Football London

Tottenham Hotspur will hope to get over their UEFA Super Cup heartbreak by bolstering their squad with quality ahead of the new Premier League season.

Spurs failed to capture a second European honour on Wednesday after losing on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain. Despite being 2-0 up with minutes to go, they conceded two late strikes with the Champions League winners ending up victorious from the spot.

As is the usual with football, there is no time to waste and with the north London side beginning their league season on Saturday at home to Burnley, there is more work to be done to improve Thomas Frank's side.

While there have been seven new arrivals this summer, Mohammed Kudus is the only signing that was both clinched this summer and also expected to play a significant role in Spurs' season.

The club's interest in Eberechi Eze and Savinho has been discussed at length as they look to make last season's Europa League triumph the beginning of a winning mentality in N17. Here, Football London takes a closer look at some of the moves Spurs could clinch with just weeks left of the transfer window.

Spurs informed of Savinho's price

Spurs have been locked in negotiations with Manchester City over Savinho who endured a disappointing debut campaign for the Citizens last season. The Brazilian scored just one league goal but did end the season, following the Club World Cup, with 16 goal contributions in 48 games, with 13 of those being assists.

The departure of Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevki's injury which could keep him out of action for the rest of the calendar year has left Frank's squad a tad short in the wide areas.

Discussions surrounding a £43m package for the 21-year-old was reported, but according to the latest claims, it'll take a club-record fee for Spurs to prize the Brazilian away from Pep Guardiola's side. According to journalist Jorge Nicola, Spurs held talks with Savinho's agent who told the club that a £67m bid would be enough to convince Man City to part ways with him.

Spurs' hurdle in Eze record transfer fee

Spurs' interest in Eze this summer has been well-documented as the latest update on the transfer saga claims the club are set to make an official bid for the Crystal Palace talisman.

Fresh off winning the Community Shield after the Eagles' victory over Liverpool on Sunday, the England midfielder could be set for a move across London if a deal between the two Premier League sides can be agreed.

While Eze has been subject to interest from Arsenal, it's Spurs that have seemingly moved ahead of their rivals in the race for the 27-year-old's signature. Should Spurs succeed in their acquisition of the talented star, they'll reportedly have to fork out what would be a club-record £68m fee which is the figure said to be Eze's release clause. Football London understands the clause expires before the start of the Premier League season.

The ex-QPR man is said to be attracted to the opportunity to play in the Champions League and remain in London but reports suggest Spurs value him around the £55m mark – the fee they paid West Ham for Kudus.

Banking £20m for bit-part star

Manor Solomon may have signed for Spurs in 2023 but the Israeli has made just six appearances for the club. A meniscus injury just three months into his career in north London ended his 2023/24 campaign.

The following campaign saw the winger sent on loan to Leeds United as he resurrected his career by playing a major role in the Whites' promotion to the Premier League. While he scored 10 goals and providing 12 assists for Daniel Farke's side, his return to Spurs this summer has been less triumphant as he missed the club's tour of Asia due to injury.

With the likes of Kudus, Wilson Odobert, Richarlison, Mathys Tel and Brennan Johnson all ahead of Solomon in the rotation, Frank could look into cashing in on the 26-year-old. Spurs are said to be looking for £15m to £20m for his services with a return to Leeds being mooted given Farke's displeasure with his lack of attacking options.

The German was damning in the club's faltering attempts to improve their forward line as he recently said: "In comparison to our Championship side, we have not improved in the offence.

"We are not prepared yet for a long Premier League season. We are capable of playing at a good level but in order to be ready and to win games at this level… you need players who can score goals and give assists."

Tottenham showed off the results of a pre-season with new manager, Thomas Frank, in the UEFA Super Cup, with an impressive showing against one of the world's strongest club sides that ended in penalty heartbreak - and fans in football.london'scomments' section are telling club chairman Daniel Levy that he must back Frank to solve the squad's remaining issues.

Spurs led for 85 minutes against Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain - owing to goals from Micky van de Ven and new captain, Cristian Romero. Frank's back-three formation also included Kevin Danso, a tactic to keep out PSG's fearsome attack.

The French heavyweights were able to drag themselves back from the brink in the final five minutes of regular time, and would go on to win the penalty shootout.

