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Tottenham Hotspur have shifted their sights to an 18-year-old attacking midfielder, but they could face a lot of competition from their Premier League rivals for the starlet.

The lack of creativity in the middle of the park has plagued Tottenham right since the start of the season.

While the returns of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski would solve some of the team’s issues, one would not be surprised if the Lilywhites also added another creative midfielder to their squad in the summer.

According to a new report, Spurs’ attention has been captured by a young German starlet, who is thriving in the second tier of German football this term.

Tottenham want Francis Onyeka but deal is dependent on crucial factor

Bayer Leverkusen’s Francis Onyeka has developed a big reputation with his performances on loan at Bundesliga 2 side Bochum, and that has not gone unnoticed in England.

According to Sports Boom, experts see Onyeka as a perfect fit for the Premier League’s physical intensity, with several clubs monitoring him and gathering data about the youngster over recent months.

One of those clubs is Tottenham, who have added the attacking midfielder to its transfer shortlist of ‘high-potential playmakers’.

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It is revealed that Spurs are currently planning for two different scenarios this summer: one if they stay in the Premier League and another if they go down to the Championship.

The report reveals that the Leverkusen academy graduate is unlikely to greenlight a move to North London if they were to get relegated.

Three Premier League clubs could challenge Spurs for Onyeka

SportsBoom say that Onyeka’s elite metrics in running distance, key pass accuracy and ball recoveries have been flagged by Brighton, whose scouts have been closely tracking the youngster.

Additionally, the attacking midfielder is also on the wishlist of Aston Villa and Leeds United ahead of the summer window.

While RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund also hold an interest in Onyeka, it is revealed that the Leverkusen board may prefer selling the player to a Premier League club rather than a domestic rival.

Tottenham Hotspur have received a massive blow in their pursuit of a Serie A winger as Arsenal’s transfer intentions have now come to light.

Tottenham were pipped to the signing of Eberechi Eze by their North London rivals last summer, with the transfer saga leaving the Lilywhites with egg on their faces.

It now appears that Spurs could be beaten by the Gunners to their top target for a second summer running.

It was reported last month that Tottenham were leading the race to sign an AC Milan star, who has scored 10 goals across all competitions this season, but a deal may no longer be straightforward.

Arsenal ready to meet the asking price of Tottenham target Christian Pulisic

The player of interest is Christian Pulisic, who Arsenal are ready to challenge Spurs for, as per a recent update by Football Insider.

Italian journalist Marco Varini has now revealed that the Gunners have stepped up their pursuit of the former Chelsea man.

Varini claims that Milan wants €75 million (£65m) for Pulisic, which Mikel Arteta’s men have now expressed a willingness to pay.

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In light of Arsenal’s willingness to meet the asking price, the Rossoneri have put talks over a new contract with the winger to the back burner, with the player no longer considered ‘untouchable’.

What is Pulisic’s transfer stance?

Varini adds that Milan are currently ‘making the evaluations’ on whether to keep the 27-year-old or sell him, with an official offer from Arsenal now ‘awaited’.

The journalist claims that Pulisic is keen to return to the Premier League this summer, three years on from swapping Stamford Bridge for the San Siro.

It thus appears that Tottenham may have to move fast if they are to have any chance of securing the USA international’s services.

Journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed the big news that his sources are telling him about Cristian Romero’s future at Tottenham Hotspur.

Many of Spurs’ stars may be poached by bigger clubs if they go down to the Championship this summer, as they hover just a point above the relegation zone with eight league games left.

There is a lot of interest in Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, with Tottenham reportedly in a state of panic about losing both their first-choice centre-backs.

Romero, in particular, is attracting plenty of interest from the biggest clubs in Europe, and one journalist has now made a big claim about the Spurs captain’s future.

Christian Romero is expected to leave Tottenham even if they stay up

Journalist Ben Jacobs has now revealed that the Argentina international could depart the North London club even if they stay in the Premier League.

