Football Insider

Djed Spence drops hint over Tottenham future in new message

Tottenham Hotspur’s players are still riding the wave of their Europa League victory as Thomas Frank prepares to take charge.

Spurs’ first silverware in over 17 years provided the biggest of silver linings on a season which saw Ange Postecoglou‘s side finish 17th in the Premier League, with the Australian eventually sacked as a result.

Frank‘s appointment to succeed Postecoglou was finally confirmed on 12 June as Tottenham prepare to return to the Champions League, following their success in Bilbao against Manchester United on 21 May.

The new Lilywhites boss has already name–checked Destiny Udogie and Archie Gray as players he’s looking forward to working with in North London, but Spence will be keen to stake his own claims.

Spence poses with Europa League medal after Tottenham news

Frank has only been Spurs boss for 12 days, but is already starting to set out transfer targets with free agent Kyle Walker-Peters on Tottenham’s radar ahead of his exit from Southampton at the end of June.

Walker-Peters is capable of playing on either flank of a defence, but that versatile full-back role is one which Spence made his own last season and the 24-year-old will be in no mood to relinquish his place.

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Out of favour at the start of last season with just six appearances made in two years, Spence featured at right-back and left-back on 35 occasions, started 25 of those matches and scored twice in 2024–25.

A late cameo off the bench in the Europa League final ended with a winners’ medal, and Spence posted an Instagram story on 23 June with the medal still around his neck from a holiday resort in Miami.

Spence back to square one at Tottenham?

Football Insider Verdict

Spence seized his first-team chances at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season, but it’s arguable that breakthrough only came as a result of the injury crises which saw Udogie and Pedro Porro sidelined.

Frank’s keenness to work with Archie Gray dates back to his time at Leeds United, and his versatility could result in Spence falling behind the 19-year-old in Spurs’ defensive pecking order next season.

Manchester United have moved a step closer to signing Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo as rivals Tottenham have made a significant transfer decision.

Ruben Amorim has been eager to land Mbeumo since the transfer window opened and reportedly had a bid rejected by the Bees earlier this month.

Mbeumo was Brentford’s stand out performer last season, netting 20 goals in 38 Premier League appearances.

The 25-year-old is now the subject of interest from United and Spurs after former boss Thomas Frank switched West London for North London.

Frank has been keen to reunite with Mbeumo, but the Dane has now handed United a boost in their pursuit of the forward.

Spurs could trigger buy-out clause to land Palace star

The Mirror has reported that Spurs are interested in signing Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze, which could signal an end to their ambitions to land Mbeumo.

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They state that Eze has a £68million buy-out clause which Spurs could activate to land the England international.

This could be excellent news for Amorim and his attempts to sign Mbeumo, and a new striker is desperately what the Red Devils require.

Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have both failed to impress at Old Trafford, and with Viktor Gyokeres also heavily linked with United, one of them could be on their way out of the club this summer.

Gyokeres’ potency and presence up-front or Mbeumo’s pace and movement would certainly trouble all Premier League defences.

Amorim has already landed Wolves’ Matheus Cunha to add greater creativity and goal threat to his side.

Eze could be Spurs’ statement signing of summer

Having spent £65m to sign Dominic Solanke last summer, Frank may be prioritising creativity in his midfield rather than sign another striker (BBC Sport).

Solanke had injury problems last season, but still managed nine goals in his debut campaign at the club, in a team that came 17th in the league.

Eze’s close control and ability to glide around the pitch would add a different dynamic to the Spurs attack compared to the likes of James Maddison whose preference is to stay in central areas.

The 26-year-old still has plenty of potential and if Frank could get the best out of Eze in this Spurs team, it could become one of the signings of the summer.

If Eze signs Frank may still be in the market for a winger with Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo linked.

Mbeumo is still on Spurs’ radar and he could play out wide for them, but the Cameroon international could become United’s front man if they fail to land Gyokeres, with Arsenal very much interested in his services.

Wilson Odobert has sent a message to Mathys Tel following a recent confirmation from Tottenham around his future at the club.

Tel joined Spurs on loan from Bayern Munich in the January transfer window after struggling to make an impact for the German giants in the first-half of the season.

