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Brentford manager, Thomas Frank, has given his honest opinion of the situation regarding his star man, Ivan Toney, who has been linked with a move away from the GTEC all summer.

Toney is reportedly of interest to Tottenham

Ivan Toney hammered in thirty-one goals in his debut season with Brentford in the Championship, but there remained doubts over whether the ex-Peterborough striker could handle the step up to the Premier League.

Those concerns were quickly squashed by Toney’s tally of twelve goals in his first season in the top flight and twenty in the next. (TransferMarkt)

The 28-year-old striker is reportedly of interest to Spurs and perhaps surprisingly, Postecoglou’s side are one of the very few interested, despite Toney’s impressive Premier League goal haul after just two-and-a-half seasons.

The Sun reported that Brentford have apparently drastically cut their asking price for their star man from around £80 million to now just below £50 million.

The drastic cut is believed to be due to the lack of interest so far in the striker whose likely destinations are believed to be either West Ham or Tottenham at the moment.

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Thomas Frank would like to keep Toney but is realistic

Brentford’s manager, Thomas Frank, has been speaking to Sky Sports ahead of his team’s fourth straight Premier League season with the inevitable question regarding Ivan Toney’s future popping up.

Frank stated: “You never know! He’s a Brentford player and I would love him to stay. It would give me a very positive challenge. I haven’t met a coach who doesn’t want as many good players as possible. Right now, he’s a Brentford player.

“He’s enjoying his time off and I’m happy, if he’s here with us I’ll be more than happy. A 20-goal goalscorer, there are two things in that. It’s very good to have that in your team, and it makes him expensive!”

The Danish manager was then honest about his team’s chances of retaining Toney, admitting: “We’ve said before, I want to keep all my players, besides maybe five or six clubs in the world we’re a selling club – and if there’s the right bid which comes in, fine.”

Spurs Web opinion

With Toney only having a year left on his deal it’s very much conceivable that Tottenham, if they do choose to go after Toney, can pull off a deal worth around £40 million which would look like a great piece of business.

Although Richarlison’s goal haul last season was respectable, his injuries and consistent performances do mean that if a more physical striker who is a proven goalscorer, like Toney, is available then Tottenham should seek to get a deal done and offer Postecoglou a focal point next season.

SkySports journalist Michael Bridge reveals that Tottenham will receive €20m (£16.8m) for the transfer of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Marseille in a loan with an obligation to buy deal. But it gets even better…

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Marseille is close

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was seen arriving in Marseille last night (Sunday 21/07/24) ahead of his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to the Ligue 1 club.

The reported fee that Spurs will receive has chopped and changed over the past few days, but most journalists now seem to agree that it will be a loan with an obligation to buy, and the fee could reach as high as €20m (£16.8m).

That was first reported by Alasdair Gold, while Fabrizio Romano’s initial breaking story mentioned a guaranteed figure of between £11m and £11.8m.

Tottenham include a sell-on clause in Hojbjerg deal

Michael Bridge has now confirmed the €20m figure and the loan with an obligation to buy format, but he also added another interesting detail. Spurs have allegedly included a sell-on clause.

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This means that Tottenham will receive up to £16.8m for the Denmark international, but will also receive a percentage of any fee Marseille receive if they sell Hojbjerg in the future.

It is not clear what kind of percentage Daniel Levy and co managed to negotiate, but it seems to be a shrewd bit of business from the Tottenham hierarchy either way.

Spurs Web Opinion:

I wanted to get £15m for Hojbjerg and £15m for Giovani Lo Celso this summer.

Both players are worth much more than that, so Marseille and whoever buys Lo Celso are getting an absolute bargain, but at least Tottenham still get a decent fee too.

Ange Postecoglou is continuing to prepare his squad for their second season under him, and Darren Lewis has now suggested that the Australian could turn to his old club Celtic for inspiration.

Postecoglou was a huge success at Celtic

Tottenham manager, Ange Postecoglou, was a highly-criticised appointment when he was unveiled as Celtic manager back in June 2021, having come from Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos.

The man himself recalled that: “Without beating about the bush I was a joke. A lot of people made fun of me!” – an admission he made after clinching the treble for Celtic (Daily Record).

The Australian manager was eventually a fan favourite in Scotland as he guided Celtic back to the summit of Scottish football, winning the treble and departing the club with a fully revolutionised squad.

An aspect of Postecoglou’s time that was heralded was his ability to pluck players from lesser-known leagues and make them instant hits at Celtic, with many players coming from the J League thanks to his knowledge from his three years with Yokohama F. Marinos.