Frank was proud of the encouraging display, saying: "I think the players gave everything while playing against one of the best team in the world, maybe the best, at the moment, and I think we were 75, 80 minutes perfect, almost giving nothing away against, they had four players with unbelievable individual quality on the pitch.

"So very, very proud of them."

And our readers reckon that Spurs are definitely on to something - and are demanding that Levy give Frank the final pieces of the puzzle.

Reader ABorg says: "If Frank had had the signings in that he should have had, we'd have seen the game out. The lack of quality in the squad showed when we had to make substitutions. Palhinha for [Archie] Gray is a massive drop in quality, Gray's still young and too lightweight for me to play there. And [Mathys] Tel coming on for Kudus another massive drop in quality.

"Also it just pointed out the lack of quality we have on the left wing and in the middle striker position. Richarlison has to go, and [Dominic] Solanke even when fit, runs a lot, but he's not good enough for Spurs I'm afraid. Levy has an awful lot of work to do still.

"I don't hold much hope that he will come good, as he always leaves the squad short somewhere, which has held the team back."

Commenter Halestrap agrees: "Superb for 80 mins. Ultimately, it was the subs that cost us the game. It's a difficult one as we clearly needed to take off Richy (with his injury issues) and Palhinha hasn't played much but the shape went. Tel had a poor pre-season and he's going to get a lot of stick after that performance. Think we all knew he'd miss. Hopefully he can get his confidence up. COYS!"

Thistooshallpass writes: "For a Spurs team that looked completely lost and disoriented for most of last season, I thought they looked very disciplined and well-organised - and that was against the best team in the world. PSG barely created a chance. It's amazing what Frank has achieved in such a short time.

"The only concern now is squad depth. Tel and Gray were noticeable steps down in quality. [Lucas] Bergvall only played four minutes, so it's hard to pin anything on him. We need a midfielder, a winger, and a striker. I just hope Levy won't let yet another manager down."

ZiggySiggy says: "To play with youngsters is something Frank can't afford to do if he wants to be successful with Tottenham. Unfortunately the game was lost when Palhinha and [Pape Matar] Sarr went off.

"Spurs need 3-4 new senior players if they are to be successful this season. I won't mention names, it's obvious for everyone to see, but you need senior players to achieve any success in the PL and in the UCL. Send the kids out on loan for couple of seasons, and bring in more senior players."

Thomas Frank certainly has some big decisions to make when it comes to his Tottenham team to face Burnley on Saturday. Spurs' 2025/26 campaign officially got underway on Wednesday evening as they took on PSG in the UEFA Super Cup final in Udine, Italy.

Thomas Frank's team produced a very impressive performance against the Parisians but they were to be defeated on penalties following a late rally from the Champions League winners. Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero's goals were cancelled out by Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos in the closing minutes, with Nuno Mendes scoring the decisive kick in the penalty shootout after Van de Ven and Mathys Tel had missed for Tottenham.

Despite the killer blow of losing the game so late on and missing out on another trophy in the process, Frank can take so many positives from the match with his players putting in huge performances that resulted in them taking a deserved 2-0 lead.

"I absolutely agree, very, very proud of the players, the team, the club, the fans," said the Dane in his post-match press conference. "I think the players gave everything, playing against one of the best team in the world, maybe the best, at the moment, and I think we were 75, 80 minutes perfect, almost giving nothing away against, they had four players with unbelievable individual quality on the pitch. So very, very proud of them."

A number of players stood out for Tottenham across the game, with Richarlison certainly one of them. The Brazilian was given the nod over Dominic Solanke as he partnered Mohammed Kudus in a new-look Tottenham attack.

The decision to start with Richarlison instead of Solanke was not a shock as the latter had only just returned to the matchday squad after suffering with an ankle injury over the summer. The ex-Bournemouth man started the team's opening game of pre-season against Reading but failed to feature after that, meaning he had missed out on so much game time to increase his fitness levels ahead of the new season.

Solanke did look like a player who had just returned from injury following his introduction in place of the Brazilian in the 72nd minute. Richarlison was a huge presence up top for Tottenham throughout the game as he gave PSG issues time and time again with his relentless play.

