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Tottenham Hotspur may be out of the race to sign Antoine Semenyo in January, but they remain a key part of the transfer saga.

Spurs have long been interested in signing Antoine Semenyo, who is set to be available for £65 million in the middle of January, but their pursuit of the attacker appears to have reached an end.

Unfortunately for the North London club, they were handed a major blow on 19 December when Fabrizio Romano revealed that Tottenham Hotspur had pulled out of the race for Semenyo.

It looks like the Bournemouth winger will join one of Man City, Man United, or Liverpool instead in January.

Tottenham could sell Brennan Johnson in January

Brennan Johnson is a man who etched his name into Tottenham Hotspur folklore following that famous goal in the Europa League final in Bilbao, Spain, but his tenure in North London could soon be drawing to a close.

Reports have claimed that Tottenham Hotspur are open to selling Johnson during the winter window, despite his contributions since arriving at the club.

The Wales international, who registered 25 goal contributions in all competitions last season, has not been short of suitors as several Premier League clubs have expressed an interest in securing his signature.

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Bournemouth target Johnson as direct Antoine Semenyo replacement

Crystal Palace have been named as a potential destination for Brennan Johnson this January, but fresh reports from TeamTalk have identified Bournemouth as a side equally keen on the Welshman.

According to the publication, it is believed that Bournemouth are certain that Antoine Semenyo will depart from the Vitality Stadium in January, which has necessitated a search for a high-quality replacement.

As such, Brennan Johnson has emerged as a primary option to serve as a direct replacement for the Ghana international, though he is one of around half-a-dozen options the Cherries are actively working on, with Ipswich’s Jaden Philogene another wide option for Iraola’s side.

There has been another twist in the race for Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson ahead of the January transfer window.

The winger, who finished as Spurs’ top scorer last season, has struggled to get regular game time this term, having started just six league games under Thomas Frank so far.

Earlier this week, it emerged that Crystal Palace are eyeing a January deal for Johnson in an effort to cover for the absence of Ismaila Sarr, who is away at AFCON with Senegal.

It was subsequently suggested that Spurs are increasingly tempted to cash in on Johnson as the Eagles make advances towards the 24-year-old, but there has now been another twist in the pacy wide-man’s future.

Crystal Palace identify a cheaper alternative to Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson

A new report from TEAMtalk has suggested that Palace may cool their interest in the Spurs man and target a Man City youngster instead.

The outlet claims that Oscar Bobb’s future at the Etihad Stadium is uncertain after he dropped down Pep Guardiola’s pecking order, and City are willing to cash in on him.

This has attracted the attention of the Eagles, who view Bobb as a cheaper alternative to Johnson in January.

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It is asserted that while Tottenham Hotspur will demand £40m for the former Nottingham Forest man, City are willing to sell their academy graduate for just £25m.

Two other Premier League clubs want to sign Johnson

Palace are not the only Premier League club showing an interest in the man who scored the winning goal in last season’s Europa League final.

According to a recent update by journalist Dean Jones, Bournemouth and Aston Villa are also considering a move for Johnson in January.

Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing a move for a highly-rated Bundesliga starlet, but they may have to sign his brother too.

While Tottenham continue to push to land Antoine Semenyo, it appears that the North London club are also eyeing other alternative wingers, given the growing competition for the Ghana international.

One of those is a 19-year-old starlet, who has been one of the most electric attackers so far this season in the Bundesliga.

It was first reported by Sport Bild earlier this week that Tottenham and Man United are plotting a move for FC Koln’s Said El Mala, who has nine goal contributions in 14 league games this term.

Barcelona also want to beat Tottenham to Said El Mala, who is said to be worth around £52m.

Tottenham target Said El Mala wants to play with his brother

An interesting report from Sky Germany has now warned Spurs that they may have to sign the teenager’s older brother, Malek, too, who is in Koln’s reserve side.

The report says that Said and Malek have played together since a young age and that the 19-year-old had previously indicated that he will not go anywhere without his brother.

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In fact, it is revealed that Borussia Dortmund were keen on signing Said El Mala in 2024, but the player informed the German club that he wanted to continue playing with his brother.

