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Spurs signing, Lucas Bergvall, was a near-unknown quantity to fans when he arrived at Hotspur Way from Djurgarden. However, the 18-year-old Swede reportedly wowed scouts from around Europe before Tottenham snapped him up.

Bergvall chose a move to Tottenham over Barcelona in January

Spurs had their eye on Lucas Bergvall before he had even turned eighteen, but they weren’t the only club tracking the young Swedish star, as Barcelona were also making contacts with Djurgarden over a move.

Bergvall ended up favouring a move to Spurs over Barca in late January, with David Ornstein reporting that Tottenham would pay an upfront fee of around €10 million plus add-ons with the young Swede signing a five-year deal on his 18th birthday (Tottenham Hotspur).

Pre-season has handed Bergvall plenty of time to adjust to his new surroundings, and try and prove to manager, Ange Postecoglou, that he is ready for immediate first-team action. His cameos against the likes of QPR and Bayern Munich have certainly not hurt his chances.

Bergvall is set to be a first-team player this season

After his impressive pre-season displays, Lucas Bergvall is set to remain at Tottenham for the upcoming season with the possibility of a loan deal now considered extremely unlikely according to the Mirror.

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The report also reveals that the 18-year-old star had ‘wowed scouts from all across Europe’ before Spurs snapped him up in February, as proven by the concrete interest from Spanish giants, Barcelona.

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Many fans have become excited with Bergvall’s promising displays in the club’s pre-season friendlies with his high volume of game time suggesting that the Swede will have plenty of minutes to impress next season.

Patience still may be required for Bergvall, despite his seamless transition into Tottenham’s first team as the Premier League will hand the midfielder a tougher test than he has experienced so far.

Ange Postecoglou has pointed out that things could have easily gone very wrong for him in his first season at Tottenham Hotspur if some of his key signings had failed to hit the ground running.

Ange Postecoglou’s first season at Spurs

Postecoglou arrived at Spurs at an extremely tumultuous time, taking over a club that was reeling after a failed Antonio Conte experiment, on the back of their worst league finish since 2009.

To make matters worse, the Australian also lost Harry Kane before the start of the season and hardly anyone predicted at the time that the Lilywhites would be pushing for top four.

However, expectations got reset at the start of the last campaign after Tottenham came flying out of the blocks, playing some enterprising football.

Postecoglou is proud of his Spurs start

The club’s end to the season was quite disappointing as they were pipped to a fourth place finish by Aston Villa but Postecoglou suggested that things could have been a lot worse had his decisions not been spot on last summer.

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The Tottenham head coach told Football.London: “I don’t dismiss last year, because it could’ve gone very differently.

“I get that we obviously got off to a flying start and then we sort of petered out in the end, and people kind of hang on that, and we finished fifth, which is not exactly exciting, but you know, when you take over a club that’s finished eighth, with big expectations and you lose a generational player on the eve of the season, and you know there’s some major squad restructuring, team restructuring.

“I mean, you just think about our transfers. If I’d got even one of them wrong, if I’d got Vicario wrong, Van de Ven wrong, Maddison at the start of the year the way he was performing.

“If we didn’t get the best out of Pedro [Porro] and [Cristian] Romero and [Yves] Bissouma, it could’ve been a very different year, and I might not even be sitting here if it had gone that way, so I’ll take great pride in that, because I thought it was important for a club like Tottenham to not go into freefall.”

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It is easy to forget just how bad a shape Tottenham were in when Ange arrived last summer, which is why his first season in charge has to be considered a relative success.

However, there is no doubt that a top-four finish would be the bare minimum expected from Spurs during the upcoming campaign.

Football Insider have claimed that Tottenham Hotspur may decide to cash in on Richarlison this summer even though the striker wants to remain at the club.

Dominic Solanke to Spurs is gathering pace

As the speculation linking Dominic Solanke with a move to Spurs continues to intensify, some question marks are starting to be raised about Richarlison’s future at the club.

In fact, GiveMeSport reported on Monday that Tottenham could cash in on the Brazilian to fund a move for the Bournemouth star.

It was alleged that the 27-year-old was attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, with Al-Ahli said to be considering making a £60m offer for the player.

Richarlison may be forced out of North London

Football Insider have now claimed that the former Everton man wants to remain at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and fight for his place.

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However, they suggest that his future at Spurs may be in doubt if the Lilywhites bring another number nine through the door.

Amidst interest from the Saudi Pro League, the publication adds that Tottenham’s number nine now faces an ‘uncertain future’, with a late sale very much possible before the 30 August deadline.

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I do not think Richalrison would consider a move to Saudi Arabia even if Al-Ahli or someone else throws ridiculous money at him.

I also do not think Postecoglou will be desperate to push him out as he would want to rotate upfront.

Tottenham Hotspur have officially announced that Alejo Veliz has joined La Liga side Espanyol on loan for the 2024/25 season.

Tottenham send Veliz out on loan again

Veliz’s loan spell at Sevilla was one to forget for the youngster, who hardly got a look in at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium last season.

It now turns out that the 20-year-old will return to Spain for the upcoming campaign, with reports indicating earlier this week that he was set to join Espanyol on a season-long loan deal (Matteo Moretto).

