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Ian Graham has revealed just how close Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side came to landing a Tottenham legend in 2015, in what is one of the biggest what-ifs in modern Premier League history.

It has been a season of change at Tottenham Hotspur, who have not only been making alterations off the pitch, but on it too.

On the pitch, Spurs have sanctioned several departures, while also completing the signing of six players, as Thomas Frank looks to compete on several fronts.

One of the most notable departures this summer was the sale of former captain Heung-min Son, who left N17 after a decade-long stay, following his Europa League triumph last season.

Ian Graham reveals Liverpool’s pursuit of Heung-min Son

Heung-min Son is synonymous with Tottenham and is a legend of the club, but the club legend is now with MLS side LAFC, having joined them for £20m.

With the Korean star having now departed N17, former Liverpool director of research Ian Graham has opened up on just how close the Reds came to signing the former Spurs captain before his switch to Tottenham in 2015.

Speaking on the Men in Blazers YouTube channel, Graham admitted that the South Korean forward was right at the top of their shortlist alongside Roberto Firmino.

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Graham explained: “Heung-min Son, one of my favourite players, in an alternative timeline, Son and Firmino would be Liverpool’s frontline – you know the old match and align transfer committee, our one and two choices were Firmino and Son for our two strikers. But Son was cruelly sent to Spurs, and we got Christian Benteke instead.”

He went further, making it clear just how highly he rated Son’s ability in front of goal, adding: “Different style of player, which is fine, you know the manager wanted that style of player at the time.

“But Son is, along with Messi, one of the best finishers, and it took us two years to increase his shot placement skill by 10%. And we took another two years to increase it by another 20%.

“So, like the best finisher because it is such a noisy process and so few players can consistently do it, it took us a long time to upgrade him. And even, you know, being the best in the world, he is kind of 20-30% better at placing those shots.”

Heung-min Son’s legacy at Tottenham and in the Premier League

Heung-min Son is a Tottenham legend and a Premier League legend as well, with the Korean star bagging in loads of goals during his 10-year stay in England.

Son notched 127 goals and 77 assists in 333 outings for Tottenham and scored goals against so many teams he came up against, including Liverpool.

Against the Reds, Son had an impressive record, scoring seven goals and assisting once in 16 appearances against them, highlighting just how much of a threat he was and why Liverpool would be left in the biggest what-if.

Tottenham have started the new Premier League campaign with optimism under Thomas Frank, but behind the scenes, the club is facing an unexpected issue that is quietly eating into matchday revenue.

Tottenham Hotspur would be pleased with their start to life in the Premier League this season under new boss Thomas Frank.

Six points from a possible nine is a record Frank would have snatched, having looked at his opening three fixtures that included matches against Burnley, Manchester City and Bournemouth.

Spurs beat Manchester City away from home, but fell short in their second home game of the season when they welcomed Bournemouth to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tottenham lose thousands from empty seats at home games

However, while the performance on the pitch is improving, a new report from SeatPick has now revealed that Daniel Levy and the Tottenham board are making the biggest losses in the Premier League this season when it comes to empty seats at home games.

It is understood that Tottenham are the team that sees the largest revenue loss from unsold home match tickets, which highlights a surprising issue for a club renowned for its modern stadium and strong fanbase.

The study analysed the average home attendance figures for the 2025/26 season so far and compared them to seated stadium capacity across all Premier League clubs, with the data then measured against average ticket costs to determine the impact of empty seats.

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Based on the findings, Tottenham top the list for estimated losses, with an average of 1,686 seats left empty for every home fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a surprising figure given the strength of their support.

And when you factor in the average ticket price of £74, it works out to around £123,921 slipping away in revenue each match.

Aston Villa, Sunderland and Arsenal also hit by ticket losses

Right behind Spurs, Aston Villa follow in second place, losing around £102,065 each game as Villa Park records an average of 1,424 empty seats with tickets priced at £72.

Sunderland sit third on the list, dropping £75,645 per match even though their £41 average ticket is the lowest in the top ten, with 1,845 seats left unfilled most weeks. Everton and Arsenal round off the top five, posting estimated losses of £67,165 and £52,658 respectively.

Randal Kolo Muani’s Champions League status has been confirmed, with Tottenham set to face his parent club, Paris Saint-Germain.