Said reportedly said at the time about Dortmund’s unwillingness to sign his brother: “That was the end of it for me.”

Why this is unlikely to be relevant in Spurs’ pursuit of Said El Mala

One can understand why Said would have told Dortmund what he did 18 months or two years ago, as both he and his older brother were in the academy at the time.

However, Said has now become one of the most talked-about players in the Bundesliga and has even been called up to the German squad.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Malek is still waiting for his senior debut for Koln, and it is unrealistic to expect that any big clubs would come in for him.

Cristian Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur have shed light on what the ambition inside the Tottenham dressing room is for this season.

Just six months ago, there was so much positivity around Tottenham Hotspur, given that the club had just ended their 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League.

However, that optimism and the feel-good factor have now completely evaporated in light of the team’s struggles under Thomas Frank this season.

In fact, there has been a toxic atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at times this term due to the team’s poor performances and results at home.

Cristian Romero is confident Tottenham will come through this tough spell

Over the last week, there have even been reports suggesting that Thomas Frank could be in danger of losing his job if Tottenham’s results do not turn around fast.

However, Romero believes that these difficult moments are just temporary and is still confident that Spurs can end the season strongly and pick up another trophy.

The Tottenham captain said before the Liverpool game (via Hayters): “Well, these are moments we have to go through. We need to learn, keep working, and improve. It’s never easy when a new coach arrives.

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“Of course, there are many things to improve, but the most important thing is that all players and the coaching staff are moving in the same direction so we can finish the season well. There’s still a lot to do, but we’re working to win another title. Hopefully, it will happen, and if not, we’ll keep trying.”

Rodrigo Bentancur wants to give more silverware to Spurs fans

Romero’s words have been seconded by Bentancur, who insisted that there is huge motivation in the Tottenham dressing room to win another piece of silverware this season.

The former Juventus man insisted that the players and the staff want to build a culture of regularly winning things at the North London club.

When asked about Tottenham’s objectives this season, Bentancur responded: “Giving a title to the fans, I think, is the most important thing. But for next year and this season, we want to do the same – win a trophy, get used to winning, which is also what we’re here for. I hope we can achieve that again this season.”

The Mirror’s Darren Lewis has given a scathing assessment of a senior Tottenham Hotspur star following the club’s 2-1 loss to Liverpool on Saturday.

Thomas Frank has said that he is proud of the performance that his players delivered against Liverpool, and one can certainly understand why the Spurs boss made those comments.

Despite being a man down for the majority of the game, Tottenham Hotspur continued to fight and put the Reds under some serious pressure late on.

The Merseyside club won courtesy of a controversial Hugo Etikite goal, with the Frenchman appearing to have pushed Romero in the back before heading the ball into the back of the net.

Darren Lewis claims Cristian Romero is a liability for Tottenham

Romero was one of two Spurs players to get a red card, with the Argentine getting his first booking for complaining about Ekitike’s goal and his second courtesy of kicking out at Ibrahima Konate after the Liverpool defender’s foul in stoppage time.

The Mirror’s Darren Lewis took to social media to conclude that the 27-year-old has always been a liability for the Lilywhites.

He wrote: ‘Cristian Romero. Decent player but is and always has been a complete liability in a Spurs shirt.’

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When Graham Roberts questioned Lewis’ assertion, the journalist doubled down on his claim, insisting that a player who is as experienced as the Spurs captain should have a cooler head.

The Spurs legend wrote: ‘Didn’t look like a liability, Darren, when he was MOTM v Man United in the final to bring that wonderful trophy back to Tottenham.’

Lewis responded: ‘A performance he has in his locker when his head is right. And a game that papered over a lot of cracks. Someone with his experience should not be finding himself in as many needlessly incendiary situations as he does.’

Should Romero’s disciplinary record be a worry for Spurs?

There is no doubt that Romero’s temperament has improved over the past couple of years. In fact, this was his first red card in over two years.

However, there are signs this season that the centre-back’s old habits are creeping back into his game.

Ramon Vega sees many concerning signs which suggest that the Tottenham hierarchy are failing in their attempted rebuild.

