Football London

The Bournemouth centre-back is waiting for two different announcements this week as his Tottenham Hotspur transfer nears

Marcos Senesi faces an anxious wait for two different announcements as the Tottenham transfer target awaits news on his short and long-term future.

Spurs are expected to announce the arrival of the Argentinean centre-back on a free transfer to add to last week's signing of Andy Robertson, with both to join when their contracts at Bournemouth and Liverpool respectively come to an end on June 30. Tottenham are also trying to sign Manchester City winger Savinho and Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke to bolster Roberto De Zerbi's squad early for next season.

Senesi though has got his fingers crossed for yet another positive announcement which will come on Tuesday. That's because there remains a chance that the 29-year-old might get a late World Cup call-up to the Argentina squad after Leonardo Balerdi was injured in training.

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni made it clear that he will not announce the replacement until Tuesday and Senesi, according to ESPN's reports in his homeland, has been training three to four days a week since the Premier League season finished with a fitness coach and a kinesiology specialist to maintain "a high level of physical preparation" in case he was called upon at late notice.

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Other reports in Argentina do claim that, despite not being centre-backs, Agustin Giay and Nicolas Capaldo are leading candidates to step into the squad as they have been training with Scaloni's men in the USA ahead of the tournament, while Senesi would need to fly in.

There is a knock-on effect for Tottenham and De Zerbi if Senesi does get a late call-up because he would then arrive at Spurs later this summer if Argentina go far in the World Cup as they look to defend their crown. In that scenario, rather than reporting for the first day of pre-season training with his new club, Senesi would be unlikely to join up at Hotspur Way until closer to when the new season begins.

The new Premier League campaign does at least kick off later this year, from August 22, in order to give more rest time to those playing in that big international competition across the Atlantic this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence was a surprise call up for the England World Cup squad, but has impressed Thomas Tuchel and is playing through the pain for the Three Lions

Djed Spence was the surprise man in England's World Cup squad and will have to wear a mask throughout the tournament - but had no intention of letting a broken jaw deny him his American dream.

Tottenham defender Spence must wear a protective face mask in the United States this summer after a "crazy challenge" from Chelsea striker Liam Delap in the penultimate game of Spurs' Premier League season.

But Spence was determined to end what he admits was a "difficult season" battling a relegation battle on a high, by being part of Thomas Tuchel's squad looking to triumph on the biggest stage this summer.

Asked whether he feared it could cost him a place in the squad, Spence said: “No, not really. It was painful but luckily I play football with my feet and not my jaw so I was all good. I’ve been wearing it in training, getting used to it in the heat and just trying to fit it in properly so I’ve been trying to break it in.

“It’s a little bit uncomfortable. But it is what it is, I’ve got a broken jaw so I have to wear it throughout the tournament so it’s something I will have to get used to.”

Spence suffered the injury after being caught by a swinging arm from Delap when Spurs lost 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Videos of the incident don't make for pretty viewing and it would be understandable if Spence was still fuming about the outcome.

“Yeah, crazy challenge but it’s in the past now so just got to focus on this tournament now,” he said.

“I’ve got to wear it through the tournament. It’s three months until it’s fully healed. So, it’s a long time.”

Spence had a difficult season in North London. He lost his place at times, lost his form and had setbacks which probably left most people thinking he would not make the cut for Tuchel's 26-man squad.

But Spence - who provided the assist for Harry Kane in England’s win over New Zealand in their first friendly in the United States - says he is grateful for Tuchel’s loyalty.

"It shows the manager believes in me, believes in my quality and I’m thankful for him and I just want to keep on putting in the performances to make everyone happy," says Spence. “It’s a huge honour, to play for your country is a big thing and I’m over the moon and happy to be here.

“Yeah, it’s been a difficult season. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel and we managed to get out of a difficult situation so we have to move forward. Like I said, focus on this World Cup and hopefully it will be a good one.”

Tuchel is a big fan of Spence's ability as a one-on-one defender and believes he is the fastest player in the squad. He also likes his versatiltiy, able to play as a full-back or wing-back on either side. Indeed, while Spence started as a right back, he now considers himself more of a left back.

