The Spurs Web

Journalist Ben Jacobs has said that Tottenham still hold a concrete interest in Vanderson and they could make a move for the right-back once Emerson Royal leaves.

Emerson Royal looks likely to leave Spurs

Although Emerson Royal has not left Tottenham yet, it looks inevitable that he will do so, with various sources indicating that Spurs are currently locked in talks with AC Milan regarding the 25-year-old (TBR Football).

It was previously reported that Spurs had identified Vanderson as a potential replacement for the former Real Betis man, with Football.London’s Alasdair Gold claiming last month that Monaco wanted £40m for the 22-year-old amidst interest from the Lilywhites.

However, since then, Spurs have secured the services of Archie Gray, with the youngster featuring at right-back as well as in midfield for Daniel Farke’s men last season.

Tottenham like the look of Vanderson

Many would have expected Gray to serve as Pedro Porro’s understudy at right-back but Jacobs believes that Tottenham could also bring Vanderson through the door this summer if they are willing to spend around €35m-€40m (£30m-£34.3m).

MORE SPURS STORIES

He said on Last Word on Spurs: “The more concrete substance is in Vanderson. An excellent player who is currently at AS Monaco who will become a very firm option if Emerson Royal leaves.

“Monaco are looking for between €35m-€40m and Tottenham could be able to fund that if they get the kind of fee they’re looking for from Emerson.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I cannot see Tottenham spending another £40m on a right-back after signing Archie Gray.

Postecoglou would likely prefer to spend that amount to sign another midfielder and use the 18-year-old as Porro’s understudy.

Journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed that Archie Gray is viewed in footballing circles as not just a promising prospect but as a generational talent.

Tottenham signed Archie Gray from Leeds United

The 18-year-old looked completely comfortable in the Championship last season after being thrown into the deep end by Daniel Farke.

He showcased his versatility by impressing in midfield as well as right-back, which further added to his stock as that kind of game awareness is very rare for someone so young.

Tottenham paid £40m to bring the teenager to North London, which is unprecedented for someone with just one year of Championship football under his belt.

Spurs have a generational talent on their hands

However, Jacobs believes that Spurs have got a good deal despite the big fee, insisting that many expect the teenager to go to the very top of the game.

MORE SPURS STORIES

The journalist also remarked that he expects Gray to operate mainly in midfield for the Lilywhites next season rather than at right-back.

Jacobs said on Last Word on Spurs: “Make no mistake Archie Gray isn’t just seen as a top prospect in English football. He’s seen by many as a generational talent, Liverpool, Chelsea and many other clubs were thinking about it.

“Spurs are looking at this as a signing as a midfielder rather than a right-back. Even though he played for Leeds as a right-back.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Injury expert Dr Rajpal Brar has claimed that Bryan Gil may need to go under the knife if his sports hernia problem is not resolved soon.

Bryan Gil has barely played under Ange Postecoglou

Gil struggled for game time under Ange Postecoglou last season, just as he did under the Australian’s predecessors, Antonio Conte and Nuno Espirito Santo.

It appears as if the winger’s patience has now run out, with reports indicating that he is keen on leaving Spurs this summer in search of regular game time.

This information has been reported by a number of outlets, including Football.London, who revealed last month that several teams across the continent have shown interest in the player, including his boyhood club Sevilla.

Bryan Gil may eventually need surgery

However, Tottenham will hope that the Spain international’s injury issues do not scupper their chances of a transfer this summer.

MORE SPURS STORIES

The 23-year-old was out for over two months last season due to an inflammation of the pubic bone and Brar, who is a doctor in physical therapy and a sports scientist, believes that the issue might require surgical intervention if it does not get better.

He told Tottenham News: “Gil had a pubic bone inflammation that kept him out for two months last season. It could be what’s called a sports hernia aka osteitis pubis.

“It is not uncommon for younger footballers and is typically managed conservatively first but if it continues to be an issue, then surgical intervention is possible so I’d say it’s on the cards and always an option.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Gil was fit to play for the majority of the second half of the campaign and there is no indication that his problem is a serious one.

So one would not expect the issue to scupper Tottenham’s chances of getting a fee for the winger this summer.

Paul Robinson has revealed that he has heard from his sources at Tottenham Hotspur that Archie Gray will be the replacement for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who is expected to depart the club this summer.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg looks likely to leave Spurs

The writing appears on the wall for Hojbjerg, who has just one year left on his contract, with a number of clubs around Europe thought to have expressed interest in securing the Dane’s signature (The Times).