Spurs set a new record by falling to their 11th Premier League defeat of the calendar year against Liverpool, with the Lilywhites’ home form continuing to be a major source of concern.

The relationship between the players and the fans is also worsening since Thomas Frank arrived through the door in the summer.

The Dane’s tactics have left Tottenham fans frustrated, and one former Spurs man has questioned the direction in which the club are headed.

Ramon Vega is alarmed by recent Tottenham developments

What has made things even more challenging for Frank is that Tottenham’s assistant coach Matt Wells could be on his way out as he is in contention to take charge as the head coach of MLS side Colorado Rapids.

Meanwhile, there have been rumours that the club’s sporting director, Fabio Paratici, is in talks to take over as Fiorentina’s Head of Football.

Vega believes that these developments leave the North London club in a very precarious position at a time when they are trying to rebuild the squad.

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He said: ‘So the assistant manager of Frank is leaving the DOF is on the way out only just after a few months ago being reinstated! The dressing room is not united because there is no direction you can see!

‘So tell me, where is the rebuild or the strategy of the club? Vinai and the Board are also not communicating well with the fans to get that connection again!

‘They leave the fans again guessing and build a hostile atmosphere around the club and anger rightfully so with the most expensive tickets they pay to watch and support.’

Losing Paratici would be an alarming sign for Spurs

Paratici only officially returned to Spurs as the club’s sporting director in October, and he did so in a unique role.

The Italian joined as a co-sporting director alongside Johan Lange, which raised some eyebrows at the time.

Tottenham Hotspur are big fans of a teenage Bundesliga starlet, but the North London club will have to overcome competition from some of the biggest clubs in Europe to land him.

It continues to be reported that Thomas Frank is prioritising adding a wide-forward to his squad in January, with David Ornstein being the latest to make that claim.

A couple of days ago, it emerged that Spurs are turning their attention to a winger who has tormented defences in Germany since the start of the season.

That report came from Sport Bild, who suggested that Tottenham could battle Man United for Koln winger Said El Mala, but it has now emerged that several of Europe’s biggest clubs are in for the youngster.

Barcelona are ‘obsessed’ with Tottenham target Said El Mala

El Mala has scored six goals and three assists in 13 Bundesliga appearances this season, and according to Fichajes, his form has brought him to the attention of several European giants.

Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City have all impressed by his clinical finishing and his ability to play on either flank.

The Catalan giants, in particular, are ‘obsessed’ with El Mala, who fits perfectly into Arne Slot’s direct style of play.

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It is revealed that Barca have now made the signing of Germany U21 international their ‘top priority’ as they look to reinforce their attack.

El Mala is more likely to leave Kohn next summer

Fichajes make it clear that the youngster is not expected to be on the move in January and that next summer is when a transfer is more likely.

They say that the ‘financial battle is on’ between Europe’s heavyweights, and Barca are searching for ways to finance the transfer.

More recently, Paris Saint-Germain have also started sounding out the representatives of El Mala, who is valued at €60m (£52.4m) by Koln.

Thomas Frank has revealed what he thought of the atmosphere created by the home fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during the club’s 2-1 loss to Liverpool.

Frank has not been shy of criticising Tottenham supporters for the atmosphere at home this season and for booing their own players.

Spurs fans have not taken kindly to what Frank has said in the past, and the Dane’s comments in the media have only served to heighten his unpopularity among the supporters.

However, the Tottenham boss has confessed that he saw some very positive signs against Liverpool.

Thomas Frank praises ‘excellent’ Tottenham fans

The home crowd got behind the team on Saturday and created an intimidating atmosphere for the visitors, who found it difficult to shake off Spurs despite having a numerical advantage for the majority of the game.

Frank described the atmosphere at N17 as ‘excellent’ and suggested that the Tottenham supporters almost willed a late equaliser into fruition.

When asked about the crowd getting on board with the commitment shown by the team against Liverpool, the Spurs boss told Football.London: “Definitely the crowd were excellent and the fans were excellent today.

