Spurs Web

Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Hayden Hackney just got a lot harder as a Champions League club and a Europa League side are now expected to push ahead with moves for the Middlesbrough player this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur have had success with their recruits from the Championship over recent years, with Djed Spence and Archie Gray proving hits at N17.

The Lilywhites may repeat the trick this summer, with reports over recent months indicating that Spurs are eyeing a move for Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney this summer.

Just two weeks ago, Football Insider claimed that Tottenham are ramping up their interest in Hackney, but they are also expected to face competition from Aston Villa and Crystal Palace for the 22-year-old.

Tottenham have competition for Hayden Hackney

Journalist Lyall Thomas has now revealed on Sky Sports’ transfer blog that the race for the Boro man’s signature is now heating up ahead of the summer.

He reveals that Porto had two bids rejected for Hackney by the Riversiders in the January window, but the Portuguese club are expected to try again for the midfielder this summer.

Additionally, Thomas reports that Stuttgart are also seriously considering making an offer for the English midfielder when the transfer window opens in June.

MORE SPURS STORIES

The Sky Sports reporter adds that several Premier League sides are also watching Hackney’s progress closely but does not reveal the identity of those clubs.

Why Hackney could be on the move this summer

Middlesbrough are now all but out of contention for the playoff spots and need several results to go their way in the final matchday in order to squeeze into the top six.

Michael Carrick’s men are thus set to miss out on promotion to the Premier League, and with Hackney having just two years left on his contract, they might be tempted to cash in on him this summer.

Thomas Frank, who Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly targeting as a replacement for Ange Postecoglou this summer, has insisted that he is very happy at his current club.

Those who have been following Spurs Web’s coverage will be aware that Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, and Thomas Frank are among the names on Tottenham’s wishlist to replace Ange Postecoglou.

Some sources have suggested over recent weeks that with Iraola reluctant to leave Bournemouth, Tottenham may push ahead with a move for Frank.

In fact, it has even been alleged that Spurs are ready to meet the £9m release clause in Frank’s contract at Brentford.

The 51-year-old manager has done a fabulous job since taking over at the Gtech Community Stadium in 2018, helping Brentford get promoted to the top flight and establishing them as a force in the Premier League.

Having spent seven years at West London, one may assume that he would be keen on a new challenge, but Frank insisted that he is very happy at Brentford, describing the club as one of the best to work in for a manager.

When asked if he would still be in charge of the Bees on the opening day of next season, the Dane said (via TBR Football): “I will say it’s definitely on. I’m Brentford’s manager because I have a contract here I’m very happy here and I really enjoy my life and the challenge here.

MORE SPURS STORIES

“I’ve said it many times, I can’t reinforce this message enough. I’m probably at one of the best clubs in the world in terms of being a head coach. A fantastic leadership, a fantastic owner, the staff, the players, where we are, the challenges, so, yeah.”

Release clause makes Frank a tempting option for Spurs

While Thomas Frank is not a name that might excite Spurs fans, Tottenham may see him as someone who would guarantee stability, which might be what the North London club need after a historically poor campaign.

The fact that he has a release clause in his contract means that the Lilywhites will not have to negotiate with Brentford, thus potentially making the Dane a tempting option.

After his run-ins with the likes of Mourinho and Conte, Levy may also want someone with a reliable temperament rather than a disrupter, and Frank has proven at West London that he is very much the former.

Fabrizio Romano has poured cold water on the growing speculation regarding Tottenham’s expected approach for Ange Postecoglou’s potential replacement.

Over the last couple of months, a whole host of managers have been linked with the Tottenham Hotspur hot seat, with various outlets suggesting that the Lilywhites have already begun their search for Ange Postecoglou’s replacement.

Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Thomas Frank have been installed as the frontrunners for the Tottenham job and it has even been claimed by some sources that Spurs have already reached out to Iraola.

The Lilywhites are also thought to be looking at young English managers, with Scott Parker said to have admirers at Tottenham, while Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna is also alleged to be on Spurs’ radar.

Fabrizio Romano reveals what he knows about Spurs manager search

These rumours do not even scratch the surface as several more managers, including some of the biggest names in world football, have been linked with the Tottenham hot seat.

However, Fabrizio Romano has shared that, according to his sources, Tottenham have not made advances towards any coaches yet, with the club solely focused on the Europa League.

When asked about the growing speculation regarding Postecoglou’s replacement, Romano told GiveMeSport: “I’m not aware of anything advanced on this one yet, Spurs will not make any decision now with the Europa League semi-finals due to start soon.”

