Spurs Web

Tottenham fans are now questioning the timing of the club owners’ plan to restructure wages, especially as the team faces the risk of relegation.

Tottenham Hotspur might be part of the traditional big six in the Premier League, but there is no denying that their status in that category now carries question marks.

First, Spurs find themselves well adrift of the top six in the Premier League table and sit 16th, battling to stay up.

Then there is the long-running talking point surrounding the club’s wage structure, which is far from what other so-called big six clubs operate under.

Tottenham have a strict model that has capped their top earners at £200,000 a week, a move that has been seen as a major hindrance to attracting top stars.

Tottenham fans react as owners plan summer wage structure overhaul

The Guardian now claims that the Spurs owners plan to rip up the club’s wage structure this summer if the team avoid relegation.

Those reports have filtered through to supporters, many of whom have questioned both the timing and the intent behind the decision.

MORE SPURS STORIES

One fan said: “Too late! We are out of the Champions League next season! They needed to do it this season! As per they are inept.”

Another Tottenham fan added: “ENIC hoping they get relegated. If you planned on doing this anyway, a well-run club starts doing it in January to ensure you stay up but no club is run more poorly. Tired of being sold false hope from these dudes. Sell the team.”

A third supporter suggested it was more of the same from the board, writing: “Like clockwork every year. We were told back in 2018 the stadium would be game-changing and they were right, game-changing for the owners and their earnings.”

Another was unconvinced by the claims, stating: “More lies, it is what they do – change will come only when they are gone – they have been criminally negligent where football is concerned – and football is the cornerstone of the business – how can they have got away with it for so long – us mere mortals could see this for years.”

One more Tottenham supporter commented: “The owners send this message out to the media, they know it is what the fans have been asking for, but then come the summer transfer window nothing changes and we will be looking at low-salary bargains again.”

A final supporter added: “Too late. Championship will determine the wage structure now.”

Spurs must learn from decline as wage debate intensifies

The decline of Tottenham in recent seasons should serve as a wake-up call to those at the top of the club.

Losing world-class players over the past decade and replacing them with young developing players has seen Spurs drift from a top-four side to one battling in the bottom half.

It is now clear that investing in top-class talent is often the difference between competing and merely surviving. However, it remains to be seen whether those in charge act in time or whether it is a little too late now.

Tottenham have reportedly turned their attention towards a Bayern Munich defender, with fresh uncertainty surrounding their own back line.

Tottenham Hotspur’s backline could become an area of concern in the summer transfer window, as several defenders continue to attract interest.

Cristian Romero’s future at Tottenham remains uncertain, even though Spurs have made it clear they want to keep the Argentine in north London.

Ange Postecoglou has since revealed the interesting conversation he had with Micky van de Ven’s father before the Dutchman signed for Spurs, yet the pacey centre-back has also been linked with a move away.

Backup option Radu Dragusin was close to securing a move to Italy in the winter window, but no deal materialised, forcing him to stay in north London. It remains to be seen whether AS Roma will return for the Romanian.

Bringing in reinforcements could be the next move for Tottenham, and now Football Insider is reporting that Spurs have set their sights on a deal for Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae.

The 29-year-old has struggled for game time this season under Vincent Kompany, managing just 13 starts. Newcastle United were also credited with interest last year, while Spurs explored a similar move for Kim Min-jae in the summer.

MORE SPURS STORIES

However, any deal will only be possible if Tottenham Hotspur secure European football next season, which currently looks unlikely.

Speaking about the latest report, Paul O’Rourke assessed Kim’s situation and Tottenham’s chances, stating: “Yeah, I think I am sure Tottenham are probably among a number of clubs looking at Kim’s long-term future at Bayern Munich.

“He has struggled to hold down a regular place in the starting XI at Bayern. They have got Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah as the preferred centre-back pairing, so Kim has found himself third choice in Vincent Kompany’s plans.

“There has been talk that Bayern could be in the market for a new centre-back in the summer as well, so that would just push him even further down the pecking order.

“It is going to be an interesting summer for Tottenham, they are desperate to get out of this relegation fight and improve their squad for the coming seasons. Kim, I think, has got all the attributes to be a success in the Premier League.

“He is strong, quick and his physicality would be suited to the Premier League. I think Tottenham might need to do some convincing to sign Kim, especially if they find themselves out of Europe next year.

“It is a tough deal to do, and there are a number of clubs who will be looking at Kim’s situation at Bayern, especially if he decides he wants to move on.”

Spurs and Bayern Munich are no strangers when it comes to doing transfer business, and that could work in the favour of the Lilywhites.

In recent years, Tottenham have signed Mathys Tel and Joao Palhinha from the German champions, while Harry Kane secured his move to Germany a few seasons ago.

Tottenham are braced for a potential summer decision over Guglielmo Vicario, with interest building in Italy and a valuation already set.

