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Darren Bent thinks Tottenham Hotspur may have made a mistake by signing Dominic Solanke over Ivan Toney, insisting that the Brentford striker offers more than the Spurs newcomer.

Tottenham sign Dominic Solanke

Solanke became Tottenham’s latest addition, with the striker completing a big-money switch to the Lilywhites on Saturday before being presented to the home fans on the same day ahead of the club’s friendly against Bayern Munich.

Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that the 26-year-old was the striker he really wanted to bring on board, insisting that the former Cherries star is a good fit for Spurs’ system (Football.London).

Various reports have indicated that Tottenham also considered a move for Ivan Toney and saw him as a potentially cheaper option since he was available for just £40m, but they settled on Solanke instead (GiveMeSport).

Dominic Solanke vs Ivan Toney

While Bent acknowledged that the new Spurs star is on the up and might have turned a corner in his career, he opined that the Bees star would have offered more to Postecoglou’s side.

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The pundit told talkSPORT: “I almost feel like now that Solanke has found himself at the Premier League level. Under this Ange football, it will be interesting to see what a proper centre-forward could do.

“It’s actually quite similar (their age). I just think looking at the stats sheet and the way Toney plays and the way Solanke plays. I just feel maybe you know you are getting more with Toney. I know Solanke has had an unbelievable season – I just think you know what you are getting with Ivan Toney.

“His last three seasons. He has four goals last season, but we know he had the ban. He scored 20 the year before that and 12 when he first got to the Premier League. You need someone up there who will score you goals and is comfortable with their back to play and can bring others into play.

“Also, someone who has that arrogance to go ‘I am here now. I am the main man. I can score goals. Not somebody who can shrink a little bit and I think Ivan Toney could do that.”

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While one can argue that Toney offers the bigger goal threat out of the two and is better on the ball than Solanke, the latter is undoubtedly a better fit for Ange’s system than the Brentford star.

Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge has said that Tottenham still like Jacob Ramsey but Aston Villa do not want to sell the midfielder at this stage of the transfer window.

More signings to come for Tottenham

Tottenham broke their transfer record to bring Dominic Solanke through the door over the weekend but Ange Postecoglou confirmed that the North London club are not yet done in the market, stating that he expects more new faces to arrive at the club (Football.London).

It was reported by several outlets last week that the Lilywhites wish to get another winger and a backup left-back through the door before the transfer window shuts (Football Insider).

Bridge has now said that Spurs also want to sign an energetic midfielder player before the end of the month.

Spurs still like Jacob Ramsey

Tottenham reportedly failed with a move for Ramsey earlier in the summer (The Athletic) but the Sky journalist believes that Postecoglou’s men could make another attempt for the 23-year-old.

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Bridge told GiveMeSport: “I still think they are in the market for an energetic midfielder.

“They like Jacob Ramsey at Villa, but he scored in a friendly yesterday, and I think Villa are very keen to keep him.”

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I think the performances of Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray in pre-season might persuade Postecoglou against bringing another midfielder through the door.

However, if Oliver Skipp is let go by Tottenham, the Australian would likely want a replacement to arrive.

Tottenham have announced the sale of defender, Emerson Royal, to Italian giants AC Milan in a switch valued at around €15 million (£12.8m).

Emerson publicly stated his desire to move to Milan

The 25-year-old defender managed just over 100 appearances in Lilywhite (TransferMarkt). Tottenham signed the Brazilian on a deal that ran until 2026, paying £25.73 million to Barcelona, according to Sky Sports.

Fabrizio Romano revealed all the way back in May that AC Milan had Emerson high on their list of right-backs.

The rumoured interest sparked a public declaration from the right-back who stated: “I’ve always been professional, but I also told the coach [Ange Posetcoglou] at Spurs that I want to play. Otherwise, I have to look at other options”. (Globo)

The fee that Tottenham are expected to receive for Emerson has been described as in excess of €15 million, according to Fabrizio Romano who also claimed that the Brazilian defender had four or five proposals but insisted upon a move to AC Milan.

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Tottenham have officially announced Emerson’s departure

Spurs have now officially confirmed the departure of Emerson Royal, ending his three-year stint in North London with the defender joining Paulo Fonseca’s AC Milan.