His running, hold-up play and ability to win a free-kick really benefitted Frank's team and his absence was felt dearly in those closing minutes as PSG upped the pressure on Spurs and eventually drew level. Tottenham really did miss Richarlison in those final few minutes as his ability to hold the ball up and win a free-kick would have been invaluable to the team.

However, it perhaps wasn't a surprise to see him make way with 18 minutes to go due to the amount of work he had put in and also his previous injury woes. Injuries have hit the 28-year-old hard in recent seasons and there are a number of Tottenham fans who would like to see him move on so someone who is consistently available over a long-term period can come in and take his place.

Wednesday night did in fact highlight that Richarlison is a huge asset to the team and that he can be a big player for Frank, with his performance reminiscent of the job he did in the Europa League final when he was handed a starting spot over Son Heung-min. Regardless of Solanke's current fitness levels or not, the ex-Everton man has certainly made an extremely strong case to start this weekend against Burnley.

It would be incredibly harsh to drop the player to the bench on Saturday at home to the Clarets when he really does deserve to start again. The question Frank has to answer is whether he goes with the same formation that features a front two or he reverts to 4-2-3-1 and brings in an additional attacking player.

Whatever decision he plumps for in the end, Richarlison should be in his starting XI as Tottenham look to make the best possible start to the new Premier League season.

A former Tottenham Hotspur hooligan revealed the most “underrated” firm he came up against – saying their fans once knocked him out and left him hospitalised.

Convicted gun smuggler and one-time leader of the London Ulster Defence Association, Frank Portinari, opened up about his days fighting on the terraces. And he mentioned one rival in particular when he was asked about the toughest. Frank, who followed Spurs throughout Britain and Europe, said: “If I focus on London, I am honest enough to say this now that the late 60s, early 70s, I don’t think people give them credit, Arsenal had a naughty mob of fellas.

“And it changed because I remember when Tottenham eclipsed Arsenal so to speak and we would regularly go their end of the ground and take the p*** to be honest. And then they had their day again in the 80s and 90s.”

However, he said Arsenal fans were responsible for giving him one of his most dangerous moments at a football match, and it happened inside a White Hart Lane toilet.

“I’ve been very fortunate, I've only ever been concussed once,” Frank, who has penned a book called Loyalist Paramilitary Gunrunner, began. “And that was because I took a liberty.

“I went to the toilets after being where I shouldn’t have been and people saw me go to the toilets and that was at Tottenham and we played Arsenal.”

The North London Derby was at White Hart Lane and according to Frank, opposing fans clashed outside Spurs’ old stadium.

Frank, who thought he was being “smart”, pretended to be with the Arsenal fans to get into the away section, and faked being hurt by a Spurs supporter when a policeman asked whether he was ok.

However, speaking about what happened next on the Criminal Connection podcast, he said: “I went to the toilet and of course these Arsenal fellas saw me do it and I woke up in a cubicle. One minute I’m in the urinal and the next minute I’m in the cubicle.

“I joke about it now but I genuinely went like that (checks his ears) I had my f***ing ears in case one of them took it as a trophy you know.”

Frank was assisted by medics and he was taken to North Middlesex University Hospital. However, after waiting two hours to be seen, he decided to get a cab back home without being treated.

Despite giving credit to bitter rivals Arsenal, and revealing that Millwall away on Boxing Day in 1977 is where he witnessed the “worst violence” he had ever seen, he said one other firm stood out as the best.

He said: “But I suppose for consistency, I am honest enough to say, probably West Ham. I think West Ham because what they are always attributed with is being organised and they did seem to always be organised."

Frank added: “We have had our times with West Ham but consistently over the years, I will probably have to credit West Ham.”

Tottenham suffered a heart-breaking defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup final on Wednesday evening.

Goals just a few minutes either side of half time from Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero put Spurs in control, but Luis Enrique's substitutions dragged PSG back into the game.

In the 85th minute, Lee Kang-in pulled one back with a fierce left-footed effort from distance before Goncalo Ramos guided home an Ousmane Dembele cross deep into added time to take the game to penalties.

Despite the fact Joao Vitinha missed PSG's first spot-kick, the Lilywhites lost the shoot-out when Nuno Mendes netted the decisive penalty after both Micky van de Ven and Mathys Tel failed to find the back of the net.