His switch inside to cross with his right foot from the left wing has become his signature move and was the route for his cross to provide the assist for Kane.

Spence said: “Obviously I’m naturally a right back but I’ve been playing left back for a couple of years now so I’m still learning the position, still trying to get better but versatility is a good strength to have.

“I haven’t played on the right for a long time but it’s still a strong position for me and hopefully I might be out there on the right in this tournament but if not then I’m happy to be there on the left.

“It is my position now on the left so I just have to practice more and there are things to perfect and hopefully produce more assists like that one for the rest of the tournament.

“Everyone knows how good I am one v one, but going forward is a bit different playing on the left because it’s not my natural side going forward. There’s still stuff I can improve on and I’ve got to try and get more numbers in attack.”

After collapsing on a football pitch for the second time, former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen has offered an update into his condition

Christian Eriksen has said he is "doing well" after collapsing during Denmark's recent friendly against Ukraine. In June 2021, Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated after he collapsed during Denmark's Euro 2020 clash against Finland.

Five years later, he collapsed on the pitch at Nature Energy Park in Odense, Denmark, prompting team-mates and opposition players to form a circle around him as he received treatment. At first, many feared the horrific situation that unfolded at the European Championships was repeating itself.

However, on this occasion, Eriksen was able to walk off the pitch himself. A matter of days after the incident, he has taken to social media to offer an update on his health.

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He said: "I want to let everyone know that I am doing well and that I am home with my family. As you can probably imagine, receiving a shock from my ICD has had a major impact on both me and my family.

"But, I want to reassure everyone that this was a different situation from what happened in 2021. I am feeling good, and my recovery has already started.

"I addition to being grateful for the support and assistance of all the players and the medical team on the field, I am also incredibly grateful to the doctors who have cared for me and my heart over the years.

"Thanks to their expertise, my ICD did exactly what it was designed to do: protect me when I needed it. For now, my focus is on recovering, spending time with my family, going on vacation, and playing football with my children."

When the incident happened, Denmark head coach Brian Riemer was the one to confirm the situation was not as serious as it was five years ago. He said: "Christian Eriksen waved to his teammates as he left the pitch.

"A few minutes before he fell ill, he had had a tussle with Ruslan Malinovskyi and I thought that was why he looked so distressed, but I was wrong. From that moment on, neither I nor the players on the pitch could have carried on with the match.”

When Eriksen had his cardiac arrest during the European Championships, he was an Inter Milan player. However, Serie A's strict rules on players competing with an ICD prevented him from staying there.

He went on to star at Brentford, before securing a move to Manchester United, where he spent three years. In the summer of 2025, left Old Trafford to join Wolfsburg, where he is contracted until the summer of 2027.

It is set to be a very busy summer at Tottenham Hotspur as Roberto De Zerbi looks to build a new squad to push the club forward

When Roberto De Zerbi spoke about how many current Tottenham players were good enough to remain in his squad next season he might not have realised just how big his squad actually is.

The Italian prevented Spurs from suffering relegation and after doing so with a final day win against Everton, the head coach made it clear that only a certain number of those at the north London club were of the required level for what he had planned.

"I don't think we have now to change too many players. We have 10, 11, 12 players good enough to stay. Good enough. Like players. Especially like people. And then we have to complete the squad with the first level of players," said De Zerbi in his final press conference of the season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

"First level of players because we suffered too much. I suffered a lot but I think the fans, the club, the board, the players. They suffered too much. We are Tottenham and we can't suffer like this until the last second of the last game to stay up.

"And I will be stronger. I will be stronger. I don't want to decide alone because football is a group - sporting director, scouting, CEO - but my target now is finished to stay up. My target is to start the pre-season with the team I have in my dream."

According to their website, Tottenham currently have a first team squad of 28 players, although Randal Kolo Muani's loan contract ends on June 30 as does Joao Palhinha's. De Zerbi would like to keep the Portuguese but that will involve negotiations between Spurs and Bayern Munich to knock down the fee.

