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The Argentine striker, 22, will leave Spurs on July 1 after a permanent deal was agreed with Brazilian side Bahia, rumoured to be worth around €9million (£7.7m).
It marks the end of an underwhelming three-year spell at Tottenham for Veliz, who moved from Rosario Central in Argentina to north London in a £13m transfer in the summer of 2023, joining at the same time as centre-back Micky van de Ven arrived from Wolfsburg.
However, he only made a total of eight first-team appearances for Spurs across all competitions during that period, the last of which came back in December 2023.
He scored his sole Tottenham goal that month under Ange Postecoglou, coming off the bench to net in a 4-2 defeat away at Brighton in the Premier League.
Veliz - whose six-year contract was due to run until 2029 - was loaned to LaLiga club Sevilla the following month and later spent the entire 2024/25 campaign at Espanyol, before last season he was sent for a third loan spell back at first club Rosario Central, registering six goals in 24 appearances.
Tottenham said in a statement confirming Veliz’s imminent permanent departure: “We wish him well for the future.”
It has been a hectic start to the summer for Spurs, who are wasting no time in reshaping their squad for a first full season under head coach Roberto De Zerbi, having endured back-to-back 17th-place finishes and only escaped relegation from the Premier League on the final day last term.
Spurs were said to be leading the race for the West Ham star, but ‘in the last hours’ that may have changed
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Manchester United have reportedly made a significant move to beat Tottenham to the signing of Mateus Fernandes.
The Portuguese star is set to leave West Ham this summer following the club’s relegation into the Championship.
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The Hammers accept they cannot keep the 21-year-old, and are said to be demanding more than double the £38million they paid Southampton for him 12 months ago.
In the last few hours, there have been new contacts with the player; the Red Devils are willing to improve their contractual offer to convince him to sign.
Man Utd have made Fernandes a key summer target as manager Michael Carrick looks to revamp his midfield options.
Ederson is set to arrive from Atalanta, and United want to partner him in midfield with Fernandes.
Tottenham are also firmly in the race for the West Ham star’s signature. Arsenal were said to also be monitoring the Portuguese midfielder, but interest is not expected to advance.
Spurs were said to have in recent days moved ahead of Man Utd in the race, as they are prepared to offer the player higher wages and offer West Ham more money.
Mateus Fernandes
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The north London side are embarking on a huge summer rebuild, and want to partner Fernandes with Sandro Tonali in midfield.
But the balance of the transfer saga reportedly changed on Saturday morning.
According to Italian football journalist Matteo Moretto, Man Utd have stepped up their effort to sign Fernandes.
There have been fresh talks with the player, with United signalling that they are willing to improve their contract offer in a bit to convince him to sign.
Talks with West Ham will then follow.
Spurs are said to remain firmly in the race, with The Times reporting on Friday that they are confident of agreeing personal terms with both Fernandes and Tonali.
But Man Utd are pushing hard to move ahead of Spurs and land the Portugal star.
United had made Tonali a key summer target, but it is Spurs who are said to be the frontrunners to sign one of the Premier League’s most impressive midfielders.
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Antonin Kinsky has confirmed that he wants to stay at Tottenham despite uncertainty around the club’s goalkeeper situation.
Kinsky, who is poised to sign a new long-term contract at Spurs, ruled himself out of the Czech Republic’s World Cup squad this summer to undergo a minor medical procedure so he could be ready in time for the new season.
That decision came after the 23-year-old had played his way back into contention at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a number of impressive performances as Roberto De Zerbi’s side survived relegation on the final day against Everton.
With first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who missed the final seven games of last season following hernia surgery, expected to leave the club, Kinsky could now be promoted to No1.
It has been a remarkable turn of events for Kinsky, who was replaced 17 minutes into his Champions League debut against Atletico Madrid in March, and he admits he is ready to step up if called upon by De Zerbi.
“It’s a challenge; I’ll be fighting for a spot during preseason. Negotiations are underway with the club about what the future might hold. I’m interested in staying and fighting for my place because the English league is great,” he told Czech outlet Olympijsky Tym.
“Whether I’ll be the starter or the backup is something the coach will decide. In my mind, I’ve always been the No1, even when I was on the bench. I’ll take the same approach now, and I believe it’ll work out.”
Veteran shot-stopper Martin Dubravka will join the club upon the expiry of his contract at Burnley in July.