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Could Postecoglou raid Celtic this summer?

Speaking to the Last Word on Spurs, journalist, Darren Lewis has suggested that Postecoglou could look to bring a couple of his Celtic squad with him to Tottenham.

He said: “Now you are looking at players who have done it in British football and the manager trusts. That’s why I think one or two players from Celtic could come in who have played for him before. If not, I think the players who come in will have some level of experience.”

Two of Postecoglou’s most successful signings at Celtic, that Spurs fans could be excited by, were Matt O’Riley and striker, Kyogo Furuhashi.

Spurs Web opinion

I wouldn’t be opposed to Postecoglou bringing some of his Celtic stars to North London this summer, although they would have to be the best of the squad as the leap between the Scottish Premiership and Premier League can take some adjusting and isn’t always a smooth transition.

Nottingham Forest’s Murillo enjoyed an outstanding debut Premier League campaign, which has attracted interest from various clubs, including Tottenham and Chelsea.

Murillo won Nottingham Forest’s Player of the Season

Nottingham Forest signed Murillo in the summer of 2023 in a £15 million move from his boyhood club in Brazil, Corinthians, for whom the centre-back made twenty-seven senior appearances for. (BBC Sport)

Despite Cooper’s dismissal as manager and Nottingham Forest’s relegation scare last season, Murillo still performed in the face of adversity, featuring in all bar six of Forest’s Premier League games. (TransferMarkt)

The 22-year-old centre-back was so impressive that he was awarded Nottingham Forest’s Player of the Season (Nottingham Forest), although just weeks after receiving the award, the were concerns from fans that Murillo would have to be sold to align with PSR rules.

Fortunately, the sales of Moussa Niakhate and Orel Mangal to Lyon are believed to have eased the concerns.

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Forest values Murillo at £70 million

The Athletic have reported that following Murillo’s impressive start in the red of Nottingham Forest, many fellow Premier League clubs have started to track the Brazilian with Tottenham and Chelsea being just two of the clubs named to have scouted the defender.

Major Spanish sides are also believed to be interested in the ex-Corinthians man who is valued by Nottingham Forest at £60 to £70 million after the club elevated their PSR worries.

The valuation will be due to Murillo still having another four years left on his deal at the City Ground, having signed a five-year contract upon joining the club a year ago.

Murrillo has also received plenty of praise in the media with ex-Spurs and Liverpool player, Jamie Redknapp, stating back in October: “From his touches today, you can just see the quality that he possesses’ ‘he possesses a lot of weapons in his armoury – he’s got a lovely left foot which I think gives you a massive advantage.” (Sky Sports on X)

Spurs Web opinion

Murillo is a player who has incredible calmness and confidence as a defender who is still very young and inexperienced, merely having just over sixty senior appearances to his name.

However, £70 million is a huge fee that Nottingham Forest are demanding and it’s one that simply won’t be viable for Tottenham unless they lose a first-choice centre-back with Murillo likely being a third or fourth-choice option if he joined.

Tottenham have been linked with signing a striker for most of the summer transfer window with Peterborough chairman, Darragh MacAnthony, now imploring Spurs to sign ex-Posh striker, Ivan Toney, in order to progress.

Richarlison exit could leave room for a new striker this summer

Tottenham appear to be braced for movement in their forward line this summer following Football.London’s report that Spurs have a shortlist of strikers they are interested in signing.

A new striker could come in place of Spurs’ current number nine, Richarlison, following reports from The Athletic back in May that Saudi Arabian clubs are circling the Brazilian international.

The report stated that should a bid arrive from a Saudi Pro League side, he would be valued at around £60m, earning Tottenham back their initial investment on the forward.

Brentford’s Ivan Toney is one of the names touted to move to Spurs this summer with the Bees reportedly making a large cut to their initial asking price, dropping the new value to just below £50m following a lack of interest in the 28-year-old.

West Ham and Spurs are said to be Toney’s two most likely destinations. (The Sun)

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Peterborough chairman advises Spurs to buy Toney

Darragh MacAnthony has been Peterborough’s chairman since 2006, meaning the 48-year-old was the man to sell Ivan Toney to Brentford back in 2020. The League One chairman has now encouraged Spurs to sign his former player.

MacAnthony stated: “I think if they got Richarlison gone and got him [Toney] in, Ange would finally have a top three team to mirror his style and what he wants to do.” (talkSPORT (19/7/24, 12:26pm)

There is a chance that The Posh’s chairman has a vested interest in the striker, however, as The Sun have previously reported that Peterborough have a 30% sell-on clause inserted in their deal to sell Toney to Brentford four years ago, meaning a potential £50m sale this summer would pocket the third-tier side a huge £15 million.