He linked up with France youth international teammate Odobert in North London, but neither were able to help Spurs’ poor domestic fortunes, although both were in the squad as they lifted the Europa League last month.

Tottenham’s deal with Bayern was a loan with a £45million (€55m) option-to-buy [Sky Sports] him this summer, but while that was not taken up, Football Insider revealed on 5 June that Tel would be open to a permanent move to Tottenham ahead of next season.

He linked back up with Odobert earlier this month after both players were called up to the France Under-21 squad for the European Championships, and each have impressed for Les Bleus, while Tel’s future at Spurs has recently been resolved.

Wilson Odobert sends message to Mathys Tel after impressive France showing

Tel signed permanently for Tottenham on 15 June for an initial fee of €35m (£30m) [The Athletic] on a six-year contract, after Football Insider had previously revealed that Daniel Levy would not pay Tel’s £45m buy clause.

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The 20-year-old has continued to impress out in Slovakia at the U21 Euros following his move, and he netted his second goal of the tournament for France on Sunday (22 June) to fire them to a late quarter-final victory over Denmark.

His club and international teammate Odobert has also helped France in their progression in the competition, and he took to his Instagram story to send a message to Tel following the game, as he re-shared a picture of the pair celebrating in blue while adding a heart on fire and two-person emoji to represent their friendship.

Tel and Odobert could shine under Thomas Frank next season

Football Insider verdict

Thomas Frank was recently appointed as Spurs’ new head-coach after impressing at Brentford over the last few years, and his set-up with the Bees could point to a fruitful upcoming campaign for both Tel and Odobert.

The Danish boss liked to line his Brentford side up with attacking intent, and his wingers were some of his most dangerous players after impressive campaigns from Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa and Kevin Schade last time out.

Tel in particular has been highly-rated across Europe for a number of years, and Tottenham beat off competition from Arsenal, Man United and Chelsea for his loan signature in the January window.

Tottenham Hotspur will expect big things from Mathys Tel next season after his successful loan move from Bayern Munich.

Spurs signed Tel mid-season in the midst of the injury crisis which defined Ange Postecoglou’s second and final year at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and he made 20 appearances in all competitions.

Tel scored three goals and added two assists in 12 starts as Tottenham recorded a disappointing 17th-placed finish in the Premier League, but he failed to get on the pitch in their Europa League Final victory.

Pundits aplenty had expected Tel to return to Bayern at the end of the season after not quite hitting the heights expected of him in North London, but Tottenham weren’t deterred by Tel’s £47.5million price tag.

Tel makes his mark after Tottenham transfer

Tottenham’s Europa League success secured Champions League football for next season despite their dismal Premier Leaue finish, and provided the funds for Ange Postecoglou’s sacking in the aftermath.

Qualification for Europe’s elite also allowed Tottenham to complete the permanent signing of Tel for that £47.5m fee, activating their option-to-buy to make the French youth international’s stay permanent.

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Tel is currently away with France during their campaign in the Under-21 Euros, and he fired Les Bleus into the last four with the decisive goal in the 85th minute of their quarter-final win over Denmark in Slovakia.

In an Instagram post (22 June) to congratulate Tel – which was liked by fellow forward Dominic Solanke – Tottenham said: “Mathys scores the winner to send France through to the semi-finals of U21 Euro 2025”.

Thomas Frank to rely on Tel at Tottenham next season

Football Insider Verdict

Neither Tel’s form nor Tottenham’s Europa League Final win proved enough to save Postecoglou’s job in North London, and the forward will be expected to hit the ground running under new boss Thomas Frank.

Frank failed to name-check Tel when discussing the various Spurs youngsters he can’t wait to work with in his first club interview, but Tottenham’s decision to sign him will have come with the Dane’s approval.

James Maddison affirmed his commitment to Tottenham Hotspur as he prepares to be front and centre of Thomas Frank’s team.

Tottenham are at the start of a summer of transition after their inconsistent 2024–25 campaign, which saw Spurs finish a lowly 17th in the Premier League table just days after winning the Europa League title.