Emerson becomes Tottenham’s tenth senior departure of the summer, after Joe Rodon, Eric Dier, Ivan Perisic, Ryan Sessegnon, Japhet Tanganga, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Tanguy Ndombele, Bryan Gil (loan), and Alejo Veliz (loan).

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It had been clear for some time this summer that Emerson Royal’s time at Tottenham was over, despite the right-back being given plenty of minutes this pre-season, mainly due to Postecoglou lacking centre-backs with Romero, van De Ven and Dragusin all being away at international tournaments this summer.

Emerson’s time at Tottenham has been turbulent, from painfully failing no-look passes to waving a flare aloft after winning the North London derby, Spurs fans have certainly learned to enjoy the Brazilian for what he is.

However, in the past season, it has been apparent that Emerson isn’t quite at the level for Postecoglou’s side with his slow decision-making and poor passing making him a last resort option for the Australian last season.

The reported €15 million fee is good business though and Tottenham can now try to continue their rebuild under Postecoglou.

According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur are ready to accept a fee of just £10m for Giovani Lo Celso this summer.

Lo Celso looks likely to leave Tottenham

If there was any confirmation needed that Lo Celso is not part of Ange Postecoglou’s plans for the upcoming season, that arrived on Saturday with the midfielder not being part of the Tottenham squad that took on Bayern Munich in their final pre-season friendly of the summer.

Fabrizio Romano revealed on Sunday that the Argentine’s omission was down to the fact that he is expected to depart before the transfer deadline.

The journalist stated that Real Betis and Aston Villa remain interested in the 28-year-old while other sides across Europe have also enquired about his availability.

Tottenham will sell Lo Celso for just £10m

Betis’ and Villa’s interest in Lo Celso has now been backed up by Football Insider, who say that the Premier League club and the La Liga side have asked to be kept informed of the player’s situation.

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The report explained that Tottenham have no intention of loaning the midfielder out again and are looking to push through a permanent sale.

While the Lilywhites had demanded a fee of around £15m for Lo Celso earlier this summer, their asking price has now allegedly dropped to around £10m.

Spurs Web Opinion

Lo Celso at £10m is very good value for money and one would expect plenty of clubs to express interest in the midfielder.

Ultimately, the 28-year-old will have a major say on where he ends up as he has plenty of power, given his current contract situation.

According to Sports Illustrated, Sunderland are keen on signing Tottenham striker Dane Scarlett on a season-long loan deal.

What next for Dane Scarlett?

Scarlett has been highly rated at Tottenham for many years and is seen by many as a potential first-team prospect but his stock has undoubtedly fallen over the last 18 months due to his struggles out on loan.

The youngster failed to find the back of the net with regularity during his loan spell with Portsmouth in League One in 2022-23 while he played just 146 minutes in the Championship at Ipswich Town last season before the spell was cut short in January.

The youngster has also barely featured for Spurs in pre-season this summer, firmly behind the likes of Will Lankshear in the current pecking order.

Championship return for Scarlett?

Sports Illustrated have claimed that the Tottenham man could now return to the second tier, with Sunderland keen on signing him on loan.

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It is revealed that the Black Cats first reached out to Spurs about Scarlett earlier this summer and while they have also expressed an interest in Lankshear, the 20-year-old remains their top target.

The publication adds that Regis Le Bris’ men believe that the England Under-21 international’s signing would complement the arrival of a more senior centre-forward.

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The priority of Johan Lange and the Tottenham hierarchy would be to ensure Scarlett and others go to clubs whether they are guaranteed regular game time.

I do not think Spurs would even mind sending the striker to a League One club or a newly promoted Championship side.

According to Sunday’s print edition of The Mirror (11/08, page 77), Tottenham Hotspur are considering loaning out Lucas Bergvall.

Bergvall is highly rated in the football world

There was plenty of excitement about Bergvall’s arrival at Spurs, with the midfielder widely considered to be one of the best young talents to have emerged out of Swedish football over recent years.

However, with the 18-year-old only having played in the Allsvenskan previously, many would have expected him to have a steep learning curve at Spurs.