For 70 minutes, Tottenham were superb with Thomas Frank's tactics - ranging from a relentless high press to some very clever set-pieces - absolutely spot on. The changing point of the game undoubtedly arrived courtesy of the substitutions made by both Frank and Enrique.

While the European champions brought on Ramos and Fabian Ruiz, Spurs introduced 19-year-old Archie Gray and a far from match-fit Dominic Solanke. Mohammed Kudus was also replaced by Tel with just over ten minutes to play.

The three players introduced did not necessarily do anything wrong but it was more about what Spurs lost through Richarlison, Kudus and Palhinha going off. The latter mopped up almost everything in front of the back five while Kudus and Richarlison formed a superb strike partnership.

Gray and Tel will undoubtedly have bright futures at Spurs but it is clear that Frank needs better squad options for the present. When Tottenham play a back four, Kudus will likely shift out to the right, but it is far from clear which player has the huge task of replacing club legend Son Heung-min on the other side.

Tel and Wilson Odobert are the obvious options but the former's struggles, alongside the fact the former Burnley man did not even get on, clearly suggests a new left winger is needed and it seems as though Spurs are perfectly aware of that.

Late last week, reports emerged that club-to-club talks had began between Spurs and Manchester City for Savinho with an opening bid also being rejected. The Brazilian can be deployed on both flanks but is better-suited to playing off the left with his pace and impressive crossing abilities traits that can be further showcased in north London.

Tottenham are expected to return with a second and improved offer likely closer to City's £67 million (€80m) asking price expected. Given the funds that were made available for Morgan Gibbs-White, Spurs can afford to meet that financial demand but may attempt to agree a lower fee as they are also pursuing a new No.10.

Joao Palhinha admits that the next couple of days will be difficult for Tottenham but the future will "bring us something special" after a UEFA Super Cup final which saw him involved in action on and off the pitch.

The 30-year-old started only his second game for Spurs following his loan move from Bayern Munich and on his competitive debut the Portuguese midfielder was a key element of the north London side snuffing out PSG's threat in Udine on Wednesday night and taking a 2-0 lead through goals from Micky van de Ven and new captain Cristian Romero.

It was Palhinha's reaction shot pushed on to the crossbar by new PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier that led to Van de Ven's first half goal as the Dutchman swept home the loose ball.

However, after Palhinha was taken off in the 72nd minute due to his lack of match fitness, so Tottenham lost some of their shape and eventually conceded two late goals from Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos. The French side then went on to win the penalty shoot-out 4-3 with their boss Luis Enrique admitting that Spurs had deserved to win the tie against the Champions League winners.

Palhinha could be seen, while still in his full kit, pushing his team-mates on in the technical area behind Thomas Frank following his substitution, dishing out instructions and telling certain players to calm down in possession. He was such an animated presence among the coaches that the fourth official had to come over and warn him to go and sit with his fellow withdrawn players.

After the game, the experienced former Fulham midfielder summed up the mood in the dressing room.

"We are really sad. Not just the players but all the staff, all the crowd that came to support us during the game. I think today and tomorrow will be a tough day for us to digest that loss, but I think we also need to feel proud for what we did until the 80 minutes," he said. "Because we fought all the games with the top team ad I think we showed what we are here to get in the future. I think we have all the conditions to achieve this season and I think the future will bring us something special.

"We played against a top opponent, a top game, but in the Premier League and also in every single league, they are top games. I think we cannot relax, and the good thing now is we have another game on Saturday to change the things and start on the right foot in the Premier League. That's our main goal today. As I said, try to forget what happened today. I think today will be really difficult, even tomorrow.

"But we will have short time as well to prepare for the next game, but with all the focus and the anger to achieve a win. I think the hunger from all the players to achieve this title. Everyone gave all the maximum in this game and I think we showed what we are capable of. We played against a top team and we have everything, a top coach and top players in this squad.

"A top crowd as well with a lot of hunger to achieve titles. Me and my team-mates, we will fight for it for sure. Yeah, it's a tough day today, a tough night, but I know that we will shape good things in the future. We just need to keep our heads up."

Palhinha put the final result down to the lottery of football as it sometimes throws up heartbreak just when all seems to be heading in the right direction.

