Football London

Eight players Tottenham could sign this summer as Roberto De Zerbi plots transfer spree

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Eight players Tottenham could sign this summer as Roberto De Zerbi plots transfer spree - Football London
Description

Johan Lange and Roberto De Zerbi have already welcomed some new faces to Hotspur Way this summer, but there's still room for improvement

Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed an excellent start to the transfer window, but there's still plenty of work to be done. Johan Lange has been tasked with giving the squad a makeover this summer, with Roberto De Zerbi eager to essentially build a new team from scratch.

At the end of last season, when the Lilywhites escaped relegation from the Premier League by the skin of their teeth, the Italian discussed his plan to make wholesale changes. He told reporters: "From tonight, we have to start to organise and to build a new team.

"I 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."

Then, in an interview with club media, De Zerbi continued: "I'm looking forward to building a new team. I'm looking forward to calling these players, to speak with them and to introduce the new season and to speak with the new players we have to bring.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"We are lucky to stay here, and we have to compete in the best way we can," the 47-year-old added. "We have to organise the next season, we have to build a stronger team. Now we have to move on and to prepare the future of our club."

Lange leapt out of the gates when the transfer window opened earlier this month, securing the signatures of Andrew Robertson, Marco Senesi, and Jan Paul van Hecke. If Tottenham are to qualify for the Champions League next season, De Zerbi will need to welcome more new faces to Hotspur Way.

So, with odds provided by BOYLE Sports, football.london has looked at eight players the Lilywhites could sign this summer.

Savinho - 1/5

Savinho, whose contract at the Etihad Stadium expires in June 2031, featured 36 times across all competitions for Manchester City last season, scoring four goals and providing three assists. Despite making plenty of appearances, the 22-year-old rarely started for Pep Guardiola's side.

He played a little over 1,500 minutes, with the large majority of outings coming from off the bench. Tottenham are in desperate need of a left-sided winger, so Savinho would likely get the opportunities he wants under De Zerbi.

Sandro Tonali - 1/3

Tonali, whose contract at St. James' Park expires in June 2028, featured 53 times across all competitions for Newcastle United last season, scoring three goals and providing seven assists. Despite his best efforts, the Magpies failed to retain the Carabao Cup and finished in the bottom half of the Premier League.

Although Tottenham also failed to qualify for either of UEFA's three club competitions last term, they've leapt out of the gates and laid down a marker in the transfer window. De Zerbi has already prised a few big names from rivals this summer as he looks to build a dynasty in north London.

Carlos Baleba - 10/11

Baleba, whose contract at the Amex Stadium expires in June 2028, made 35 appearances across all competitions for Brighton last season without scoring or assisting. Unlike Tonali, who often chipped in, he offered little quality in the final third.

The 22-year-old is, however, more of a holding midfielder who guards the backline, tasked with breaking up play, recycling possession and playing through the lines. Baleba showed flashes of quality, but still largely disappointed for the Seagulls.

Christian Pulisic - 3/1

Pulisic, whose contract at the San Siro expires in June 2027, featured 34 times across all competitions for AC Milan last season, scoring 10 goals and providing four assists. The 27-year-old winger enjoyed a promising start to the campaign, banking eight of his 14 contributions before suffering a hamstring injury in October.

Harry Wilson – 4/1

Wilson, who's set to become a free agent this summer, featured 41 times across all competitions for Fulham last season, scoring 11 goals and providing eight assists. All but three of the 29-year-old winger's contributions came between November and February; an excellent vein of form sandwiched by a couple of knocks.

Marcus Rashford - 5/1

Rashford, whose contract at Old Trafford expires in June 2028, featured 49 times across all competitions while on loan at Barcelona last season, scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists. Despite the 28-year-old's great performances for the Catalan outfit, helping Hansi Flick's side win La Liga, they chose not to sign him permanently.

As it stands, it remains unclear whether Rashford will remain at Manchester United this summer. Next month, he'll enter the final two years of his contract, so the Red Devils will soon need to make a decision on his future.

Jadon Sancho - 8/1

Sancho, who will leave Old Trafford when his contract expires at the end of June, featured 39 times across all competitions while on loan at Aston Villa last season, scoring one goal and providing three assists. The 26-year-old winger only clocked about 1,600 minutes for Unai Emery's side, with many of his appearances coming from off the bench.