On top of that squad there are also another eight senior players out on loan, according to the club site, which in total makes a 36-player squad.

So that means there has to be a transfer exodus this summer, either through permanent or loan means, as De Zerbi looks to bring in those 'first level' players with Andy Robertson already secured and Marcos Senesi set to follow, while Tottenham are also in talks to try to sign both Jan Paul van Hecke and Savinho from Brighton and Manchester City respectively before making further moves into the market.

So who is likely to head out the door this summer? Let's break it down by each department of the squad.

Goalkeepers

With interest from Serie A clubs in Guglielmo Vicario, after a season in which the 29-year-old's relationship with the Tottenham fans wasn't the greatest, a move back home for the Italy international seems more likely than in previous summers.

Vicario and De Zerbi got on behind the scenes and had the former Empoli goalkeeper been fit enough to play in the final weeks after his hernia surgery then it would have been interesting to see if he had brought him back in between the sticks for Antonin Kinsky, after making it clear that Vicario was his number one.

In the end Kinsky got the job and was superb, cementing his future at the club as a strong option for the new head coach. Brandon Austin, as the club's only senior homegrown player, is likely to continue in his back-up role unless he finally gets a chance to move this summer.

If Vicario does depart then a new goalkeeper will come in to battle with Kinsky for the vacant number one spot.

Potential exits: 1

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Defence

With Robertson arriving, the full-back slots look pretty set with the Scot and Destiny Udogie, who needs to prove his fitness next season, down the left and Pedro Porro and Djed Spence down the right. That's unless a big surprise bid comes in for one of those three Spurs defenders that De Zerbi is happy to accept.

That would leave Souza as a potential loan mover this summer in order for the youngster to get regular football in Europe to continue his adaptation to the non-Brazilian game. An English loan would be perfect but it's more difficult to get such a move for a young player like that which involves regular starts.

There's also the experienced Ben Davies with his contract up this summer, but Tottenham are expected to extend his deal to provide cover for both the left-back and central defensive slots in case more of the injuries that have plagued the north London club in recent seasons arise. The 33-year-old Wales international has also been working on his coaching badges with the club's academy and De Zerbi has often spoken about his character and positive effect on the group.

In central defence, all eyes are on Cristian Romero and whether the Spurs captain departs this summer. The move for Van Hecke appears to further open that door with the number of right-footed centre-backs at the club. Radu Dragusin does wants to play regular football though and a summer move likely beckons for him.

De Zerbi has made it clear how highly he rates Micky van de Ven, and Senesi will provide him with a good battle to keep their levels high on the left of the defence.

The Spurs boss has said Kevin Danso will remain at the club next season and that leaves a decision to be made over Luka Vuskovic and whether he will get enough game time with potentially Van Hecke and Danso there as more senior options and no European football. De Zerbi could always keep the Croatian until the January window in order to work with him and see what plays out.

There's also Kota Takai, who struggled on loan in Germany and looks no closer to playing a competitive match for Tottenham. Another loan move likely beckons for the Japan international.

We're also including Ashley Phillips in this as the centre-back, who turns 21 later this month, is down on the first team squad page on Spurs' website. After another strong loan spell at Stoke, nominated for the Championship Young Player of the Season award, it's time to let him continue his career elsewhere as with the numbers ahead of him, he's clearly not going to get that first competitive appearance in a Tottenham shirt.

Potential exits: 6

Midfield

Palhinha is technically an exit if Spurs don't sort out a deal for him before the end of this month but we're going to work on the proviso that they do.

James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur and Conor Gallagher look unlikely to be heading off this summer and Xavi Simons is out injured until early next year. Yves Bissouma is a likely departee, even if Spurs take the option on his contract in order to get some kind of fee for him.

That leaves the younger trio of Pape Matar Sarr, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. As this feels like a key area of the park where De Zerbi will want to bring in a player he believes will suit his system perfectly that could mean one of those three departing. Whether it's permanently in Sarr's case, or on loan with the younger duo remains to be see. Much could depend on whether Palhinha does indeed return or not but it would seem unlikely that Tottenham's starting midfield will be exactly the same as last season.

