’s pragmatic regime.

This resulted in speculations regarding a January exit, with Tel threatening to leave mid-season.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

De Zerbi: “I wanted Tel at Marseille”

Speaking in his first press conference since succeeding Igor Tudor, Roberto De Zerbi made it clear that Tel is a central part of his plans to drag Tottenham out of the relegation zone.

The Italian revealed a long-standing admiration for the forward, disclosing that he had previously tried to sign him during his tenure at Marseille.

“I think we have a lot of very good attackers and we have to help them,” De Zerbi told reporters. “Like I know Mathys Tel, I wanted him in Marseille when I was there.

“Xavi Simons is a big talent, Richarlison and Solanke you maybe know better than me, but we have to put them in the best condition we can.”

Tel was unhappy under Thomas Frank

With 3 goals in 24 Premier League appearances this term, Tel has struggled for rhythm, but remains a rare bright spark for a side currently sitting in 18th place.

The manager’s comments provide closure to a turbulent period for Tel, who recently made the stunning claim that Thomas Frank “didn’t like him.”

Speaking in March, Tel admitted he “disagreed with Thomas on my role within the team” and felt “confused” by his constant exclusion.

He said (via ESPN UK): “I disagreed with Thomas on my role within the team, and he didn’t like me for it. He didn’t look to try and fix things.

“I was confused why I was on the bench a lot, I felt I could help the team more than I was.”

West Ham ignited their survival hopes on Friday night with a commanding 4-0 victory over bottom-of-the-table Wolves.

The Hammers’ dominant display at the London Stadium has seen them leapfrog Tottenham into 17th place, officially placing Spurs into the Premier League relegation zone for the first time in over a decade.

Braces from Konstantinos Mavropanos and Valentin Castellanos ensured the Hammers moved to 31 points, two clear of Tottenham, who now sit in 18th position with just seven games remaining to save their season.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

Roberto De Zerbi to begin new era in the bottom three

The timing could not be more problematic for new Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

The Italian tactician, who has signed a five-year deal to replace Igor Tudor, officially begins his tenure on Sunday with his side staring down the dire chances of a first relegation since 1978.

De Zerbi takes charge of a side that has not won a Premier League match in 13 games.

While the former Brighton boss has spoken of his long-term ambition to bring title-challenging football back, his first task in hand is to win on his debut fixture away at Sunderland.

The pressure is immense; anything less than a victory at the Stadium of Light will leave Spurs rooted in the drop zone as the season enters its final month.

Massive task ahead for De Zerbi

De Zerbi has already signaled his intent to revive the high-octane football, but implementing his philosophy during a period of severe crisis is going to be difficult.

Spurs have struggled for goals and defensive stability all season, and the psychological blow of falling into the bottom three will test the resolve of the players.

With Sunderland sitting comfortably in mid-table, De Zerbi’s men face a side with nothing to lose.

For Tottenham, however, every point is now a matter of survival. The mission is clear: find a way to register a win in 2026, something the club has yet to do, or prepare for the unthinkable prospect of Championship football.

Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are interested in signing Ian Subiabre from River Plate.

According to journalist Hernan Castillo, the two Premier League clubs are making constant enquiries for the 19-year-old wide player, and it remains to be seen whether they can get the deal done in the summer.

Ian Subiabre set for summer move

“River is going to have a strong market in the middle of the year. They will spend, but they will also bring in money because it is very difficult for them to keep Subiabre. Very difficult. He has too much interest already.

“I know that Tottenham, Chelsea, Villarreal, Lazio are making constant enquiries. And now Tottenham are very strong.

“I know that for Subiabre, besides the people who represent him, there has already been an €8m (£6.9m) offer that River rejected. And Tottenham are thinking about €12m or €14m (£10.4m-£12.2m).”

Tottenham and Chelsea could use Subiabre

If Tottenham can sign him for a fee of around €14 million, it would represent a major bargain for them. The 19-year-old is a tremendous talent with a bright future, and he could easily justify the investment. Tottenham need more quality on the flanks, and Subiabre will add unpredictability and technical ability in the final third. He has three goals and three assists in 35 matches for River Plate.

Similarly, Chelsea needs a player of his quality. Subiabre could compete with Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens next season.

The opportunity to move to England will be exciting for the South American attacker. It would be a huge step up in his career, and he would get to test himself at a high level. Regular football in England could help him improve further.

Chelsea and Tottenham have the financial muscle to get the deal over the line, and it remains to be seen which club can convince the player. He should look to join a club with a clear pathway to the first team and a defined role in the side. He needs to play regularly in order to continue his development. Sitting on the bench at a big club would be detrimental to his development.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the Marseille midfielder Arthur Vermeeren.

According to a report from SportsBoom, the 21-year-old impressed under Roberto De Zerbi at the French club, and the Italian manager is keen on a reunion. Vermeeren’s loan spell with the French outfit ends in the summer, and it remains to be seen whether Tottenham can get the deal done.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust.