"I think we played a really good game. I think we deserved much more than this result. It's really, really sad for all of us to get out of this stadium with this result, but it's football at the end," said the Portuguese.

"I think we showed in this game what we are capable of. I know the potential of this team. We have great players with a lot of hunger to achieve titles and wins for this club. We need to put all the focus now on Saturday's game, the beginning of the Premier League. Let's focus on Saturday because the good thing in football is you can change everything in the next game."

Palhinha is looking forward to the challenge ahead at Tottenham and believes that everything is in place to achieve something big at the club in a season with so many competitions to tackle, including the Champions League.

"I think it's the beginning of a journey together. It's a new team for me as well. Tottenham is a great club. It has all the conditions to achieve good things. It showed in the past and for sure it will show again in the future. I shared the dressing room with top players as well," he said.

"We have a top coach who is a top human being. I think we have all the conditions together to achieve good things. I think we just need to be with our heads up and keep fighting because the journey is really long. But as I said, Saturday starts a new journey for us as a team and we are really motivated for the beginning of the Premier League."

Palhinha's move marks a return to the capital after a couple of productive years at Craven Cottage and he is relishing stepping back into Premier League life.

"I enjoyed it when I played in Fulham the two years that I was there. I really miss the Premier League. I think it's a league that everyone wants to play in," he said. "When you play there and go to play outside somewhere else, you miss something. I'm really proud to be back again to the Premier League. I'm really happy to be on this top club and top team. I just need to enjoy it."

Cristian Romero believes the way that Tottenham Hotspur lost the UEFA Super Cup to Paris Saint-Germain will strengthen the team overall.

Romero scored three minutes into the second half to give Spurs a 2-0 lead after Micky van de Ven put them ahead just halftime. That two-goal advantage remained until the 85th minute, when PSG substitute Lee Kang-in halved the deficit.

Goncalo Ramos then also came off the bench to score an equaliser in the fourth minute of additional time. Tottenham then also led 2-0 in the penalty shootout at one stage before the French team again turned it around.

Romero was the first Spurs player to post on social media platform Instagram after the match. One of the three photos shared on social media shows the new Spurs captain covering his face with both hands.

"It hurts to lose like this, no doubt, but it will make us stronger as a team," the post's caption reads. "We'll work and fight to relive these moments together.

"Thankful to all the fans for the incredible support on the road today. See you at home on Saturday, family."

Before tagging Tottenham's official account, Romero punctuated the post with a white heart emoji. He also added, "Congratulations to PSG".

Djed Spence also shared a similarly emotional message: "Devastated to say the least. We gave everything, but sometimes football isn't fair.

"Thank you to the travelling fans (white heart emoji). Full focus on the season now," it reads, ending with the hashtag' God Speed'.

Rio Ferdinand also commented on the player's post. "First full back for a while I've seen be able to handle Kvaratskhelia," the pundit said, adding two clapping hands emojis.

Joao Palhinha also marked his first competitive appearance for the club with a post on social media. "I'm so happy to make my official debut representing this club in a memorable final!" the caption reads.

"We have many important battles to win together. Football is what it's all about, no matter how hard it is to digest this final.

"We're together on this long journey ahead, but one thing I'm certain of, with our work together, the future will bring us joys. Thank you for your incredible support!"

Tottenham have released a strongly-worded statement after forward Mathys Tel suffered racist abuse on social media following the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night.

Tel was one of two Spurs players to miss his spot-kick in the penalty shootout defeat to Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night, with Micky van de Ven the other to miss from 12 yards.

Spurs had looked on course to lift the trophy in Udine, Italy, leading 2-0 in the final 10 minutes. Van de Ven had opened the scoring in the first half, with central defensive teammate Cristian Romero making it two in the second half.

But after a huge effort, Tottenham could not quite get over the line with PSG substitutes Lee Kang-In and Goncalo Ramos minute steering the match into a shootout via goals in the 84th and 95th minute.

PSG would run out 4-3 winners, however, to lift the Super Cup, but a superb Tottenham performance was soured by the social media abuse received by Tel in the aftermath of the contest.

And Tottenham have confirmed that they will be looking for the "strongest possible action" against anyone they are able to identify in an investigation into the abuse.

In a statement, Spurs said: "We are disgusted at the racial abuse that Mathys Tel has received on social media following last night’s UEFA Super Cup defeat.