.jpeg?width=1200&auto=webp&quality=75 "How Tottenham plan on playing Tonali and Fernandes together - London Evening Standard")
Spurs are ready smash their transfer record twice to land the midfield pair
Sam Tabuteau
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Tottenham are pursuing big-money moves for Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes as they look to overhaul their midfield this summer.
Despite both players being likely to command club-record fees, Spurs are determined to get deals for the pair over the line.
Midfield was a huge area of concern for Spurs last season, as they struggled to control games, and Roberto De Zerbi has set out an ambitious plan to completely redress the balance in the centre of the park.
Tonali and Fernandes are at the centre of these plans, and De Zerbi wants both players to figure in his starting line-up come the start of the new season in August.
De Zerbi was on a firefighting mission last season, tasked with keeping Spurs in the Premier League by any means necessary.
Now, though, with their Premier League status intact, the Italian wants to set out a blueprint for his style of play, and for that he needs midfielders who are comfortable receiving and playing the ball under pressure.
Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes
London Standard
Given De Zerbi’s demands, it is easy to see why they are so heavily linked to Fernandes.
The West Ham midfielder is among the most press-resistant midfielders in England, and impressed even as West Ham were relegated to the Championship last season.
Fernandes has now suffered relegations in successive seasons, with West Ham and Southampton, yet his quality on and off the ball has continued to shine through.
Quick and incisive with his passing, Fernandes also battles hard out of possession and ranked first for tackles won by some distance for West Ham last term - the 21-year-old completed 67 tackles while his nearest competitor, Kyle Walker-Peters, managed just 30.
If Fernandes were to seal a sensational move to Spurs, he would likely compete for minutes alongside Rodrigo Bentancur, who impressed on his return from injury towards the backend of last season.
Tonali, meanwhile, would sit alongside either Fernandes or Bentancur in De Zerbi’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. There is also the potential that Spurs could move to a three-man defence, with a midfield pivot.
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The Italian can play from deep, with a sweeping array of passes, but it is his ability to drive forward with and without the ball that will have stood out to De Zerbi.
Tonali’s goal, the third in Newcastle’s 3-1 win away to Southampton in January 2025, perhaps best sums up what he can offer Spurs.
Storming in ahead of his marker to direct a header back towards Alexander Isak, Tonali continues his run, bursting past Isak before collecting Anthony Gordon’s weighted pass and slotting home.
Bursting the length of the Southampton half, Tonali started and finished the move that would put the seal on a comfortable Newcastle win while displaying his energy, timing and appreciation of space.
It is that sort of move, taking onus of the situation, both in and out of possession, that De Zerbi will want to see more of if Tonali switches the north-east of England for north London.
Spurs have reportedly been rebuffed by Newcastle in their attempts to sign Tonali, yet they are confident the player is keen to join the club.
Fernandes, too, is said to be edging towards Spurs rather than Manchester United, with a more lucrative financial package reported to be on offer.
It would represent a huge statement of intent were Spurs to swoop for both Tonali and Fernandes, and there is no denying they would be a far more fearsome proposition with the pair in the side.
Spurs’ midfield rebuild is gathering pace, and it is putting other teams on watch ahead of next season.
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.jpeg?width=1200&auto=webp&quality=75 "Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal to make Rogers bid; Man Utd deal hijacked - London Evening Standard")
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Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal in Rogers bid, Alvarez update; Man Utd £80m deal; Chelsea, Liverpool latest
See all the latest news, rumours and gossip during the summer window
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The transfer window is stepping up a gear as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham all work on completing huge deals in what is set to a huge summer. The Gunners are closing in on the signing of Morgan Rogers in a deal worth at least £80million, and continue to be linked with an audacious swap deal for Julian Alvarez. A fee has been agreed for wonderkid Jeremy Monga, and remain interested in Ayyoub Bouaddi, Bradley Barcola, Eli Junior Kroupi, Christos Tzolis and Andria Bartishvili.
Manchester United hope to announced Ederson over the coming days, but are losing hope of signing both Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, who are said to more attracted to the project at Tottenham. Martin Dubravka has become Spurs' fourth summer signing, and Antonin Kinsky is set to be rewarded with a new contract after being promoted to first-choice goalkeeper.
