CaughtOffside

Tottenham saw their miserable week compounded on Saturday with a very disappointing 2-1 home defeat against Fulham. Thomas Frank’s side, who had already lost to Arsenal (4-1) and PSG (5-3) over the last seven days, now find themselves 10th in the Premier League, when they had been inside the top four not too long ago.

It was a dreadful start to proceedings for Tottenham, who conceded twice inside the opening six minutes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Understandably, there was a lot of criticism for goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario following his error that led to Harry Wilson’s long-range goal, but one ex-player had more of a problem with Xavi Simons.

Jamie O’Hara critical of Xavi Simons showboating vs Fulham

Taking to X (via FootballFanCast), former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara took aim at Simons, who came on in the 60th minute for Richarlison. The forward, signed in the summer from RB Leipzig, was accused of unnecessary showboating during his time on the pitch.

“If Xavi (Simons) tries one more flick my head’s gonna absolutely go.”

Xavi Simons has had a difficult start to life at Tottenham

Simons did not have the desired impact during his 30-minute cameo against Fulham, with zero shots on target and only one successful dribble. It epitomised his time at Tottenham thus far, which has been very underwhelming – especially considering the hype that was generated when it became clear that he would be joining in the summer.

Up next for Tottenham is a trip to Newcastle. Frank’s side have been much better away from home this season, but they have already been defeated at St James’ Park this season (2-0 in the Carabao Cup), so expectations will not be high for a positive result for the forthcoming Premier League clash on Tyneside.

Aston Villa are preparing an ambitious January move for Anderlecht’s 17-year-old midfield prodigy Nathan De Cat, as they look to reinforce their long-term midfield core under Unai Emery.

Sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside that Villa have identified the Belgian teenager as a potential partner for Boubacar Kamara in the years ahead and are keen to accelerate talks despite mounting competition from Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton, and Bayern Munich.

De Cat, widely regarded as one of Belgium’s brightest young talents, has impressed scouts across Europe.

Aston Villa target Anderlecht star Nathan De Cat

He has already established himself as a regular in Anderlecht’s first team and has featured prominently for Belgium’s U19 side, earning comparisons to Manchester City’s Rodri for his deep-lying playmaking style.

The youngster has made 15 league appearances for Anderlecht in the Jupiler Pro League this season.

While Anderlecht’s official stance remains firm, that De Cat will stay at the club until at least the summer of 2027, insiders suggest the Belgian giants are willing to negotiate if the right offer arrives.

Sources close to the club indicate that a £30 million (€35m) package, including performance-related add-ons, would meet their record sale ambitions

Villa are reportedly readying an offer worth €22–25 million upfront, with additional bonuses and a 10–15% sell-on clause, designed to tempt Anderlecht into early discussions.

Tottenham are also actively pursuing De Cat, with sporting director Johan Lange pushing hard to bring him to north London, while Brighton have made inquiries through intermediaries.

Premier League clubs face Bayern Munich competition

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have maintained regular contact with the player’s representatives but are not expected to formalize an offer until the summer unless forced by Premier League movement.

Two deal structures are currently under consideration, a permanent transfer with an immediate loan back to Anderlecht for the remainder of the season, or a loan deal with a mandatory purchase clause in the summer.

Aston Villa are believed to favor the first option, ensuring the youngster’s development continues uninterrupted in Belgium before joining Emery’s side next season.

Tottenham are understood to sense a potential opportunity to rival Manchester United for the transfer of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.

The talented young Cameroon international is going through a bit of a dip in form since Man Utd tried signing him in the summer, and this has led to Spurs joining the race, as first reported here in the Daily Briefing.

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Speaking to sources, it seems Brighton will still insist on their €100m valuation for Baleba, so that could make things complicated for Tottenham.

It’s also still not ruled out that United could move for Baleba as a priority, even if other big names like Elliot Anderson and Joao Gomes are now also being strongly considered as well.

Carlos Baleba to Manchester United or Tottenham?

United and Spurs look like the main two teams to watch in the race for Baleba, with sources describing the 21-year-old as someone who’s still highly regarded within the game.

There’s no doubt this season has been a bit trickier for Baleba so far, but it might just be a brief blip for the youngster.

“Brighton don’t see Baleba’s recent performances as a huge concern, they feel they still have a €100m asset there, so any clubs thinking about a cut-price deal can forget about it,” one source said.

“Tottenham are monitoring Baleba’s situation,” another source explained. “They sense there could be an opportunity there if United decide to focus on other targets.”

Who are the best midfielders on the market right now?

Baleba is someone we’re hearing a lot about at the moment, as are other names like Anderson, Gomes, and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.

If he gets back to his best, though, there’s a strong case for saying that Baleba is the best of the bunch there, so he could still end up being well worth the €100m investment.

Brighton might make things tough, as they don’t want to sell in January, but in the past they’ve tended to cash in on star names like Moises Caicedo if the money and timing is right for them.