That has not been the case, with the midfielder surprising everyone in pre-season with his performances, looking completely at home against top-quality opposition such as Bayern Munich.

Tottenham could still loan Lucas Bergvall

Many Spurs fans might want to see the teenager start against Leicester City in their season opener, but The Mirror have now suggested that Ange Postecoglou has different plans.

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It is explained that the Tottenham head coach wants Bergvall to get regular game time under his belt for the upcoming season and is thus ready to send him out on loan.

The report adds that Tyrese Hall is also expected to be loaned out by Spurs while Ashley Phillips, Alfie Devine and Dane Scarlett could also make temporary switches to the EFL once again.

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Tottenham’s initial plans might have been to loan out Bergvall but I would be extremely surprised if the Lilywhites’ plans have not changed on the back of the newcomer’s showing in pre-season.

At the very least, Ange will want him to remain with the Spurs first-team squad for the first half of the campaign before reassessing the situation in January.

Former Everton and Aston Villa CEO Keith Wyness is of the opinion that the next full owners of Tottenham will initially arrive as minority partners before increasing their share in the club.

Tottenham Hotspur are up for sale

It is now an open secret that Spurs are looking for a minority sale, with Daniel Levy himself last year when Tottenham’s financial statements were released that the club are on the lookout for potential investors.

Last month, The Times reported that Spurs are valued at £3.75 billion by their chairman, who is currently in talks over minority investment into the club.

The report asserted that the Lilywhites are willing to sell up to 10 per cent of the club and that several investors have allegedly shown interest.

It was previously reported by The Daily Mail that multiple US-based investment groups had contacted the North London club about a potential minority takeover.

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We could see new Spurs investment in three months

Wyness believes that a minority sale of Spurs could go through within the next three or four months, suggesting that it could eventually turn into a full takeover.

The former Everton chief told Football Insider: “Spurs have been talking to potential investors for a long time now, in the last five years it has stepped up.

“Many of the world’s biggest investors have had those conversations but nothing has come of it yet. I do believe that 15% of the club will go to someone very soon.

“Spurs will be very clever about which strategic partner they choose. They’ll want more than just the money – they want someone to bring something extra.

“The bottom line of the investment will be worth it, but Daniel will want top dollar – and that has been the downfall of this process in recent years.

“Another sticking point could be around potentially having the right to buy further shares in the future.

“We could see the next full owners of Tottenham coming in, initially as minority partners. It’s a great asset and I expect that 15% to go within the next three or four months.”

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Former Tottenham duo, Harry Kane and Eric Dier, returned to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday for a pre-season friendly, and Dier is clearly still rooting for his former side to do well this season.

Dier left Spurs after nine years in January

Eric Dier departed North London in January 2024 for Bayern Munich, falling just six months short of a decade with the club.

Bayern signed the defender on an initial six-month loan worth £3.4 million, according to the Evening Standard, with Dier then joining permanently this summer as a free agent.

Dier did not depart without an emotional farewell to the club that he made 365 outings for though (@SpursOfficial on X). He said: “The way I was received from the moment I came has been incredible.

“One thing that always stood out to me was everywhere you go in the world there seems to be so many Tottenham fans and it always seems to be amazing. I just want to say a big thank you to all of you for the support that you have shown me.

“I’m extremely grateful to have had these nine-and-a-half years. Tottenham has been a part of my life and my family’s life for so long and will forever hold a special place in my heart.”

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Eric Dier wishes Spurs well following his return to North London

Harry Kane and Eric Dier made their first returns to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since departing the club last season in a friendly between Tottenham and Bayern Munich, where the visitors ran out as 3-2 winners.

Dier remained true to his word on still having a special place in his heart for Spurs as he posted on Instagram “All the best for the new season @SpursOfficial”.

The caption was accompanied by various photos of Dier in action as well as a snap with the Englishman chatting to new fan favourite centre-back, Micky Van De Ven, who Dier helped introduce to the squad upon his arrival from Wolfsburg last summer.

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It is easier to now reflect upon Dier’s Tottenham career following his exit, especially due to the fact that his Spurs career ended when he was falling out of favour and form under Ange Postecoglou.