Adam Wharton - 20/1

Wharton, whose contract at Selhurst Park expires in June 2029, played 53 times across all competitions for Crystal Palace last season, scoring one goal and providing seven assists. Playing a key role in Oliver Glasner's side, the 22-year-old midfielder helped the Eagles win the Community Shield and the Conference League.

He predominantly featured in the double pivot of a back-five formation. Although De Zerbi will likely deploy a back-four, Wharton will be tasked with a similar job: fire passes through the lines and beat the press with one-touch passes.

Three other clubs to benefit from Tottenham's £52m Jan Paul van Hecke transfer from Brighton

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Three other clubs to benefit from Tottenham's £52m Jan Paul van Hecke transfer from Brighton - Football London
Description

It's not just Tottenham and Brighton who will benefit from the Netherlands international's big money move across the Premier League

Tottenham and Brighton are not the only winners from Jan Paul van Hecke's £52million move from the south coast.

The 26-year-old put pen to paper on the big money transfer with the Seagulls receiving a hefty sum of cash for a player with just 12 months left on his contract, while Roberto De Zerbi gets a centre-back he wanted to reunite with in order to help his brand of football quickly bed in at Spurs.

football.london understands there is also a 20% sell on clause inserted in the deal, but that's purely on any profit made if the club were to later sell the Dutchman for more than £52m rather than a chunk of the entire fee.

There is another club who will benefit hugely from Van Hecke's switch to Tottenham and that is his former club NAC Breda, who did have a regular sell-on clause inserted in his £1.8million move to Brighton back in 2020.

That clause is now said to have earned the Dutch side around £3.9million alone and they will also receive payments through FIFA's Solidarity Scheme. That initial sum becomes Breda's record transfer even though the Netherlands centre-back departed half a decade ago.

That's not all though. Two more of Van Hecke's former clubs, VV Goes and JVOZ, are also set to receive sums of money through the scheme from the Tottenham deal. The former could reportedly get around £260,000 according to Dutch media, while JVOZ may get as much as £1million.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

The new Spurs defender was asked about his former youth clubs' windfall and another one that just missed out, during a press conference with the Netherlands team this week while away at the World Cup.

"Yes, that's really great for my two clubs. I played for JVOZ in the youth academy. I played there for six years, if I’m not mistaken. They’re set to receive a very generous sum. I also played for VV Goes, in amateur football. They’re set to receive a very generous sum too," he said in quotes translated by Sport Witness.

"It’s just a shame that where I’m from, Arnemuiden, fell just two years short and so just missed out on something. But those clubs will be absolutely delighted, and they deserve it. I am thinking about giving something to Arnemuiden, but you always have to be careful with statements like that."

Tottenham World Cup star told to stay amid Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes transfer links

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Tottenham World Cup star told to stay amid Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes transfer links - Football London
Description

Tottenham are active in the summer transfer window but one of their midfielders is being tipped to remain at the club for the coming season

Pape Matar Sarr should remain at Tottenham despite the club looking for new midfielders in the summer transfer window, believes former Senegal star Henri Camara.

Sarr struggled to hold down a regular starting spot last season for Spurs under both Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi, struggling with a shoulder problem later in the campaign, although he did start most of caretaker boss Igor Tudor's matches in between.

Now the 23-year-old looks set to fall further down the pecking order at the north London club with De Zerbi looking for new midfielders this summer. Tottenham have been linked with big money moves for Newcastle's Sandro Tonali and West Ham's Mateus Fernandes with the promise of big wages and being regular starters under the Italian head coach.

With Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Sarr at the club, as well as Joao Palhinha hoping to return after his loan season from Bayern Munich, minutes are going to be hard to come by for some midfielders in a season without European football.

Former Senegal and Wigan star Camara believes that his compatriot Sarr, who was unused in his country's opening World Cup defeat against France, should ride out this tough spell at Spurs because he has the quality to prevail.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"Pape Matar Sarr is a very good player, a very good midfielder, but right now, things aren’t going well for him. He’s not playing much, whether at his club or with the national team. Still, he’s a very good midfielder. He plays well, he’s technical, he’s strong. I think that he’s a good one," he told Parimatch UK Sportsbook.