Guglielmo Vicario has endured a topsy-turvy spell at Tottenham Hotspur since securing his move in the summer of 2023.

The Italian has come under criticism for struggling to deal with crosses into the box and for his distribution when playing out from the back.

Still, he is a European winner with Tottenham and remains one of the leaders in a squad packed with young players.

Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario pushes for Italy transfer

Rumours suggest that Vicario’s time at Tottenham could soon be up, with interest coming from Italy, as both Inter Milan and Juventus are reported to be keen on the 28-year-old.

A decision in the summer window is expected from Vicario, with some reports claiming that the Spurs number one is open to leaving north London.

Corriere dello Sport now reports that Inter Milan remain keen on landing Vicario this summer. It is claimed that the goalkeeper has increased his desire in recent weeks to depart Spurs and return to Italy.

MORE SPURS STORIES

That in itself has alerted Inter and led to contact over a potential deal, although Juventus are also in the race.

Spurs demand £21m-26m for Guglielmo Vicario as Inter prefer loan

Spurs will look to recoup a decent fee for the Italian should they sell him in the summer transfer window.

A price tag of around €25-30m (£21-26m) has been placed on Vicario, which is seen as the main obstacle for Inter Milan.

The Serie A side does not want to guarantee a high sum upfront and would prefer a loan with a conditional obligation or an option to buy.

It remains to be seen if Tottenham will agree to such terms in the summer. The outlet also states that Inter’s determination to land Vicario stems from their failed attempt in 2023, when Tottenham landed the Italian.

Tottenham’s growing interest in another soon-to-be free agent has sparked fresh concern abroad, with Igor Tudor’s future set to play a decisive role.

Tottenham Hotspur continue to be linked with several players whose contracts are due to expire this summer.

Andy Robertson was on Tottenham’s radar in January, and reports continue to link him with a move away from Anfield, with Spurs a potential destination.

Leon Goretzka is another, whose time at Bayern Munich is almost up, with the German confirming he will not extend his stay, and Tottenham have been tipped as a possible landing spot.

Marcos Senesi of Bournemouth is also out of contract this summer, with Spurs among the sides showing keen interest in Senesi.

Tottenham interest in Lorenzo Pellegrini raises Roma contract concern

According to Roma Giallo Rossa, AS Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini’s future in Italy is in doubt, with his contract set to expire in the coming months.

Tottenham have been credited with interest in the midfielder, and it is understood that interim manager Igor Tudor is the one who recommended the Roma man as a potential option this summer.

MORE SPURS STORIES

It is claimed that Pellegrini’s ‘marriage’ to Roma is nearing its end and that a renewal is ‘still far away’, with no agreement in sight.

This now leaves Roma in a tight spot as they contemplate whether to push through an extension or bid farewell to one of the icons of recent seasons.

Spurs move for Lorenzo Pellegrini depends on Igor Tudor future

While Spurs are interested in Pellegrini, it is reported that any potential deal hinges on whether Tudor remains in the dugout.

The current Tottenham manager’s contract expires in June and, if his stay is extended, a move for the Roma man is likely; however, should he depart, it becomes increasingly unlikely.

Tottenham Hotspur are one of a whole host of clubs across Europe who are looking to secure the service of an extremely talented young Dutch centre-back.

Spurs already have one of the best teenage centre-backs in world football at the moment in Luka Vuskovic.

The numbers suggest that Vuskovic has been one of the best players across Europe’s top five leagues this season, which is no easy feat for a youngster getting his first taste of football at the highest level.

It has now emerged that Spurs also want to secure the services of another generational young defender, who is making waves in Dutch football.

Tottenham battle a whole host of clubs for Ruud Nijstad

According to SportsBoom, Tottenham are among the admirers of Twente’s Ruud Nijstad, who is impressing in the Eredivisie this season after breaking into the club’s first team.

The report reveals that the 18-year-old could be one of the most highly sought-after teenagers of the summer window, with Spurs facing competition from Premier League rivals as well as some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

Nijstad is also on the radars of Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig. Meanwhile, the data models used by Aston Villa and Brentford have flagged Nijstad’s elite progressive long-pass metrics.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Finally, Barcelona have also had their eye on the youngster for a while, with some at the club feeling that the Twente starlet is reminiscent of a ‘modern-day Gerard Pique’.

Twente’s stance on Nijstad revealed

SportsBoom say that the Dutch club are preparing for the most profitable sale in the club’s history this summer as the interest grows in the centre-back.

Twente are expected to demand a fee in the region of €15m–€20m (£13.1m-£17.4m) from Nijstad’s suitors.

The outlet adds that the Eredivisie side are unlikely to sanction a sale unless the centre-back is loaned back to them for a season. It is revealed that both Leipzig and Brentford are discussing a ‘buy and loan’ formula for the young defender.