Man Utd could turn to Arsenal target Alex Scott, and are said to be monitoring Aurelien Tchouameni's situation at Real Madrid. Chelsea are set to make Marco Palestra their first signing of the Xabi Alonso era, and have interest in Crystal Palace pair Maxence Lacroix and Adam Wharton. Liverpool continue to work on a deal for Yan Diomande Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
Latest transfer news and rumours
Arsenal in battle to keep youngster
Arsenal are concerned about the future of Ethan Nwaneri’s younger brother, Emerson.
Per reports in The Times, the club see the 15-year-old as important to long-term academy plans and are keen to keep ahold of him.
Meanwhile, the report adds 15-year-old Northern Irish goalkeeper Phoenix Blayney is due to join up this summer.
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Real Madrid to activate Paz clause
Gianluca Di Marzio has confirmed Real Madrid will exercise their £6.5m buy-back option for Como’s Nico Paz.
Madrid will then offer Paz to Como for around £51.7m per the terms of his contract. However, if Como pass, his price will be increase.
Clubs like Tottenham were interested in the midfielder last summer, and may enter the market for him again.
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Onana to re-join Trabzonspor
Andre Onana is set to re-join Trabzonspor on loan according to Turkish football journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu.
The 30-year-old fell out of favour at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim and spent last season on-loan at the Turkish club.
Now, Sabuncouglu is reporting Onana is set to return.
His United contract ends in two years, so expect another deal - loan or permanent - in a year’s time as they look to move the Cameroonian on.
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Liverpool have not submitted second bid for Diomande - yet
Conflicting reports are emerging amid Liverpool’s bid to sign Yan Diomande.
In what is fast becoming the saga of the summer, rumours swirled in the last 24 hours the Anfield club had a £100m bid rejected, just a week after their £86m bid was turned down by Diomande’s club, RB Leipzig of Germany.
But Sky Sport News Deutschland’s Philipp Hinze insisted on X earlier this is “not true” and “as things stand, there has not yet been a second offer”.
He added there is still “more to come”.
The Ivorian would act as a replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right-wing, in addition to Spaniard Victor Munoz, who they signed last week.
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If I had a Gunn - United consider Scot stopper
Manchester United’s search for a back-up goalkeeper has taken them to the World Cup, specifically, Scotland’s Angus Gunn.
Gunn was on the end of a 3-0 shellacking at the hands of Brazil last night, but that hasn’t stopped United considering the former Norwich and Manchester City shot-stopper, according to the Mirror.
After reports their young Czech goalie Radek Vitek is unwilling to play second fiddle to Lammens, Gunn is emerging as a serious option.
Leeds’ Karl Darlow is another contender for the back-up spot at Old Trafford, but is in talks over renewing his contract at Elland Road.
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Chelsea's midfield transfer chain: Fernandez out; Wharton in
Chelsea will move for Adam Wharton, but only if they move on Enzo Fernandez first.
Simon Phillips reports the Crystal Palace man is high on Chelsea’s transfer wishlist, but must free up funds by moving on Fernandez.
The Argentine is a top target for Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid, who themselves must move on one of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Fernandez is expected to go for about £120m, while Palace are demanding £75m for Wharton.
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Lacroix in advanced talks with Chelsea
Talks between Chelsea and Maxence Lacroix are advancing at a rapid rate, after the Blues’ interest was revealed yesterday.
Teamtalk report Lacroix has confirmed his wish to join Chelsea, meaning personal terms are unlikely to be an issue.
A stumbling block may be his club Crystal Palace, who are demanding around £75m for the France centre back.
Lacroix would join Marco Palestra at Stamford Bridge - the Italian is about to become Xabi Alonso’s first signing at the club, with a reported £46m fee agreed with Atalanta for the full-back.
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Spurs set for £100m cash injection
Tottenham Hotspur owners the Lewis family are set to inject another £100m into the club, Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold reports.
The money will go primarily towards transfers, after they did the same in October last year - with more to come.
Now, with Roberto de Zerbi, the Lewis family are ready to put their money where their mouth is again and back the manager in the transfer market.
Spurs are reportedly interested in Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, who would cost a combined £185m. They face competition from Manchester City and Manchester United for the pair, respectively.
The Lilywhites have already signed Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson on free transfers, along with Jan Paul van Hecke for £52m.
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Kovacic on Villa and Forest's radar
Mateo Kovacic may be on the move from Manchester City amid interest from Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
Sportsboom report the midfielder, 32, is interesting the two Midlands clubs, with his contract expiring next year.