Spurs Web opinion

It’s likely that MacAnthony has more interest, understandably, in pocketing his club a huge sell-on fee for Toney this summer and his quotes are attempting to ramp up interest in the forward, however, it is a widely shared opinion among fans that Toney could help Spurs next season.

As proven by Toney’s impressive goalscoring record for The Bees since their promotion, Toney can perform in the Premier League with his physicality and link-up play likely to benefit Tottenham should he make a move to North London this summer.

Gazzetta dello Sport report that Giovani Lo Celso’s wage demands are hurting his chances of securing a transfer away from Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

Giovani Lo Celso looks likely to leave Spurs

Most of the transfer noise surrounding Giovani Lo Celso this week has involved a potential move to Aston Villa, with midfielder Jacob Ramsey moving in the opposite direction.

Sky Sports have been one of the main drivers of this story over the summer, reporting at the start of July that Spurs were willing to offer Lo Celso as a makeweight to land Ramsey.

Fast forward another two weeks and Sky Sports’ Michael Bridge provided another update on the story, revealing that Spurs are still looking into the idea of offering Lo Celso to Villa in a swap deal (19/07/24 – 08:55).

Lazio are also interested in Lo Celso

Gazzetta dello Sport have now revealed that Lazio are also continuing to show interest in the Argentina midfielder, who recently assisted the winning goal for his country in the Copa America final (via Sport Witness).

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Lazio are said to have no problem with the €10m Tottenham are allegedly charging for Lo Celso (£8.4m), but the player’s wage demands are a real sticking point.

Lo Celso is reportedly looking for between €4m and €5m per year from his next contract (£3.37m-£4.21m), and that value is after tax in Italy.

Lazio are not willing or able to pay that kind of fee, so it seems Lo Celso will have to drop his demands if he harbours any realistic hope of a move to Serie A this summer.

Spurs Web Opinion:

My main takeaway from this is that I would be fuming if Tottenham only got £8.4m for Lo Celso.

He has never quite taken off in North London, but the Argentine always stars for his country and would be a bargain even at £15m this summer.

Spurs are looking to add to their attacking midfield options this summer, having been linked with the likes of Eberechi Eze. However, a new report has named Fulham’s Andreas Periera as a target, a player who previously stated how he wanted to move to Arsenal

Periera has been one of Fulham’s key players for years

The Athletic reported in early July that Tottenham were thinking about triggering the release clause, believed to be around £60m, in Eberechi Eze’s Crystal Palace contract, with Manchester City not expected to make a move now despite interest.

However, new reports suggest that Tottenham have joined Chelsea and Aston Villa in the race for Brazilian midfielder, Andreas Pereira.

After eleven years with multiple loans, Manchester United and Andreas Pereria eventually parted ways in the summer of 2022 for £10 million (Sky Sports).

Since Pereira’s switch to West London, the Brazilian international has shone, recording eight goals and fifteen assists in just over eighty appearances for Fulham. (TransferMarkt)

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Periera previously expressed interest in moving to Arsenal

Tottenham’s interest in the midfielder is reported by Globo who claim that Pereria reached an agreement with manager Marco Silva to leave Fulham this summer and while Chelsea are preparing a £35 million offer, Tottenham have also expressed interest.

Chelsea are believed to see Pereria as a replacement for Conor Gallagher, who has also been reported to be of interest to Tottenham this summer. (Mirror)

A potential move to Tottenham could cause controversy however after Pereria’s previous comments regarding fierce local rivals Arsenal.

He stated: “I was speaking with my dad and head was on Arsenal, I wanted to go to Arsenal [as a youth player]. I was a fan, and I liked the way they played football. It was at the time that Wilshire was getting his first games, and I got a shirt from Wilshire and loved his shirt.” (The American Dream Podcast)

Spurs Web opinion

Pereria is a good, Premier League-proven midfielder, but I don’t believe that he perhaps has enough quality to make an impact at Tottenham.

His previously reported adoration for Arsenal would put further pressure on the midfielder to perform well, and fast, if he signed. The Spurs faithful are always likely to be less patient with someone who has previously expressed their fondness for Arsenal.

The Brazilian is also 28-year-old which makes him a year older than James Maddison, making it an odd back-up role for a player reaching the peak of his career.