Tottenham Hotspur fans will love hearing the latest regarding academy midfielder Jamie Donley after his involvement in a scary incident last month.

A whole host of Spurs youngsters made loan moves in January, and that includes Donley, who was recalled from Stoke City after struggling for game time at the Bet365 Stadium during the first half of the campaign.

The attacking midfielder was loaned out to Oxford United instead, and he had a disastrous start to his spell at the Championship side.

Donely suffered an aerial collision on his debut for Oxford in the FA Cup, which left him unconscious for a short period and with injuries to his neck, shoulder and ribs.

Tottenham youngster Jamie Donley makes a successful comeback

The nature of the 21-year-old’s injury left Tottenham Hotspur fans very concerned, but they will be delighted to hear that the youngster is now back playing football.

Donley made his return last week, starting and playing 65 minutes in Oxford’s 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Sunderland at the Kassam Stadium.

The Tottenham academy graduate came off the bench as a substitute on 57 minutes on Saturday as Oxford managed to hold high-flying Middlesbrough to a 0-0 draw at the Riverside Stadium.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Donely admits he is keen to kick on after returning for Oxford

The youngster confessed that it was good to be back on the pitch after more than a month on the treatment table.

Donley confessed that he is keen to kick on and make a real impact for Matt Bloomfield’s men over the next few months.

The midfielder told the Oxford Mail after his return against Sunderland: “It’s definitely a lot better than my first appearance in an Oxford shirt so I was looking forward to it and just wanted to enjoy it really because I haven’t had a lot of football recently.

“I enjoyed it and obviously it would’ve been a lot nicer to win but it’s good to get out on the pitch.

“I think when you come to a new club, the easiest way to get used to the players is playing games and getting game time and obviously that didn’t happen how I wanted it to. But I think I’ve joined in with the lads really well and hopefully I can start putting in good performances for everyone.”

Wayne Rooney has given a candid assessment of the position that Tottenham Hotspur currently find themselves in as they moved even closer to the relegation spots.

Spurs could not use the extra energy and chaos of a derby to spring a surprise result on Sunday, with Arsenal simply proving too good for them.

The result means that 18th-placed West Ham have further closed the gap, now sitting just four points behind Tottenham, while Nottingham Forest are just two points behind.

Rooney has now given a brutal assessment of the quality of players Igor Tudor has to work with in N17.

Wayne Rooney claims Tottenham are not a top-six team anymore

The Man United legend suggested that Spurs simply do not have the quality of players anymore to be considered a ‘big six’ club.

He suggested that even Nottingham Forest have a better squad than the Lilywhites and called on the supporters to be more realistic about the team’s prospects.

Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer: “Tottenham are just not a good team. You talk about them being a big-six club, but if you go through the squad and players man-for-man, they’re probably in the position they should be.

MORE SPURS STORIES

“It’s obviously a big club with a nice, new stadium and a nice training ground, but I just don’t think the players are good enough to compete at the top end of the Premier League.

“Nottingham Forest have a better squad than them and they’re in a similar position in the league so, I think they’re being a bit naive, whether that’s the fans or the club, in thinking they’re a top-six team – they’re not, they’re miles off it.”

Rooney reveals if he expects Spurs to be relegated

Relegation would have disastrous financial consequences for Tottenham, but that is not something Igor Tudor is worried about.

The Spurs interim head coach was confident on Friday that Spurs will stay up, and Rooney also believes that the North Londoners will find a way to survive.

The 40-year-old added: “I think they’ll be fine, I don’t think they’ll get relegated, but they’re down there, just like they were last season and a little bit closer this season. But I think they’re just about good enough not to go down.

“Tottenham over the past 15 years have been towards the top end of the table and they’ve spent a lot of money on the stadium and players so if they get relegated, it’s a big worry for them.”

Sam Allardyce has weighed in on Randal Kolo Muani’s so-called ‘push’ on Gabriel’s in the North London Derby between Tottenham and Arsenal.

Tottenham Hotspur were well beaten by north London rivals Arsenal last weekend, after braces from both Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze handed the Gunners a 4-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, the clash was not without its talking points, as a couple of refereeing decisions left a lot to be desired.

Randal Kolo Muani’s second on the day, which was disallowed, stands out most, as a slight nudge in the back of Gabriel saw the Brazilian centre-back throw himself to the ground in theatrical fashion.

It is even more controversial considering a similar incident involving Cristian Romero and Ekitike saw a different outcome, with the Liverpool forward’s goal allowed to stand after a comparable nudge.

Sam Allardyce says Gabriel should have been booked vs Tottenham

Spurs have every reason to feel aggrieved after that decision, and former Premier League manager Sam Allardyce has now shared his view on the challenge and the officiating.

Speaking on Footy Accumulators’ podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football, Allardyce said Arsenal defender Gabriel should have received a yellow card for simulation against Tottenham on Sunday, describing the decision to disallow Randal Kolo Muani’s second-half strike as “outrageously bad”.