He made only six appearances for City last year and is deemed surplus to requirements under incoming boss Enzo Maresca.
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Kinsky set for 5-year contract despite Trafford interest
Tottenham have been busy transforming their goalkeeping department in the last 24 hours, and more change may be afoot.
After Spurs announced the signing of Martin Dubravka yesterday amid reports they are looking to sell Guglielmo Vicario, Sky Sports News are reporting Antonin Kinsky is set to be offered a five-year contract and become the club’s undisputed No1.
This is despite rumours they could look to bring in Manchester City goalie James Trafford, who has warmed the bench for the Sky Blues since signing last summer, after Gigi Donnarumma joined the club.
A disastrous 17-minute spell against Atletico Madrid spell in March was seemingly the death knell for Kinsky’s Spurs - and possibly Premier League - career.
But after establishing himself as the first-choice under Roberto de Zerbi in the closing stages of the season, this report suggests the Czech ‘keeper has the full backing of both club and manager.
Kinsky joined Spurs back in January 2025, but only found consistent form at the back end of this season, making seven consecutive appearances as the Lilywhites escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth.
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The Spurs great says the World Cup winner “cannot be captain”, but tipped another to replace him
Ronan Sullivan
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Archie Gray has the potential to be a future Tottenham captain, former Spurs star Darren Anderton believes.
Gray, 20, moved from Leeds in 2024 for around £40m and played 28 Premier League games in his first season under Ange Postecoglou, often playing out of position to ease the several injury crises under the Australian boss.
Last season, he became a regular midfielder under Thomas Frank, then interim Igor Tudor, starting nine games in a row during the February and March period before losing his place under Roberto De Zerbi.
Anderton, speaking exclusively to Standard sport via BestOnlineCasino, said he could “100%” see Gray as a Spurs captain and “loves him as a player”.
He continued: “When De Zerbi came in Archie - who's by far and away been the best player for us this season - got cast aside a little bit.
Captain material: Archie Gray
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“So that's a bit worrying for me, because I want him in the team.”
Gray saw opportunities limited after De Zerbi’s appointment: he started the Italian’s first game against Sunderland, came off the bench against Brighton, but was an unused sub until the final-day win over Everton, where he featured for just eight minutes.
As two young Spurs stars look to leave the club - fellow midfielder Lucas Bergvall and highly rated defender Luka Vuskovic have both told the club they want to explore moves away - Gray appears determined to force him way into De Zerbi’s plans.
On Gray, Anderton added: “I trust him, I back him, and I think that with the new circumstances next season he's got to be involved in it - and I think he will be.
“I could 100 per cent see him being a captain going forward.”
Anderton’s comments came after he was asked about Cristian Romero’s trip to Argentina at the back-end of the season as Spurs stared down the barrel of relegation.
Romero, 28, was appointed captain by Thomas Frank last year after Son Heung-Min’s departure, and rewared with a new contract and pay rise at the time.
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However, as Spurs faced a catastrophic relegation, Romero was plastered across former club Belgrano’s training ground just days before Spurs played Everton in a final-day decider an. The Argentine club’s president confirmed that Romero would be staying in his homeland over returning to Spurs.
Unreliable: Cristian Romero
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Romero was pictured at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the day, but Anderton believes the saga did not reflect well on the Argentine:
“I don't even know why that ever came out. A) he should never have asked and B) if he did, the manager should have just said, ‘No, f*** off out of my office’.”
He added: “It's pure madness. I don't like it. It's interesting that Tottenham isn't actually his priority and that's what shines through. You can't be a captain.”
The 30-cap England international also disparaged Romero’s discipline: he has picked up six red cards since his arrival five years ago, including against Manchester United in February, with the score 0-0 at the time. Spurs went on to lose 2-0.
On the incident, Anderton said: “We're playing well for 20-25 minutes and then he does something ridiculous again. Stupid tackle and from that point, we're always going to get beat.
“So you can't have that from your captain… you look up to your captain to lead by example and he doesn't do that.”
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Roberto De Zerbi has praised Martin Dubravka’s experience and leadership after Tottenham confirmed they will sign the veteran goalkeeper upon the expiry of his contract at Burnley.
The Slovak international will join Spurs on July 1 and is expected to provide backup for Antonin Kinsky.
With first-choice keeper Guglielmo Vicario edging towards leaving the club, Spurs have been looking to bolster their options between the sticks.