Tottenham Hotspur would feel that they have done enough to strengthen their squad ahead of what is set to be a demanding campaign for Thomas Frank’s side.

Six new additions, covering every area of the pitch and costing over £160 million, represent the backing the club has given Frank in his first season in charge of Spurs.

Transfer business went right down to the wire for the Lilywhites, who, despite several setbacks during the summer window, managed to complete the loan signing of Randal Kolo Muani on deadline day, a player they had also tried to secure in the previous winter window.

Kolo Muani cleared to play against Paris Saint-Germain

Given that Kolo Muani was signed on loan, there were immediate questions over whether the 26-year-old would be able to feature when Tottenham face Paris Saint-Germain in matchday five of the league phase.

Spurs will face Kolo Muani’s parent club for the second time this season, after suffering defeat on penalties at the hands of the French Champions in the UEFA Super Cup, in what promises to be a huge clash away from home on 26 November.

It is now understood that Randal Kolo Muani will be eligible to play when Tottenham take on PSG in the Champions League league phase, as UEFA’s regulations on loan players mean that the Frenchman can still be selected for that fixture.

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Randal Kolo Muani must justify his Champions League selection at Tottenham

Kolo Muani already has significant Champions League experience under his belt, with 23 appearances in the competition and three goals to his name.

Tel, meanwhile, has featured 16 times in the tournament and contributed two goals and an assist, but with Frank opting for his new loan signing ahead of him, the hope now will be that Kolo Muani justifies the faith shown in him.

Dele Alli could be set for an unexpected return to English football, and former Tottenham star Luka Modric could have a part to play.

Former Tottenham Hotspur man Dele Alli saw his career take a turbulent turn once again following the mutual termination of his contract.

The English midfielder is understood to have had a falling out with Como boss Cesc Fabregas, which ultimately left him without a club.

Alli featured just once for the Italian side, but it was a debut to forget, as he picked up a red card only 10 minutes into the clash, and he never pulled on the Como shirt again.

Tottenham favourites Luka Modric and Dele Alli could cross paths

Reports have now emerged suggesting Luka Modric has been speaking to free agents about joining Swansea City, where he is part of the ownership group, and Dele Alli’s name has been thrown into the mix.

Speaking on the matter, journalist Ben Jacobs revealed that Modric has been actively engaging players about a possible move.

He said via TalkSport: “I think Swansea City is going to be really interesting because Luka Modric is now part of that ownership group and from what I am told he is having conversations with slightly older players and free agents to try and lure them over there.

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“It would not at all surprise me from what I hear if Swansea City and Dele Alli becomes a thing over the next few weeks.

“Dele Alli will not get an opportunity, in my opinion, in a big-five league after it did not work out at Como but maybe a Championship club on a short-term deal.”

Dele Alli’s last chance at redemption?

Luka Modric and Dele Alli never played together for Tottenham, but they do share a link, both having become fan-favourite midfielders in North London.

The former Ballon d’Or winner continues to operate at the very top level, having moved to AC Milan last summer and is showing little sign of slowing down despite his age.

With Modric now involved in ownership at Championship side Swansea, Alli will be hoping to find the door that finally allows him to rediscover his love for football, as he seeks regular minutes and a return to relevance in a career that once promised so much.

Tottenham Hotspur fans will be pleased with the latest news coming out about Cristian Romero ahead of Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.

Spurs fans would have been keeping an eye on how some of their stars have been getting on during the international break, and some have had better fortune than others.

Xavi Simons came in for criticism after being played out of position in the Netherlands’ 1-1 draw at home against Poland.

Romero, who has been Mr. Consistent for Argentina over the years, put in another impressive performance against Venezuela to help his side take all three points, but there was another interesting development in that game.

Cristian Romero should return to Tottenham unscathed

Romero helped the World Champions keep a clean sheet as they emerged 3-0 winners, with a brace from Lionel Messi and another from Lautaro Martinez helping them seal a comfortable win.

However, Romero picked up a yellow card in the 64th minute against Venezuela, which means that he has accumulated enough bookings for a suspension.

As a result, the new Tottenham captain will play no part in Argentina’s clash against Ecuador, and will return to London with just 90 minutes of football in his legs during the international break.