Tottenham have already strengthened their midfield department with the addition of Gray and Lucas Bergvall, although it remains to be seen if either youngster will be a starter next season.

Gray featured a lot as a right-back for Leeds last season and many would expect him to be Pedro Porro’s understudy at Spurs, with Emerson Royal also expected to depart the club (TBR Football).

However, The Athletic revealed at the start of this month that Ange Postecoglou primarily views the Leeds academy graduate as a midfielder.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Archie Gray is a midfielder more than a right-back

This claim has now been backed up by Robinson, who asserted that he has heard from the people at Hotspur Way that the 18-year-old will play in the middle of the park.

The former Spurs goalkeeper told Football Insider: “Tottenham see him as a midfielder; they’ve signed him as a midfield player, that’s what I’ve been told by people at the club.

“No doubt that the club see him as a midfielder and that’s his position, and I think those conversations will have been had before the move was sanctioned.

“I know he filled in at right back for the second half of last season for Leeds and he did extremely well, [but] I don’t think that’s where he sees himself in the future.

“I think he’s got the versatility to play there and I think that’s one thing that obviously attracts other teams to sign Archie Gray. But I think from a Tottenham point of view, from a player’s point of view, he’s a central midfield player.

“He’s got a great engine, he can play both roles as a holding midfielder or an attacking midfielder, but also it gives Tottenham an option.”

Spurs Web Opinion

There is no doubt that over the long-term Gray is going to be a box-to-box midfielder, given the attributes he possesses but he is also a good fit for the inverted right-back role, which is the position I think he will play most often in his first season at Spurs.

Spurs are set to organise Will Lankshear’s next stage of development already after the PL2 top goalscorer was announced to have signed a new five-year contract on Friday.

Lankshear has committed his future to Spurs

After a scintillating campaign for Tottenham’s U21s in 2023/24, the Spurs board has moved quickly to tie Will Lankshear down to a five-year contract that ensures the 19-year-old will remain playing in Lilywhite until 2029. (Tottenham Hotspur)

Wayne Burnett’s U21 clinched both the PL2 league and play-off title last season, with Will Lankshear at the forefront of that double success. The ex-Sheffield United youth player smashed in thirty-two goals, with twenty-three of those being in PL2, earning Lankshear the PL2 Golden Boot.

It’s the mark of a new start for Lankshear at Spurs after he had his impressive start for the U18’s cut short in 2022/23 due to a serious knee injury which saw him miss a lengthy period of the season. (Football.London)

Tottenham plan to loan out Will Lankshear

Alasdair Gold has revealed Spurs’ immediate plan to progress Lankshear’s development, with the striker reportedly being a player who people within the club have real belief in.

MORE SPURS STORIES

The tweet from Alasdair Gold stated that it’s now expected the 19-year-old striker will depart on loan this summer in order to gain regular senior minutes, with plenty of Championship and League One clubs interested.

Lankshear has reportedly been training alongside the first team so far in pre-season, presumably in order to align with the different pace and physicality of the senior game in contrast to youth level.

Spurs Web opinion

After watching Lankshear for most of the U21s double-winning season, I can comfortably say that Lankshear was one of the shining stars of the squad with his skill set likely being the one most suited to a transition into the senior game.

Lankshear’s eye for goal is clear to see simply by his haul of goals last season, but his strength and pace are also great assets to his game. It’s an astute move from the club to tie Lankshear down to a new deal, choosing the right loan next is key.

Following interest and bids for Emerson Royal, Tottenham will need to replace the Brazilian. Former Spur, Kyle Walker-Peters has been linked with a return to Tottenham, but new reports suggest West Ham are closer to signing him.

A Tottenham return has been rumoured for Walker-Peters

Former Spurs right-back, Kyle Walker-Peters, departed the club after struggling to earn consistent game time at the club following his breakthrough from the academy to the first team.

Southampton purchased the England-capped defender in 2021 as part of a deal with Spurs that saw Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg go the other way. (Daily Mail)

Interest in Walker-Peters was touted back in May with HITC revealing that Tottenham have a £30 million buy-back clause as part of the deal to sell the 27-year-old back in 2021, however, the club feel they can negotiate a lower fee and are looking to pay more towards the value of £20 million.

The idea of resigning Walker-Peters is likely to be two-fold. Tottenham have been reported to require more homegrown players for next season and Walker-Peters, having been club-trained would ease that demand.

The second factor would be that Alasdair Gold has reported Tottenham have rejected a bid for Emerson Royal but will be willing to accept a fee of €20 million with the sale leaving Spurs light at right-back.