Tottenham are gearing up to make an offer in January to sign Juventus’ defensive mainstay, Gleison Bremer.

Thomas Frank’s Tottenham are looking to reinforce their backline on a priority basis. The former Brentford boss wants to build a strong defensive base for the long run, and he has his eyes set on Juventus’ Gleison Bremer.

Bremer is on the Liverpool radar as well. He was linked with a move to Manchester United last year.

Bremer’s time at Juventus could end soon

According to a report from Tuttojuve, the North London club are preparing an offer for the Brazilian international. They could knock on the Old Lady’s door as early as the upcoming winter transfer window.

Gleison Bremer is a quality defender

Bremer has only gone from strength to strength since joining the Italian giants in the summer of 2022 in a deal worth €46 million. Not only has he established himself as one of their mainstays, but he is also widely regarded as one of the best defenders in Italy.

The 28-year-old might have had a few injury concerns at the start of the season, but he has bounced back in fine fashion. His performances have resulted in a lot of interest from across Europe, and Tottenham are one of the most serious suitors for his signature.

Bremer could solve Tottenham’s defensive problems

Frank is keen on having more depth and quality at the back as he looks to solve his team’s defensive woes. He wants someone who can compete with Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.

The Tottenham boss considers the €40 million-rated centre-back a perfect fit for his system, and they are plotting a raid on Juventus to secure his services.

However, signing the Brazilian won’t be that straightforward as Juventus are reluctant to sell, and with his contract running until 2029, they are in complete control of his future.

Tottenham Hotspur continue to be linked with a move for the Manchester City attacker Savinho.

The Brazilian has not had regular opportunities at Manchester City, and Tottenham could look to provide him with an exit route. They tried to sign him last summer, but Manchester City were not keen on letting him leave. Spurs were interested in securing a £70 million move for him at the start of the season.

Spurs eyeing January move for Savinho

Meanwhile, Dean Jones from Team Talk claims that Tottenham have £100 million to spend in January, and they could look to return for the Brazilian if he is made available. Thomas Frank has reportedly requested at least one more attacker in January.

Savinho could be a quality acquisition for them. The 21-year-old will be looking to play regularly, and Tottenham might be able to provide him with those opportunities. He will add unpredictability and cutting-edge in the final third. Savinho has been hailed as a “top player” in the past.

Tottenham need more quality on the flanks, and the Brazilian has the technical attributes to develop into an important player for them.

His desire to succeed will be an added bonus for the north London club if they manage to get the deal done. Savinho is highly rated across Europe, and he needs to play regularly at this stage of his career. Sitting on the bench at Manchester City will not benefit him.

Man City unlikely to sell Savinho

Tottenham would do well to secure his signature, but it seems unlikely that Manchester City will allow the player to move on in January. They will not want to weaken the squad. They will look to push for major trophies this season, and keeping the Brazilian makes a lot of sense. It remains to be seen whether the player is ready to push for a move away from the club.

If he wants to compete in the World Cup with Brazil next summer, he needs regular football at the club level. Joining Tottenham could be ideal for him. It remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to improve the attacking unit during the January transfer window.

They are looking to sign a quality striker and a wide player. Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani are currently sidelined with injuries. Richarlison has been inconsistent, and Xavi Simons is still adapting to the Premier League.

Tottenham are struggling in the attacking unit, and they need to improve in that area. They will be hoping to finish in the top four and fight for trophies as well. They need to add more cutting-edge and unpredictability in the attack.

According to Football Insider, Thomas Frank has decided that he wants to bring in two new attackers in January if the funds are made available to him. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham are prepared to back him and the transfer market. They started the season well, but they have lost their way in recent weeks. They will look to bounce back strongly and finish the season on a high. A couple of quality additions could really transform them.

There is no doubt that they have quality players at their disposal. If they can add more goals and creativity to the side, they could climb further up the table.

There is no doubt that they have the resources to sign quality players. It will be interesting to see if they can identify the right targets in January. It can often be difficult to attract quality players in the middle of the season. Clubs will not want to lose their best players midway through a campaign.

It will be interesting to see how the situation develops over the next few weeks.

Tottenham are understood to be leading the race for the transfer of Porto’s talented young striker Samu Aghehowa, as first reported in my Daily Briefing exclusive here.

The 21-year-old has been prolific at Porto, finding the back of the net 36 times in 60 games in total, having also previously caught the eye when he was on loan at Alaves from Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea tried to sign Aghehowa before he joined Porto, and it seems they’re continuing to keep an eye on his situation.

Sources also mentioned Newcastle to me, though their interest is now felt to have cooled after they signed both Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa this summer.

Tottenham and Arsenal the ones to watch in Samu Aghehowa transfer race

It seems the two main teams to watch for Aghehowa now could be Tottenham and Arsenal, according to my sources.