MORE SPURS STORIES

Tottenham want to avoid the mistakes made in 2021 and 2023

Interestingly, some reports over the last few weeks have said that Spurs are keen to appoint a manager early in the summer and do not wish for the search to drag on as it did in 2021 and 2023.

If that is what Daniel Levy and the Tottenham hierarchy want, they would not want to wait until the end of the season to start their search.

Contrary to what Romano says, it is thus very much possible that candidates have been sounded out behind the scenes, although it does not appear as if anything is advanced at the moment.

Chris Sutton has made his score prediction ahead of this weekend’s London derby against West Ham, and it is not good reading for Tottenham Hotspur fans.

Since the start of the crucial run-in, Tottenham Hotspur have been playing for pride, as they currently find themselves firmly in the bottom half of the table, with nothing else to play for.

Well, playing for pride has not been going well for the Lilywhites either, as they have managed just one win in their last five outings, with their only victory coming against bottom-placed, relegated Southampton.

Up next for Ange Postecoglou’s men is a trip to the London Stadium, a venue Tottenham last won at in the Premier League back in 2019.

Chris Sutton backs West Ham United to edge Tottenham in London derby

It is 16th against 17th, but it is a London derby, meaning both sets of fans will be desperate to see their teams come out on top.

Chris Sutton, writing in his match predictions column on BBC Sport, has now attempted to predict the scoreline of this East vs North London clash.

The pundit admits that this could be a cagey affair, one that would be far from straightforward for either side, but he believes that West Ham United would just about edge it on Sunday afternoon.

MORE SPURS STORIES

He said: “This is 17th versus 16th in the Premier League which tells you how bad both teams have been this season.

“Everyone knows Tottenham’s focus will be on their Europa League semi-final second leg with Bodo/Glimt so I think West Ham boss Graham Potter needs a result here more than Ange Postecoglou.

“Potter’s results have been poor since he took over from Julen Lopetegui in January and the Hammers fans have not had the upturn they wanted in the way their team play either.

“Spurs can still be dangerous even when they are out of form but Ange is not going to pick his strongest team. That gives West Ham a better chance of getting the win they badly need, but I do not see them doing it in style.”

Chris Sutton’s prediction: 2-1

Europa League distraction and derby edge could decide it for West Ham

Of course, a victory for West Ham United is not far-fetched. Although the Hammers have not come out on top as much in recent encounters, they have managed a victory against Spurs once in the last five outings.

Tottenham’s Europa League involvement is sure to play a role in Sunday’s clash, as Postecoglou could ring the changes, with his eyes firmly fixed on the second leg against Bodo/Glimt.

Tottenham Hotspur take a trip to East London for the 35th matchday of the Premier League to face West Ham on Sunday afternoon, hoping to avoid a fourth successive league defeat.

Tottenham Hotspur are halfway to Bilbao after a 3-1 home victory over Bodo/Glimt on Thursday. With the second leg on the horizon next week, they first have one domestic task to handle – and it should be anything but a formality.

What time does West Ham v Tottenham kick off?

How both teams go into West Ham v Tottenham

Spurs head into this clash just two days after that electric European night at home, having beaten Bodo/Glimt 3-1 and carrying a 2-0 lead to the Arctic Circle. It could’ve been three, but a late goal conceded slightly dulled the dominance.

Domestically, the story is quite different. Tottenham have won just one of their last six league games, and that came against bottom-placed Southampton. The other five were all defeats. Before Thursday’s European success, they suffered a dismal 2-1 home loss to Nottingham Forest, followed by a 5-1 drubbing at Anfield despite scoring first. In all competitions, it’s two wins in five; the Europa League is keeping spirits afloat, if nothing else.

A very similar league story do their East London counterparts have with just one point separating the two. West Ham are the closest to Spurs in the table as things stand: Tottenham sit in the 16th position with 37 points and the Hammers in 17th with 36. They arrive on the back of a 3-2 loss to Brighton – ironically similar to how Spurs lost to them and a result that ended up saving Spurs from slipping into 17th themselves. Graham Potter’s side threw away the lead in the last minute of the game before conceding another in stoppage time. Had they held on, the two sides would’ve swapped places.

Winless in their last seven Premier League games (L4, D3), Graham Potter has failed to spark a turnaround since replacing Julen Lopetegui. Their last win came against 19th-placed Leicester, and they’re now two months without a league victory.

Head-to-head record

West Ham are unbeaten in their last four Premier League home games against Spurs (two wins, two draws). That is also their best streak since a run of six between 1995 and 2001.

