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Journalist Ben Jacobs says that while he expects Rodrigo Bentancur to stay at Tottenham Hotspur, the Lilywhites could look to sign Sassuolo star David Frettesi if the Uruguayan does end up leaving.

A tough season at Spurs for Rodrigo Bentancur

Since returning from his ACL injury, Bentancur struggled to recapture the form he showed in his first 18 months at Tottenham.

There have been some suggestions over recent weeks that Spurs are open to offers for the 26-year-old, who is said to have emerged as a target for Galatasaray (Aspor).

Meanwhile, reports from Italy have continued to suggest that Tottenham have their eyes on Frettesi, with Inter Live even claiming that the Lilywhites are considering an ‘unexpected’ €30m (£26m) offer for the midfielder, who spent last season on loan with the Nerazzurri.

Bentancur is unlikely to leave Tottenham

Jacobs has now confirmed that Frettesi is indeed on Tottenham’s radar but he declared that there is barely any evidence to suggest that Bentancur is on his way out of the club this summer.

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The journalist said on The Last Word on Spurs podcast: “I think that the only club I’d heard were looking for Bentancur was Galatasaray. And at the moment there’s not much in those links.

“If there was to be a scenario where Bentancur went, perhaps somebody like Davide Frattesi could come onto the radar and maybe that changes the situation a little bit.

“There’s genuine interest in that player, but at the moment they’re planning with Bentancur and Bissouma for next season.”

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It would likely take an offer of around £50m-£60m for Spurs to consider selling Bentancur and there is no indication that such a bid is likely to arrive.

I see both the Uruguayan and Yves Bissouma remaining at the club next season.

Alasdair Gold has confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur are continuing to show interest in signing Jonathan David, whose future has been the subject of much speculation.

Spurs are being linked with Jonathan David

David is currently with the Canadian squad at Copa America, with the North American side defying expectations by making it into the final eight of the competition.

While the 24-year-old might be focused on the upcoming quarterfinal clash against Venezuela, he is soon expected to make a big decision on his future, with the striker being widely tipped to exit the Stade Pierre Mauroy.

Just a couple of days ago, 90 min suggested that Tottenham and Chelsea are continuing to lead the race for David, while Man Utd and West Ham are also eyeing the prolific forward.

The outlet asserted that since the former Gent man has just a year left on his deal, he could be signed for just £20m plus add-ons.

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Jonathan David is a potential target for Spurs

Gold has now put Lille’s asking price for the centre-forward at £25m, confirming that Spurs find him to be a lucrative option.

When asked about Tottenham’s rumoured interest in David, he said on a Q&A for Football.London: “Jonathan David is certainly one of the potential targets on the striker shortlist compiled by Lange and Postecoglou.

“There’s a fair bit of interest in him because he’s reached the final year of his contract but at £25m for a striker who has a track record of getting plenty of goals each season that’s understandable.”

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It does seem like David might become Tottenham’s top striker target for the summer.

However, Spurs will have their work cut out to land the 24-year-old, with several other Premier League clubs also circling around him.

One would expect the Lille star to make a final decision over the coming weeks once Canada’s Copa America campaign is over.

According to HITC, Tottenham target Eberchi Eze has been left unsettled at Crystal Palace by the news that Michael Olise is now on his way to Bayern Munich.

Eberechi Eze is not happy that Olise is leaving

The report says that Bayern are now closing in on Olise, with the French winger now expected to seal a move to the Allianz Arena soon.

It is revealed that Eze was very close to the winger off the pitch and the attacking midfielder believed that Palace could have pushed on under Oliver Glasner this season if he and the 22-year-old had stayed together.

However, after seeing Eagles let his teammate leave, the England international is now thought to be considering his own future at Selhurst Park.

Tottenham still want Eberechi Eze

The report points out that Tottenham Hotspur are keen on Eze but they are not thought to be alone, with other Premier League clubs also keeping tabs on the player’s situation.

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In fact, the publication asserts that along with the Lilywhites, Liverpool and Manchester City have also spoken to the midfielder’s representatives about a potential transfer.