MORE SPURS STORIES

West Ham are leading the race for Walker-Peters

Ben Jacobs has revealed that despite Tottenham’s rumoured interest, Kyle Walker-Peters looks more likely to move to East London than North this summer, as Jacobs explained: “West Ham I’m told are more active on Kyle Walker-Peters. There were more discussions with Walker-Peters and Flynn Downes going the other way. West Ham are still there while Spurs haven’t advanced anything on Walker-Peters”. (Ben Jacobs via the Last Word on Spurs)

Although Jacobs admitted that Spurs do have room for one more at right-back due to the expected exits of Djed Spence and Emerson Royal, it doesn’t appear as though Kyle Walker-Peters is close to joining Spurs.

The rumoured buy-back clause does obviously mean that Tottenham could supersede West Ham in the race for the Saints player but would be an expensive deal at £30 million.

Spurs Web opinion

I was disappointed back in 2021 when Walker-Peters was sold to Southampton, feeling that the right-back wasn’t given quite enough opportunities to develop and while a move to the coast was best for his career, selfishly I would have been keen to see him remain a Spurs player.

A move to West Ham wouldn’t be popular among Spurs fans for obvious rivalry reasons, but if a deal is as expensive as Tottenham’s buy-back clause of £30 million, that does seem an overpay for a player who is now 27 and has been playing in the Championship most recently. Should a deal be around £20 million or less, it seems a big miss should Tottenham not join the race for their former player.

After an impressive loan in the Netherlands last season with Excelsior, AZ Alkmaar have picked up the Tottenham academy product for £6.7m, but Spurs have inserted a sell-on clause according to reports.

Parrott netted well into double figures last season

There was plenty of hype around Parrott when he first emerged out of the Tottenham academy, smashing in 14 goals in 9 games for Tottenham’s U18s back in 2018/19.

Troy’s performances earned him multiple loan moves in the following seasons, one of the most notable being his time with MK Dons in 2021/22, netting ten times whilst playing in Milton Keynes. (TransferMarkt)

Parrott’s latest loan saw him leave England to join Eredivisie side, Excelsior, where the Irishman found his form, smashing in an impressive seventeen goals in twenty-nine games. Despite his goals, Excelsior failed to beat the drop, effectively dumping them out of the race to sign Parrott permanently.

Tottenham announced on Saturday (13/7/24) that Parrott would be returning to Holland next season, this time permanently and for Europa League side, AZ Alkmaar, in a deal reported to be worth £6.7 million.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Tottenham negotiated a sell-on clause into Parrott’s sale

Many fans may have been disappointed to see the Dublin-born striker depart without being given a pre-season under Postecoglou, following his impressive loan spell last season, but it appears that Spurs have included an extra aspect to the deal, that would discount a future return for the striker.

Football.London revealed that included in the £6.7 million deal to sell Parrott is a 20% sell-on fee for the player.

The reported reason behind including the clause is that Tottenham believe that Parrott has every chance of continuing to improve in the Netherlands, in which case the clause could pocket Spurs some extra cash or discount a deal to bring the forward back to Hotspur Way in the future.

Troy has penned a five-year deal as part of his switch to AZ Alkmaar and could face Spurs as soon as next season depending on both side’s performances in the Europa League.

Spurs Web Opinion

I believe that it’s a real shame to not see Parrott even given a chance this pre-season and a deal could have perhaps been delayed in order to allow Ange Postecoglou to have a look at the Irishman after he was so prolific for Excelsior last season.

The sell-on clause is a smart piece of business from Tottenham though, it’s a safe way of minimising the pain should Parrott continue to develop and reach the level of a top, top striker. With football you never know, Troy could return to Spurs in a few years should he continue to progress.

Tottenham Hotspur really need to sign a new striker this summer, but one of their top targets is believed to be interested in joining Manchester United rather than moving to North London.

Ivan Toney wants Red Devils move

Ivan Toney has long been mooted as one of the top names on Tottenham‘s wishlist for the forward area, but Manchester United have also been in the mix when it comes to the Brentford man.

Now, the latest from SportBILD suggests the player himself is keen on the switch to Manchester United, with his agent even informing Erik ten Hag’s side of his client’s wishes.

Toney has publicly played down transfer speculation, insisting his focus is on Euro 2024 and his duties with England.

The Brentford striker said: “What will be will be and my main focus is playing well and doing well for my country. I’ve been through it, transfer speculation, before.

“There’s been lots of talk of me going here, there and everywhere before in my career and I just don’t let outside noise get to me. I’m here with England now, and the main focus is doing well for England and whatever happens, happens. I can’t control it.”