Among the loan players on the first team squad page, Alfie Devine will more than likely depart this summer with a queue of clubs waiting to buy him after a terrific season at Preston and no way through at Spurs.

Potential exits: 3

Attack

Let's start with those who are not going anywhere or simply can't. Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski will return from injury and return to Spurs action, while Wilson Odobert is out until the end of the year.

Kolo Muani will not be at Tottenham next season but De Zerbi is a big fan of Dominic Solanke and has publicly said that on a number of occasions. With a fully fit version of the England international - which did exist before Spurs took hold of him - the Italian will provide a system that gets the ball to him in the box a lot more than he has experienced in recent seasons.

De Zerbi wants another striker this summer and that could mean Richarlison being the one who departs as the Brazilian reaches the final 12 months of his contract. Richarlison played a big role in keeping Spurs in the Premier League with 11 goals and he played 43 games so did manage his injury problems of the past.

However, if it's a shoot-out between keeping Solanke or Richarlison, it feels like the former would get the nod from De Zerbi unless a huge bid comes in for a player with a contract until 2030.

Tottenham pushing to sign Savinho from Manchester City places some doubt over what happens next for Mathys Tel. Much could depend on what De Zerbi decides to do with youngster Mikey Moore and whether the 18-year-old is sent out on loan again.

If he is, then Tel and Savinho would make up the left wing options with Kudus and Kulusevski on the right, with Odobert and Xavi also able to play on the wings when they return mid-season. That's putting a lot of pressure though in the coming months on Kudus and Kulusevski to return from their long-term injuries and another winger move seems likely.

In terms of the loaned out attacker listed on the first team page, Alejo Veliz will join Bahia permanently in the weeks ahead and Dane Scarlett and Yang Ming-hyeok face a major challenge in being involved in the first team beyond this summer. Manor Solomon did play under De Zerbi at Shakhtar a few years ago and the Italian will have to decide whether to keep the versatile Israel international as wing cover early in the season or allow him to leave this summer.

Not included on the first team page, but instead on the U21s page, along with Moore, is Will Lankshear and De Zerbi might make a decision between him and Mason Melia as a homegrown striker to remain around the group. After his 12 goals for struggling Oxford last season in the Championship, Lankshear is likely to catch the eye in pre-season while Melia will be buoyed after making his Republic of Ireland senior debut before he's even played a game for Spurs.

It might not have been the best season for Tottenham Hotspur but they still ended up finding themselves sprinkled through a new hit movie

There's always drama and chaos at Tottenham Hotspur that even a Hollywood scriptwriter would struggle to come up with, but now the club actually finds itself referenced throughout a hit new Jennifer Lopez movie.

Spurs fans were put through the wringer during a Premier League season in which the north London side almost got relegated but for the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi, their fourth head coach in a year. The summer always brings fresh hope though and unexpectedly it also brings a big Hollywood movie that features plenty of references to the Premier League club.

That movie is Netflix's current number one hit Office Romance, starring Lopez and Ted Lasso and Shrinking star Brett Goldstein. It is Goldstein who is the connection to Spurs as the 45-year-old, who rose to fame as Roy Kent in Ted Lasso, is a huge fan of the club and he co-wrote the script for the romantic comedy with Joe Kelly.

That meant the British actor and writer was able to sprinkle in a trio of Tottenham touches throughout the tale of a UK lawyer who falls for the CEO of a US airline, played by Lopez despite their workplace banning such relationships.

The most subtle nod to Spurs which made the cut, which will probably go over the head of many, is that Goldstein's character is called Daniel Blanchflower.

If you know your Tottenham history, Danny Blanchflower was the legendary captain of the club when they won their historic double in the 1960/61 season and became the first British side to win a European trophy with the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1963.

The Northern Irishman was not actually called Daniel though. He was born Robert Dennis Blanchflower and that middle name ended up become Danny.