It remains to be seen who blinks first in the race for Eze.

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Eze appears to be Tottenham’s top target and one would expect a decision from the 25-year-old once the Euros are over.

However, Spurs may not find it easy to persuade the Palace star to move to N17 if the likes of Man City and Liverpool enter the race.

Ben Jacobs is pretty confident that Tottenham Hotspur will make an effort to land Jonathan David this summer, with the journalist stating that it is the sort of deal that Daniel Levy loves doing.

Tottenham are interested in Jonathan David

David is currently at the Copa America, with the Canadian national team being one of the surprises of the tournament so far, having now made it to the final eight of the competition.

While the 24-year-old would be dreaming of creating history for his country, back in Europe, the speculation over his future continues to intensify.

Over the last few weeks, a number of outlets have suggested that Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United and West Ham are all keen on securing the striker’s services (Guardian).

Just a couple of days ago, 90 min claimed that it is Spurs and the Blues who are the two leading contenders for the 24-year-old, with the report adding that the player can be signed for as little as £20m.

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Jonathan David to Spurs is one to watch

Jacobs has said that he would not be surprised if the Lille star completes a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium over the coming weeks.

When asked about David’s future, the journalist said on the Last Word on Spurs podcast: “Yeah, I can see him being a Spurs player.

“I think Spurs are one of the frontrunners for Jonathan David. There are four Premier League teams that are in the mix – you’ve got Chelsea, even though they’ve signed a couple of young strikers, Tottenham, West Ham and Manchester United.

“Manchester United, at the moment, are the most distant because they’re focusing on Joshua Zirkzee and the other three could still move.

“And this isn’t anything new, I think I did a show about a year ago where I said Jonathan David and Spurs, watch it, and this is again because Fabio Patarici has been there pre-Postecoglou and there is some consistency in terms of recruitment targets.

“So, there was an outside chance that an offer would have been placed for Jonathan David 12 months ago by Tottenham but the price was too high.

“The key thing that’s changed now is that David’s heading into the final year of his contract and Lille know that he’s not going to renew and they accept that it’s better to take a fee now than risk losing him on a free transfer in a year’s time. And, because there’s only that one year, Lille are not being bullish anymore.

“So, Lille were looking at £45 or 50 million a year ago, whereas now, the price is going to be under £30 million, and with the right structure, it might even be closer to £20 million, and that’s an astonishing bit of business for any club for, as you say, a striker that scored 26 goals in all competitions in the last two seasons.

“The amount of times on this podcast you probably hear ‘that’s not a Daniel Levy deal or that’s not a Daniel Levy price’, but in the case of Jonathan David, it’s both a Daniel Levy deal and a Daniel Levy price. That’s why I think that Spurs will be seriously in the conversation for Jonathan David.”

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David ticks a few boxes for Spurs and seems like a natural fit to lead the line in Ange’s system.

Signing him for a cut-price fee would also allow the Lilywhites to spend the bulk of their transfer budget on the likes of Eberechi Eze and Archie Gray.

Jonathan David looks likely to transfer this summer

The report says that David, who is now into the final year of his contract at Lille, has no intention of extending his deal at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.

The French club are thus inclined to sell the striker right now and are now receptive to offers from around the continent.

The report points out that Lille’s asking price for the Canadian international has dropped from £45m not too long ago, to almost half that now, which has caught the attention of several Premier League sides, including Tottenham.

Jonathan David is a long-term Spurs target

In fact, it is revealed Spurs have had a long-standing interest in David which dates back to Fabio Paratici’s spell as the club’s managing director of football.

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In addition, the striker has also been a long-term target for Chelsea while West Ham and Man Utd are also admirers of his.

The publication adds that while Lille want £30m for David, he could be signed for a guaranteed fee of just £20m along with some performance-based add-ons.

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Some Spurs fans might view a move for David as the club taking the cheaper option yet again but I think the move would make a lot of sense. The Canadian certainly carries a major goal threat and would add something different to our forward line.