He stated that Atletico Madrid, who were the front-runners to land the centre-back last summer, remain interested in the Tottenham man.

Jacobs told GiveMeSport: “Cristian Romero and Micky van der Ven are two players that are likely to leave Tottenham if they go down to the Championship, and in the case of Romero, there is a strong possibility, I’m told, that he and the club will look for a move away, even if Tottenham stay in the Premier League.

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“Over the summer, Romero did a public interview in which he said that he’d like to move to La Liga one day. At that point, Atletico Madrid were viewed as the frontrunners, and they still hold an appreciation for Romero, so we’ll wait and see how that develops.

“Romero has some interest from Turkey and Saudi Arabia, but is not particularly keen on either of those options. And I’m also told that Roma made an inquiry as well. So Tottenham and Romero could part ways, and that may happen even if they stay in the Premier League.”

There is a growing belief at Spurs regarding Romero’s future

This update comes just over a week after The Telegraph reported that Tottenham are now increasingly open to cashing in on the World Cup winner.

The outlet claimed that there is a growing belief at the club that it may be best for both Romero and Spurs to go their separate ways at the end of this campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on a striker who has scored 17 times this season, but they face one complication in getting a deal over the line.

It has been widely reported that this season is expected to be Richarlison’s last at Tottenham, even though he is on course to end it as the club’s top scorer.

It has also been alleged that Spurs are not planning to pursue a permanent deal for Randal Kolo Muani at the end of his loan spell this summer, which means that the Lilywhites are likely to be in the market for a new number nine.

One experienced Bundesliga centre-forward is now in the North London club’s sights, and they may be involved in a bidding war for the player.

Serhou Guirassy’s release clause is not valid for Tottenham

Bild have now revealed that Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on Borussia Dortmund star Serhou Guirassy as they look to rebuild their squad this summer.

The striker has scored 17 times and provided six assists for the German side this season, and Spurs allegedly see him as a key part of their restucturing after a poor campaign.

It is revealed that Tottenham officials made several trips to Germany to watch Guirassy in action this season and have already contacted the striker’s representatives regarding a transfer.

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However, the outlet explains that the former Stuttgart man’s €50m (£43.2m) release clause is only applicable to select top clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and not for the Lilywhites, who have to negotiate a deal with Dortmund.

Guirassy may not be able to make his preferred move this summer

Bild reveals that Dortmund are facing significant economic losses this season and may fill that financial hole by cashing in on the Guinea international this summer.

It is revealed that Guirassy would like to land a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia and has been exploring opportunities, but that now seems ‘increasingly unlikely’ due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.

Tottenham academy starlet Alfie Devine continues his rich vein of form in the EFL, netting a brace to help Preston North End emerge 3-1 winners in a crucial Championship clash on Friday.

Several of Tottenham’s youngsters are impressing out on loan this term, with many of them getting their first taste of senior football away from N17.

However, it is a 21-year-old, who is now in his fourth different loan spell, who has been turning heads with his performances over recent months.

Alfie Devine has showcased his quality in the final third regularly at Preston North End this term, and the attacking midfielder once again made the difference for his side on Friday.

Tottenham youngster Alfie Devine nets a brilliant brace for Preston

Stoke City travelled to Deepade on Sunday, and it was the away side that took the lead in just the fourth minute of the game.

The Tottenham Hotspur youngster levelled the scores just nine minutes later, running the length of the pitch after being played through before slotting it into the back of the net.

Watch Devine’s equaliser below:

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Milutin Osmajic then put Preston in front with a header on 57 minutes before Devine added a third for the home side three minutes later, with the youngster producing a composed chipped finish after being one-on-one with the Stoke goalkeeper.

Watch the attacking midfielder’s second goal below:

Has Devine come of age this season?

Devine became Tottenham’s youngest debutant and goalscorer at the start of 2021, and there were big things expected of him at Hotspur Way.

