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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen on bringing an Irish defender to the club in January, and there is plenty of logic behind the move.

Dennis Cirkin was very highly rated when coming through the ranks of the Tottenham Hotspur academy, and he has shown exactly why since his move to Sunderland.

The left-back has played a key role in the club’s rise from League One to the Premier League, but he has fallen down the pecking order at the Stadium of Light this season after the arrival of Reinildo from Atletico Madrid.

It emerged two weeks ago that Tottenham are seriously considering bringing Cirkin back to N17 as they look to bolster their options at left-back.

Interesting reason why Tottenham are considering re-signing Dennis Cirkin

Some sources have reported over recent days that Cirkin would be tempted to leave Sunderland in January if his situation does not change.

Tottenham fans would be wondering why the club is interested in signing a player who is struggling to get into the Black Cats’ starting eleven, and journalist Graeme Bailey has now explained why.

He pointed out that Spurs were forced to leave out Mathys Tel from their Champions League squad due to their shortage of homegrown and club-trained players, and that is a situation they are trying to remedy.

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Bailey told TBR Football: “You know, it was more of a logistical issue (Mathys Tel being omitted from Tottenham’s squad), and everyone forgets that because of the homegrown rules, Spurs lost three spots, which I think Newcastle also lost, if I’m not mistaken, down to 22. And when it’s only 22, it’s tight.

“Another reason I think they might go for Dennis Cirkin in January and bring him back from Sunderland is that he’s a homegrown Tottenham player, which would help with that situation.”

Why Spurs may struggle to sign Cirkin

Thomas Frank has said that he has three quality options at full-back, but it does not appear as if he trusts Ben Davies.

It would thus make sense for Spurs to add another left-back to their squad in January, but their chances of landing Cirkin appear slim.

If the 23-year-old wants to leave Sunderland in search of regular game time, the likelihood is that he would not be too keen on a return to Tottenham, as he would know that he is not likely to be starting too many games at the North London side.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has revealed whether Conor Gallagher would consider swapping Atletico Madrid for Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window.

Over the past couple of weeks, several sources have reported that Tottenham view Conor Gallagher as a perfect fit for Thomas Frank’s midfield.

However, the Lilywhites are not alone in their admiration of the England international ahead of the January transfer window.

It emerged last week that Spurs could face competition from Newcastle, Man United, Everton and Crystal Palace for Gallagher, with plenty of Premier League sides keeping an eye on the 25-year-old’s situation.

Conor Gallagher may be hesitant to leave Atletico Madrid for Tottenham

The reason for the growing interest in the former Chelsea man is that he has fallen below in Diego Simeone’s pecking order following the arrival of Johnny Cardoso in the summer.

However, journalist Pete O’Rourke believes that the midfielder would be wary of swapping clubs mid-season in the lead up to next summer’s World Cup.

When asked about the possibility of Gallagher joining Spurs, O’Rourke told Football Insider: “Thinking about Gallagher himself, would he want to move midway through the season, especially in a World Cup year as well?

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“Again, that might be another thing that might have to come into the players’ thinking, he might stay at Atletico Madrid, where he is settled.

“As long as he’s getting the minutes, I’m sure he’ll be happy to stay there.”

Do Spurs need reinforcements in midfield?

Tottenham have had a strong start to the season, and some pundits have been impressed with Spurs’ midfield depth.

Lucas Bergvall has carried on from where he left off last campaign, Joao Palhinha has made an instant impact, while Pape Sarr and Rodrigo Bentancur have also made an impressive start to the season.

Tottenham are set to begin their Carabao Cup journey this week, and fans have already voiced which youngster they want to see involved against Doncaster Rovers.

Thomas Frank would no doubt be pleased with the way his side has started the campaign across the two competitions they have played in so far.

Tottenham have looked sharp in the Premier League, having won three, drawn one and lost one of their opening five fixtures, a run that sees them sit third in the Premier League table at this stage of the season.

In the Champions League, Frank’s men also got off to a winning start with a strong performance against Villarreal, but with Europe parked for now, attention swiftly turns to domestic duties and the third competition on the calendar, the Carabao Cup.

Tottenham fans call for youngsters to be included in Carabao Cup squad

Spurs are set to face Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the tie presents Frank with the ideal chance to rotate his squad and give minutes to players on the fringes.