Sky Sports journalist, Michael Bridge, confirms that Tottenham are looking to sign a ‘versatile’ forward this summer, naming Jonathan David and Pedro Neto as two targets (19/07/24 – 08:55).

Tottenham want a new forward for Ange

Tottenham are yet to replace their all-time leading goalscorer, Harry Kane, who swapped the Lilywhite of North London for the red of Bavarian Bayern almost a year ago.

Richarlison improved his goal tally last season but struggled to stay fit throughout the campaign, and Heung-min Son was often shoehorned into an unfamiliar number-nine role.

This is seemingly a problem Tottenham intend to rectify this summer by signing a versatile forward who can play across the front line for the 2024/25 season.

Pedro Neto and Jonathan David are Spurs targets

Football Insider recently reported that Tottenham are racing to sign Jonathan David ahead of Premier League rivals like Manchester United and Chelsea.

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Meanwhile, Graeme Bailey has revealed that Spurs and Newcastle are leading the charge to sign Wolves superstar Pedro Neto this summer (Rousing the Kop).

Michael Bridges has now confirmed both of those targets, but Tottenham are yet to submit a single bid for their desired ‘versatile’ forward so far in the transfer window.

Spurs Web Opinion:

I’m surprised Tottenham haven’t been more proactive in the past week or so.

I assumed that once the Euros and Copa America were done, Spurs would snap into action and look to bring in a new striker, creative player, and a couple of defenders. So far, it feels like radio silence.

Tottenham Hotspur have brought in one just one player so far in the summer transfer window as part of Ange Postecoglou’s first-team squad.

Tottenham have signed just one senior player so far this summer

The North Londoners moved relatively quickly at the start of the month to secure the services of Archie Gray from Leeds United in a deal worth around £25m to £30m (Sky Sports).

Since the ink on Gray’s contract dried, reports of any imminent arrivals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium are very few and far between with Copa America and Euro 2024 having caused a delay to some club’s plans.

One player who has been heavily linked with Tottenham is Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, with The Sun reporting earlier this month that the North Londoners are prepared to trigger his £60m transfer release clause.

Spurs are not rushing ahead with Eberechi Eze deal

The Guardian have now claimed that Tottenham, along with fierce rivals Arsenal are yet to follow up on their interest in the 26-year-old.

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Palace have already had to part ways with fellow attacking midfielder Michael Olise, who swapped the Premier League to link up with Bayern Munich.

Eze scored 11 goals and six assists in 31 games across all competitions last season for Palace and looked particularly impressive following the arrival of head coach Oliver Glasner.

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When James Maddison injured his ankle back in the November fixture against Chelsea, it also robbed Tottenham of any creative spark in their side.

Johan Lange and the recruitment team desperately need to add another creative influence to the Tottenham first-team squad and at £60m, Eze represents good value – unless they want to push the boat out and try to tempt Dani Olmo to make the switch.

The two abovementioned players of the calibre of quality which Postecoglou needs in order to make his side genuine contenders for silverware, otherwise we are simply going round in circles.

Tottenham Hotspur have a busy summer ahead of them according to journalist Dean Jones, but there is one player they have been linked with that has taken him by surprise.

Three more transfers for Spurs this summer

So far this summer, Spurs have extended Timo Werner‘s loan spell with the club for another year and snapped up teenage sensation, Archie Gray, from Leeds United.

There’s more to come, though, as predicted by Dean Jones on the Rank Ultras FC podcast, but the links suggesting Scott McTominay is a Tottenham target are not something he saw coming.

He said: “Scott McTominay being linked with Tottenham, The Sun say that United are looking for £40m, I think it will be closer to £30m. Tottenham will definitely do more transfer business, they will probably sign three more this summer, but I didn’t have McTominay down as one of those.”

According to The Sun, Fulham are very keen on McTominay, but Spurs are ready to step in and hijack that transfer after the Cottagers had an offer turned down.

It remains to be seen whether the Manchester United midfielder does head to North London, but it is well known that Spurs are looking for a new central midfielder.

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What else do Spurs need?

All signs point to Tottenham investing in their attacking roster this summer, with a new number 9 very much needed after Harry Kane‘s departure last year.

Meanwhile, a number of wingers have been linked with Spurs, with Eberechi Eze (GiveMeSport), Pedro Neto (Rousing the Kop), and Desire Doue (HITC) all on the Lilywhites’ radar.

Spurs Web Opinion

Getting three more signings over the line by the end of this window would be great, and hopefully, that’s a striker, a winger, and a central midfielder.

I would rather Scott McTominay was not one of the players we sign, though.