MORE SPURS STORIES

However, the Hammers have managed only one win in their last seven encounters across all competitions.

Following their 4-1 victory in the reverse fixture, Tottenham are aiming to complete a league double over West Ham for the first time since the 2019–20 season. (BBC Sport)

Tottenham team news

Every single Spurs player gave 101% on Thursday. That extra one per cent might’ve cost them two fresh injuries- James Maddison and Dominic Solanke.

Ange Postecoglou also confirmed ahead of the clash against Bodo/Glimt that Lucas Bergvall is likely out for the season with an ankle injury suffered during training.

Dominic Solanke is “not too bad” but remains a doubt for this one.

James Maddison is “more of a concern” with a knee issue and has been sent for scans. More clarity on both of them and Heung-Min Son will come from Ange’s press conference later today. Radu Dragusin remain the other confirmed absentee alongside Bergvall.

West Ham team news

Evan Ferguson is available again after being ineligible to face his former club Brighton last week. Edson Alvarez could feature after a month out. Michail Antonio and Crysencio Summerville remain the only confirmed absentees.

Predicted Tottenham lineup

Vicario, Gray, Danso, Davies, Spence, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Sarr, Odobert, Richarlison, Tel

We expect changes at the back from Thursday’s game. Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro could retain their places over Davies and Gray though.

The odds of Maddison starting are almost zero as Ange will prefer to keep him for the second leg if available. Micky van de Ven was seen holding his hamstring/calf for a while in the first leg, though he got through the game and nothing about that was mentioned by Ange.

Yves Bissouma was immense against Bodo/Glimt, silencing critics of Ange’s selection. Either he or Rodrigo Bentancur will retain their spot, likely the Uruguayan.

Richarlison was subbed off at halftime, possibly to save him for this one. However, with Solanke doubtful, Ange may reconsider and rest the Brazilian, keeping him for the second leg instead.

If Son is fit, he starts. Expect a front three of Son, Tel, and Odobert in that case. No news on Timo Werner yet but personally, I’d love to see him get a second chance before he leaves in the summer (very unlikely). If Mikey Moore starts, that alone should lift spirits regardless of the result.

Players to watch out for

Djed Spence: You can’t help but feel sorry for him. No fault of his own, yet he’s lost his starting spot in important fixtures. After being overlooked by Thomas Tuchel at his peak, now he’s second choice under Ange too. That’s crushed his confidence, but he knows a strong showing here could shift perceptions massively.

Dejan Kulusevski: Remember the masterclass he put on in the reverse fixture? For as long as he’s on the pitch, expect him to torment West Ham’s three-man backline.

Jarrod Bowen: Possibly the only bright spark for West Ham this season; and that too might fade soon. Spurs have already made contact over signing him a few days ago. Should Spurs win the Europa League and secure Champions League football, it’s hard to see him turning that down. He’ll be looking to build on his 17 goal contributions this season.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka: What a season he’s having. Statistically just two goal contributions, yet he boasts a 60.7% dribble success rate and 29 chances created already (FotMob). His duel with Kulusevski will be one to watch.

Our prediction

The Hammers have struggled to hold on to leads as seen throughout the season. They’ve also dropped 12 points from winning positions since Potter’s first league game.

They’re also just as ineffective when trailing. West Ham are yet to win a league fixture from behind this season, with five draws and sixteen losses in such scenarios.

As for Spurs, they’ve already hit rock bottom in the league. Nineteen defeats this season equals Spurs’ worst ever in a Premier League campaign. I don’t see it getting worse from here.

That said, Spurs are guaranteed a bottom-half finish for the first time since 2007–08, but they’ll want to avoid sinking to 17th. (BBC Sport)

Ange will surely rest his key stars for next week’s semi-final. However, the players given a chance here will be eager to impress. Given West Ham’s form, I’m backing a Spurs win.

Predicted score: West Ham 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur

Battle for 16th place. The stakes can’t get any lower!

Spurs’ return to Premier League action sees them travel across London to face the Hammers. Here’s how to watch the clash between Tottenham and West Ham on Sunday.

Tottenham Hotspur will shift their focus back to domestic matters after a 3-1 victory over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a win that has offered some relief amidst an otherwise turbulent campaign.

Firmly placed in 16th, Spurs are heading into the clash against London rivals West Ham United, who sit just a point below them in 17th.

It is a London derby, and the bad blood has been simmering for a while. Months before this encounter, West Ham United midfielder Thomas Soucek fired a warning at Tottenham, declaring that the Hammers were determined to finish above their rivals come the end of the campaign.

