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Tottenham Hotspur continue to eye a move for Leon Goretzka, but they are not the only ones pushing for the Bayern Munich star.

There is a lot for Spurs to sort out over the coming weeks before they can start planning for the summer transfer window.

The Lilywhites first need to secure their place in the Premier League and finalise a permanent managerial appointment before they can finalise their top summer targets.

However, that has not stopped them from exploring a move for Leon Goretzka, who was a target for Spurs during the winter transfer window.

Arsenal leading Tottenham in race for Leon Goretzka

It emerged a couple of days ago that Arsenal have joined Spurs in the race for the Bayern star, and it appears that Tottenham’s North London rivals have the upper hand.

This is according to a new report in Football Insider, who reveal that there is expected to be a host of interest from the Premier League in the 31-year-old, who will leave the Allianz Arena as a free agent in the summer.

The report backs up the interest of both Spurs and the Gunners in Goretzka, and sources indicated that Mikel Arteta’s men ‘hold the edge’ over the Lilywhites in the transfer race.

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Arsenal ‘hold all the cards’ as they would likely be able to offer the experienced midfielder Champions League football, while Tottenham are unlikely to be in a position to do so.

La Liga giants want Goretzka but he has a clear preference

Football Insider reveal that Atletico Madrid are also keen to launch a move for the Bayern star in the summer as they look to shore up their midfield.

However, a move to the Premier League is thought to appeal to Goretzka, who is specifically keen on the idea of moving to London.

While that may give the two North London clubs the upper hand over the La Liga side in the race for the former Schalke man, it appears that the Premier League leaders are currently in the driving seat.

Tottenham and Arsenal are set to go head-to-head in the North London Derby this weekend as we take a look at the latest combined XI.

Tottenham Hotspur are back in action this weekend after 12 days of rest and are set to take on north London rivals Arsenal.

The Gunners are pushing for the title, and Tottenham will be hoping to dent their aspirations by taking points off them.

This also marks Igor Tudor’s first game in charge, and he will aim to get off to a strong start against Spurs’ bitter rivals.

We have now put together our combined XI for both sides ahead of the derby game on Sunday. Of course, this XI does not take into account the injured players from both teams.

Tottenham and Arsenal combined XI selection calls

David Raya – In goal, Raya obviously edges this one as he is the more consistent of the two; Guglielmo Vicario has the odd error here and there, struggles with crosses and is not as strong with his feet – areas Raya excels in.

Jurrien Timber – When it comes to full-backs, both sides deploy different setups. Timber has the licence to push up and invert into central areas, while Pedro Porro under Thomas Frank was often deployed as a traditional right-back who had to pick his moments to get forward. Going forward, both players are equal, but it is defensively where Porro falls short, as he often tends to switch off at the back post when dealing with crosses.

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Gabriel – Gabriel takes this spot, and there is even an argument to be made that he might be the best centre-back in the league, given how dominant he is in both boxes. He does, however, make the odd mistake, as we have seen at times this season with his passing. Cristian Romero, unfortunately, has been too wayward for Tottenham this season.

Micky van de Ven – Having two goal-scoring centre-backs is no doubt the dream pairing for two sides that are strong from set pieces. Van de Ven just brings some variety, given his pace and ball-carrying ability. He gets in ahead of William Saliba.

Riccardo Calafiori – Again, an Arsenal player makes the cut, and it is no surprise given how strong the Gunners are defensively. Calafiori is a good mix of a proper defender and a strong attacking outlet. It is definitely a close one, as Tottenham’s Djed Spence is equally strong in both facets and can even play in both full-back positions.

Declan Rice – In midfield, Rice has been one of the most consistent players in the Premier League, offering a solid defensive base while also being capable of filling in as a box-to-box midfielder. He also carries a set-piece threat with his deliveries.

Martin Zubimendi – Yet another Arsenal player makes the cut in midfield, and that just shows how poor Spurs have been in the middle of the park. Zubimendi gets in as he brings composure to the centre with his passing.

Xavi Simons – In the number ten role is the in-form Simons, who is finally finding some rhythm in the Premier League. The Dutchman gets in ahead of Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze, who have been subpar for most of the season.

Noni Madueke – Out wide, we ironically have a former Spurs academy man, Noni Madueke. His numbers have not been the most impressive, with Madueke managing just two league goals thus far, but some of his performances have been electric. So much so that he keeps Bukayo Saka out of our XI.