The youngster’s development has stalled a bit over the last couple of years, but he is now showing signs of fulfilling the potential he has always had.

Tottenham Hotspur have made a friendly gesture to Nottingham Forest’s Evangelos Marinakis ahead of the big showdown between the two clubs on Sunday.

Nottingham Forest prevented Tottenham from landing Morgan Gibbs-White last summer, despite the Lilywhites activating his confidential release clause.

The man at the centre of the storm was Evangelos Marinakis, who threatened legal action against Spurs, alleging that the confidentiality of the clause had been breached.

In the end, it was the Forest owner who had the last laugh, with Gibbs-White signing a new contract at the City Ground last summer and staying put.

Evangelos Marinakis will be welcomed into Tottenham’s directors’ are

The Telegraph have revealed that even though Forest sent a threat of legal action to Spurs and complained to the Premier League, their owner will be welcomed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

The Spurs hierarchy insists that they have ‘no issues’ with Marinakis despite the fallout over the Gibbs-White saga in the summer.

A source close to the Tottenhma board told the outlet that the Forest owner “would be very welcome” in the director’s area during the game and that there are “no issues whatsoever”.

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The report points out that Daniel Levy was the one calling the shots at Spurs when the transfer standoff occurred last summer, with the Lewis family since taking control of the North London club.

Spurs could have the last laugh against Marinakis

Marinakis threw shade at Tottenham last summer after stopping the Gibbs-White transfer, and Spurs have the opportunity to get revenge by offering a huge blow to Forest’s quest to stay in the Premier League on Sunday.

Additionally, reports indicate that Spurs may go back in for Morgan Gibbs-White this summer after their failed efforts to land him before this season.

One would think that the England international would want out of the City Ground if Forest fail to preserve their Premier League status, and in that case, Tottenham could even potentially eye a discounted deal for the midfielder.

Alasdair Gold has provided an update on Dejan Kulusevski’s rehabilitation and when Rodrigo Bentancur is expected to return for Tottenham.

Tottenham’s injury crisis has eased off a bit as they embark on the final stretch of the season.

However, Spurs have learned that they will be without Guglielmo Vicario for a month, with the Italian goalkeeper set to have a minor surgery on his hernia next week following Sunday’s clash against Nottingham Forest.

Things are also not looking rosy for a midfielder, who has been sidelined with an injury since May of last year.

Kulusevski has not kicked a ball yet this season, and it appears that the 25-year-old may not be as close to returning as it may have appeared.

A couple of days ago, Sweden boss Graham Potter revealed that the Tottenham man is not progressing as quickly as they had hoped.

Gold has now explained that it is a case of waiting until Kulusevski does not feel any pain in his knees, which makes it hard to put a timeline on the former Juventus star’s return.

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The journalist on his YouTube channel: “The moment Kulusevski doesn’t feel pain in his knee is the moment that everything can start moving forward. And I’m guessing they will be so reluctant to push him to cause any further issues in what was such a complicated injury.

“It’s not like any of the other injuries that you can kind of easily put a prognosis on a return date and everything that we normally see in football. It is so different, and yeah, unfortunately, it’s just one of those where we’ll see when he comes back, and there’s no kind of way we can really estimate it. It’s just going to be a sudden thing.”

Gold reveals when Rodrigo Bentancur will return for Spurs

Speaking on Friday, Igor Tudor revealed that Rodrigo Bentancur is one of several Spurs players who are edging close to a return.

Gold has now revealed that Uruguayan has begun working on football-specific moments and predicted that we will see him lining up for Spurs towards the end of April.

He said about the 28-year-old: “He’s already returned to field-based work and they’re reintroducing football-specific movements. under the current timeline he should technically be ready by the end of March, but not returning to competitive matches. That’s more realistically towards the end of April. I think we were always told April, so that kind of makes sense.”