MORE SPURS STORIES

He began by criticising the original call to rule out the goal, stating: “The referee in the North London Derby made a massive error by disallowing Randal Kolo Muani’s second goal.

“Spurs may not have gone on to get any points from the game, but if they were to have made it 2-2, who knows whether Arsenal’s nerves would have frayed again?”

Allardyce then turned his focus to Gabriel’s reaction and the lack of punishment for simulation, adding: “Gabriel should have been booked for feigning a free-kick. How many times do we see a ball come into the box from corners where there’s pushing and shoving – almost grievous bodily harm – and the referee allows a goal to stand?

“Tottenham cannot afford any more bad decisions out of their control like that. It was an outrageously bad decision and really, really poor from the referee – and even poorer from VAR to allow the decision to stand.”

Former Premier League referee gives his verdict on Gabriel call

Had that goal stood, the final result of the clash could well have been different. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has since offered his take on the disallowed goal.

The ex-match official explained that the on-field decision was always likely to remain because the referee felt there was enough of a push, and VAR was unlikely to overturn it, as some evidence existed to support the call.

He also addressed whether Gabriel should have been sent off for a potential denial of a goalscoring opportunity against Muani.

Explaining his view, he added, “I do not think it is a red card at all. If he gives a foul, I accept that. The ball runs through to the keeper. The striker is not in possession of the ball.

“I do not think there is any danger of him being sent off, but if he gives a foul, he cannot argue.”

Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, has blasted one of the referee’s big calls in Tottenham vs Arsenal.

Arsenal ran riot in the second 45 after a tight first period at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the Lilywhites going down 4-1 to their fierce rivals.

There was a big moment in the game at the start of the second half when Arsenal were 2-1 ahead, with Randal Kolo Muani having the ball in the net.

However, the referee, Peter Bankes, disallowed the goal, adjudging that the Tottenham Hotspur striker had pushed Gabriel Magalhaes on the back before finding the back of the net.

Keith Hackett claims Tottenham’s second goal should have stood

Replays showed that Kolo Muani did have his hand on Gabriel’s back, but the Brazilian exaggerated his fall after receiving just the faintest of touches on his back.

Keith Hackett claims that the French striker’s goal should have stood as he was trying to maintain his balance rather than push the Arsenal defender.

The former PMGOL chief told Football Insider about Kolo Muani’s disallowed goal: “What the referee has to decide is whether the Arsenal player is backing in. What makes it so stupid in this situation is that we see grappling going unpunished, but something as soft as this is punished.

MORE SPURS STORIES

“No wonder spectators are confused by the quality of these decisions. The player is backing in with the intention of achieving exactly what he’s achieved.

“A push starts with a bent arm, and it straightens – that’s a push. Here, we have a straight arm, and the player is using a degree of balance while maintaining space.”

Igor Tudor plays down Kolo Mauni’s second goal

Igor Tudor was scathing of Tottenham’s performance against Arsenal, admitting that some aspects of his side’s display made him angry.

However, the Spurs interim head coach brushed aside the controversy surrounding Kolo Muani’s disallowed goal.

When asked what he made of the decision to rule out the goal, the Croat told Football.London: “Oh, you know about this, touching the players in the box. It’s always about referees here, you know.

“They have their eyes who, you know, they make decisions every time, you know. How they feel. How they see. So it’s nothing. Sometimes they leave. Sometimes, no. This is how it is.”

Tottenham Hotspur are ready to change one of the pillars of their transfer strategy if the club manage to preserve their Premier League status this season.

Over recent weeks, some reports have suggested that Tottenham are planning an ambitious rebuild of their squad this summer after a quiet January window.

However, the club cannot even be sure that they will still be in the top-flight next season after the latest defeat to Arsenal in the North London Derby.

Spurs are currently sitting just four points ahead of the drop zone, and many pundits have warned that relegation is a very real possibility for Tottenham.

Tottenham owners ready to rip up club’s wage bill structure if they stay up

The Guardian have revealed that the Spurs owners have made a big decision to change how they operate in the transfer market should the club avoid relegation.

Tottenham are planning to ‘rip up their rigid wage structure’ in the summer as they undertake a massive overhaul of their squad.

MORE SPURS STORIES

There is said to be an acknowledgement at the club that they have underinvested in players’ salaries for years, and that is seen as one of the reasons why the team finds itself in its current predicament.

Lewis family feel a correction on wages is long overdue

The Guardian point out that Tottenham have the lowest wage bill among the ‘big six’, with the club’s £222m outlay on salaries being just a little over half of Man City’s, but that is now expected to change.

The club did not tend to pay out massive salaries under Daniel Levy. However, the report reveals that there is a growing feeling at Tottenham that correction on that front is ‘long overdue’.