Football Insider

Tottenham Hotspur face a race against time if they are to beat North London rivals Arsenal to the signing of Christian Norgaard.

The Brentford midfielder could be reuniting with former boss Thomas Frank at Spurs, but the Gunners are also in the market for a defensive midfielder.

Mikel Arteta is looking to replace Jorginho, who departed for Flamengo, and potentially Thomas Partey whose future at the club is still uncertain.

The Gunners are closing in on Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, but Arteta wants to add more depth to his midfield options.

Gunners make opening move for Norgaard

Tottenham will need to act quickly if they want to secure Norgaard’s signature with The Athletic reporting Arsenal have already made a bid.

The Athletic believe the bid to be worth £9.3million, and they are now awaiting Brentford’s response to the offer.

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Frank knows Norgaard extremely well from Brentford and beforehand having managed him at Brondby and in the Danish youth set up.

Spurs need more leadership within their playing squad and Norgaard would provide that and he knows the demands and playing style of a Frank team inside out.

Frank is currently chasing Arsenal in all departments, with the Gunners currently superior all over the pitch.

Mikel Arteta is currently unbeaten in his last six North London derbies stretching back to 2022.

Future in Norgaard’s own hands

Whilst Zubimendi would add to Arsenal’s creativity from deep, Noorgaard’s leadership qualities and physical attributes would be a perfect fit to replace Jorginho and Partey without draining their transfer budget.

Arteta needs the bulk of his spend this summer to be on a striker who can fire the Gunners to the Premier League title.

Noorgaard would likely play a more pivotal role at Spurs, but even there the Dane wouldn’t be guaranteed a starting position with Yves Bissouma, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur all vying for the same position.

The decision will rest with Norgaard, but Arsenal currently have the advantage having made their opening gambit.

For Brentford, this summer couldn’t be going much worse for them so far.

Bryan Mbeumo may be another playing leaving the Bees to reunite with Frank, and the club still haven’t announced their new manager with reports suggesting set-piece coach Keith Andrews could make the step up.

Already a risky appointment if it goes ahead, it could be even riskier if the experience of Norgaard leaves the dressing room and the goals of Mbeumo depart, as expected.

Tottenham Hotspur forward Manor Solomon has attracted attention with his latest social media message.

Solomon spent last season on loan at Leeds, and the Whites are heavily linked with a move for the 25-year-old.

The Israel international scored 10 goals and registered 12 assists in the Championship as Leeds won the title.

Burnley though are also in the race to sign the Israel international, who has made just six appearances for Spurs.

Solomon ready for a move

Posting on his Instagram story (24 June), Solomon shared a video of him training ahead of the start of pre-season.

The video was accompanied with the message “Getting ready” speculating that he is gearing up for a big season ahead despite not knowing what the future holds for him.

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New Spurs boss Thomas Frank though will speak to his staff before deciding Solomon’s future at the club.

With the futures of Son Heung-min, Richarlison and Mickey Moore uncertain, Solomon could be handed a chance to impress.

Frank though is also in the market for a new forward, so much could also depend on whether he can secure one of his top targets with Eberechie Eze the latest to be linked to North London.

Frank needs to make Solomon decision

Football Insider verdict

With Spurs’ pre-season set to get underway soon and no new forward signed as desired, Solomon could be handed opportunities in upcoming friendly matches to show Frank what he could be missing out on.

Frank may need to sort out the futures of Son, Richarlison and Moore before sanctioning a move for Solomon.

That could be a blow for Leeds, or Burnley, who would ideally want the forward in time for their Premier League openers.

Attempting an offer now though could tempt Spurs into a sale, as Frank is keen to add a proven Premier League forward into his attack.

With Bryan Mbeumo linked with Manchester United, Frank will need around £70m to land either Eze or Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.

Solomon still needs to prove himself at Premier League level after a knee injury cruelly cut short his first season at Spurs.

Leeds and Burnley could both offer him regular playing time in the top flight, and Solomon looks ready and eager for a move.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to make a decision on winger Mikey Moore as their interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze intensifies.

He became the youngest English goal scorer in major European competition history when he netted his first goal for the club against Elfsborg in January.

The Europa League presented opportunities to Moore to get crucial playing time, but with the club in the Champions League next season, chances could be limited for the youngster.

Championship clubs could offer Moore loan move

As exclusively revealed by Football Insider, Championship clubs Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion are both interested in signing the winger on loan.

That would present Moore with regular playing time and the opportunity to develop in one of the most competitive league’s in the world.

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Moore would link up with former Spurs player and coach Ryan Mason should he choose the Baggies over Blues, which could also be beneficial to his development.

New Spurs boss Thomas Frank is also looking at signing a new winger this summer with Eze high on his list of targets.

After the sacking of Ange Postecoglou split the fanbase, Frank needs to make a positive start, which too could limit any opportunities for Moore.

However, any move for Moore could also depend on what decision Frank takes on Son Heung-min, with the pair set for crunch transfer talks.

Frank needs Eze, but Moore is Spurs’ future

Eze has been lined up as Spurs’ latest attacking option after Bryan Mbeumo and Antoine Semenyo were also linked with a move to North London.

The 26-year-old reportedly has a £68m release clause in his contract which Spurs could activate.

Having helped Crystal Palace win their first major trophy in their history, and after five seasons at the club, Eze may want a fresh challenge.

The signing of Eze would signal the start of the Frank era in style, with his close control and dribbling ability bringing extra flair to Spurs’ attack.

Those attributes will also help Spurs break down defences and add another dimension to their forward play.

He produced excellent numbers in a side which didn’t win their first Premier League match of the season until late October and finished 12th in the table.

Eze’s flexibility to operate on the wing or in midfield would also benefit Frank tactically depending on the opposition.

Whilst Moore can play a part in Spurs’ future, Frank requires a player right now who can quickly hit the ground running.

Bryan Mbeumo is enjoying his off-season with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur locked in a battle to sign him.

Brentford will be loathe to lose Mbeumo this summer after the Cameroon international after 20 goals and eight assists in the Premier League last season, and the Bees have already lost manager Thomas Frank.

Frank’s move to Tottenham has re-ignited their interest in Mbeumo as the Dane looks to bolster his new frontline in North London, but the 25-year-old’s future could take him even further north to Old Trafford.

Man United are keen to add Mbeumo to their attacking options after the acquisition of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, but Brentford have rejected their advances thus far as they hold out for a massive fee.

Mbeumo sends ‘time off’ update amid Man United transfer pursuit

Brentford are yet to budge on their valuation of Mbeumo after bids from both United and Spurs, but it’s Tottenham who have offered the most thus far in the form of a £70million attempt on 14 June.

However, the latest update today is that Man United remain in the ‘driving seat’ to sign the forward despite their latest bid of £55m and a further £5m in add-ons being rejected, albeit Mbeumo isn’t feeling the heat of the Red Devils’ pursuit.

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Mbeumo posted on Instagram (23 June) with a selection of images taken across the world, documenting his off-season activities at the French Open, Canadian Grand Prix and Niagara Falls in this off-season.

The in-demand forward left the caption of; “Time off so far”, and among a plethora of Brentford players to like Mbeumo’s post, another reaction came from Man United defender Leny Yoro.

Man United in race to rush through Mbeumo transfer

Football Insider Verdict

Tottenham’s interest in Mbeumo is well founded given the success he’s had playing under Frank across recent seasons, and Spurs would also be able to tempt him with Champions League football next term.

However, Football Insider revealed on 10 June that Mbeumo’s preference is a move to Man United, as the Cameroonian hasn’t been deterred by their lack of European qualification or 15th-placed finish.

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.