Paul Merson has revealed whether or not he expects Tottenham Hotspur to build on their improved form with a victory over Nottingham Forest this weekend.

The atmosphere around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was as toxic as it could possibly be a couple of weeks ago, as Spurs slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Crystal Palace.

However, things have changed very quickly, beginning when Igor Tudor’s team kept fighting to the very end at Anfield, which resulted in the collection of a much needed point.

This was followed by an even more impressive performance, as Tottenham defeated Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Still, Nottingham Forest have looked stronger recently as well, meaning Sunday’s clash should be a fascinating contest.

Paul Merson predicts a Tottenham victory vs Nottingham Forest

Arsenal legend Paul Merson never misses an opportunity to aim a dig at Spurs, but it seems he has been impressed by their past couple of displays.

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Merson has been particularly impressed by Xavi Simons and Archie Gray, who were the two standout players during Tottenham’s midweek triumph.

He told Sportskeeda: “Tottenham were decent against Liverpool and played well in the second leg at home to Atletico. Spurs controlled that game well and were not cut open at the back like in the past.

“Xavi Simons worked hard and did well in the last game. Archie Gray was excellent too. Tottenham need these players to carry that form into this weekend because this is such a huge game coming up.”

Turning his attention to Tottenham’s next opponent, Merson continued: “Nottingham Forest are playing in the Europa League tonight. That tie against Midtjylland is at 0-0. I expect Forest to play their best team in that game and it’s also away from home.

“Tottenham fans will want to see fight from their team in this game. The fans will stick with the team, if they can give 100 per cent on the pitch. I remember it happened with Everton last season. The fans supported them and helped massively in the relegation battle.

“If this game was two or three games ago, I would have fancied Forest to win,” he added, “but having witnessed Spurs turn it around in the last couple of games, I have to back them. If Forest score first, it’s a different game. But I don’t think that will happen.”

Merson’s prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Nottingham Forest

Spurs rarely keep clean sheets

It is interesting that Merson thinks Tottenham will not concede at the weekend, because even against Liverpool and Atleti there have been some defensive issues.

Spurs have gone nine consecutive matches without keeping a clean sheet and their most recent one in the Premier League happened on the first day of the year.

Perhaps Merson’s prediction will come and Tottenham will remain strong at the back all game. However, history suggests Forest are likely to land on the scoresheet.

Despite this, the North London club are looking increasingly better in attack and a clean sheet might not be required to wrap up three points anyway.

Tottenham Hotspur host Nottingham Forest in a huge relegation six-pointer, with both sides desperate for breathing space.

Tottenham head into this one with a bit more belief than they had a couple of weeks ago. A hard-fought 1-1 draw at Anfield, where they were arguably the better side for large spells, gave Igor Tudor’s men something to build on heading into a crucial run of fixtures.

That result was followed by a 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie. It was Tudor’s first win in charge, but the damage had already been done in the first leg, where Spurs were beaten 5-2. Despite the elimination, the performance itself offered real positives and should give the squad confidence going into this game.

Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, come into this off the back of a morale-boosting European result of their own. They overturned a first-leg deficit against FC Midtjylland before holding their nerve to win on penalties in Denmark.

League form remains a concern, with no wins since January, but recent performances suggest they are still very much in the fight. They come into this fixture on the back of draws against Manchester City and Fulham.

What time does Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest kick off?

Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest: Head-to-head record

The last time these two sides met was in December, and it was Nottingham Forest who came out on top. Under Sean Dyche, they secured a comfortable 3-0 win against a Tottenham side then managed by Thomas Frank.

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That result made it three consecutive victories for Forest in this fixture, despite Spurs having won the previous six meetings before that run.

Tottenham team news

Igor Tudor confirmed that Dominic Solanke is fit again after missing the Champions League second leg due to a hip problem.

Joao Palhinha has returned to training following concussion protocols, although his involvement here remains uncertain. Mohammed Kudus is expected to return after the international break.