Supporters are already aware of this and have taken to social media to discuss which youngsters they hope to see included, with one name in particular being mentioned more than most.

When asked which prospect they wanted to feature, several fans singled out Luca Williams-Barnett, while another listed four names they felt should at least be on the bench: “Russell-Denny, Byfield, LWB and Tynan Thompson all on at least the bench.”

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More shouts followed for Barnett, alongside comments about Byfield, with one fan saying: “Byfield has been around the first team more, LWB is over enjoying youth football at the moment, needs some minutes against Doncaster.”

Why Tottenham youngsters may still miss out against Doncaster Rovers

While Tottenham have several exciting youngsters pushing through the academy, there is every chance that none of them will be heavily involved against Doncaster on Wednesday night.

Several senior players are still working towards full sharpness, and with the fixture list now becoming congested, Frank will want his established squad options to get valuable minutes to build rhythm and confidence.

Even though Luka Vuskovic found the back of the net in his home debut for Hamburg, the German media are yet to be won over by the Tottenham loanee.

Vuskovic had a chastening start to life in the Bundesliga, with Hamburg being torn apart by Harry Kane and his Bayern Munich teammates at the Allianz Arena in his debut for the club.

Vuskovic admitted that coming up against Kane was ‘tough’, but he had a much more memorable outing on Saturday in his home debut.

Vuskovic found the back of the net for Hamburg against FC Heidenheim as the newly promoted side registered their first win of the season.

Vuskovic yet to really convince despite his goal for Hamburg

Courtesy of his volley, the Tottenham Hotspur man made history by becoming the first HSV player to score in the Bundesliga in seven years.

However, despite finding the back of the net and helping his side register their first win of the season, the local media suggested that the 18-year-old is yet to completely convince defensively.

Hamburger Abendblatt wrote about Vuskovic: “His goal was a great relief. Despite his goal, the new fan favourite didn’t have a convincing performance.

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“He almost caused the equaliser in the counterattack, but he was unsure of the ball and made a few misplaced passes. In the end, he was a match winner.”

Why Tottenham fans should not be concerned about Luka Vuskovic’s mistakes

The Bundesliga is a big step up for Vuskovic, who has previously only plied his trade in Croatia, Poland, and Belgium.

He is still a baby at 18, particularly considering that centre-halves tend to mature later than midfielders or attackers.

The teenager will thus have a steep learning curve this season, but this experience of playing intense, high-quality matches in packed stadiums will be invaluable for his development.

Tottenham Hotspur continue to ascend in Opta’s Premier League prediction table despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Brighton.

Spurs Web has been tracking the table of Opta’s Supercomputer predictions since the start of the season.

Before the start of the campaign, the algorithm predicted that Spurs would finish in 14th place, collecting an estimated 47.92 points. However, Tottenham’s positive results at the start of the Thomas Frank era have seen them rise the standings.

After their win over West Ham, Opta had Tottenham finishing in eighth place, and the Premier League prediction has been revised again following their latest result at the Amex Stadium.

How likely are Tottenham to qualify for the Champions League according to Opta?

The Lilywhites came back from two goals down to level the game against the Seagulls, and Thomas Frank described Tottenham’s performance on Saturday as their most complete display so far.

The North Londoners may have been disappointed not to take all three points, given the chances they fashioned, but they have risen again in Opta’s prediction table.

The algorithm now predicts that Tottenham will finish in seventh place, amassing 56.56 points. They give Spurs an 18.26 per cent chance of qualifying for the Champions League.

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Thomas Frank is not looking at the Premier League table

Many Spurs fans will feel that the Champions League qualification chances provided by Opta are on the lower side, given how good Tottenham have looked this season, particularly defensively.

The Lilywhites currently sit third in the standings, behind Liverpool and Arsenal, but Thomas Frank has said that he will not look at the Premier League table until the final months of the season.

However, the 51-year-old remarked that the Tottenham supporters have a right to dream at this stage of the campaign.

Tottenham are set to make an important January move as reports claim the club is expected to open discussions to sign one of the Premier League’s most impressive midfielders.

Tottenham Hotspur’s summer transfer window was one filled with variety, as the club managed to secure several different deals across both permanent signings and loan agreements, reshaping the squad in the process.

The Lilywhites sealed the arrivals of Xavi Simons, Kota Takai and Mohammed Kudus, all of whom were brought in permanently to strengthen Frank’s long-term project in north London.