Spurs have struggled so far this season, with their attack not looking dangerous enough as recent signings like Mathys Tel and Randal Kolo Muani have been disappointing, while Dominic Solanke has had injury problems.

Arsenal are there too, though, and, as recently reported, both Serhou Guirassy and Jean-Philippe Mateta are also names they’re looking at as they consider alternatives to injury-prone pair Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.

Porto’s demands for Samu Aghehowa

Porto are described by one source as being “firm” on Aghehowa’s €100m release clause, but another source suggested they might be flexible and accept more like €90m.

It’s a bit early to know for sure how this will pan out, but it certainly makes sense that the Spain international is unlikely to come cheap after performing so well at such a young age.

It looks like Aghehowa clearly has a big future in the game and he could be a superb long-term addition to help Tottenham move up a level. whilst also giving Arsenal a different kind of profile in their attack.

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to improve their defensive unit with the signing of Lautaro Rivero.

The 22-year-old is highly rated in Argentina, and he could develop into a key player for the North London outfit. They want him to start alongside his compatriot Cristian Romero.

Can Spurs afford Lautaro Rivero?

The player has done quite well for River Plate, but he is valued at €100 million. It is unlikely that Tottenham will be able to afford him at that price. River Plate will have to be more reasonable with their demands for the move to go through. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can negotiate a reasonable deal.

There is no doubt that Rivero is a talented player with a bright future. He could prove to be an upgrade on some of their current options.

Even though they are packed in the defensive unit, a move for the South American could prove to be a wise decision. Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin are to convince with their performances for the London club.

As per El Desmarque, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are keen on securing his signature as well. It will be interesting to see where he ends up. Real Madrid need more depth in the defensive unit. They need long-term alternatives to Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba.

Rivero would be a long-term asset

The South American would be a long-term investment for Tottenham, and he could develop into a star for the club with the right guidance. It remains to be seen whether they can get a deal for the talented prospect across the line. Meanwhile, the opportunity to move to the Premier League will be exciting for the player as well. It would be a huge opportunity for him, and he will look to prove himself in England.

Rivero has the physicality and technical attributes for the Premier League. Regular opportunities in England could help him improve further and fulfil his potential.

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to improve their attacking unit in the January transfer window.

According to TEAMtalk, they are looking to bring in a couple of attacking players, and they have identified Antoine Semenyo and Samu Aghehowa as targets.

The report claims that the two players could cost around £140 million combined. Thomas Frank reportedly dreams of improving his attacking unit with the two players. It remains to be seen whether Tottenham can get the deal done.

It is no secret that they need a reliable striker. Dominic Solanke has not been able to find the back of the net regularly since joining the club. Aghehowa has been outstanding for Porto, and he could prove to be a quality long-term acquisition. The Spanish attacker has the potential to succeed in the Premier League, and he could be a key player for Tottenham.

Similarly, they need quality on the flanks as well. They have not been able to replace Son Heung-min properly. Signing Semenyo would be the right decision for them. He will add goals and creativity to the side. The African is in tremendous form right now, and he could hit the ground running at the London club.

There is no doubt that he is one of the best attackers in the league right now, and he will look to compete at the highest level. Joining a club in the Champions League would be tempting for him.

Semenyo is likely to cost around £60 million, and Aghehowa will cost £80 million. It remains to be seen whether Tottenham are prepared to break the Bank in the coming weeks. It would be a major coup for them if they manage to get the deal done. It would send out a strong statement of intent to their rivals as well.

Tottenham Hotspur remain committed to giving Thomas Frank time to succeed in North London, despite mounting pressure following their 4-1 defeat to arch-rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The loss marked yet another setback for Spurs, who have now suffered three defeats in their last five Premier League matches, slipping to ninth place in the table after what was arguably their most disappointing performance of the season.

According to a report from The Telegraph, Spurs hierarchy and the club’s senior leadership are determined to stand by Frank, for now.

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank deserves more time

They believe the Danish manager deserves more time to fully implement his ideas and rebuild confidence within the squad.

However, there is growing unease behind the scenes, with concerns that Frank’s constant tactical experimentation and frequent squad rotations are unsettling the team’s rhythm and contributing to their recent inconsistency.

Since arriving from Brentford in the summer, Frank’s tenure at Tottenham has been marked by a mix of bold tactical shifts and uneven results.

While his possession-based system initially impressed supporters, Spurs’ performances have deteriorated in recent weeks.

Spurs were taught a lesson by Arsenal on Sunday

The team’s lack of creativity in attack and fragility at the back have been glaring, issues that were ruthlessly exposed by Arsenal in Sunday’s derby rout.

The Telegraph notes that several senior figures within the club have urged Frank to settle on a more consistent lineup, arguing that his heavy rotation policy, often changing the backline and midfield combinations, has prevented players from developing chemistry.

Despite the criticism, Tottenham’s board continues to back Frank’s long-term vision, acknowledging that he inherited a transitional squad still adapting to a new philosophy after years of managerial upheaval.