The fact that he is available for a much lower fee than the likes of Toney and Gimenez is a bonus as it allows Spurs to spend the bulk of their budget to address other areas.

According to AS Roma Live, AC Milan have been offered the chance to sign Kieran Trippier but they would prefer to sign Emerson Royal over the Newcastle United star.

AC Milan want to sign Emerson Royal

There continue to be plenty of reports about Emerson’s proposed move to Milan, although it does not appear at the moment as if the transfer is getting close or imminent.

Last week, Gazzetta dello Sport suggested that the Rossoneri remain hopeful that they will be able to complete a deal for the 25-year-old, who is surplus to requirements at Spurs.

The report added that while Tottenham value the Brazilian at around €20m (£17m), there is a feeling among the San Siro hierarchy that a bid of around €18m (£15.2m) would be enough to clinch the deal.

Trippier offered to AC Milan

ASRomaLive have now claimed that Newcastle offered Milan the chance to take Trippier off their books.

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The report claims that the Magpies are ready to cash in on the England star after his form dipped last season and they sensed an opportunity to shift him to Milan.

However, Paulo Fonseca’s men allegedly turned down the chance to sign the former Spurs man as they are hoping to seal a deal for Emerson.

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It appears as if Emerson is Milan’s top right-back target but they are playing the waiting game and assessing other alternatives in an effort to get Spurs to drop their asking price.

I would not be surprised if this deal moved quickly within the next week or two.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Bologna are now bracing themselves for big offers to arrive over the coming days for Tottenham target Riccardo Calafiori.

Tottenham are in the race for Riccardo Calafiori

Calafiori was already on many clubs’ radars on the back of his impressive campaign for Bologna and the centre-back’s stock has risen even further after his impressive showing at the Euros for Italy.

The 22-year-old was one of the Azzurri’s best performers in the tournament but the reigning champions were dumped out at the round of 16 stage by Switzerland in Calafiori’s absence this week.

With Italy’s elimination, one would expect Calafiori to sort out his future and decide on his next destination, with reports indicating that Arsenal have now joined Tottenham and Juventus in the race for the 22-year-old’s services (Tuttosport).

Fabrizio Romano’s update on Riccardo Calafiori

Romano has now said there is very little chance that the former Basel defender will be at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium next season, with big clubs across the continent expected to fight it out for the player.

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The journalist said on his YouTube channel: “The feeling of sources close to Bologna is that now, despite what they felt like two or three weeks ago before the Euros, now looks unlikely for Bologna to be able to keep Ricardo Calafiori at the club.

“Bologna know that big clubs are coming. Juventus are already there, but at the moment, as I told you many times, the relationship between Juventus and Bologna is complicated after Thiago Motta left to join Juventus.

“So the relationship between the clubs is difficult. While Calafiori already gave his green light to Juventus, the race is open also for other clubs.

“So Bologna expect big clubs to enter the race for Ricardo Calafiori in the next days and weeks, so keep a close eye to this story.”

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Calafiori’s value has skyrocketed on the back of his impressive showing on the big stage this summer and he could well be out of Tottenham’s price range, with the Lilywhites unlikely to spend upwards of £40m on a fourth-choice centre-back.

Tottenham may submit a bid for Brazilian teenager, Wesley, in July but face competition from the likes of Nottingham Forest and West Ham.

Who is Wesley? The Spurs-linked starlet

Italian news outlet, Area Napoli has reported that the Naples-based side is firmly in the race making contacts about signing Corinthians forward, Wesley, who is also of interest reportedly to Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Tottenham.

The two parties reportedly discussed figures and the ‘investment needed to bring him [Wesley] to Europe’.

Although Napoli and Conte reportedly felt a salary agreement would be doable, but Wesley’s club, Corinthians, will ask for £25.4 million. Napoli apparently were looking to only go as far as £16.9 million.

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Tottenham could submit a bid for Wesley in July

Area Napoli’s report on Friday (28/6/24) continued to explain interest for Wesley from the Premier League has ‘increased’ with the appreciation of Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Tottenham ‘further raising the price’.