Alongside those deals, Tottenham also worked the loan market effectively, bringing in Joao Palhinha and Randal Kolo Muani to provide proven quality and depth ahead of a demanding campaign both domestically and in Europe.

Tottenham to open talks with Joao Palhinha in January

Many of these new signings have settled quickly into life in north London, with Joao Palhinha in particular standing out as he has already brought much-needed stability and control to a midfield position that was previously seen as a problem area for Spurs.

According to TBR Football, Tottenham are now preparing to act decisively, with the report stating that the club are fully expected to open discussions over a permanent deal for Palhinha once the January window comes around.

Speaking to TBR Football, Bailey said: “He is exactly what they expected. When he left, he was already one of the Premier League’s best holding midfielders.

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“Watching Palhinha play in that position probably frustrates Manchester United fans, knowing he was available and could have joined them.

“To make matters worse, he would have been exactly what United needed. But yes, he is absolutely top class. I fully expect discussions about a permanent deal to begin in January once the transfer window opens.”

Bailey also suggested Spurs could even look to accelerate the process before the window opens, as he added: “They may even try to finalise the permanent deal sooner. He is very happy in London, and I do not see him moving elsewhere. Tottenham are fortunate that there is really no other club in London that could challenge them.”

Further praising Palhinha, Bailey concluded: “We have seen players like Christian Norgaard move to Arsenal, but he is on another level: an absolute top-class player, a Rolls-Royce of a footballer. Since returning, he has not missed a beat. Tottenham are thrilled with him, they genuinely believe they have one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, and it seems they do.”

Spurs could secure bargain £26m Joao Palhinha deal

Tottenham already have a track record of turning loan moves into permanent ones, with the recent case of Mathys Tel highlighting how quickly the club acts when they are convinced of a player’s long-term value.

It is understood that Spurs have an option to buy Palhinha for just £26m, and given how important he has already become for Thomas Frank, that figure could prove to be a major bargain in today’s transfer market.

Palhinha barely featured for Bayern Munich during his time in Germany, but in north London, he has been given the platform and minutes to thrive, and there is little doubt that he will be pushing to make his move to Tottenham a permanent one.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly set their sights on a Swiss international after failing to get a deal for Savinho over the line in the summer.

According to various sources, Tottenham are targeting ‘elite’ signings in January, with the Lewis family thought to want to show ambition in the post-Daniel Levy era.

It was well documented that Man City refused to sell Savinho to Spurs during the summer, and it remains to be seen if the Lilywhites will go back in for the Brazilian in January.

Over recent days, we have heard that Tottenham have turned their attention to a La Liga winger, but it has now been revealed that the Lilywhites may face competition in the pursuit.

Sevilla star not deemed a priority for Tottenham

According to a recent report, Tottenham are plotting a move for Sevilla’s Ruben Vargas in January, with the Lilywhites allegedly wanting to add more depth to their attack.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has now suggested that Spurs have identified Vargas as an alternative to Savinho, but interestingly, he claims that signing a winger may not be a priority for Thomas Frank’s men in the summer.

When asked about the speculation linking Vargas with a move to N17, O’Rourke told Football Insider: “It’s an interesting one. Tottenham tried for Savinho in the summer, but weren’t able to get a deal done as City blocked that.

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“Vargas is a player who’s done really well for Sevilla, a Swiss international as well. So he’s obviously, I think, attracting interest from a number of clubs, not just Tottenham.

“Spurs are quite well-stocked out wide after they got a deal done for Simons, who plays in the same position as Vargas.

“They’ve also got Odobert, Tel and even Richarlison who can play out wide, so I don’t think it’s a priority for Tottenham to be signing another wide player.”

Why a winger is no longer a priority for Tottenham

Thomas Frank reportedly sees Kolo Muani as an option for the left-wing role, while the Dane has also used Xavi Simons in the position.

With the arrival of those two in the final days of the transfer window, Spurs are well stocked in the attacking positions, particularly with Dejan Kulusevski expected to be fit before the turn of the year.

Unless someone like Wilson Odobert leaves the club in January, it appears unlikely that Tottenham will sign a winger.

Joao Palhinha has quickly emerged as one of Tottenham’s most influential players under Thomas Frank, and the numbers behind his performances will not shock many fans who have watched him closely in recent weeks.