That did not stop Goldstein using the little Spurs reference and during one scene in the movie his character can be seen watching Tottenham play in the Premier League in his New York apartment and he cheers them scoring against Manchester United.

Even Jennifer Lopez gets in on the Tottenham action - or more precisely former Tottenham action - as it is shown that her character has a framed Harry Kane shirt in one room of her home in the movie.

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While promoting Office Romance, Goldstein admitted that Lopez "has no other option" than to be a Spurs supporter now after their time working together.

On this season of being a Tottenham fan, he said on US talk show Late Night with Seth Meyers: "Oh, it’s been horrendous. Being a football fan, especially for teams that we support, is a form of self-harm. It’s just painful. And then the way we felt when we didn’t get relegated was like we’d won the World Cup."

It's not the first time Goldstein has inserted little Spurs Easter eggs into the shows he has worked on. One came when one of the characters in Apple's hit show Shrinking, which he co-wrote and created, could be seen wearing as an exercise top the France goalkeeping shirt that former Spurs captain Hugo Lloris used to wear.

The north London outfit have had plenty of connections to movies and television over the years and as recently as last year, the big budget Edgar Wright film 'The Running Man' shot some scenes inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and its NFL changing rooms.

Tottenham will be hoping that they have their own Hollywood glitz and sparkle next season as De Zerbi gets to work and they line up a couple of summer blockbuster signings.

Tottenham are set to announce the transfer of one of their attackers after he landed in Brazil to finalise his move away from the Premier League club

Alejo Veliz's transfer to join City Football Group club Bahia from Tottenham is nearing after the striker flew to Brazil to complete the formalities of the deal.

Spurs signed the 22-year-old back in the summer of 2023 but the Argentine would only go on to play eight senior matches for the north London club under then head coach Ange Postecoglou, scoring once. Veliz was sent out on a string of loans with two spells in La Liga with Sevilla and Espanyol before returning to South America to the club where Tottenham signed him from - Rosario Central.

The attacker scored six goals across 24 appearances for the Argentine side this season and Spurs reportedly attempted to get the deal done with Bahia in the January window but were unable to bring a premature conclusion to Veliz's loan at his boyhood club.

Soon after the winter window closed, football.london reported that the transfer had still been agreed with the Brazilian side, part of the City Football Group, to be completed at the end of the season in Argentina. A £7.8million (9million euros) deal was agreed with £871k in add-ons (1million euros) plus a 20% sell-on clause.

Veliz was caught at the airport by the media when he flew into the Brazilian city last week and spoke about his impending move to the cameras.

"I am very happy with this step in my career, arriving at this club. I am very emotional about leaving Rosario Central because that is my home and my family," he is quoted as saying by Globo.

"We made this decision because I want to grow my career somewhere else. It was the best decision we made as a family. I watched the fans a lot. I also watched the recent matches. It is incredible. I hope I can give back a little of what they do."

Globo also reported that before accepting Bahia's offer, Veliz spoke with Mateo Sanabria, a Bahia striker he played with in the youth ranks of the Argentina national team.

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The player is said to have been on the radar of Bahia and the City Football Group since 2022, before he made the move to Tottenham and they see the forward as a player who can still improve and grow in value.

Officially Veliz's loan contract with Rosario comes to its conclusion at the end of June so it may be that any transfer announcement must wait until then. However, since the Argentinian team will not play again before that date and Veliz has already said goodbye to the team that developed him there remains a chance the transfer could be announced sooner.

For instance, Andy Robertson's free transfer to Tottenham was announced last week despite the Scot having a contract with Liverpool that runs until the end of this month.

Former Spurs star Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark's friendly with Ukraine on Sunday

Christian Eriksen has reposted an update on his social media following his collapse on the pitch during Denmark's friendly against Ukraine.

Television footage captured the former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder clutching his chest on the turf in the 65th minute before cameras cut to a different angle.

The fixture was suspended due to concerns surrounding the 34-year-old, and subsequently postponed with Denmark leading 2-1 at Nature Energy Park, after the player felt unwell and momentarily lost consciousness.