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Spurs need to find a way to keep their centre-backs fit

Thomas Frank has said that he has plans to prevent another injury crisis at Tottenham, and one would imagine that it would include considerable rotation to prevent fatigue.

Frank and his coaching staff need to keep Romero and Micky van de Ven fit, with Spurs showing last season that they are nowhere near the same side when the duo do not play.

The Tottenham head coach will thus be quietly pleased that Romero picked up a suspension.

Heung-min Son and Mauricio Pochettino shared a Tottenham reunion during the September international break, as South Korea and the United States locked horns.

Tottenham Hotspur have seen several of their players depart to represent their countries during the first international break of the season, with some already taking to the pitch while others await their chance.

International duty often presents opportunities for players and managers to reconnect, and that has certainly been the case this month.

Two familiar faces to Spurs fans found themselves crossing paths once more, reminding many of the bond that was built during some of Tottenham’s most memorable years in recent history.

Heung-min Son faces Mauricio Pochettino in South Korea vs USA clash

Heung-min Son and Mauricio Pochettino went head-to-head during the September internationals, as South Korea met the USA.

Son only just left Tottenham Hotspur this summer and has wasted little time continuing his fine goalscoring form, while Pochettino has taken charge of several different sides since his Spurs departure in 2019 and now finds himself leading the United States national team.

It was Son who came out on top against his former manager on Saturday, scoring in South Korea’s 2-0 victory and reminding everyone of the quality that made him a fan favourite under Pochettino’s tenure at Spurs.

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Spurs nostalgia as Son and Pochettino embrace after full-time

Although the tie was a friendly, the post-match scenes carried warmth as Heung-min Son and Mauricio Pochettino shared an embrace.

Speaking after the game, Son reflected on his relationship with his former manager, crediting him for the role he played in his development at Tottenham.

He said: “I mean he made me here, from the bottom of my heart I think he made me where I am at the moment. We started together when I was 23, he taught me lots of unbelievable things so I really appreciate it.

“When the game goes on there is no friend but after the game I saw him and gave him the biggest hug. I just wish all the best for him and the US team, he is an unbelievable coach and for me he is more than a coach, you know the relationship we built I think it was really special and it was always good to see him.”

Tottenham forward Mathys Tel has shared his disappointment after being left out of Thomas Frank’s Champions League squad, with the youngster admitting the decision “definitely hurts”.

Tottenham Hotspur are back in Europe’s elite competition this season, taking their place in the UEFA Champions League league phase after lifting the Europa League trophy back in May, a triumph that brought the curtain down on Ange Postecoglou’s time in charge.

Since then, Thomas Frank has stepped into the dugout, and the Dane has wasted little time in stamping his mark on proceedings, guiding Spurs to two wins from their opening three league fixtures, while already showing that he is not afraid to make bold calls.

That was underlined when Tottenham announced their official Champions League squad for the first phase of the competition, with Frank electing to leave out six senior players from the list.

Mathys Tel reacts to Champions League omission at Tottenham

Among those omitted was Mathys Tel, who signed permanently for Tottenham this summer after a six-month loan spell. The Frenchman has struggled to fully settle at Hotspur Way since making his switch, and this latest snub serves as another setback for the 20-year-old forward.

Asked by reporters about his omission, Tel did not hide the fact that the decision hurt him, though he insisted he would try to stay positive and keep working on his game.

Speaking to Le Télégramme, he explained: “It is clear that when you are not on a squad, it definitely hurts, but I am someone who stays pretty positive, no matter the situation, because I think I have worked a lot on my mental side, so today it is definitely a disappointment; I would have liked to be there.

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“But the coach’s choice is the coach’s choice; we can only respect it, and we will work to come back in the best possible way.”

The France U21 international was also asked whether Frank had given him a direct explanation for leaving him out, and he revealed that the new manager was respectful in his approach.

“Quite simply, with respect. He called me, he told me his choice, and afterwards you saw the list appear on social media,” Tel added.

Tel opens up on potential January move

For Tel, breaking back into Tottenham’s Champions League squad will be no easy task, especially given the attacking options already available to Frank.

The deadline day signing of Kolo Muani, alongside Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, means competition is fierce and every opportunity will have to be taken.

That has not stopped questions being asked about whether Tel might look for a move elsewhere in January if opportunities remain limited.