The Catalan club won promotion via the playoffs last season and have now strengthened their forward line ahead of their La Liga return, with the Argentine set to aid them in their quest to preserve their top-flight status.

The Tottenham youngster will be hoping to get much more game time than he did at Sevilla and demonstrate to Ange Postecoglou and the staff at Spurs that he has what it takes to perform at the highest level.

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Espanyol have no option to buy Veliz

Alasdair Gold revealed that he has heard nothing about Tottenham adding an option to buy in Alejo Veliz’s loan move to Espanyol, with the deal appearing to be a straight loan.

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

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There is no doubt that Johan Lange and the Tottenham hierarchy would have asked for assurances from Espanyol that Veliz would get regular starts.

With the Spanish side just having won promotion, one would think that the 20-year-old stands a decent chance of establishing himself as their main number nine.

Journalist Dean Jones believes that Ivan Toney is more likely to arrive through the door at Tottenham this summer than Dominic Solanke, due to the unrealistic fee Bournemouth are asking for.

Spurs are interested in Dominic Solanke

Over the last few days, a number of outlets have suggested that Solanke has now become Spurs’ top striker target, with the Lilywhites alleged to have spoken to the 26-year-old about a potential switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (CaughtOffside).

Some Spurs fans on social media are quite underwhelmed by this news and are questioning why the club are not going for Toney instead.

Tottenham insider Paul O’Keefe answered that question during his recent appearance on the Last Word on Spurs podcast, explaining that Ange Postecoglou wants a well-rounded forward rather than just a great goalscorer.

He revealed that the Cherries star is seen as a great fit for Postecoglou’s system because of his ability to press from the front.

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Is Dominic Solanke too expensive for Spurs?

However, Jones believes that Solanke will probably prove too expensive for Tottenham, asserting that Toney is more likely to arrive at N17 this summer.

The journalist told Ranks FC Ultras Podcast: “He’s too expensive he’s £65m (Solanke), if Richarlison leaves Tottenham then maybe, but without that, I don’t see how it’s plausible, I’d say Ivan Toney is much more realistic.”

Despite this claim from Jones, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Tottenham have entered into talks with Bournemouth about a potential deal. This would imply that Spurs are at least confident a compromise can be reached in the coming days.

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It seems quite clear that Tottenham are prioritising a move for Solanke at the moment over Toney.

However, if Bournemouth refuse to budge and continue demanding that Spurs pay the 26-year-old’s release clause, I can see the Lilywhites going back in for Toney during the latter stages of the window.

HITC have revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are willing to pay Dominic Solanke’s £65m release clause after Bournemouth made it clear that the clause would have to be met.

Dominic Solanke to Spurs is heating up

The report says that Spurs are now making progress in their efforts to land Solanke after telling the Cherries that they would indeed be willing to pay the required amount.

However, it is explained that the Lilywhites want to stagger the payments over several years rather than paying the fee in one lump sum.

While the deal is thought to be moving, it is said that Chelsea are also continuing to keep an eye on Solanke’s situation at the moment, although they are currently focused on securing Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion.

Fabrizio Romano also reported today that Spurs have entered into talks with Bournemouth over a possible deal, and the Lilywhites want to get it done within the next week.

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Spurs have other striker options just in case

HITC allege that Tottenham have also kept tabs on Santi Gimenez, Jonathan David and Ivan Toney should a deal for a Bournemouth striker collapse.

Finally, the publication asserts that the signing of a new striker does not depend on Richarlison departing Hotspur Way.

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Almost no transfer deal these days involves paying the entire fee upfront, with fees usually being paid in several instalments.

It sounds like Tottenham are looking to reduce the fee by including some performance-related add-ons in the deal.

According to GiveMeSport, Tottenham Hotspur are ‘adamant’ that Dominic Solanke wants to join them before the transfer window closes.

Tottenham want to sign Dominic Solanke

Over the last few days, a number of outlets have reported that Spurs have stepped up their pursuit of Solanke and that the striker himself has signalled a willingness to make a move to the North London club (The Telegraph).

This has now been backed up by GiveMeSport, who say that Spurs are not in any doubt that the Englishman is ‘eager to seal a switch’ to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Fabrizio Romano also reported today that Solanke has given the green light to a potential move to North London, with Spurs trying to get a deal done as early as this week.

Spurs do not want to pay £65m

The Lilywhites are now trying to persuade Bournemouth to lower their demands as they are unwilling to trigger the player’s £65million release clause.

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It is explained that Spurs value Solanke at closer to £50m and with Richarlison no closer to an exit, Ange Posecoglou’s men are now unwilling to break their transfer record to sign the former Liverpool man.

The publication adds that apart from a centre-forward, Spurs also want to bring another creative player and a defender through the door before the end of the month.

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If Solanke is indeed desperate to come to Tottenham, the Lilywhites might perhaps be hoping that he agitates for a move and puts pressure on Bournemouth to lower their asking price over the coming days and weeks.

I also think that if Spurs offer £55m with more favourable payment terms than the release clause, a deal could be done at a discount.

