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Tottenham Hotspur are big fans of a budding young centre-forward and an exciting teenage midfielder, but Chelsea are also in the race for both players in January.

Over the past couple of months, several outlets have claimed that signing a number nine is a priority for Tottenham in January.

However, it remains to be seen if that remains the case now, given that Richarlison is back among the goals, Randal Kolo Muani is now fit and firing, while Dominic Solanke is edging closer to a return to action.

If Spurs do decide to sign a striker, one young Porto star appears to be at the top of their wishlist. It has been widely reported that Tottenham are keeping tabs on Samu Aghehowa, who has been prolific since his switch to Portugal.

Chelsea are planning to raid Porto for Tottenham target Samu Aghehowa

Just a few days ago, it was reported by Sky Sports that the Lilywhites are planning to launch a concrete offer for Aghehowa, who is viewed as an ‘ideal number nine’ by Thomas Frank.

However, a new report in TEAMtalk has now claimed that Chelsea are now ready to launch a raid for the Spain international ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

It is said that with Spurs lurking, the Blues are ready to accelerate their plans to avoid missing out on the 21-year-old.

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Chelsea’s interest in Aghehowa dates back to the summer, and it is alleged that Enzo Maresca’s men are prepared to send an offer of £80m to Porto, with the West London club ready to ‘move decisively’ for the centre-forward.

Chelsea also want to sign Spurs midfield target

TEAMtalk say Aghehowa is not the only Porto man on Chelsea’s radar, with the club also plotting a move for the Portuguese club’s midfield starlet, Victor Froholdt.

It is revealed that Chelsea scouts have been checking in regularly on the Dane and have been captivated by his transitional play.

Tottenham Hotspur have made advances towards a young midfielder, whose reputation is growing rapidly in Spanish football, but the Lilywhites face competition from some of their fiercest rivals.

Several experienced midfielders have been mooted as targets for Tottenham in January, which is understandable given the creative issues that Thomas Frank’s men have had in the middle of the park.

That includes names like Conor Gallagher, Ruben Neves and Scott McTominay, who are tried and tested in the Premier League.

However, a new report has suggested that the North London club may now turn to a 20-year-old Spaniard, who has quickly become one of the most sought-after young midfielders in Europe.

Tottenham have made an approach for Rodrigo Mendoza

According to TEAMtalk, Rodri Mendoza’s performances for Elche this season have attracted the attention of several English clubs, including Tottenham.

The Lilywhites have been impressed by the youngster’s progressive passing ability as well as his physical attributes.

It is revealed that Tottenham Hotspur have already made contact with Mendoza’s representatives regarding a January transfer to N17.

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The Spain Under-21 international has a release clause of just £17.5m in his contract with Elche, which makes it an expensive deal to complete.

Spurs’ London rivals are leading the race for Mendoza

However, Tottenham are not the only club tracking the midfielder, with TEAMtalk revealing that the player is also of interest to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.

In fact, the outlet claims that it is the Gunners who are currently at the front of the queue to land Mendoza in January.

Mikel Arteta’s men have held exploratory talks with Elche over a deal and are ready to test the La Liga side’s resolve before Christmas.

Former Tottenham defender Mauricio Taricco is at the centre of a huge storm for an alleged racist gesture, and he has decided to leave his coaching role as a result.

Taricco arrived at Tottenham Hotspur in 1998 and spent four years at White Hart Lane, making a total of 130 appearances for the Lilywhites.

The left-back, who also had spells with Ipswich Town and West Ham United in England, went into coaching after hanging up his boots, having served as the assistant coach at Sunderland, AEK Athens and Real Betis.

He currently works under former Tottenham midfielder Gus Poyet at South Korean side Jeonbuk Motors, where he finds himself at the centre of a major storm.

Former Tottenham defender Mauricio Taricco resigns after an alleged racist gesture

Tarrico was hit with a fine and handed a five-match ban for making an alleged racist gesture in a match against Daejeon Hana Citizen on November 8.

The former Spurs left-back was having an argument with the referee over a penalty appeal and reportedly shouted “racista” (the Spanish word for racist) at the referee before making a slanted-eye gesture.