Dominic Solanke – When it comes to the overall centre-forward package, Solanke beats both Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres. Since the Englishman returned from injury, he has bagged four goals and is currently level on goals with Jesus, despite the latter having missed half of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League journey is set to resume soon, and their long-awaited Round of 16 opponent is now coming into focus following the latest results elsewhere in the competition.

While Tottenham Hotspur’s form in the Premier League has been subpar, they have been one of the better sides in the Champions League this season.

Former Spurs head coach Thomas Frank helped his side to a top-four finish in the league phase, avoiding any play-off games.

The Lilywhites are now eagerly awaiting who they will face when their Champions League campaign resumes once more. Spurs already know their R16 opponents will be one of four teams – Juventus, Galatasaray, Club Brugge or Atletico Madrid.

Tottenham will keep a keen eye on Galatasaray vs Juventus

Galatasaray and Juventus have now played the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie, with the encounter taking place at Galatasaray’s home, RAMS Park.

The Turkish outfit came out on top in this first meeting, beating the Old Lady 5-2 and leaving Juventus with a huge mountain to climb.

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Davinson Sanchez was on the scoresheet, alongside Sacha Boey, Gabriel Sara and Noa Lang, who grabbed two goals.

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Juventus ended the game with ten men and are set to be without Juan Cabal for the return leg in Turin.

Davinson Sanchez reunion on the cards for Spurs

A potential reunion with Davinson Sanchez is now looking increasingly likely if Galatasaray can finish the job in Italy next week.

The Turkish outfit simply need to avoid losing the game by a three-goal margin if they are to guarantee their spot in the Champions League Round of 16 without Juventus forcing extra-time.

Tottenham will play either the winner of Gala vs Juve or the winner of Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16 – Liverpool will play the other.

The draw for the round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals will take place on Friday, 27 February. The R16 ties will then be played on March 10-11 and 17-18.

Should Galatasaray make it through and get drawn against Spurs, the first leg of their encounter would take place at RAMS Stadium, before Spurs welcomed them to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the second leg.

Of course, there is still a lot of play-off football to be played until we discover the final pairings.

An Inter Milan legend has urged the Nerazzurri to bring a Tottenham Hotspur star through the door in the summer.

Despite plenty of speculation regarding potential exits in January, Brennan Johnson was the only first-team player who left Hotspur Way mid-season.

However, there could be a lot more exits at the end of the season, with reports indicating that Spurs are eyeing an ambitious squad rebuild in the summer.

One senior Tottenham star continues to be heavily linked with a move to the Serie A, and one club legend wants to see the transfer happen.

Walter Zenga wants Inter Milan to sign Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham

It has been widely reported that Guglielmo Vicario is on Inter Milan’s radar as the club plans for life after the ageing Yann Sommer.

Walter Zenga, who was one of Inter’s greatest goalkeepers and appeared 328 times between the sticks for the Nerazzurri, believes that his former club should go after the Tottenham man.

When asked who should take over the gloves from Sommer, Zenga, who now manages Serie C side Siracusa, told Gazzetta dello Sport (as relayed by talkSPORT): “With an Italian goalkeeper: Vicario and Marco Carnesecchi in the front row, then Elia Caprile.”

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Inter may face competition from rivals for Vicario

Over the last few days, reports from Italy have claimed that Juventus have joined Inter in the race for the Spurs number one.

According to some sources, Juve and Inter would have to pay over €30m (£26m) to sign Vicario from Tottenham in the summer.

Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on an exciting young La Liga attacker, who came close to joining Barcelona last summer.

At the start of the January window, it was reported that Tottenham were keen on signing a winger, but the Lilywhites failed to strengthen their attack during the window.

One would expect the club to prioritise signing a wide player in the summer, with sources indicating Spurs are eyeing an ambitious squad rebuild at the end of this season.

It was reported in January that Tottenham were eyeing an audacious move for one of La Liga’s best wingers, and the Lilywhites have now been named as one of the clubs keenest on the player ahead of the summer.

Tottenham eyeing move for Nico Williams

El Nacional have claimed that Nico Williams could end up leaving Athletic Club Bilbao at the end of this season after coming close to joining Barca last summer.

The report says that the Spain international had reached a verbal agreement to move to Camp Nou last year before changing his mind at the last moment, and he already regrets turning down the move.

He is expected to leave his boyhood club this summer as the Sam Mames hierarchy cannot afford his wages if they fail to qualify for Europe.

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Williams is protected by a €95m (£83m) release clause, but it is asserted that Athletic Club could be willing to accept a lower fee.