Ange Postecoglou was sacked as a result of Tottenham’s dismal domestic form despite delivering a European trophy and Champions League football to boot, with Frank poached from Brentford as a result.

Frank will lead Tottenham’s return to Europe’s elite and manage in the Champions League for the first time himself, and the Dane has already name-checked several players he wants to build his team around.

Maddison set for improved Tottenham leadership role

Frank’s first interview as Tottenham manager saw him highlight the plethora of youngsters who he’ll be looking to develop next term, with Archie Gray one player whom the Dane wanted to sign for Brentford.

As well as Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Destiny Udogie and Wilson Odobert, Frank told Tottenham’s website that he is excited to work with more senior figures like Dominic Solanke, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Maddison.

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Maddison could see himself awarded as Spurs’ captain for next season if the exit-linked Son Heung-min and Cristian Romero are both sold this summer, and the 28-year-old has re-affirmed his love for the club.

In an Instagram post (22 June) liked by Tottenham right-backs past and present in the form of Kieran Trippier and Djed Spence, Maddison posed in a 1993–94 Tottenham shirt during his off-season holiday.

Maddison must step up in new-look Tottenham team

Football Insider Verdict

Although Frank will be expected to sweep a new broom through the existing Tottenham squad, it’s unclear if he’ll want to keep hold of aging yet inconsistent players like Son and Romero this summer.

Maddison could be catapulted into the captaincy role in North London next season despite not being an ever-present starter under Postecoglou last term, with 13 of his 46 appearances coming off the bench.

Tottenham are likely to agree a deal following their ongoing controversy with INEOS.

The petrochemicals company, which is spearheaded by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, first partnered with Spurs in 2020 after agreeing to become their official hand sanitiser and 4×4 vehicle partners.

The deal was later expanded in 2022, with the INEOS brand displayed in the dugout of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

INEOS held talks to end the Tottenham sponsorship in February as Ratcliffe continues to pursue cost-cutting measures across his empire.

The Mail reported on 16 March the two parties had reached a pay-off agreement to end the deal early, with Spurs set to be paid millions.

However, court records show Tottenham filed a commercial claim on 12 June after INEOS exited the sponsorship deal three years into a five-year agreement, but no documents are currently available.

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Finance expert Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider the parties will likely reach a settlement agreement in the low single millions.

In a statement on 13 June, INEOS said: “INEOS Automotive has been a partner of Tottenham Hotspur since 2022, expanding on a partnership agreement that INEOS Group had in place with the club since 2020.

“We have a contractual right to terminate our partnership contract and in December 2024 exercised that right.”

INEOS to pay Tottenham millions

Borson insisted the ongoing legal action isn’t a “big deal”, but he admitted it’s “fun to watch” the dispute from the outside.

He told Football Insider: “Disputes in business are very common and not that big of a deal really.

“It makes good football drama, but I suspect the money involved is pretty small and no documents have been filed, so the claim has been filed, but no particulars of claim are out there because I’ve checked.

“I think it’ll be settled, and we’ll never know very much about it.

“It will be low single millions involved, and it’ll be just a dispute about what the termination clause was on the contracts, where it’s probably something like whether they’ve got to pay for six more months or something.

“It won’t be a very big deal, but it’s fun for us to watch the dispute from the outside.

“But I’m sure it’ll be settled.”

Tottenham could hijack Man United’s Bryan Mbeumo deal

In terms of on-field matters, Football Insider revealed on 13 June Tottenham could hijack Man United’s move to sign Bryan Mbeumo following Thomas Frank’s appointment as manager.

Frank’s arrival has added to the belief that Spurs could secure the Brentford star’s signature despite him previously preferring a move to Old Trafford.

Tottenham could be boosted by their Champions League qualification, while United have no European football to offer the Cameroon international for next season.

Son Heung-min’s future at Tottenham remains in the balance as transfer talks are scheduled to take place.

Son has been at Spurs for 10 seasons and helped the club win the Europa League, their first trophy in 17 years, in May.

Despite his fan favourite status, Son could depart North London this summer with just one year left on his contract.

With new manager Thomas Frank having arrived from Brentford just 10 days ago, Son is poised to have crunch talks soon with the Dane over his future.