"I think he can stay at Tottenham, win back his place and play his football. If you don’t play, you lose confidence. I think he can stay there and try to earn his spot."

Newcastle respond to Tottenham's Sandro Tonali transfer bid as deal conditions set out

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Newcastle respond to Tottenham's Sandro Tonali transfer bid as deal conditions set out - Football London
Description

Sandro Tonali is a top target for Spurs head coach Roberto De Zerbi, and Newcastle will sell the midfielder for the price during the summer transfer window

Newcastle United have rejected a £80million bid for Sandro Tonali after an approach from Tottenham Hotspur.

Our sister title ChronicleLive is reporting that a bid was officially tabled this week, but it was rejected because Newcastle want £100m for the Italy international.

Newcastle are thought to be open to selling the midfielder, who has also been linked with Manchester City, for the right price this summer.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

The Italy international is a top target for Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi as he looks to rebuild his squad after helping the club avoid relegation from the Premier League.

De Zerbi has already welcomed Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi to Spurs with a deal for Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke also confirmed on Wednesday evening.

The future of Luka Vuskovic was heavily linked to that £52million move with the Seagulls seeing bids rejected by Spurs for the Croatia defender.

On the prospect of Tonali joining Spurs, former Newcastle United forward Alan Shearer told Betfair: “ Tottenham just avoided relegation. I get the attraction of London but going to Spurs who have finished so low over the last two years would be a surprise career move for Tonali in my eyes.

“But I'm not surprised if it's true that he's made an indication that he wants to leave Newcastle.

“Again, if he doesn't want to be there, you put the price you want and if someone wants to pay it, and it looks as if it'll have to be three figures, then you say thank you very much, get the £100million plus and you move on.

“I know Spurs have a new manager and that may be a pull for him, London obviously. But in terms of the football club, look where they have finished the last two years…

“It looks as though Liverpool have hijacked the move for Munoz, which would be a blow but Newcastle are trying to do business early, I think.

“If it is true that Liverpool have beaten them to Munoz, then perhaps Newcastle need to look at doing things a lot earlier and paying what they have to pay.”

Tottenham 'very close' to Mateus Fernandes agreement as huge transfer update emerges

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Tottenham 'very close' to Mateus Fernandes agreement as huge transfer update emerges - Football London
Description

Tottenham have been busy rebuilding their squad this summer and are now closing in on another addition

Tottenham have taken a major step towards signing Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United and are reportedly close to agreeing personal terms over a move to north London. The Portuguese midfielder has impressed in his debut season at the London Stadium, attracting interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, Paris Saint‑Germain and Real Madrid.

United had been viewed as frontrunners for the 21‑year‑old, with West Ham reportedly holding firm on an £80million valuation. But Spurs emerged as contenders this week and talks are understood to have progressed positively.

Italian journalist Matteo Moretto reports that Spurs are now 'very close' to reaching an agreement with Fernandes, who is said to be open to the switch. However, formal negotiations with West Ham are yet to begin.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Securing Fernandes would mark another significant coup for Tottenham, with the club intent on rebuilding their squad after last season's disastrous Premier League campaign.

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi has led the overhaul and has already been backed with the arrivals of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers, along with Jan Paul van Hecke for £52m.

The rebuild isn't expected to stop there, with a move for Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali being explored and Manchester City winger Savinho also under consideration. Spurs face competition from City and Arsenal for Tonali.

Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!

Tottenham will be backed by funds from the Lewis family, with investment set to be made in the weeks ahead following the opening of the transfer window on June 15.

"We are investing in it. You will see more of this in the coming months... We know that actions will speak louder than words," said a statement from the Lewis family.

Sporting director Johan Lange and CEO Vinai Venkatesham have overseen Tottenham's transfer business so far, with the club still searching for a new sporting director to replace Fabio Paratici. With the window not closing until August 31, plenty more movement is expected.

Spurs have endured back‑to‑back seasons to forget, finishing 17th twice and surviving a major relegation scare last term.

De Zerbi is now focused on steadying the ship ahead of next season, investing in the right targets to set up a successful 2026/27 campaign.

Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham star begins preparations for new career

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham star begins preparations for new career - Football London
Description

The former Tottenham defender and midfielder has begun taking the opening steps into his coaching career with help from the PFA

Former Tottenham star Eric Dier has begun his coaching journey as he works towards his UEFA B Licence within Monaco's academy.

Dier played 365 games for Tottenham, starting off in midfield under Mauricio Pochettino before settling as a centre-back, during almost a decade at the north London club. He then spent 18 months at Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga with former Spurs team-mate Harry Kane, before making a free agent move to Ligue 1 side Monaco last summer.

Now, with the help of the Professional Footballers' Association, the 32-year-old England international has taken the first steps towards his post-playing career and is now completing the final stage of his UEFA B Coaching Licence through the organisation.

The PFA have released a YouTube video following Dier as he went through two days' worth of sessions with Monaco's under-17s before a final presentation required to complete the course. Despite having only been in the country for a year, the multilingual former Spurs man could be seen coaching the academy players in their native French.

"When I first started it was 'who knows what the future might bring'. Now I look at it in a more serious way than I did," said Dier, who has played at two World Cups. "Why coaching? It has become a passion to me and I think that's the most important thing. Being a passion it allows me to put the time into it and work hard at it and that's the most important thing for me."

He added: "I can give you a detailed report of every manager I've ever had because I've always paid a lot attention to everything. I've got quite a detailed database of exercises now so I go through them and find the ones that I want to do and match what I want to achieve from the session.

"Part of it is trying to remember the messaging you were receiving when you were doing them yourself and then trusting your intuition to see the right things that you want to improve."

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Dier speaks Portuguese, Spanish and now ever-improving French and he is indebted to his football career for opening up that within himself.

"My French gets better because I just ask the boys if I don't know a word. Languages is one of the best things that football has given me," he said. "Moving to Portugal [as a youngster] completely changed my life. It's changed the relationships that I've had, the people that I've met and the dynamics that I've had. It's completely different and I've always appreciated it.

"At Tottenham when players came and really made an effort to learn English I always appreciated that and I see it as respectful as something to do when you're in a country. I just do Duolingo every day and keep that streak!"

Dier admitted in his presentation for his B Licence that his next steps if he passes are to go for his A Licence, then Pro Licence before trying to become a manager and with managers like Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Vincent Kompany to draw upon he could go far.

Tottenham told to get rid of 'negative' star after bizarre move by club legend

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Tottenham told to get rid of 'negative' star after bizarre move by club legend - Football London
Description

Tottenham are undergoing a major transfer rebuild this summer and one of their club legends believes there must be a significant departure

Chris Waddle believes Tottenham must sell "negative" Cristian Romero after what he claims was a "bizarre" move to make him captain.

Romero has been heavily tipped to leave Spurs this summer after a difficult season at the club and particularly with Roberto De Zerbi pushing for the quick signings of £52million Jan Paul van Hecke, who plays in the Argentine's position, and the skipper's compatriot and fellow centre-back Marcos Senesi on a free transfer.

The club captain was absent from the Lilywhites' promotional material for their new home and away kits as they were launched on Friday and towards the end of the campaign De Zerbi was unable to confirm that Romero would remain at the north London club next season.

Waddle, who played 170 games on the wing for Tottenham across four years, believes this transfer window should be the end of Romero's time at his old side and believes the 28-year-old never truly fit the club.

"They got Jan-Paul van Hecke from Brighton and Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth, so they should be looking to move Cristian Romero on. He's never been a Tottenham player for me, he's often negative, prone to injuries and doesn't fit the club.

"I think Romero is very negative as a captain. For example, he was wanting to watch his local team in Argentina during the final game of the season, while Tottenham were fighting for their lives against Everton.

"He’s the club captain, you want him to be a source of support. Instead, you see him picking up silly yellow and red cards. He’s always negative. For example, in January, he took to social media to complain about Tottenham’s transfer activity, which isn't what a captain should do, you’ve got to back the club," Waddle said to Andy's Bet Club.

"In previous years, we had players like Gary Mabbutt and Steve Perryman who were Tottenham through and through. Romero doesn't look like he wants to be here, with all the talk about Atletico Madrid and elsewhere. His body language suggests he doesn't want to be at Tottenham Hotspur.