Tottenham want to sign Arthur Vermeeren

The report claims that the Italian manager has requested the north London club to sign the Belgian playmaker. Tottenham need more quality and depth in the middle of the park, and the promising Young midfielder would be a superb long-term option for them.

The player is available for a fee of around £25 million in the summer, and Tottenham have the financial muscle to get the deal done. It remains to be seen whether they follow up on their interest with an official offer in the summer.

The 21-year-old midfielder will be attracted to the idea of moving to the Premier League. The opportunity to reunite with De Zerbi will be quite exciting as well.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

Can Spurs sign Vermeeren?

Despite their struggles this season, Tottenham have an exciting team, and they could be fighting for trophies next season. The Belgian will certainly want to be a part of their project. Regular football in the Premier League could be ideal for his development as well. It could bring out the best in him and accelerate his development.

Tottenham have an amicable relationship with RB Leipzig, and it remains to be seen whether the two clubs can negotiate a deal in the summer.

The Belgian midfielder needs regular opportunities at the German club, and it would be ideal for him to move on if they cannot provide the necessary assurances.

Ismael Saibari has been told to join Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the season.

The 25-year-old Moroccan forward is in excellent form this season, and he has 27 goal contributions in all competitions. He could prove to be a very useful addition for the North London club. They need a versatile attacker like him, and it remains to be seen whether they decide to make a move for him.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust.

Ismael Saibari urged to join Spurs

Former Chelsea defender Khalid Boulharouz believes the move to Tottenham is a good fit for him. There is no doubt that the 25-year-old has shown his quality in the Netherlands, and he’s ready for the next step. Moving to the Premier League could be ideal for his development. He would get to play alongside better players and compete at the highest level.

“If I look at Saibari, he really played the entire Eredivisie. If you look at his statistics and his style of play, that is good enough to make a transfer.”

“He is a Moroccan international, has an Africa Cup behind him, and is going to play in a World Cup. Assuming he is a starter and plays well in two matches, you’re simply done. Then you have to push through,” said Boulahrouz to Voetbal Primeur.

He added: “Saibari needs to go to an attacking team, where he can thrive. A nice club; they aren’t doing well at all, but he can add something extra to Tottenham Hotspur. I would go to a club where he can be important.”

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

Spurs could use Saibari

They need a dynamic attacker like Saibari, and he will help create opportunities for his teammates and score goals consistently. He can operate as a set forward, in the attacking midfield role, and on the wings. His versatility could be ideal for Tottenham. It remains to be seen whether they can negotiate a reasonable deal for him.

Tottenham are reportedly weighing up a move for highly rated England goalkeeper James Trafford as uncertainty grows over the future of current number one Guglielmo Vicario.

With Italian giants Inter Milan believed to be monitoring Vicario’s situation, Spurs are already exploring contingency plans to safeguard their goalkeeping depth ahead of the upcoming transfer window, according to The Sun.

Vicario has been a central fixture in goal since his arrival from Empoli in 2023, but his future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium appears increasingly uncertain.

The Italian international has endured a remarkably difficult 2025/26 campaign.

Inter Milan interest raises question over Vicario’s future

With Inter Milan aggressively searching for a long-term successor to veteran Yann Sommer, a return to his homeland is highly appealing to Vicario.

Recent reports out of Italy indicate that the Nerazzurri have already made significant headway, allegedly agreeing on personal terms for a lucrative €3.5 million-per-season contract.

Should Inter decide to formalise their interest with a significant offer, Tottenham could face a difficult decision.

Losing an established first-choice goalkeeper would create a major gap in the squad, one that requires careful planning well in advance.

James Trafford emerges as a target for Tottenham

In anticipation of any potential developments, Tottenham have reportedly identified Trafford as a leading candidate to fill the void should Vicario depart.

Trafford gained widespread recognition during England’s triumph at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where his performances were instrumental to the team’s success.

He joined Man City in the summer transfer window but his playing time has been limited at the Etihad Stadium due to the presence of Guanluigi Donnarumma.

For Tottenham, signing Trafford makes immense tactical sense. Standing at an imposing 6-foot-6, he offers exceptional aerial command of the penalty area.

More importantly, his education in Manchester City’s youth system has made him highly adept with the ball at his feet, a vital requirement for Roberto De Zerbi’s high-risk, build-up-focused tactical blueprint.

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are looking to strengthen their attacking units by signing Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani in the summer.

The 23-year-old Kosovo star has impressed with the Bundesliga outfit, with 18 goal contributions. He has helped Hoffenheim stay in the top five.

According to a report from BILD, Tottenham and Chelsea are pushing to sign the 23-year-old attacker, and it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to pay up. The striker will cost around €30 million, and the Premier League clubs certainly have the financial muscle to afford him.

He is a young player with a lot of potential, and he has shown his quality in German football. He could make his mark in English football as well and help improve the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham. The €30 million asking price could prove to be a bargain for a player of his quality and potential.