Son should decide his own future

Football London’s Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Alasdair Gold has revealed [June 22] that Son is the closest he has ever been to leaving the club and talks between him and Frank need to happen.

“Ultimately Son’s future should be decided by Son,” Gold said.

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“He’s earned that right as a trophy-winning legend of the club with 10 years of service under his belt.

“I would say there’s more chance of him leaving this summer than ever before, but he and Frank need to have a conversation first to decide what the Dane’s plans for him are as well, if that hasn’t already happened.”

In the forward department, Spurs could also lose Richarlison with speculation continuing around his future in North London.

Timo Werner has already departed the club following his loan spell and Bryan Gil and Manor Solomon look set to be sold.

Son would leave with legend status

Football Insider verdict

Son has been one of Spurs’ most successful signings over the past decade since he arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for just £22million.

He arrived as a relatively unknown quantity but would leave as a club great having been a part of that Europa League winning squad.

The South Korean cares deeply about the club and his 11 goals in 41 appearances last season suggests he could still have lots to offer on the pitch.

After the sacking of Ange Postecoglou didn’t go down well with many supporters, if Frank’s first act as manager was to let Son leave the club then that would definitely cause anger among the fanbase.

Son though will probably be a regular among the substitutes if Frank is able to persuade Bryan Mbeumo to join him at Spurs rather than go to Manchester United.

Frank is also look at either Yoane Wissa or Antoine Semenyo to bolster his attack, so Son may find game time more challenging next season if he stays.

Leeds United have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Tottenham forward Manor Solomon as Spurs’ transfer plans have been revealed.

Solomon was on loan at Leeds last campaign from Spurs and helped the club clinch promotion back to the Premier League after two seasons away.

The 25-year-old scored 10 goals and registered 12 assists in the Championship last season, and as the Whites prepare for their return to the top flight, signing him permanently has been seen as a priority.

As exclusively revealed by Football Insider, Burnley are also interested in signing Solomon ahead of their own return to the top flight, so Daniel Farke may need to be quick to wrap up a deal.

Richarlison and Son could decide Spurs’ transfer dealings

Football London’s Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold has reported [June 22] a transfer decision has been made on Solomon and that he is likely to leave North London this summer with new manager Thomas Frank prioritising other forward options.

Solomon has only made six appearances for Spurs as his first season at the club was cruelly ended by a knee injury.

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“Bryan Gil and Manor Solomon are likely to move on this summer,” Gold said.

“One of the priorities is clearly a wide player who can also play through the middle. Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa and Antoine Semenyo all tick that box with the former and latter both expected to be pushing towards the £70million price mark and Wissa less because he’s got just a year left on his contract.”

Gold also states the future of Son Heung-Min and Richarlison “need to be sorted” and a lot of Spurs’ transfer activity this summer could depend on whether either player is sold.

Timo Werner has already left the club whilst Mathys Tel has signed permanently following a loan spell from Bayern Munich.

Frank making Solomon mistake

Football Insider verdict

Solomon’s permanent move to Leeds sounds like it will be going ahead this summer, as the forward doesn’t look set to earn another chance at Spurs.

The Israel international would once again be a key player for Farke’s side as shown by his impressive numbers in the Championship last season.

Frank may want a quick sell so he can increase his transfer kitty to be able to beat Manchester United to the signing of Mbeumo.

More than just one attacking option may be required though should either Richarlison or Son also depart.

Wissa and Semenyo, the other forward options linked to the club, would also be superb signings after both had impressive seasons last time out.

Brentford and Bournemouth though may be reluctant to let more key players leave without a sizeable transfer fee, so Frank may be forced to look elsewhere.

Therefore, selling Solomon, who clearly has lots of potential, could be one of Frank’s first mistakes.

Kyle Walker-Peters could make a surprise return to Tottenham as Thomas Frank looks to fix a significant issue ahead of next season.

Daniel Levy made the cut-throat decision to sack Ange Postecoglou, leaving the first-team squad in turmoil after pipping Ruben Amorim’s Man United to the Europa League title in Bilbao.

Multiple players have been linked with exits, potentially due to the change in manager, with Football Insider understanding that Tottenham are preparing to replace Pedro Porro should he leave this summer.