The 52-year-old has now announced that he will resign from his role for being deemed a racist by the South Korean football authorities, insisting that his gesture was misunderstood.

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Tarrico’s statement reads (via The Sun): “I have worked with many people in many countries and have lived and socialised with them without any problems related to their culture or race, and I have considered this a blessing.

“However, I have now been branded a racist by ‘self-proclaimed’ authorities due to a single misunderstanding where the context, cultural expressions, and meanings of all situations I continuously explained were ignored.

“My life, regardless of nationality and race, must continue in a place where there is safety, respect, peace, and equality before the law as a football person, so with a heavy heart, I have decided to leave this place after the end of this season.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the club and players with whom I could share success and history, and I am truly grateful to the fans who have given me unwavering support. I will not forget you.”

Jeonbuk Motors will appeal the decision against Tarrico

According to previous reports, Tarrico claimed his gesture was to indicate that the referee had not directly observed a handball, but the K-League rejected this explanation.

The Sun now reveal that Jeonbuk Motors will review the incident and plan on appealing the decision.

The South Korean club said in their statement: “It would be unreasonable to view it as an intention of racial discrimination. The club expects a more objective and balanced judgment to be made through the appeal process and will do its best until the end so that Coach Tano [Taricco] can quickly get out of this dishonourable situation, and his memory of the K League and Korean football does not remain as a bitter pain.”

Tottenham Hotspur have moved to the front of the queue to land one of the most exciting young centre-forwards in European football.

Some outlets have reported that signing a number nine is a priority for Spurs in January, with the likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Ivan Toney thought to be on Tottenham’s radar.

According to various reports, Spurs are also looking closely at a young Spaniard, who is turning a lot of heads in Porto.

Over recent days, Tottenham have been backed to make a concrete move for Samu Aghehowa in January, and a new update has suggested that the Lilywhites are poised to pull off the signing.

Tottenham are battling Arsenal for Samu Aghehowa

This update comes from CaughtOffside, who say that a two-horse race is emerging between Tottenham and their North London rivals, Arsenal, for the Porto star.

Aghehowa, who has scored 36 times in 60 games for the Portuguese club, was also previously on the radars of Chelsea and Newcastle.

However, the interest of the Blues and the Magpies in the Spain international has cooled ahead of the January window, although Enzo Maresca’s men are still keeping an eye on the player’s situation.

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The report adds that it is Tottenham who have now moved to the front of the queue to wrap up a deal for Aghehowa in the upcoming transfer window.

Spurs may have to shatter their transfer record to land Aghehowa

CaughtOffside claim that one source told them that Porto are expected to stand ‘firm’ and only sell the striker if his €100m (£88m) release clause is met.

However, the publication claims that they were informed by another source with knowledge of the situation that an offer of around €90m (£79m) would be enough to clinch the deal for the 21-year-old.

After the details of Antoine Semenyo’s release clause became public, a report has now revealed what Bournemouth expect to happen regarding the Tottenham target in the January transfer window.

Since it emerged a couple of weeks ago that Semenyo can leave Bournemouth for £65m in January due to a release clause, the speculation over the winger’s future has gone into hyperdrive.

Spurs Web has relayed a number of reports over the last few days suggesting that Tottenham are battling Liverpool and Man City for Semenyo’s signature.

It has emerged over recent days that Spurs also have to be wary of competition from Man United for the Ghanaian, and now, a new update has revealed what the expectations are at Bournemouth regarding the winger’s future.

Bournemouth are expecting several offers for Tottenham target Antoine Semenyo

According to The Telegraph, the Cherries are expecting several offers to be launched for their star man after the details of his release clause became public.

The South Coast club are ‘braced for approaches’ for Semenyo in five weeks, given that the release clause is seen as relatively low for a player of his standing.

It is revealed that the 25-year-old not only has admirers in the Premier League but also from across the continent.

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Interestingly, the outlet reveals that the release clause can only be activated for a set period of time in January, and it has not been disclosed whether it would have to be paid entirely upfront or in instalments.

Semenyo will not be away at the African Cup of Nations

The Telegraph point out that the Bournemouth winger’s release clause will drop next summer, but that has not stopped clubs from prioritising a January deal.