The Premier League may no longer be the priority for Tottenham, with the Europa League offering a more realistic route to silverware, but there is still an expectation for Ange Postecoglou’s men to deliver a professional performance in this derby.

Let’s find out how to watch Tottenham vs West Ham United, team news, score prediction, and more.

When and where is the game?

The Premier League meeting between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur will take place at the London Stadium on Sunday, 4 May 2025. Kick-off is scheduled for 2PM (UK time).

MORE SPURS STORIES

How to watch West Ham vs Tottenham in the Premier League

Supporters looking to watch the game live in the UK will be disappointed, as the match will not be televised. The only way to catch the action live will be to head to the London Stadium.

Spurs vs West Ham team news

Team news ahead of the clash sees both clubs dealing with injury setbacks. Tottenham are sweating on the fitness of Heung-min Son, who continues to nurse a foot problem.

Radu Dragusin is ruled out as he recovers from an ACL injury, while James Maddison and Dominic Solanke remain doubtful after picking up knocks against Bodo/Glimt. Lucas Bergvall is unavailable for the rest of the campaign.

West Ham United have issues of their own. Crysencio Summerville is struggling with a hamstring issue, Edson Alvarez is also a doubt, and Michail Antonio is expected to miss out again as he recovers from injuries sustained in a recent car accident.

Spurs Web Prediction

Spurs have faltered in the Premier League this season, and it is difficult to see how they come away with a result at West Ham United.

Ange Postecoglou is expected to rotate his side heavily, and each time he has done that, it has had a clear impact on performances across recent games.

It is a tough one to call, but Spurs may well be staring at their 20th league defeat of the season when they take to the pitch at the London Stadium.

Some Italian outlets are now confident that Fabio Paratici is set to rejoin Tottenham in a full-time role this summer after the Italian director’s latest meeting with AC Milan.

The former Juventus sporting director has been working as a consultant for Spurs over the last two years since being forced to resign from his role as Tottenham’s managing director of football.

Over recent months, it has been widely reported that Daniel Levy is trying his best to bring Paratici back to Spurs in an official role once his FIFA ban elapses on June 20.

Tottenham’s pursuit of the 52-year-old has been boosted since it emerged at the start of last month that AC Milan’s efforts to appoint Paratici as their sporting director have collapsed.

Fabio Paratici’s latest meeting with AC Milan boosts Tottenham’s chances

Sport Witness have now relayed reports from the print editions of Corriere della Sera and Corriere dello Sport, with both outlets appearing to confirm that the Italian is heading to Tottenham.

The two publications both report that Paratici held another meeting with Milan in a luxury resort bordering Lake Como recently to discuss taking over as the Rossoneri’s sporting director.

However, the parties failed to reach an agreement, and it is explained that Paratici felt he was somewhat messed around by the Serie A side.

MORE SPURS STORIES

As a result, the 52-year-old started talking to other parties, and both reports concluded that he is likely to end up back at Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

Wholesale changes expected in Spurs structure

Following the appointment of Vinai Venkatesham as the club’s new chief executive officer, various sources have claimed that Tottenham’s chief football officer, Scott Munn, could depart.

Last week, it was reported by The Daily Mail that we could see wholesale changes in Tottenham’s structure this summer, with the club’s recruitment, sports science and medical departments thought to be under review.

It thus appears as if the door might open for Paratici to return to a role similar to the one he held formerly at N17 and start calling the shots once again.

A German manager has his eye on the Tottenham Hotspur job this summer and is ready to open discussions with the North London club immediately if they contact him.

If reports are to be believed, Ange Postecoglou’s days at Tottenham are numbered, no matter what happens in the Europa League.

While most of the names being linked with the Spurs job have been managers with Premier League experience, a former Borussia Dortmund boss has also been mooted as a potential candidate.

It has been reported that Tottenham have their eyes on Edin Terzic, who has been out of work since leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of last season, following their loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

Edin Terzic eyeing Tottenham opportunity after rejecting big clubs

According to a report in SportBILD (as relayed by Sport Witness), AC Milan came calling for Terzic last summer, but he turned down the approach as he wanted a break following his spell at Dortmund.

West Ham United and Besiktas have both allegedly made moves for the 44-year-old this season, but the German did not feel either challenge was ‘big enough’ for him.

However, Terzic is now said to be ready to return to management after a 12-month break, with the outlet stating that he ‘lurks for Tottenham’.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Terzic is ready to start discussions with Spurs

SportBild explain that the German coach has his sights set on the Premier League and would have been open to taking over at Man United had they approached him instead of Ruben Amorim.