That is far from the new manager’s biggest worry, however, with UEFA’s rules ahead of next season, having qualified for the Champions League, taking full effect this summer.

A “club-trained player” is someone who has been on a club’s books for three entire seasons or 36 months between the ages of 15 and 21, and the Lilywhites only have one, when the target is four.

Walker-Peters was with Spurs between 2015 and 2020 before leaving for Southampton, and he could help solve the issue at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of 2025/26.

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Kyle Walker-Peters to Tottenham explored in North London

According to Football London (20 June), Spurs have considered a move later in the window to bring Walker-Peters back as a free agent to fill a club-trained spot in the squad for next season.

Brandon Austin is the only club-trained player in the current squad, with the Lilywhites needing four in total, and it is understood that the player would be interested in a return to North London.

Everton and Wolves are both interested in the full-back, and Frank’s side are expected to prioritise other key areas first before making a move for Walker-Peters, which could allow other clubs to pounce.

Without filling the four club-trained spots, Spurs’ squad for the Champions League will shrink from a 25-man squad to a 22-man squad.

Thomas Frank faces difficult summer after Brentford exit

Football Insider verdict

Frank is facing threats from all angles despite only joining the Lilywhites a matter of days ago, and will just now be realising the massive task he has taken on since being appointed.

Football Insider understands that Atletico Madrid’s interest in Cristian Romero is not expected to disappear, with several other high-profile stars being linked with exits.

Son Heung-min, Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, James Maddison, Manor Solomon, and Dejan Kulusevski have all been linked with a Tottenham exit in recent months, and any of those exits would be huge news.

Of course, due to the manager’s links to the Gtech Community Stadium, it has emerged that both Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa could follow Frank to North London.

The 51-year-old will be desperate to achieve a lot with the Lilywhites, building on the team breaking a 17-year trophy drought under Postecoglou’s reign.

A base has been set for a new squad to be built on, but with several big-name players now being linked with summer moves, the signing of Walker-Peters will likely be the least of his worries right now.

Tottenham are likely to reach a settlement agreement with INEOS in their ongoing sponsorship dispute, sources have told Football Insider.

The petrochemicals company, which is spearheaded by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, first partnered with Spurs in 2020 after agreeing to become their official hand sanitiser and 4×4 vehicle partners.

The deal was later expanded in 2022, with the INEOS brand displayed in the dugout of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

INEOS held talks to end the Tottenham sponsorship in February as Ratcliffe continues to pursue cost-cutting measures across his empire.

The Mail reported on 16 March the two parties had reached a pay-off agreement to end the deal early, with Spurs set to be paid millions.

However, court records show Tottenham filed a commercial claim on 12 June after INEOS exited the sponsorship deal three years into a five-year agreement, but no documents are currently available.

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Sources have told Football Insider these kinds of disputes are common in business and the parties are likely to reach a settlement agreement.

Jim Ratcliffe slammed after Man United move

INEOS has provided a response to Tottenham’s claim following the sponsorship dispute.

In a statement on 13 June, it said: “INEOS Automotive has been a partner of Tottenham Hotspur since 2022, expanding on a partnership agreement that INEOS Group had in place with the club since 2020.

“We have a contractual right to terminate our partnership contract and in December 2024 exercised that right.”

In a separate dispute, it was announced in March INEOS had reached a settlement agreement with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) after a six-year sponsorship deal was ended early.

NZR launched legal proceedings against INEOS in February after alleging the company had failed to make a payment for the first part of this year.

Ratcliffe has also faced criticism from Man United fans following his cost-cutting measures at Old Trafford, which have included staff redundancies, charity cuts and ticket price hikes.

Tottenham could hijack Man United’s Bryan Mbeumo deal

In terms of on-field matters, Football Insider revealed on 13 June Tottenham could hijack United’s move to sign Bryan Mbeumo following Thomas Frank’s appointment as manager.

Frank’s arrival has added to the belief that Spurs could secure the Brentford star’s signature despite him previously preferring a move to Old Trafford.

Tottenham could be boosted by their Champions League qualification, while United have no European football to offer the Cameroon international for next season.