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“I think they kept us going throughout the game and especially the last let’s say 20 (minutes). They almost sucked the second goal into the net as well. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. It would have been an excellent comeback.”

Frank convinced Spurs can make their stadium a fortress

Tottenham’s shocking home record in 2025 continues, with the Lilywhites falling to their 11th home league defeat of the year on Saturday, which is a new club record.

However, Frank saw enough positive signs to be convinced that Spurs can make their stadium a fortress if they produce performances like the one they did against the Reds.

When asked if the team’s home record is unacceptable, the 52-year-old responded: “I think it’s fair to say, I said from the beginning, that it’s so important that we do everything we can to make our home a fortress. And to make that home a fortress, we need more performances like we did today.

“Today, there was a few bits that didn’t go our way. I think also a great effort for Kolo Muani and if that goes in 1-1, a little bit of margin there, then probably don’t concede the 2-0. Then it’s not a goal I need to discuss.

“So all those things you need a little bit going your way. I think stats you can spin either way. Overall, we as a club need to make a home that is very difficult to come to.”

Thomas Frank has shed light on whether Tottenham Hotspur can and will appeal Xavi Simons’ red card against Liverpool.

There was little between the two teams for the first 30 minutes on Sunday, but things changed when Xavi got his marching orders for a poor challenge on Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutchman was initially shown a yellow card for the challenge, but the referee changed it to a red after VAR asked him to re-watch the incident on the touchline monitor.

That was far from the only controversial decision in the game, with Hugo Etikite appearing to push Cristian Romero in the back before heading home Liverpool’s second, and the Tottenham captain being sent off in stoppage time.

Thomas Frank admits Tottenham probably cannot appeal Xavi Simons’ red card

Frank stated that he has seen plenty of challenges like the one Xavi made on Van Dijk and suggested that a straight red card was harsh.

The Tottenham head coach is not too pleased that one such challenge results in a three-match suspension, but conceded that the club probably cannot appeal the red card since the tackle was reviewed by the official following VAR’s intervention.

Frank told Football.London: “The first red which I have seen before, I also said before definitely a few times at Brentford, and I have seen others, I don’t like this as a red card.

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“I think the game is, probably too big to say gone, but for me it’s not reckless and it’s not exceptional force. He is chasing Van Dijk. He is trying to put pressure and then he changes direction. Unfortunately, his foot is on (Van Dijk’s) Achilles.

“You can say ‘ah, you need to be smarter, don’t do it and all that’ but so are we not allowed to have physical contact anymore? The next thing on that is if he gets three games, which I don’t understand, how can he get three games for something which is not reckless? That is absolutely wrong and we probably can’t appeal it.”

Spurs can take heart from their performance against Liverpool

Despite having several decisions go against them and playing with a numerical disadvantage for the majority of the game, the Tottenham players battled on bravely.

The home side could have easily nicked a point at the end, which they would have anyway if Etikite’s goal had been correctly ruled out.

Tottenham Hotspur have slumped to a new low following their recent result against Liverpool, as the North London side reached a historical milestone that the supporters will be desperate to forget.

Tottenham Hotspur’s misery continued at the weekend in their clash against Liverpool in the Premier League.

A 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Premier League champions has now seen Tottenham suffer their seventh league defeat of the season after 17 matches.

Spurs are sat in 13th place and run the risk of being only three points above the drop zone if Nottingham Forest win their league clash later in the week.

Thomas Frank and Tottenham set unwanted Premier League home record

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been anything but a fortress for Spurs in the Premier League of late.

The defeat against Liverpool came on home turf, and it has seen the side under Thomas Frank set an unwanted record for the club.

According to Squawka, Spurs have now lost 11 Premier League home games in a calendar year for the first time ever in the competition.

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They have also picked up just 15 points out of a possible 54 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2025.

It has been a year of mixed fortunes for Tottenham without a doubt, and this has been one of the worst eras for the club in recent memory.

However, it also represents the year where Spurs ended a nearly two-decade wait for silverware following their triumph in the Europa League in Bilbao, Spain.

While that memory remains dear to fans, Tottenham simply need to focus on improving their league displays on home soil, especially when 2026 comes around.