The 23-year-old will only improve with coaching and experience. Chelsea and Tottenham have done well to groom young players in the past, and they could play a key role in his development. The striker has a contract with the German club until 2029, and any club hoping to secure his signature will have to pay the asking price for him.

It remains to be seen how the situation develops over the next few weeks. Tottenham need someone who can support Dominic Solanke in the attack. The England international has not been a prolific goalscorer for them. On the other hand, Chelsea needs an upgrade on Liam Delap, who has not been able to make the desired impact at the London club. It will be interesting to see where Asllani ends up eventually.

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the Sporting CP star Maxi Araujo, and they are likely to scout him against Arsenal.

The Portuguese club will be up against Arsenal in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night, and Araujo is likely to be in action.

According to a report from SportWitness, the two London clubs have already made contact with the player’s representatives, and it remains to be seen whether they come forward with an official offer in the summer.

Araujo can operate as a left-back as well as a left-sided winger. He has 10 goal contributions this season, and he could prove to be a quality acquisition for both clubs.

Chelsea needs more depth in the left-back department and could compete with Marc Cucurella for the starting spot. More competition for places will help Chelsea improve as a team. On the other hand, Tottenham need a quality long-term replacement for Ben Davies. The Sporting CP star would be ideal for them. He could compete with Souza for the starting spot next season.

Destiny Udogie has been quite mediocre, and he has been linked with a move away from Tottenham. Araujo could be a quality alternative.

The defender has a £69 million release clause in his contract, but he could be sold for half of that fee. It is highly unlikely any club will agree to trigger his release clause in the summer.

The opportunity to join Chelsea or Tottenham could be exciting for the defender, and it remains to be seen where he ends up. The 26-year-old is at the peak of his career, and this is the right time for him to move to the Premier League and take on a new challenge.

Manchester United and Atletico Madrid could reportedly have to pay a fee of around £43.5m to sign Tottenham central defender Cristian Romero this summer.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

The Argentina international is seemingly set to be allowed to leave Spurs as long as the money is right, and there have been plenty of transfer rumours about his situation recently.

Man Utd have been linked with Romero by Marca, while Fabrizio Romano also posted on X to confirm that there were serious chances for him to leave Tottenham this summer, with clubs already calling to enquire about a deal…

??? Cuti Romero has serious chances to leave Tottenham in the summer.

Top clubs have started to call as exit is a possibility despite new deal signed last summer.

Romero could be open to a sale, as Telegraph and TyC Sports reported.

?? https://t.co/Q4fcYNPTBg pic.twitter.com/pZlRd2h749

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 11, 2026

Romano also added that Romero himself would be open to leaving THFC for a new chapter, and there’s now been a further update from Fichajes as Atletico Madrid are linked as his main suitor.

Cristian Romero asking price revealed

The Fichajes report states that Spurs will let Romero go for around €50m (£43.5m), with the north Londoners not prepared to lose such an important player on the cheap.

Atletico Madrid are said to have identified Romero as an ideal target to bolster their defence, and one imagines the 27-year-old could also do a job for United.

The Red Devils already have decent defensive options, though, so it’s not clear yet if it would make sense for them to spend a decent chunk of their budget on Romero.

Where next for Cristian Romero?

It will be interesting to see what happens with Romero this summer, but one imagines Tottenham would prefer to sell him abroad.

Of course, it will also be important to see what happens with Spurs in the next few games, as relegation to the Championship will surely complicate things.

That would surely be a huge hit to their finances, meaning they could probably be less picky about who to sell Romero and other key players to.

Meanwhile, if Roberto De Zerbi manages to keep them up, perhaps there’s always a chance Romero could be persuaded to stay as part of the new project.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.

The 29-year-old midfielder has fallen out of favour at the London club, and he wants to leave in order to receive regular playing time. According to a report via Football Fancast, the player’s agent is already in talks with Turkish outfit Fenerbahce regarding a summer move.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

Yves Bissouma wants to move on

The player will be out of contract at Tottenham in the summer, but they have an option to trigger a one-year extension in his deal. However, the Mali International is unhappy with his treatment at the Premier League club and does not wish to extend his deal. It will be interesting to see if he can secure a move in the summer.

There is no doubt that he is a quality player, and he has proven his ability in the Premier League with Brighton. Moving to Turkey could be ideal for him. He needs a fresh start at this stage of his career, and the Turkish outfit will provide him with the opportunity he needs.

Spurs need to replace Bissouma

Meanwhile, Tottenham will look to bring in a quality replacement for him in the summer. They need more quality and depth in the middle of the park. Keeping the International against his wishes makes no sense, and it would be ideal for the north London club to let him move on.

It will be interesting to see where the player ends up.

The midfielder joined Tottenham in 2022 for a fee of around £30 million, and he has had multiple disciplinary problems at the north London club.