It is revealed that Semenyo will be available throughout January as Ghana have not qualified for the African Cup of Nations, thus making him an even more attractive target.

Former Tottenham scout Bryan King believes that signing an experienced Premier League forward should be a no-brainer for the North London club.

It has been widely reported over the last few months that ENIC are keen on making some statement signings to signal their ambition in what they view as the start of a new era at Spurs.

It appears that Tottenham Hotspur are already working on one such signing. Marcus Rashford turned down Spurs’ approach in the summer and chose to sign for Barcelona, where he has managed to revive his career.

It was reported by El Nacional last week that Spurs had held a discreet meeting with Rashford’s representatives regarding a move to North London next summer.

Tottenham told Marcus Rashford would be a bargain signing

Barca have a €35m (£30.8m) option to sign Rashford at the end of the season, but the previously mentioned report from El Nacional claimed that the Catalan giants are still mulling over whether to activate it.

It was explained that the La Liga club’s financial position makes the deal difficult and has forced them to prioritise extending the contract of their current players rather than making any new additions to their squad.

Bryan King believes that Rashford will be on the market and that Tottenham have a great opportunity to secure a player who would represent good value.

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The former Spurs scout told Tottenham News about the on-loan Man United man: “Of course, if he’s available. There are only so many strikers you can have. I think it would be decent value for any Premier League club. To get someone with the experience that he’s had for £26m would be great.

“There’d be no danger to the deal as well. He’s a good player, but it’s about getting him in the right frame of mind, that’s the only worry. I would have thought £26m isn’t a bad amount to spend on a player of his quality.”

Would Spurs be better off putting off striker pursuit until next summer?

Some sources have claimed that signing a number nine is a priority for Tottenham in the January window.

However, with Randal Kolo Muani on loan at N17 until the end of the season and Dominic Solanke edging closer to full fitness, Spurs may decide to put off their striker pursuit until next summer.

Three Tottenham Hotspur players may need to be careful against Fulham as they are not far away from a suspension.

Cristian Romero is suspended for Tottenham’s clash against Fulham after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the North London derby.

The Premier League rules say that those who pick up five cautions on or before gameweek 19 (the halfway point of the season) will have to serve a one-match ban.

Frustrating for Tottenham, Romero got his booking for dissent, which will be extra frustrating for Thomas Frank, and some pundits even suggested that the Spurs boss should fine his captain.

Three more Tottenham players are on three yellow cards

Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha could come back into the starting eleven against the Cottagers after being benched for Tottenham’s 5-3 loss at PSG on Wednesday.

Kevin Danso is also expected to start due to Romero’s suspension, with the Austrian performing admirably whenever called upon this season.

Danso, Kudus and Palhinha will all have to be careful as all three of them are currently on three bookings each.

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That means that if any of them pick up two bookings across the next seven league matches, they will be required to serve a one-match suspension.

Spurs will be happy to know who is refereeing their clash against Fulham

Stuart Attwell has been confirmed as the referee in charge of Tottenham’s clash against Fulham.

That is good news for the Lilywhites as Spurs have an excellent record when in matches officiated by Attwell.

Additionally, the 43-year-old referee has only shown 40 yellow cards to Tottenham players across the 23 matches he has presided over and has not sent off a single Spurs player in his career.

That will be good news for Danso, Palhinha and Kudus, who will be walking a disciplinary tightrope for the next six matches if they enter the referee’s notebook against Fulham.

Former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou may be in line to take over at one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League.

Many Spurs fans still have a lot of affection for Postecoglou after he ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought by guiding them to the Europa League title last season.

However, the former Tottenham Hotspur boss’ return to the Premier League did not go the way he would have hoped.

Postecoglou lasted just 39 days at Nottingham Forest, with the 60-year-old leaving the City Ground without a single win in his eight games in charge.

Former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou could replace Arne Slot at Liverpool

According to TEAMtalk, Arne Slot’s job at Liverpool is now under threat. Even though he is not on the brink of being sacked, the Dutchman is ‘on notice’ after the Red’s struggles this season.