The outlet states that the pacy winger could be bound for England and that Tottenham Hotspur ‘would be delighted’ to seize on the opportunity to land the player.

Spurs face competition from Liverpool for Williams

El Nacional say that Spurs are expected to face competition from Liverpool, who have identified Williams as a potential successor to Mohammed Salah.

The Reds are expected to have a high transfer budget for the summer and can afford a deal for the Athletic Club star.

The publication adds that the 23-year-old has not made a final decision on his future and could use the World Cup as a platform to showcase his quality and attract more suitors.

Tottenham Hotspur have been told what they have to do to land Morgan Gibbs-White this summer after failing with an offer for him last year.

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

The City Ground hierarchy eventually got their way, with the midfielder remaining and signing a new contract, with Spurs securing Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig instead.

In fact, it was reported that the Forest midfielder personally apologised to Thomas Frank after the move fell through last summer.

Man City ready to battle Tottenham for Morgan Gibbs-White

A couple of days ago, it emerged that Aston Villa were ready to challenge the Lilywhites for the England international in the summer, with the Villans eyeing Gibbs-White as a potential replacement for Morgan Rogers.

Now, journalist Pete O’Rourke has revealed that Man City could also make a move for the former Middlesbrough man, having admired him for a long time.

When asked about the future of 26-year-old, he told Football Insider: “Yeah, it’s gonna be an interesting one with regards to Morgan Gibbs-White’s long-term future.

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“There’s always going to be interest in a player like Gibbs-White. Although Forrest won’t want to lose him, I’m sure they’ll probably will be expecting interest in him.m There’s obviously talk that Tottenham could rekindle their interest, Manchester City have been long-term admirers of the player as well.”

How much would Spurs have to pay for Gibbs-White?

Spurs were willing to pay £60m for Gibbs-White last summer, but the midfielder is expected to cost more this summer on the back of his new contract.

O’Rourke suggested that Forest would let the England man go for around £60m-£70m irrespective of whether they get relegated or stay up.

The journalist added: “I think Morgan Gibbs-White is going to have no shortage of interest if he wants to leave Nottingham Forest as well, but it’ll take a big money deal to get him out.

“Whether or not Forest are relegated, you’re probably looking around the £60-70m mark for any club interested in Gibbs-White, and there will be a number of Premier League clubs who will be interested in the former Wolves man.”

A Tottenham Hotspur man has been impressing on loan since his move in January after a disappointing first half of the season.

Manor Solomon was recalled from Villarreal and joined Fiorentina on loan last month after struggling for game time at the La Liga club in the first half of the season.

Fiorentina have a £8.7m option to buy Solomon permanently in the summer, and the Israeli winger has certainly made an impact since his switch to Florence.

The 26-year-old has played eight times in the Serie A and has already found the back of the net twice for the Italian club.

Tottenham winger Manor Solomon described as the best Serie A signing of January

A report in Corriere dello Sport (as relayed by Sport Witness) has now praised the impact that the Tottenham Hotspur man has made in Italy since his switch.

It is revealed that Albert Gudmundsson’s injury has forced manager Paolo Vanoli to start Solomon regularly, and the winger has certainly responded.

The outlet describes him as the ‘most successful winter signing’ across the Serie A on the back of his immediate impact.

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The report praises Solomon’s versatility, revealing that he has impressed both on the left and the right at the Artemio Franchi Stadium.

Fiorentina could seek a discount from Spurs for Solomon

Despite heaping praise on the former Fulham man’s impact going forward, it is suggested that his defensive contribution, or the lack thereof, is a weakness.

That is cited as a reason why Fiorentina could demand a discount from Tottenham on the £8.7m purchase option.

Former Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici is now the head of football at Fiorentina, and the Serie A club may be hoping that the Italian’s connections with the North London club aid them in their summer negotiations.

Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Yan Diomande appears to be getting more complicated with each passing week.

The RB Leipzig man is increasingly viewed as one of the best young wingers in European football and his performances in the AFCON have solidified that status.

Tottenham are one of several clubs across Europe that are eyeing a summer move for Diomande, whose stock continues to rise with each game he plays.

Last week, Fabrizio Romano declared that ‘Spurs will be there’ in the thick of the race for the 19-year-old, but he has now provided some bad news for the Lilywhites.

Bayern Munich are keen on beating Tottenham to Yan Diomande

Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that Bayern Munich are ready to battle several top Premier League clubs for Diomande. Spurs are not mentioned directly, but Romano has talked about Tottenham’s interest in Diomande in the past.