"Mathys showed bravery and courage to step forward and take a penalty, yet those who abuse him are nothing but cowards - hiding behind anonymous usernames and profiles to spout their abhorrent views.

"We will work with the authorities and social media platforms to take the strongest possible action against any individual we are able to identify.

"We stand with you, Mathys."

Tel has also received plenty of support on social media, following the racism.

Luis Enrique has said it was akin to a miracle that Paris Saint-Germain won the UEFA Super Cup over Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs led 2-0 in Udine after goals from Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven either side of half-time. PSG substitute Lee Kang-in, however, halved their deficit in the 85th minute before Goncalo Ramos equalised four minutes into additional time.

Tottenham then led 2-0 in the penalty shootout after Dominic Solanke and Rodrigo Bentancur scored either side of a miss from Vitinha. PSG would not miss again, though, while Van de Ven, then Mathys Tel, erred from the spot.

Thomas Frank likened the penalty shootout to "a flip of a coin" but acknowledged there was "so much to be happy with" and "so many positives" from the match itself. The new Spurs head coach described the first half as "almost perfect" and spoke of his pride for "the team, the club, and the fans".

Enrique, meanwhile, was remarkably magnanimous in victory afterwards. Seconds into an interview with TNT Sports, he asked, "Do you think we deserved that?" before answering that same question when put to him by the interviewer, Jules Breach.

"For 80 minutes, we didn’t deserve that," Enrique said. "I think Tottenham deserved the win in the match.

"We could feel they were in form; they could feel they had been training for six weeks; they played a great match. We had been training for only six days.

"Sometimes football is unfair, we were very lucky that in the last ten minutes we could score two goals. I have to say that my players had faith until the last minute, like our supporters, but football is unpredictable and in that sense, we were very lucky."

After explaining their struggles playing after barely training, Enrique proclaimed, "It was like a miracle."

Tottenham are interested in signing Eberechi Eze before the summer transfer window closes, having initially appeared to distance themselves from a move for the Crystal Palace star.

Eze has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park for much of the summer, with Arsenal the most recent club to be heavily tipped to make a move.

But, with an ACL injury suffered by James Maddison, ruling him out for most of the upcoming 2025/26 season and the failure to sign Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest, Spurs are back in the market for someone to play in the No.10 role.

In Eze they will have someone who can play across the frontline and in midfield - a versatile player for Thomas Frank's system.

Eze still has two years left on his contract with the Eagles, giving Palace the upper hand in negotiations over a transfer. Eze has a release clause of £67.5million which expires before the Premier League season starts, so Tottenham have something of a deadline to meet to get a deal done.

That said it is understood that Palace will demand a similar amount even after the release clause expires.

Spurs will want to get a deal over the line before the season starts, though, to give Frank the best possible squad heading into that opening fixture against Burnley, particularly without a recognised No.10 to call upon at the moment. Dejan Kulusevski has a long-term knee injury, meaning Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr and the likes of Wilson Odobert or Mathys Tel could have to play there if Eze is not brought into the club in time.

The deadline to play players in Premier League games at the weekend is 12pm on the last working day before the weekend - so noon on Friday for Spurs ahead of their clash with Burnley.

Palace will also want to complete a transfer quickly, if they are to let Eze leave, which they would do reluctantly, given his importance to the team.

The Eagles will need to replace the outgoing star, and the longer the saga goes on, the less time they will have to do so.

Palace could also need to replace two big players, given Liverpool links with defender Marc Guehi, who only has one year left on his contract in south London.

football.london initially reported in July that Spurs were highly unlikely to make a move for Eze, despite the noise around the Lilywhites' apparent interest.

That was likely due to a protracted move for Gibbs-White being on the cards - a move which subsequently failed. Arsenal moved to the front of the queue for Eze, but it is now Spurs who are leading the race.

That is because the Gunners' interest has cooled somewhat. Ethan Nwaneri's decision to sign a new contract at the Emirates Stadium led to Arsenal easing off a move for Eze, feeling another signing in that department was not entirely necessary.

Eze remains of interest to Arsenal, but their priority right now is on getting fringe players out of the door, rather than bringing new players in and that is where Spurs can swoop to secure the deal ahead of their north London rivals.