"If they get a reasonable offer, I would look to move him on. He doesn't come across as a Tottenham player to me. I was surprised when they offered him a four-year contract and then gave him the captaincy, it was bizarre.

"He’s a good centre-half, I'm not saying he's not. He's a very good player, he's a World Cup winner. but to me he's never looked as if his heart's been in it."

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Waddle has pinpointed a new creative attacking midfielder as the player De Zerbi desperately needs this summer to get Spurs firing again next season.

"I think they definitely need a number 10. They need a creator. I know James Maddison is back from injury and if he could play that role, then fine. They've got [Lucas] Bergvall and other players.

"What surprises me about Tottenham is that people are saying you have to keep Joao Palhinha and others, but they have been in the bottom five for two years. They switched on at the end of the season to stay up, but where were they for the other 34 or 35 games? What happened? You have to question the players. Why did they only turn it on for the last four games? What happened during the rest of the season?" he said.

"That answers the question for me. It’s not just one year, they have been struggling at the bottom of the table for two years now. You have to question the mentality of these players. Are they really up for the fight? Do they have what it takes to wear the Tottenham shirt?

"There is a lot of pressure when you put on that jersey; the expectations are very high. When I looked at that squad, I didn't see many players who stood out or had a good season. Yet, at the end of the season, everyone was celebrating just because they stayed up."

He added: "Two years in a row, they should never be in that position at Tottenham Hotspur. You have to question the players: first, are they good enough? Second, why aren't they performing? It comes down to whether it's a mental or physical issue, or simply if they aren't good enough. It's as simple as that.

"We are talking about a top-four or top-five team, that is where they should be. You have to ask why those players aren't at that level. Ultimately, you have to question if they are good enough, and the last two years have provided the answer: they aren't."

Tottenham midfield wonderkid hailed as one of the greatest talents ever

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Tottenham midfield wonderkid hailed as one of the greatest talents ever - Football London
Description

The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has been hailed as one of his country's greatest ever young talents and broke World Cup records for them

Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall has been hailed as "one of the greatest talents Sweden has ever had" by his World Cup team-mate Benjamin Nygren.

The 20-year-old Spurs became the youngest player in Sweden's history to make his World Cup debut when he came off the bench in the 5-1 victory against Tunisia on Monday and he became the youngest player therefore to provide an assist when he set up Yasin Ayari's late goal.

On Saturday, Bergvall will take on Netherlands, who will feature two of his Spurs team-mates in Micky van de Ven and new arrival Jan Paul van Hecke.

Bergvall replaced Celtic star Nygren from the bench in the win against Tunisia and the 24-year-old believes the competition with the Tottenham midfielder, who he considers a friend, is only a good thing.

"Competition is only good and it makes the team stronger. We need a strong squad to go far in the competition. We just want to win and at the same time everyone here wants to help the team. Competition is only good. It only strengthens the team.

"Lucas is probably a bit more of a pure midfielder. I'm a little more offensive. I get into the box a bit more and have historically been a bit more of a goalscorer," he said in an interview with Swedish media outlet fotbollskanalen.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

The Celtic man was full of praise for Bergvall's ability.

"Lucas is one of the greatest talents that Sweden has ever had. He is awesome both as a player and I really like him as a person. We have become close," he said.

"In a national team there should be a lot of competition. The more competition, the stronger the team becomes. That's just good."

Luka Vuskovic makes his intentions clear amid ridiculous Tottenham transfer situation

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Luka Vuskovic makes his intentions clear amid ridiculous Tottenham transfer situation - Football London
Description

The Tottenham youngster is the subject of plenty of transfer interest this summer and has made his intentions clear about what he wants

There are three sides to the Luka Vuskovic situation at Tottenham Hotspur and ultimately it all revolves a youngster who turned 19 just three months ago.

Never before at the north London club has so much noise and potential money been involved with a player who has yet to even turn out in a single competitive game for Spurs. Tottenham have lost youngsters from their academy in the past, most notably Noni Madueke, before they reached first team level, but this is a bizarre situation where one of Europe's most wanted young defenders is seemingly not particularly wanted right now at his own club.