Responding to speculation, the striker admitted he is motivated by a sense of revenge to prove himself, but he made clear that he remains committed to Tottenham.

“It does not matter, even if I were on the list, I would have had this desire, to seek revenge, to be effective this season, to be able to kick-start my season in the Premier League. Because this is the beginning of a long first season, since last year was on a six-month loan,” he said.

When pressed on the idea of a potential transfer, he responded firmly: “A desire to go elsewhere? I am under contract with Tottenham, so I am a Tottenham player, and I am going to do my best to simply play.”

Tottenham Hotspur legend Gareth Bale is set for a return to the football pitch two years after hanging up his boots.

We reported a few months ago that Tottenham legend Gareth Bale was looking to step back into football by acquiring his hometown club, Cardiff City.

Those discussions remain ongoing, but in the meantime, Bale is preparing for a much more immediate return to the game, as he looks set to feature in an exhibition clash that will put him back on the pitch for the first time since his retirement.

The Welshman, 36, enjoyed a glittering career with Tottenham and Real Madrid, but chose to call it a day in January 2023 after leading his nation to their first World Cup in 64 years, ending his playing career on a high.

Gareth Bale to play in Icons Match in Seoul

According to Football.London, it is now understood that Gareth Bale is set for a return to football just two years after hanging up his boots.

The former Tottenham man is set to line up for FC Spear when they take on Shield United at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on 13 September.

Gareth Bale, regarded as one of the most exciting signings of the Daniel Levy era, will be part of a glittering line-up that includes Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney and Kaka.

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Bale’s side will be facing Shield United, a team packed with defensive legends, with the likes of Alessandro Nesta, Carles Puyol, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand all set to feature against him.

The Welshman’s involvement in football this season is expected to continue, as Bale is set to feature as a Champions League pundit for TNT Sports, following Spurs’ return to the competition after a two-year absence.

Bale reunited with rivals under Arsene Wenger

There is one catch for Spurs fans, though, as Bale will have to play under the guidance of Arsene Wenger, who has been named manager of FC Spear.

On the other side of the dugout, Rafa Benitez will lead Shield United, the same side that ran out 4-1 winners in last year’s Icons Match.

Here are the squads for each side:

FC Spear full squad:

Bum Young Lee, Gianluigi Buffon, Ja Cheol Koo, Ki Hyon Seol, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Clarence Seedorf, Eden Hazard, Franck Ribery, Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale, Kaka, Steven Gerrard, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Ji Sung Park, Didier Drogba

Coach: Arsene Wenger

Shield United full squad:

Young Kwang Kim, Iker Casillas, Alessandro Nesta, Michael Carrick, Claudio Marchisio, Gilberto Silva, Joo Ho Park, Sol Campbell, Claude Makelele, Ashley Cole, Maicon, John Arne Riise, Nemanja Vidic, Carles Puyol, Young Pyo Lee, Rio Ferdinand

Coach: Rafa Benitez

How to watch FC Spear vs FC Shield

Tickets for the match have already sold out, but fans around the world will still be able to tune in online, with the clash streamed via FC Mobile’s in-game broadcast channel.

Both FC Mobile and FC Online will also feature special in-game events connected to the Icons Match, ensuring global supporters can enjoy every moment of Bale’s long-awaited return.

Tottenham supporters have been quick to share their feelings after the club dismissed recent takeover rumours, with many expressing frustration that fresh investment will not be arriving any time soon.

After a few days of speculation over the future of Tottenham Hotspur, the club has now moved to put an end to the talk by pouring cold water on claims that a takeover was close.

Interest had reportedly come from PCP International Finance Ltd, fronted by Amanda Staveley, who previously held a stake in Newcastle United, as well as an Asian consortium led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Ltd, both said to be weighing up an approach.

However, the Lewis family, who own 87 per cent of the shares and remain the controlling force at Tottenham, have maintained their firm stance that Tottenham is not for sale and they will not be entertaining offers at this stage.

Tottenham fans react to takeover rejections

Supporters who caught wind of the latest development quickly took to social media platform X, with many gutted at the thought of no new investment arriving to push the club forward, though some did retain a measure of optimism that the Lewis family may yet show ambition themselves.