During the 2020 European Championships, Eriksen went into cardiac arrest in the 1-0 loss to Finland. He subsequently underwent surgery to have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator device fitted to enable him to continue his playing career.

Eriksen reshared quotes from the national team doctor, Morten Boesen, on his Instagram story, which read: "I spoke with Christian this morning, and he is doing well.

"He is with his family and in good spirits. The expectation is that he will be discharged soon and can return home.

"We are taking good care of the players and staff and remain in regular contact with them."

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Sunday's incident prompted alarm, and the Danish Football Union issued an update after players from both sides gathered around the midfielder to shield him.

"Christian Eriksen is conscious and doing well under the circumstances," read a statement from the DFU. "The match has been called off."

Boesen, who was present with the national team during Eriksen's collapse five years ago, confirmed that the midfielder would be taken to hospital for further tests.

In a statement via the BDU, he said: "Christian is doing well and walked off the pitch by himself. As I see it, the pacemaker responded as it should.

"He was briefly unconscious but regained consciousness very quickly and we were quickly in contact with him.

"He will now undergo further examinations at the hospital to determine what caused the incident. We are in ongoing contact with him and the doctors at the hospital.

"But Christian is doing well and he asked me to send his regards to all the players and tell them that he was okay."

Denmark manager Brian Riemer also provided an update following the match, saying: "Christian Eriksen waved to his team-mates as he left the pitch. A few minutes before he fell ill, he had had a tussle with Ruslan Malinovskyi and I thought that was why he looked so distressed, but I was wrong.

"From that moment on, neither I nor the players on the pitch could have carried on with the match."

Tottenham are in talks to sign Jan Paul van Hecke with his national team-mate and Spurs defender Micky van de Van having his say on the potential transfer

Micky van de Ven has admitted Jan Paul van Hecke joining Tottenham would be a good move having spoken to him about the club. The Brighton centre-back has been strongly linked with a move to Spurs as they prepare for a major overhaul under Roberto De Zerbi after just avoiding relegation.

Andy Robertson has already joined Tottenham and looks set to be followed into the club by Marcos Senesi. With those two deals wrapped up, the Lilywhites are now pushing for Van Hecke with his Netherlands international team-mate Van de Ven approving the transfer.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, as quoted by NU.nl, the Spurs star said: "I did talk to Jan Paul about Tottenham for a bit. I think it is a good step for him."

Though he has just 12 months remaining on his contract at the Amex Stadium, Brighton want £70million to sell with CEO Paul Barber admitting they have already rejected two bids from north London.

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He said on talkSPORT: "There's always going to be a lot of interest in our players, and certainly in the case of Jan Paul. We've been very clear that that interest has been ongoing for a while.

"Yes, we have rejected a bid from Tottenham from the last week or so, in fact two bids. It has to be right for us and the player [to sell]. We have to be in the best positions to suit our model."

Robert De Zerbi worked with Van Hecke during his time at the Seagulls and now looks set to reunite with him at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Before that, however, the 26-year-old will be in action at the World Cup alongside Van de Ven where he will be going up against Lucas Bergvall's Sweden in the group-stages.

If Van Hecke joins, Spurs will have a staggering six central defenders all capable of starting in the Premier League. Cristian Romero, Kevin Danso and Van de Ven are already at the club with Senesi to arrive as well.

Young talent Luka Vuskovic is unproven at that level but starred for Hamburg last season and has been called up to Croatia's World Cup squad.

Radu Dragusin is expected to depart while Spurs' transfer business suggests another loan for Vuskovic and currently Romero is the most likely option to be sold.

Tottenham Hotspur are wasting no time in bolstering Roberto De Zerbi's squad

Brighton defender Jan Paul ven Hecke has reportedly 'made his mind up' and wants to move to Tottenham Hotspur this summer after Spurs saw a bid rejected by the Seagulls last week.

Dutch media outlet VI News claims the Dutch international is keen on a reunion with Roberto De Zerbi in north London, after 'two bids' were rejected.