Terzic’s full focus is now said to be on Tottenham Hotspur, given the likelihood that Ange Postecoglou will depart the club this summer.

In fact, it is asserted that the former Dortmund boss would be ‘immediately open to discussions’ with the North London club and ‘can easily imagine taking the challenge’.

Terzic has been preparing for months for an opportunity in England and has even spoken to the likes of Arsene Wenger to broaden his knowledge of the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur may be offered one of Atletico Madrid’s wingers as a sweetener by the La Liga club in their efforts to land Cristian Romero this summer.

Diego Simeone’s side are seemingly wasting no time in pushing ahead with a move for the Tottenham centre-back, with some reports over the last couple of days indicating that Atletico are already preparing an offer for Romero.

However, according to various sources, there is a big gap between Atletico’s and Daniel Levy’s valuation of Romero, which is yet to be bridged.

It turns out that the Spanish club have now come up with an alternative strategy to get the Lilywhites to green-light the Argentine’s move to the Metropolitan Stadium.

Atletico Madrid could offer to Rodrigo Riquelme Tottenham

According to Wednesday’s print edition of Marca (as relayed by Sport Witness), the La Liga side are ready to offer Rodrigo Riquelme to Spurs as a sweetener to push through a deal for Romero.

The 25-year-old, who previously had a loan spell in English football with Bournemouth, has struggled for game time at the Spanish capital this season.

It is revealed that Aston Villa and Villarreal both made moves for Riquelme during the January window but Atletico decided against letting the attacker go.

MORE SPURS STORIES

However, they are now prepared to offload the Spain international this summer and are hopeful that he will be of interest to the Lilywhites.

Atletico believe that Riquelme could be a ‘great temptation tool’ in negotiations with the Premier League club for Romero.

Tottenham may ask Atletico about Conor Gallagher’s availability

Atletico may prefer offering Riquelme to Tottenham, but it turns out that the North London club could explore the availability of another one of their players.

It emerged a couple of days ago that Tottenham could enquire about Conor Gallagher’s availability should Atletico make a move for Romero.

However, the update explained that the England international is happy at the Spanish capital and is not in a hurry to return to the Premier League, thus making the pursuit complicated for the Lilywhites.

Ange Postecoglou was delighted with how two of his senior players stepped up in Tottenham’s 3-1 win over Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of the Europa League semifinal, especially given that one of those was introduced into the starting lineup on short notice.

Tottenham Hotspur fans were in for a rude shock when they saw the starting lineup on Thursday evening, with Lucas Bergvall missing from the matchday squad and Yves Bissouma getting the nod to start alongside Rodrigo Bentancur in the middle of the park.

It has since been confirmed that Bergvall has been ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up an ankle injury in training.

Given how important the Swede has been to the side over recent months and Bissouma’s continued struggles, some supporters might have feared the worst, but the Mali international delivered one of his best performances of the season, helping the home side dominate the midfield battle.

Ange Postecoglou praises Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur

Spurs fans were left pleasantly surprised by Bissouma’s display against Bodo/Glimt as they got to see a version of the 27-year-old that they have very rarely seen in a Tottenham shirt this season.

Postecoglou showered praise on the former Brighton man and Bentancur for the way they closed down gaps and helped the home side build out from the back.

The Tottenham head coach insisted that despite Bissouma’s struggles this campaign, he never lost faith in the midfielder.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Postecoglou told Football.London: “I thought Biss and Rodri were outstanding. They were really key for us today. The beauty of Lucas is that he fills that sort of role really well from a defensive point of view and the reason I put Biss in there today.

“I knew that we were going to need that from him, the way Bodo set up and their ability to try and gain momentum as they build up their play. I thought him and Rodri were going to be key for us stemming that, and that’s how it proved.

“I thought Biss was brilliant. Look, he’s had an up-and-down year like all of us, but I’ve still got full belief in him and full confidence that on a day like today, he could do a really good job for us and I thought he was outstanding.”

Can Yves Bissouma save his Tottenham career?

It has been widely reported that Bissouma’s Spurs career is about to come to an end this summer, especially given that the midfielder has just one year left on his contract.

However, Bergvall’s injury has given the Mali international a lifeline as he is now likely to play the second leg against Bodo/Glimt and potentially even the Europa League final.

If he can step up in those two games, which will be some of the biggest in Tottenham’s recent history, he might have a chance of getting a new contract.