West Ham’s bid reportedly ‘didn’t go beyond 20’ for the 19-year-old who netted five times and got three assists across thirty-three appearances in Brazil this season (TransferMarkt). The current conditions caused Napoli to have ‘taken a step back’.

The report claims that perhaps Spurs may still try to test Corinthians’ resolve on their asking price, claiming that Postecoglou’s side ‘could still submit their proposal in July’.

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It’s difficult to say that I have much knowledge or seen Wesley play, but unless Tottenham are completely convinced of the 19-year-old’s talent, they may have to follow suit of Napoli and simply walk away.

The asking price of £25.4 million, which reportedly seems to be only rising due to increasing interest, is a high demand for a young winger who isn’t proven in a top league.

According to The Athletic, Archie Gray has now agreed a six-year contract with Tottenham Hotspur after swapping his boyhood club for the Lilywhites.

Archie Gray signs a six-year contract with Spurs

The report confirms what we have heard from other sources over the last 24 hours, stating that the total deal to take Gray to Spurs is worth £40m.

Joe Rodon is also on the verge of sealing a permanent switch to Elland Road in a separate £10m deal.

It is revealed that the 18-year-old, who won many admirers after breaking into the Leeds first-team last season, has passed his medical at Hotspur Way, with the Yorkshire club thought to be doing the paperwork to finalise Rodon’s transfer.

The report claims that the transfer is expected to be fully completed later today, with Gray set to put pen to paper on a contract running until 2030 with Spurs.

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Archie Gray to Spurs – Joe Rodon to Leeds

The publication adds that the teenager’s sale has put Leeds in a good position regarding the EFL’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), which means that they are not under pressure to sell any more assets this summer.

Archie Gray is Tottenham’s first permanent signing of the summer, with Timo Werner joining on a 12-month loan and Lucas Bergvall also officially linking up with the senior side.

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One always suspected that Tottenham would pull off at least one transfer right before the PSR deadline, taking advantage of the fact that several clubs are in need of quick cash.

The Lilywhites have done just that, securing someone who is arguably the best young talent across the EFL at the moment.

Tottenham have managed to earn themselves just shy of £30 million for Postecoglou to add to his summer spending budget.

Ange Postecoglou wants a summer rebuild at Spurs

Manager, Ange Postecoglou, hasn’t shied away from the fact that his squad requires some extra additions this summer, explaining ‘we want new attacking players, absolutely’, going on to address the window in a broader sense claiming ‘It’s also crucial to get transfers done as soon as possible’. (Football.London)

Despite Ange’s final comments, Tottenham have yet to make any major signings or sales this window yet, assumingly as a result of the ongoing Copa America and EURO tournaments which many potential signings are at.

A new report from Football Insider on Friday (28/6/24) reveals that the club may have already set itself up to have plenty of room and financial muscle to manoeuvre in the window, especially regarding the team’s wage bill.

Tottenham free up room on their wage bill

On the 5th of June, Spurs officially announced their released list following the conclusion of the 2023/24 season. The statement revealed that Eric Dier, Ivan Perisic, Ryan Sessegnon and Japhet Tanaganga would be leaving ‘following the conclusion of their contracts’.

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A week later, Tottenham announced record signing, Tanguy Ndombele, would also leave the club ‘following the mutual termination of his contract’ with Football Insider claiming the French midfielder was on ‘£200k-a-week’ as part of a six-year deal which did have a year remaining.

Football Insider’s report continued to explain how the termination of the five deals, with Perisic who was similarly on a hefty amount like Ndombele, ‘£178k-a-week’ according to the story, would elevate around ‘more than £27 million’ from the club’s wage bill.

It’s a considerable amount of wages taken off the books at Spurs, with many of the players more or less having a foot out the door for a season or two now.

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Getting large earners such as Perisic and Ndombele, the latter of whom hadn’t pulled on a Tottenham shirt competitively for over two years, is key for the club’s wage bill and finances.

Hopefully, the lighter wage book will subsequently lead to more investment in the squad and trying to attract some higher calibre players that will offer the strength and depth that Postecoglou’s side will require next season.