One supporter made his point bluntly, stating: “Enic want Levy to sell his shares to someone that will invest big into the club, while they put in 100m lol 🤦‍♂️.”

Another countered with optimism, adding: “Good!!! Holdout for Qatar!” while a third insisted: “Wait for guys who can splash money.” Others were more cutting, one writing simply: “#ENICOUT,” while another posted: “The vultures are pouncing.”

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Some Tottenham fans speculated further, with one wondering aloud: “Is this one of the reasons Levy was ousted? Was he supportive of the takeover bid?” while another kept it brief with: “Sell please.”

There were also more measured views, as one fan explained: “I’m willing to give the new leadership a year to prove they’re serious about prioritising the actual FOOTBALL part of the club. If they’re still fucking about after next summer transfer window I think ENIC OUT will start to grow quickly.”

Spurs fans continue to demand ambition

The noise around Tottenham’s ownership is nothing new, as supporters have long been vocal about wanting to see greater ambition on the pitch and in the transfer market, with chants and banners against Daniel Levy becoming a familiar backdrop in recent years.

That frustration boiled over with regular protests outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, demanding Levy’s departure, and now, with ENIC still in control, the mood remains tense as fans look for evidence of a real shift in priorities.

Reports in recent months have suggested that ENIC are considering injecting £100 million into the club, with talk of a new transfer strategy that would place greater emphasis on marquee signings.

Whether such claims prove to be more than just words will be closely watched by Tottenham fans, who are desperate to see genuine backing for Thomas Frank as he begins his tenure in charge.

There were plenty of rumours swirling around his future, but Richarlison has made his stance clear at Tottenham and now insists this season could well be the defining one of his career, with the World Cup also looming large.

Tottenham Hotspur have started the new Premier League campaign brightly, picking up two wins from their opening fixtures.

At the centre of some of those strong displays has been Richarlison, who has already notched up three goal contributions in just two appearances, scoring twice and assisting once so far.

The Brazilian’s strike against Burnley, which was nominated for Premier League goal of the month, highlighted his confidence in front of goal, yet the reality is that Richarlison’s future could have been very different, as he had been linked with moves away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium only weeks earlier.

Richarlison reveals why he stayed at Tottenham

Speaking to The Daily Mail, Richarlison opened up about the speculation around his future and revealed the crucial conversation that convinced him to stay put at Spurs.

The forward said he always intended to remain in north London, stressing that his loyalty and desire to repay the club’s faith made the decision straightforward.

“The day I came back from vacation, I had a very good conversation with the coach. I told him that I wanted to stay, that I wanted to prove I deserve to play and have the chance to help the club this season. It’s a matter of honour for me.

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“Tottenham invested a lot in my signing, they didn’t give up on me even when I was at my lowest. Now that things are changing and I feel good physically, I want the chance to give back to the club and the fans. I know I can deliver more.

“Offers did come, but I always made it clear that my priority was to stay, and Thomas said he’s counting on me. So, I think that issue ended there, in that conversation.

“Every player needs that peace of mind, knowing that what comes from outside is just speculation and that you have backing within the club. Playing with uncertainty is very difficult.

“For me, every season is the season of my life. Of course, the World Cup is an extra motivation, but I’ve always given everything for the clubs I played for and for the national team. I prepared myself a lot to handle the demanding season ahead, and I hope everything goes well.

“I have my goals for this year. The first is to stay healthy and keep at a high level throughout the year. That’s essential so I can help Tottenham perform well in the competitions we’ll play.

“This year we’re back in the Champions League after two years, the Premier League, where we need to have a campaign worthy of the club, then the World Cup, and so on.

“And I want to score goals, win titles, and be important for the club and the national team. I hope it’s a blessed season and that I can crown all this work by playing another World Cup.”

Richarlison faces competition in Spurs attack

Richarlison’s fast start has given Tottenham hope that he is finally ready to establish himself as a consistent presence in attack after several injury setbacks, but competition for places is fierce.

Dominic Solanke, who led the line for most of last season, has yet to feature consistently because of injuries, but when fit, he offers Thomas Frank another reliable centre-forward option.

The arrival of Kolo Muani on deadline day has added further depth, with the Frenchman expected to push hard for minutes, yet ultimately, Tottenham are the biggest winners here, as they now boast three strikers all hungry to prove themselves and make their mark.