Dier was a good servant to the club, with his 365 appearances placing him as one of Tottenham’s most consistent appearance-makers in recent years.

Although his eventual move to centre-back may have caused a disappointing end to his Tottenham career, he continued to give his all and was very impressive for years as a defensive midfielder.

Various reports suggest that Giovanni Lo Celso could head out the exit door at Spurs this summer, although an intriguing stat reveals that Spurs may be selling a key creative player.

Lo Celso is reportedly free to leave Tottenham this summer

Giovanni Lo Celso was one of the many players who capitalised on the clean slate that Ange Postecoglou offered upon joining the club, staying put in North London after impressing in pre-season despite being linked with an exit following various seasons out on loan.

The Argentine only amassed 597 minutes in Lilywhite last season, contributing two goals and two assists in the league (TransferMarkt).

However, Ange Postecoglou remained open about the midfielder’s future, stating: “If they want more game time, there are other clubs where they can do that and I’m looking at contribution.

“With someone like Gio, like I said he has contributed to us this year and that’s been the most important thing for me (Football.London).”

It appears as though Lo Celso’s future now lies elsewhere, according to Fabrizio Romano, who revealed that Aston Villa, Real Betis and other clubs are monitoring the Argentina who was omitted from Spurs’ squad against Bayern Munich.

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Lo Celso is a leader in Tottenham’s creative stats

It appears as though Tottenham may be willing to sell one of the Premier League’s most prolific creators from last season, according to a recently unveiled statistic.

WhoScored tweeted out that Lo Celso recorded more key passes per 90 than any other Tottenham player (who made 10+ appearances) in the Premier League last season, with 3.3 key passes per 90.

The midfielder did however only start in four of his twenty-two Premier League appearances last season. (TransferMarkt)

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Lo Celso’s stats may be inflated by the fact that the Argentine frequently came on when Spurs were chasing games and throwing men forward, meaning that Lo Celso was naturally required to make more key passes.

However, it does stress the need for Tottenham to at least add a creative bench option to their squad should they lose Giovanni Lo Celso, with James Maddison remaining an unknown quantity following his poor end to the season last campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed they have secured the services of one of the club’s brightest talents.

Mikey Moore has signed a new contract with Tottenham

Teenage starlet Mikey Moore has committed his future to the North Londoners having turned 17, which allows him to sign his first professional contract.

Moore has put pen to paper on a three-year contract, which is the longest allowed by FIFA regulations for players under the age of 18.

The England youth international made headlines at the end of last season when he became Spurs’ youngest Premier League player in their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on May 14.

The Athletic revealed earlier this month that Tottenham have offered Moore a bigger salary than they ever have done before for a player turning 17.

The midfielder was named as part of Ange Postecoglou’s pre-season plans, scoring his first goal for the club in Tottenham’s 5-1 win over Hearts and also went on to catch the eye during the trip to Japan and South Korea.

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A three-year professional contract for Moore

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was asked about Moore ahead of the final pre-season fixture and waxed lyrical about his talent.

Postecoglou told Football.London: “It’s fair to say, it’s incredible that he’s 16 turning 17. “He handles it really well, and that’s part of the process when you’re a young footballer if you’re going well. We can’t protect him from all of it. But he’s been great.

“We brought him into the first-team environment the back end of last year. He’d had some injuries earlier in the year. Every time he’s played for the Under-18s or Under-21s, he’d had an impact. For a very young guy, he adjusted really quickly.

“He’s come back pre-season and done really well in the games and in training. It’s great for this football club that’s come through our academy and is already showing great promise. But he’s a young man. Our role is to have the best possible environment for him to be the best footballer he can be.”

Moore was said to have caught the attention of a number of top European clubs including Real Madrid and PSG (GiveMeSport).

SpursWeb Opinion

This is brilliant news for both the club and the player, who thoroughly deserves to be rewarded with his first professional deal.

It has been impressive with how he has adapted to the spotlight of being part of the Tottenham first team and supporters need to be patient in order for Moore to continue to develop and reach the heights expected of him in years to come.