Tottenham Hotspur secured a hard-fought point in their last Premier League outing, fighting back from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw.

Richarlison pulled one back before the interval with a clinical finish, while a late Van Hecke own goal saw Spurs level the contest, although they could not quite find the decisive strike to complete the turnaround.

Several of Frank’s players caught the eye across the 90 minutes, with Mohammed Kudus and Destiny Udogie standing out in particular. Yet, the underlying statistics have now highlighted just how crucial another figure was for Tottenham.

Tottenham’s Joao Palhinha leads tackling stat in the Premier League

According to Squawka, no player has made more tackles in the Premier League this season than Tottenham midfielder Joao Palhinha, who has already recorded 19.

The 30-year-old only joined Spurs on loan from Bayern Munich in the summer, with the deal carrying an option to buy, but he has wasted no time in stamping his authority on Frank’s side.

In fact, 13 of those tackles have come in his last two matches, with six against West Ham and seven against Brighton, underlining just how dominant he has been in the centre of the pitch.

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Spurs midfield finally addressed with Palhinha

Last season, the holding midfield role proved to be a problem for Tottenham, with Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur tasked with the job but often struggling to provide the consistency required.

Palhinha, however, brings a different edge, as his raw ball-winning ability gives Spurs balance, freeing Frank’s more attacking players to push forward while he anchors the midfield with assurance.

That was evident once again yesterday when Frank introduced Xavi Simons, leaving Palhinha to handle the defensive responsibilities almost single-handedly, allowing Tottenham to chase the game while still maintaining security in the middle of the park.

Tottenham’s Alfie Devine produced a world-class strike for Preston North End to help them emerge with all three points from an away trip to Derby County.

Devine had joined Preston on a season-long loan deal after extending his Tottenham contract in the summer, and the attacking midfielder has made an impressive start to life at Deepdale.

Devine scored in his first start for Preston against Leicester last month and has been getting regular football under his belt.

The Tottenham youngster has already won over the Preston faithful, and his heroics on Saturday will only further endear him to the Championship club’s supporters.

Tottenham’s Alfie Devine scores a world-class goal against Derby

Devine started as part of a midfield three as Preston lined up in a 3-5-2 against Derby, and the Tottenham man got 85 minutes under his belt.

The Spurs youngster scored the game’s only goal in 29 minutes, and it was undoubtedly the best strike he has produced in his senior career so far.

Devine received the ball centrally and unleashed a strike with his left foot from over 20 yards out, which flew into the top corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance.

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This season is make-or-break for Devine

The 21-year-old has not developed as quickly as some at Hotspur Way would have hoped for and has stagnated a bit over the last two seasons.

Alasdair Gold has said that this could be a make-or-break season for Alfie Devine and his aspirations of forcing himself into the Tottenham first-team set-up.

The attacking midfielder has certainly made a strong start to the season and Spurs fans will be hoping that this is the season where his potential finally starts to be realised.

Thomas Frank has eased some concerns around Tottenham injuries after offering a positive update on Randal Kolo Muani, with the striker’s absence against Brighton explained and hopes of a swift return shared by the manager.

Thomas Frank has had a few injuries to contend with since his move to Tottenham Hotspur during the summer.

James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are long-term absentees for the Dane, while Radu Dragusin continues to work his way back to full fitness following his ACL injury last term.

Against Brighton and Hove Albion, Tottenham welcomed Destiny Udogie into the starting eleven for the first time this season after a few spells on the sideline.

However, there were still some absentees from the Tottenham squad, with Dominic Solanke, Kota Takai and Kolo Muani all missing from the matchday group.

Frank has since revealed that Muani suffered a dead leg and that was the reason for his absence, but the Tottenham boss has now provided a further update on how long he could be out.

Speaking to football.london, Frank explained the situation in more detail when asked about Muani: “Hopefully, it was a dead leg. He has actually been struggling with it for four or five days. It is just not settling as we hoped for. So hopefully Wednesday.”

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Spurs could be boosted by potential returns

Muani might not be the only Tottenham player in line for a return this midweek under Thomas Frank, with several other injured stars edging closer to full fitness.

Kota Takai and Dominic Solanke, who have also spent spells on the sidelines, are back in training outdoors and could be in contention, although it remains to be seen how the manager decides to rotate.