So with Brighton said to have made a bid worth £45million in total for Vuskovic, with the teenager 'liking' a post about that offer on Instagram, what comes next for the Croatian centre-back and how did we get to this ridiculous point?

Let's start with Tottenham's side of things because it explains the process. Spurs signed Vuskovic in 2023 from Hajduk Split for around £12million, with the north London outfit seeing off big clubs like Manchester City to grab his signature. However, due to FIFA rules the Croatian was not able to officially join until he was 18-years-old in 2025.

When the defender did arrive last summer, he caught the eye with a goal and assist in a 2-0 summer friendly win against Reading but Spurs' then head coach Thomas Frank did not believe the teenager was ready and would not get the game time he needed to develop. While his natural talent was clear, as well as his physical presence, there were some concerns about his pace and acceleration as well as his decision-making but ones that could be worked on.

Just 12 months ago and Vuskovic agreed fully with Tottenham's assessment of him because he felt the same about not being at the required level yet. He was loaned to Hamburg where his brother Mario was being supported during a lengthy suspension.

"[Spurs] offered me an option to stay, to play in case of injury or cup matches, but I wanted continuous minutes," the defender admitted soon after his loan to HSV. "They have Romero and Van de Ven playing there, two of the best centre-backs in the world at the moment.

"I believe in myself, but it's really difficult to play next to them. I've faced them and I realised that I still have to work harder. A lot of work and a little luck, so I'll be back."

The teenager worked on his acceleration issues with former Croatian decathlete Josko Vlasic and became a star in Germany. He was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season despite playing for an HSV side that was battling in the lower reaches of the table against relegation.

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said of Vuskovic: "He's a great talent. The Bundesliga is a very difficult league to develop as a young central defender. You have to be physically strong. Having a key role at HSV is ideal."

"Fantastic! That’s quality. At 18, he plays as if he’s already played in three World Cups," said German legend and former Bayern midfielder Lothar Matthaus. "When I was 30, I didn’t see what he saw at 18. This player is so intelligent. You rarely find that. How cleverly he played. He’s doing everything right. Something really, really great could come of this."

Former Spurs and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, one of the most decorated players in the game, said of his namesake: "He has a great future ahead of him, he just has to keep going like this."

So Vuskovic's profile rose and rose and Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic not only named him in his World Cup squad but placed him right in the centre of his back three against England for the opener in Dallas. The teenager showed glimpses of what he can do, winning the ball back to set up his country's first goal and his defensive numbers were better than most of his older team-mates, but he also showed signs of his youth and lack of pace for a couple of England's goals.

There is no doubt though that he is a major talent and Brighton would not look to spend such money if their top level player acquisition set-up told them otherwise.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

So when everybody is informing you how good you are, yet you see your club sign two new centre-backs after telling you how big a future you have, you're going to feel unwanted. For Tottenham, they will point to William Saliba's situation at Arsenal with the Frenchman having three loans after they beat their north London rivals to sign the Frenchman in 2019 before becoming the Premier League star he is now.

That's a difficult pill for a teenager to swallow though and that brings us to the player's side of things.

For while Vuskovic has only had one loan since arriving at Tottenham, the north London club and Hajduk worked together to ensure he got plenty of game time before his move by getting him two other loans, first to Radomiak in Poland and then Westerlo in Belgium.

So looking at it from the teenager's side, he's lived a nomadic presence over recent years and he's already had those three loans like Saliba without a club to actually settle in. Hamburg felt like home because of his family connections but by his own admission it was always likely to be a one-season deal.

To then see Tottenham sign the right-sided centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke especially would have felt like a kick in the teeth for Vuskovic because it was proof that his new head coach Roberto De Zerbi would prefer to spend £52million on a former player than take a look at the defender he already had.

Spurs have handed De Zerbi the keys to the kingdom and there is going to be some collateral damage like Vuskovic in doing so along with the positives. Whether the damage is greater than the rebuild will be seen in what's to come.

So for Vuskovic, when a club like Brighton show real determination - with a bid nearing the same amount as Spurs paid for their newest Dutchman - to want to bring you and say that you will play in the Premier League in Van Hecke's place, it's going to turn a teenager's head and those around him.

'Liking' that post about the Seagulls' bid showed Vuskovic's hand and his comments to Croatian media outlet HRT after the defeat to England further impressed that need to be wanted.