Tudor also stated that he is confident James Maddison will feature again before the end of the season, while Rodrigo Bentancur is edging closer to a comeback.

There is, however, an impending absence, with Guglielmo Vicario set to undergo hernia surgery after this match, which will keep him out for at least a month.

Yves Bissouma, Ben Davies, Dejan Kulusevski and Wilson Odobert remain unavailable.

Nottingham Forest team news

Nottingham Forest will be without John Victor, Jair Cunha, Willy Boly, Nicola Savona and Chris Wood for this trip to North London.

Predicted lineups

TOTTENHAM: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Tel, Gray, Sarr, Simons; Kolo Muani, Richarlison

NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Ortega; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Gibbs-White, Anderson; Hudson-Odoi, Jesus, Hutchinson

Our prediction

This is as important as it gets for both sides at this stage of the season. With very little separating them from the relegation zone, even a single result here could shift momentum significantly.

For Tottenham, Archie Gray continues to stand out. The 20-year-old has been excellent in recent weeks, and his all-round display against Atletico Madrid highlighted just how complete his game already is. In Tudor’s 4-4-2 system, his ability to progress the ball and win duels will be key.

For Forest, Morgan Gibbs-White remains their main threat. He has been central to everything they do going forward, and Tottenham will need to be disciplined defensively to stop him finding space between the lines.

With confidence slowly building and more players returning, this looks like a good opportunity for Spurs to take control of a game they simply cannot afford to lose.

Chris Sutton has named the thing Tottenham Hotspur must avoid above all else, as he predicts the Nottingham Forest score.

Tottenham Hotspur will resume their Premier League campaign on Sunday, after what has been an encouraging week.

Spurs kicked it off by sealing a late draw against Liverpool and on Wednesday they defeated Atletico Madrid 3-2, once again scoring near the end of the game.

However, Igor Tudor’s team are by no means safe from relegation and another hardworking display is needed to steer clear of the drop zone.

Chris Sutton expects Tottenham to narrowly beat Nottingham Forest

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has made his weekly predictions and he has stated the importance of Spurs building on their current momentum.

The pundit is expecting Tottenham to scrape another win, but he has warned them not to make any silly mistakes, such as Micky van de Ven’s red card against Crystal Palace.

Sutton told BBC Sport: “People have been panning Tottenham boss Igor Tudor but they will look upon him in a different light if his side win this game.

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“Maybe he just needs to identify the opposition’s threat a little bit better than he does opposing managers – that clip of him mistaking someone else for Arne Slot at Anfield last week did make me chuckle.

“Nottingham Forest’s issue is that they don’t score enough goals, and that lack of attacking threat might just cost them here,” he continued.

“I know I keep mentioning it, but Forest manager Vitor Pereira has still not won a Premier League game all season, after 12 attempts with Wolves and Forest.

“I don’t think he will win this week, either, although this is going to be an extremely tight game.

“Spurs’ first aim will be to avoid any calamities like their red card against Crystal Palace in their previous home league game.

“They have a few injuries, but they still have a fair bit of quality in their team.”

Sutton added: “Tottenham also have a bit of positivity and momentum after Wednesday’s home win over Atletico Madrid, even though it wasn’t enough to turn around their Champions League tie. Now they need to build on that.”

Sutton’s prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Igor Tudor has not won a Premier League match either

Tudor may have managed fewer games than the winless Pereira, but he too is yet to talk away from a Premier League fixture with three points.

This adds another layer to the tie, as both managers may be feeling like this is their time to break the pattern.

For Tudor, there will arguably be more belief because of Tottenham’s past two games against a strong opposition.

Although on the other hand, Nottingham Forest just knocked out the third best-performing team in the Europa League opening phase and they recently drew with Man City and Fulham.

Whichever way this one goes, it should be some match, but hopefully Sutton ends up being correct in his predictions.