He adds that Vincent Kompany is a big fan of the pacy winger, with Leipzig yet to decide on their asking price for the youngster.

Romano wrote on X: “FC Bayern and Premier League top clubs will be in a battle to sign Yan Diomandé in the summer. RB Leipzig yet to decide on final price tag but Bayern are keen, Vincent Kompany also appreciates Diomande. Premier League clubs also very keen.”

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Spurs will have to battle two other clubs for Diomande

This update comes just a couple of weeks after Fichajes claimed that Barcelona are also eyeing a summer move for Diomande.

However, that update suggested that while the Catalan club are laying the groundwork for the deal, it is Liverpool who are favourites to win the race.

Jan Vertonghen has revealed what he and his Tottenham teammates were thinking even before they went onto the pitch when they were firing on all cylinders under Mauricio Pochettino.

The Spurs side Vertonghen was part of is still held with a lot of affection by the Tottenham fans, not only because of how good it was and the style of football they played, but also because of the spirit they showed on the pitch.

Many may assume that the best run that side had was their run to the Champions League run in 2019 or the year they were beaten to the title by Leicester City.

However, those are not the campaigns that Vertonghen has picked out as his most memorable at Tottenham.

Jan Vertonghen admits Tottenham felt unbeatable during the 2016-17 season

The Lilywhites’ highest league finish came in the 2016-17 season, when they finished second and secured 86 points.

They were beaten to the title by Antonio Conte’s Chelsea in the end, but the North Londoners went unbeaten at White Hart Lane in what was their final year in that historic stadium, winning 17 and drawing two of their league games at home that term.

When asked if he remembers a particular period when that Spurs side was at its best, Vertonghen told the club’s official website: “I do. It was not the year when we went to the Champions League final. That was 2019. I would say it was around 2016/17, and when we just went on the pitch, it was not the question of if we were going to win the game, but just how much.

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“We really felt unbeatable. It took us a couple of games to get that same feeling at Wembley. At the end, we went there and created that same feeling. It was not our own stadium, but we made it our own. We had a season where we went unbeaten at home. It was the best team, the best spirit and the best physical team I’ve ever played in.”

Vertonghen says Spurs were confident but not arrogant at their best

The former Tottenham Hotspur centre-back also takes pride in the fact that the Spurs side under Pochettino was respected and liked by all of their peers.

He claimed that there was no bad character in the Tottenham dressing room at the time.

When asked about the fine line between confidence and arrogance for that Spurs side, the 38-year-old said: “I don’t think we came across as arrogant, ever. If I speak to people who are not particularly fans of Spurs, or even rivals.

“I’m not saying that’s a good thing – everyone liked us – but we didn’t have ‘dogs’ or whatever in that team. We were still a very aggressive and entertaining team to watch, very physical, but very attacking and great, great players as well.”

Tottenham Hotspur have held talks over a deal for a defender who has won the Champions League with two different clubs.

Over recent weeks, it has emerged that Spurs are concerned about the prospect of losing both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven in the summer.

That may thus force the North Londoners to look at pedigreed centre-backs to potentially come through the door if one of the Argentine and or the Dutchman depart.

A few days ago, it emerged that Spurs had been alerted to the possibility of a Real Madrid star being available on a free transfer, and it appears the Lilywhites have now made advances towards the player.

Tottenham batting two Premier League clubs for Antonio Rudiger

The player referred to above is Antonio Rudiger, who has struggled for game time at Madrid and is in the final few months of his contract.

A new report in CaughtOffside has revealed that the possibility of the former Chelsea man returning to the Premier League is now ‘gathering momentum’ ahead of the summer window.

The report says that Tottenham Hotspur have ‘initiated discussions over a possible move’ for Rudiger, whose leadership could offer ‘immediate stability’ to the club.

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Additionally, two of Spurs’ London rivals, West Ham and Crystal Palace, have also held talks regarding a move for the German international.

Spurs do not worry about Chelsea challenge for Rudiger

CaughtOffside make it clear that contrary to the speculation over recent days, Chelsea are not looking to take Rudiger back to Stamford Bridge.

However, Spurs may have one other European giant to worry about in the race for the 32-year-old, with Paris Saint-Germain monitoring his situation closely.

The publication adds that with Madrid putting together a long-term defensive plan with younger options, a summer departure for Rudiger now appears ‘increasingly plausible’ if a renewal is not signed soon.