"For now, I'm only focused on the World Cup. However, my goal next season is to play for a club that wants me, for a club where I'll play, and we'll see what happens in the coming days and weeks," he said.

The third side of course is those around Vuskovic. Despite his tenders years, his talent and reputation from a child means he has a group around him of local and global representatives, all under the umbrella of Gol International, owned by super agent Pini Zahavi.

The main aim will be for the teenager to play regular football to continue to develop but also a firm eye on his path ahead. Brighton will be an attractive option, not only for their ability to develop players, but also to sell them on for mega money to the Premier League's biggest clubs a year or two later such as Chelsea and Liverpool.

They will look at Brighton as being similar to Bournemouth and what happened with Dean Huijsen moving to Real Madrid after just one season. There has been interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich among others in Vuskovic, but as of yet neither have made a firm approach and both European giants would likely treat him in the same way as Tottenham have with a loan or at the best a sprinkling of game time.

Ultimately though, everybody seems to be forgetting that Vuskovic is just 19-years-old and admitted himself only 12 months ago that he was not at the level required. Patience is a thing of the past in football. He has a long contract at Tottenham until 2030 and the club hold the power to decide what comes next, regardless of what the youngster or those around him do.

An ideal scenario would be to loan him to a Premier League club for the coming season to allow him to prove to everyone that he's ready without Spurs losing him in the process. There are just not enough fixtures for Tottenham this season to get him the game time he needs.

Tottenham value Vuskovic at higher than what Brighton are proposing but at some point the figure offered could reach one that is so far removed from the £12million they originally spent, with Spurs likely wanting a sell-on clause as well, that it becomes difficult to not simply see it as big money to spend on building a team for now rather than always for the future.

That could end up being the right decision if Vuskovic does not kick on and cannot adapt to the Premier League while Tottenham flourish under De Zerbi. Equally it could be a disastrous call and Vuskovic could end up being the superstar Spurs let slip through their fingers. The coming weeks and then years will provide the answer.

Full confirmed list of Tottenham ins and outs for summer transfer window as exit announced

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Full confirmed list of Tottenham ins and outs for summer transfer window as exit announced - Football London
Description

A look at the ins and outs confirmed by Tottenham Hotspur as the summer transfer window opens

The transfer window only opened on Monday but Tottenham have not hung around with plenty of business in and out of the club.

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi has been leading major changes at the north London club after two successive 17th-place finishes and last season's huge relegation scare. The Italian is in a strong position after rescuing Spurs from the drop and would have already been promised plenty of transfer investment to get him to sign at such a precarious time anyway.

So that has meant Tottenham, backed by funds from the Lewis family which will be invested in the weeks ahead, have already started to get the transfer rebuild underway with big moves also plotted for Newcastle's Sandro Tonali and West Ham Mateus Fernandes, amid plenty of competition for both midfielders, and Manchester City winger Savinho also being looked at among other targets

"We are investing in it. You will see more of this in the coming months...We know that actions will speak louder than words," said a statement from the Lewis family as the club's dreadful season came to a close last month.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

While Tottenham are still looking for a new sporting director to fill the gap left by Fabio Paratici, Johan Lange and CEO Vinai Venkatesham have been trying to secure De Zerbi's transfer targets. Plenty has happened already with a lot more to do by the time the transfer window closes on Monday, August 31.

football.london has taken a closer look at all the transfers completed by Tottenham so far this summer with all the ins and outs and one young player announced this week as signing for another club.

Tottenham transfers (In)

Andy Robertson (Liverpool) - Free

Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth) - Free

Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton) - £52million

Tottenham transfers (Out)

Alejo Veliz (Bahia) - £7.8million at end of loan contract at Rosario

Yves Bissouma - End of contract

Pele Arganese-McDermott (Crawley Town) - Free move just before end of contract

Tyrell Ashcroft - End of contract

Leo Black - End of contract

Dante Cassanova - End of contract

Matthew Craig - End of contract

Calum Logan - End of contract

Leon Myrtaj (Debreceni VSC) - Free move just before end of contract

Elijah Upson - End of contract

Jamel Beggs - End of contract

Samal Bangura - End of contract