MORE SPURS STORIES

Are Spurs going for Ivan Toney?

According to GiveMeSport, Spurs will push ahead with a move for Toney once he returns from international duty.

They will have to act fast and decisively, though, as The Athletic have already suggested internal talks have taken place at Old Trafford regarding Toney.

Spurs Web Opinion

The idea of Spurs signing Ivan Toney has really grown on me over the last month, and I’ve been really impressed with what we’ve seen of him at Euro 2024.

It wouldn’t be the end of the world if we missed out on him as we do have other targets, but if we are serious about signing him we have to make it happen sooner rather than later.

Tottenham Hotspur fans have long grumbled about the perceived lack of investment in the team, but a member of the board has reassured the fanbase that profit is now being injected back into the club to spend on players.

Profits are going to the right place

In a recent appearance on the Business of Sport podcast, Tottenham board member Jonathan Turner has outlined the club’s financial position, how the strategy of spending money has changed over time, and the people now in top roles at the club who can make a difference.

He said: “We’re all fans around the table, but you just have to put that to one side when you’re making decisions, but a lot of the decisions that we’re involved with are long cycle decisions.

“You know, in football, what we really care about is, well, are we going to win the next game? That’s what everybody cares about. That’s what’s on talk radio. That’s what the fans are going to talk about at the end of their day. We don’t impact whether we won the game or we lost the game.”

A lot has changed at the club over the last year or so, with Turner touching on those adjustments: “The only thing you can do from a board is make long-range decisions. I’ll give you an example. We went through a process in 2023 around changing some of the football operations. So we brought in Scott Munn to oversee all the football. We changed who the technical director is.

“We have a fabulous talent called Johan Lange who’s there now. We also changed the head of the academy. The public obviously focused on the change of the coach, but there were a lot of other changes that happened throughout football operations. The benefits of that are long-term.

MORE SPURS STORIES

“You know, we hope and want these people to be in place for a long period of time. But you aren’t necessarily going to see it in the first 24 hours. And on the business side some of the developments that we’ve made and some of the investments that we make, those payoffs are also incredibly long-term.”

So, what does the future hold? Turner has good news for fans, as he added: “Now our plan is to take all of the profits that we make and put it into the team.

“But we won’t know if those decisions are good, and yet, the short-term bell is always ringing, which is, you know, we’re going to win the next game and you have to try and divorce the two and make good decisions that you think are going to be long term beneficial.”

Daniel Levy is changing at Tottenham

After years of complaints and protests from the fans as to how Daniel Levy and the board operate, it seems the tide is now turning.

Already this summer, the club has splashed out a reported £30m on teenage talent, Archie Gray, and it is thought (and hoped) that there are more deals to come.

Spurs Web Opinion

The board have done a fantastic job of setting Spurs up for success by building a strong financial footing and lots of headroom in the way of PSR. Now, that money has to be invested wisely and Ange Postecoglou has to be given the players he needs.

While Tottenham Hotspur are on the hunt for a new striker this summer, it seems one Spurs forward could be on his way out of the club, with an offer expected from Saudi Arabia.

Richarlison sale could lead to an upgrade

That’s according to journalist, Ben Jacobs, who was speaking about Tottenham‘s transfer plans on The Last Word On Spurs this week, and suggested that if an offer does come in for Richarlison, the club may take the money and spend it on an even better striker.

Jacobs said: “I still think Tottenham are looking at a central midfielder, a striker is a really high priority. Striker is a big priority because Richarlison could still plausibly depart.

“I’d be surprised if there wasn’t a formal Saudi offer for him. I don’t know if he’ll take it, but Saudi dealmakers are confident there is an opportunity there to be had.”

Saudi clubs are keen on Richarlison

In May, The Athletic claimed Saudi clubs were circling the Brazilian striker, with any potential deal likely to see Tottenham recoup all the money they paid for Richarlison back in 2022.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Jacobs himself has commented on the matter previously, stating Spurs would want £60m for the striker if they were to let him go.

Meanwhile, Richarlison has spoken publicly on Instagram (via The Daily Mail) about his desire and intention to stay in England despite the reported interest.

Regardless of whether Richarlison stays or goes this summer, it is well-documented that Ange Postecoglou is eager to finally bring in a new striker to replace Harry Kane.

Spurs Web Opinion

Personally, I think we should be keeping Richarlison and signing a new, top-level striker.

There’s no excuse not to be building a squad full of intense competition for places, and losing Richarlison would weaken that depth for sure.