It's claimed Spurs face competition from Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United, but the Lilywhites look set to win the race, if an agreement can be struck between the two clubs.

The report says Van Hecke was enthused by talks with his former Seagulls boss, De Zerbi, and personal terms with Spurs would be 'a piece of cake.'

It adds that Spurs are working to get the deal over the line in order for the defender to focus on the World Cup this summer.

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If Spurs are able to strike a deal before the World Cup, Van Hecke could be their third signing of the summer after agreeing deals to sign former Liverpool defender Andy Robertson and ex-Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi.

The latter is yet to be formally announced, but it's widely expected the Argentinian defender will be wearing a Spurs strip next season.

It's claimed Senesi completed his medical in north London on Saturday and signed a four-year deal before jetting off on holiday.

Senesi could soon be jetting off to the World Cup as a late replacement for Leonardo Balerdi who sustained an injury ahead of the tournament.

The defender is one of the names being tipped to join Lionel Scaloni's side in the United States, along with Marcos Acuna, Nicolas Capaldo, Agustin Giay, Kevin Mac Allister and Martinez Quarta.

His omission from the original squad came as a surprise after an impressive campaign for Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth.

It's unclear whether a call-up to the World Cup squad will impact any move to Spurs, but if reports are to be believed, it seems somewhat of a formality.

Christian Eriksen collapsed during the second half of Denmark's friendly vs Ukraine.

Christian Eriksen is conscious and in good spirits following his collapse during the friendly fixture between Denmark and Ukraine, passing on a message to his team-mates. The match was abandoned after the medical emergency involving the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder.

Reports suggest players were left in tears as they gathered around their team-mate while he received medical attention, five years after his cardiac episode at Euro 2020. Blankets were called for to provide him with additional privacy.

Eriksen received initial treatment on the pitch before being transported to hospital via ambulance. The 34-year-old is reported to have walked to the ambulance unaided, with supporters from both sides applauding and chanting his name in a show of solidarity.

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The match was brought to a halt after just 65 minutes. Denmark had been leading 2-1, with Patrick Dorgu and Joakim Maehle having put them ahead before Viktor Tsygankov pulled one back for Ukraine.

Ex-Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner told TV2 that it was: "Absolutely right to cancel the match and not play on."

National team doctor Morten Boesen provided an encouraging update on the midfielder's condition, even revealing the message he had for his Danish teammates. "Christian is doing well and walked off the pitch himself. As I see it, the pacemaker gave a shock, as it is supposed to," he said.

"He was briefly out, but regained consciousness very quickly, and we were quickly in contact with him. Now he needs to be examined further at the hospital to find out what caused the incident.

"We are continuously in contact with him and the doctors at the hospital. But Christian is doing well, and he asked me to say hello to all the players and say that he was okay."

During a fixture against Finland in 2021, Eriksen experienced a cardiac arrest while playing. He underwent life-saving intervention and was revived on the pitch on that occasion, as the footballing community held its breath following distressing scenes.

Subsequently, Eriksen was equipped with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator device designed to restore normal heart rhythm, enabling him to make his comeback.

The midfielder joined Brentford to revive his playing days in February 2022, after being prohibited from featuring for Inter Milan in Italy while fitted with his ICD device.

Since that point, the experienced midfielder has progressed his career at Manchester United and Wolfsburg, while surpassing 150 appearances for his country.

Eriksen had left Spurs for Milan in 2020, after seven years in north London and with just over 300 appearances under his belt.

"Our thoughts are with Christian Eriksen and his family," Spurs posted on the social media platform X.

"Wishing you a full and speedy recovery, Christian. We're all with you."

Eriksen's current club, Wolfsurg, also took to social media. Writing on X, they put: "We're thinking of you, Christian.

"Today's international match between Denmark and Ukraine had to be abandoned following Christian Eriksen's collapse.

"According to the Danish Football Association, Christian is conscious and doing well given the circumstances.

"He has been taken to Odense University Hospital, where further examinations will follow. "We are in close contact with the Danish Football Association and are following further developments. All the best and a speedy recovery, Christian."