Tottenham insider Paul O’Keefe says that Spurs may not have to activate Dominic Solanke’s release clause in order to sign the striker this summer.

Tottenham want Solanke this week

It is now clear that Solanke has emerged as Tottenham’s top striker target, with the Lilywhites seemingly stepping up their pursuit of the Englishman over recent days.

It has been reported by a number of outlets over the last few days that Bournemouth are demanding Spurs meet the forward’s £65m release clause this summer.

This includes a recent update by The Mirror, who suggested that Tottenham have no intention of breaking their transfer record for the 26-year-old and could instead try to offer some of their players to the Cherries to bring down the cost of the operation.

It has since also emerged that Solanke himself is keen on making the switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (The Telegraph).

Fabrizio Romano reported today that Spurs are Bournemouth are now in talks over a possible deal, with the Lilywhites wanting to get it done as early as this week.

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Spurs may not need to pay Solanke’s release clause

O’Keefe has now said on the Last Word on Spurs podcast that Spurs would be able to sign the former Liverpool man without meeting the release clause.

He suggested that an offer of £55m+ add-ons from Ange Postecoglou’s men could be enough to clinch the deal for the striker.

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Based on various stories over the last 24 hours, it does appear as if Tottenham are quite confident of getting the Solanke deal over the line before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.

One would hope that the negotiations do not drag on until the final few days of the window.

Fabrizio Romano’s latest update on Tottenham’s pursuit of Dominic Solanke will excite Spurs fans, with the journalist claiming that the Lilywhites are now stepping up efforts to secure the Bournemouth star’s signature.

Tottenham want Dominic Solanke

The reports linking Solanke with a move to Tottenham have gone into hyperdrive and it now looks like the Lilywhites are pressing ahead with talks to finalise the transfer.

Romano has said that the talks between the North London club and the South Coast club are well underway, with Spurs trying to find an agreement.

He also reveals that the 26-year-old has already given the green light to complete a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Romano tweeted: ‘Understand Tottenham are pushing to get Dominic Solanke deal done, talks underway with Bournemouth.

‘Solanke has given the green light to Spurs as negotiations are ongoing to find an agreement. Tottenham want Solanke, as exclusively revealed last week.’

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Spurs want a Solanke deal done this week

Meanwhile, Romano has provided more details on his Instagram account about the transfer, claiming that Ange Postecoglou’s men are ‘really pushing’ to agree a deal for Solanke by the end of this week, with the talks between the clubs now said to be progressing.

Romano wrote: ‘Tottenham want Solanke and clubs are trying to find an agreement this week, talks are progressing.

‘Bournemouth started exploring other options if he leaves the club, as Spurs are really pushing again.’

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All indications now point to the fact that Solanke will be a Tottenham player sooner rather than later.

I would be over the moon with this deal, and I believe that the Spurs fans who are indifferent to the Bournemouth star will be surprised by how well he does in our system.

Mourinho spent a year and a half in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, following the sacking of long-term manager Mauricio Pochettino. The Portuguese manager appears to have retained his distaste for how his time at Spurs finished though, taking a sly dig at the club in a Fenerbahce press conference.

Mourinho failed to lift silverware at Spurs

Daniel Levy decided to appoint ‘serial winner’, Jose Mourinho, in November of 2019 as he felt that he was the right man to succeed long-term manager, Mauricio Pochettino, who had just departed after five years of service.

Pochettino enjoyed much success in North London, taking Spurs from non-Champions League finishes to second in the league, while also reaching cup finals and the Champions League final in 2019.

The hope was that Jose Mourinho would convert a talented squad into actual winners and grasp the club’s first piece of silverware since 2008, but things failed to transpire that way, as Mourinho’s defensive football jarred with fans who were used to the free-flowing style of Pochettino.

Mourinho didn’t depart without controversy either. Tottenham decided to sack the 61-year-old just days before a League Cup final clash against Manchester City, clearly leaving a sour taste in the legendary manager’s mouth.

Mourinho went on to lift silverware with Roma, keeping up his record of winning trophies at every single club (apart from Spurs).

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At Fenerbahce so far, Mourinho has won both his Champions League Qualification games, with a huge clash against Lille looming in the next round.

Mourinho has forgotten about Tottenham

When talking about his European qualifiers with Fenerbahce this summer, Mourinho allegedly claimed that he had never lost one before. One journalist then corrected him, stating that he lost at Spurs.

Mourinho simply replied: “I forgot Tottenham.”

Rather confusingly, Mourinho actually didn’t lose any European qualifier during the 2020/21 season with Tottenham. Spurs beat Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Shkendija, and Maccabi Haifa to book their place in the Europa League group stages that year.

We believe Mourinho and the journalist were actually talking about the fact that Mourinho had never played in a European qualifier before – apart from his forgotten time at Tottenham.

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All Tottenham fans knew what we were getting into when Mourinho was appointed manager, and the minute the iconic manager left the club, days before a final, fans should have known comments like this from Mourinho would continue.

I can understand his aggrievances with not being allowed to manage the final, however, if he was that desperate to manage the game, perhaps he could have got a tune out of his side prior to the final as his months of dismal displays as manager were ultimately what got him sacked.