Kinsky enjoyed an impressive end to the campaign as Spurs stayed up on the final day of the Premier League season and could yet make the No1 spot his own.
Dubravka’s arrival is not expected to be their last foray into the market for a keeper, though, with Spurs also holding a longstanding interest in Manchester City shot-stopper James Trafford.
De Zerbi has been keen to add experience to his squad after narrowly avoiding relegation last season and admits Dubravka is the right character to raise standards in the dressing room.
"I am very happy because Martin is a goalkeeper with big experience and a strong mentality,” De Zerbi said.
"He has very important qualities for me and will bring balance, leadership and competitiveness to our dressing room."
Dubravka, who featured in 35 of Burnley’s 38 league games last season, acknowledged that while the deal to bring him to Spurs moved quickly, he had always been impressed by De Zerbi’s intense style of play.
"It's an exciting time for me, a new journey and new experience for me and my family. I'm looking forward to it,” he said.
"Everything moved pretty quickly and I'm really happy to be here. I've loved watching Roberto's teams over the years and know all about his style, vision and the fantastic fans here.
Spurs have been on the hunt for a replacement for former co-sporting director Fabio Paratici, who departed the club in February in order to return to Italy with Fiorentina due to family reasons.
Rumours had circulated about who would come in to assist under-fire remaining sporting director Johan Lange with Tottenham’s recruitment, with the likes of former Borussia Dortmund director Sebastian Kehl heavily linked with the role.
But the search has now been put on hold, according to minutes from a recent Fan Advisory Board (FAB) meeting.
Addressing a number of supporter concerns, chief executive Vinai Venkatesham confirmed that hiring a new sporting director was no longer a key priority and said responsibility for this summer’s transfer window would be shared by Lange, head coach Roberto De Zerbi and director of football operations Rafi Moersen.
“The club has confidence in our people, but if we find someone who can complement our existing team and make it better, we will do that at the right time (and in a summer window is not that time),” Venkatesham said.
“No one has been in a process and turned us down. Many names in the media linked with us, we have never even spoken to.”
After narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of the last Premier League season, this summer has been earmarked as a critical period for Tottenham as they look to rebuild following successive 17th-place finishes.
There is particular pressure on Lange, whose recruitment strategy since joining Spurs in 2023 has been heavily criticised, but Venkatesham offered a stern defence of the Dane.
“Players are not bought or sold because ‘the club’ wants to or ‘Roberto’ wants to,” Venkatesham continued. “Johan and his team work hand in glove with Roberto to develop and deliver a joint plan.
“Roberto joined because he believes in what we can do together as a team. He had no retention bonus, he has never asked for control over any decision-making, and he was completely committed to the club if we were relegated.
“Johan played a critical role in his appointment. Roberto was always the number one choice, and we are delighted with the impact he has made so far.”
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has moved to allay any injury fears after he was forced off during Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria.
Romero injured his right knee 57 minutes into Argentina’s second group game, which secured his nation’s passage through to the knockout stages, and was replaced by veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi.
The Spurs centre-back missed the last six Premier League games of the season after injuring his right knee during a collision with his own goalkeeper, Antonin Kinsky, but had battled back to fitness in time for the World Cup.
Romero, whose Spurs future remains in doubt, started and played 80 minutes as defending champions Argentina begun their World Cup campaign with a 3-0 win over Algeria last week.
However, his withdrawal just 12 minutes into the second half against Austria raised concerns over his fitness and he will undergo tests to discover the severity of the issue.
Romero has said he is optimistic he will be fit in time for Argentina’s final group game against Jordan, though Lionel Scaloni is expected to rotate his side with one eye on the knockouts.
“I knew this could happen to me. I had a little issue there, I felt it again, but in 3 or 4 days I’ll be fine again, so that’s that,” Romero said.
“It’s nothing serious. Keep the head up and I'll come back stronger than before”.
A crucial part of the Argentina side that lifted their first World Cup since 1986 four years ago, Romero’s influence has not waned despite Spurs’ struggles last season.
Scaloni is counting on Romero, and said he hoped the 28-year-old’s injury was not serious.
“We don’t know the extent of Cuti Romero’s issue; it’s something he’s been dealing with for a while now,” Scaloni added
“We hope it’s nothing serious. Not only because he’s important, even though he can be replaced, but it’s always important to have everyone available. He’ll undergo tests tomorrow or the day after.”