Interestingly, the outlet reveals that Postecoglou is one of the names being considered by the Merseyside club to replace Slot.

Despite his struggles at Forest, the Australian is ‘admired massively’ by the Liverpool board, and he is seen as someone who would suit the club.

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The former Tottenham boss was never seen as a good fit at Forest, and his sacking by the Midlands club has not dampened Liverpool’s admiration of the 60-year-old.

The irony of Postecoglou replacing Slot will not be lost on Spurs

Tottenham fans will remember that Arne Slot was Tottenham’s top target to replace Antonio Conte in the summer of 2023.

Slot ultimately rejected Spurs’ approach, which he claimed was for family reasons, after which the Lilywhites turned to Postecoglou.

It would thus be very ironic if the Australian replaces the Dutchman at Anfield, although the chances of that happening appear slim at the moment.

Thomas Frank has made interesting comments about a Tottenham forward, who has fallen down the pecking order of late after being in the Dane’s starting eleven in the first few games of the season.

It is unclear if Frank himself knows his best Spurs team at the moment, given the way he has chopped and changed his side over the last few weeks.

Mohammed Kudus, who has been Tottenham’s best attacker this season, was left out of the starting eleven for the clash against PSG on Wednesday.

Wilson Odobert has shown some positive signs recently, while Randal Kolo Muani has been backed to hit a new level after netting his first two goals in a Tottenham shirt against his parent club on Sunday.

Thomas Frank says he is a big fan of Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson

Brennan Johnson, who ended last season as Tottenham’s top scorer, has fallen down the pecking order since the Dane arrived through the door.

The Welshman was suspended for the clash against PSG, but has been struggling for minutes even otherwise. However, Frank has insisted that he remains a big fan of the 24-year-old’s attributes.

When asked how Johnson fits into his attack, Frank said (via Football.London): “I’m very aware that Brennan’s got some very good qualities. One of them is scoring goals, running in behind and arriving in the box. I really like everything about him. He also scored goals this year as well. Four, I think, in total. So I’m very aware of them.

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“So it’s all about how you create that team, where we perform, how we get the best players in, and where do we play them. Is it Mo to the right? Is it Brennan?

“Who plays the 10? What kind of player do we play in a different position to make it click? And then we also need a little bit of depth, because we play every third or fourth day, to keep the freshness, the energy. So that’s a challenge.”

Johnson is a very useful squad option for Spurs

Johnson has had more than his fair share of critics since arriving at Tottenham, and it is understandable why he frustrates many people.

The former Nottingham Forest man tends to go hiding in games and perhaps does not use his pace enough to take defenders on.

Former Tottenham forward and talkSPORT presenter Alan Brazil has not taken kindly to what Thomas Frank said after watching his side fall to a 5-3 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

Spurs went into the clash at Parc des Princes as massive underdogs, and many expected them to be blown away by PSG, particularly given what happened in the North London derby last Sunday.

However, instead, Tottenham Hotspur gave a decent account of themselves and kept throwing punches at the reigning European champions.

If not for a couple of sloppy moments, the Premier League side may have emerged from Paris with a point to show for their efforts.

In his post-match press conference on Wednesday, Frank praised the Tottenham players for the way they reacted after their thumping loss against Arsenal.

The 52-year-old took several positives from his side’s performance, including the bravery and aggression they showed.

However, this has not gone down well with Brazil, who questioned how the Dane can be so positive when his side conceded five goals.

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Brazil told talkSPORT (27 November, 8:55): “I have to be honest… I don’t know Thomas Frank, but the way he was saying, ‘Well, that was better,’ what were his words?”

McCoist butted in, saying: “He said it was an improvement after the weekend, and it was,” to which Brazil continued: “They showed a bit of character? It was 5-3! I’m not having it!”

“He seems like a lovely guy, and he’s trying to boost the boys, but in terms of tactics, they were almost non-existent.”

Frank got his tactics right against PSG

It is fair to question the mentality of a manager who takes too many positives from a defeat.

However, to say tactics were “non-existent” against PSG is wide of the mark, given that Tottenham deployed a 4-2-2-2 formation, which Frank used for the first time this season.