Football London

I think everyone knows that Son has been one of the best players at Tottenham in the past 10 years. I think he's been hugely successful from the left wing. I also think he's had some fantastic games down the middle as a number nine. So it's important to have players who can play in more than one position and it's about having your best players on the pitch and available.

So the thing about Sonny is that he will always score goals and it's just about getting him in those situations.

It is very important. Mikey is a big talent. I’m really excited about his future here at Tottenham. I think for all players but especially younger players they need consistent first-team football into their bodies. I think if we can find the right option we will do that.

Luka is only 18 years old but what you can see from how he behaves on the pitch and off the pitch you can see he is a really talented football player. He has a lot of qualities and I think he has shown in the last two friendlies that he has a lot of big and strong points where even our centre-backs can learn from. He's done unbelievable at this point and hopefully he can do way more for us and hopefully you can see way more from him.

I think everyone knows that Son has been one of the best players at Tottenham in last ten years. It's important we have players who are flexible. Sonny will always score goals and it's about getting him in those situations.

In what is a first for both clubs, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will play a North London Derby on foreign soil. While the clash has been played away from both sides' home grounds before, such as at Wembley when Spurs were awaiting the construction of their new ground, this will bring the bitter rivals into contention in Hong Kong for the conclusive match of the Gunners' tour.

Fans in Hong Kong will get a glimpse of the Arsenal team for the first time since 2012. Mikel Arteta played in that game against Kitchee FC back then, but will lead his side out as the manager on Thursday.

He will do so with two brand new players at his disposal after both Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres were unveiled. Whether they are involved remains to be seen, but in an ideal world, fans are dreaming of getting their first glimpse of the Swede in particular, and therefore football.londontakes a look at the best-case scenario for the XI.

We're at a stage now, just under three weeks away from the start of the Premier League season, where Mikel Arteta is likely to start putting together the shape of his team for the first game. David Raya will therefore start in goal, and then others could again come in later on.

Ben White, William Saliba, and Myles Lewis-Skelly will be starting figures in the back four as Jurrien Timber continues his work back from an ankle procedure. Gabriel Magalhaes has been unable to play so far after he felt a small niggle in training but could now make his way back into the fold.

We move into midfield and still await a starting line-up with all three of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, and Martin Odegaard. We expect to see this more often next season, especially against Spurs, where, despite it being a friendly, the club needs a good win.

Max Dowman continues to make waves, and soon fans will start calling for him to start in these friendlies. However, for now, he continues from the bench, looking to make another big impact.

Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard are the starting wide players. The central and main attraction, though, is Viktor Gyokeres' first start. And what a game to make your first appearance for the club: a North London derby.

Morgan Gibbs-White will not be signing for Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

Spurs had targeted the midfielder to be new head coach Thomas Frank's priority signing in the No.10 role in his new system at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

And it had looked like a deal that would be completed, with Spurs seemingly activating the £60million release clause for the 25-year-old. However, Nottingham Forest threatened legal action, deeming there to have been an illegal approach for the England international and after two weeks of silence on the deal, Gibbs-White put pen to paper on a new contract to remain at the City Ground.

From the outside, looking in, it looks like two weeks of the transfer window wasted for Tottenham. That may not be the case, of course, with plenty of other work potentially going in behind the scenes on other deals.

Technical director Johan Lange likes to work quietly and effectively - although the latter was not the case in this Gibbs-White instance of course - and there could be other deals in the pipeline.

But the Gibbs-White debacle does throw up another issue for Tottenham when it comes to recruiting an alternative signing.

Tottenham wanted Gibbs-White and seemingly put all their eggs in his basket. Up until the deal for him to stay in Nottingham was concluded, Spurs remained hopeful of a deal being done.

Now, if Frank does indeed want another player to play in the No.10 role, Spurs will have to turn their attentions elsewhere.

Eberechi Eze has been linked with a move this summer, although that all went quiet at the start of July, with football.london reporting that it was highly unlikely Spurs would make a move to sign the Crystal Palace man.

That was probably down to plans to secure Gibbs-White's signature. But Spurs could go back in for Eze now - who is likely to cost around £65million and has been tipped to join north London rivals Arsenal.

But how would Eze feel about being second choice for Spurs this summer? Or anyone else Spurs target in that role for that matter?

It's not like making plans and going after certain targets when they come available, this was a very public move from Tottenham because they expected to get their man.

Now they have failed to sign Gibbs-White, they will look elsewhere and players like Eze will know they are only on the wishlist because Spurs did not get a deal for someone else over the line.

That may not matter to certain players, but for some there will be slight trepidation and Lange, Frank and even Daniel Levy may have some persuading to do when it comes to new targets.

A move to Scottish Premiership side Rangers is reportedly the most likely for Tottenham Hotspur youngster Mikey Moore this summer, despite interest from elsewhere.

As reported by football.london , the 17-year-old is keen to go out on loan this season to ensure that he gets regular first team football. Last season saw him make 19 first team appearances for Spurs with him scoring his first senior goal in the 3-0 Europa League group stage win over Elfsborg.

However, the competition in wide areas at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could see him struggle for regular game time in the upcoming season. Spurs have Mathys Tel, Son Heung-min, Wilson Odobert, Richarlison, Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevsli, Manor Solomon and Mohammed Kudus who are all able to play on the wings.

The Telegraph’s Matt Law now reports that Scotish giants Rangers are favourites to sign the teenager on a loan deal this summer. There is said to be a lot of interest in the youngster, with Championship sides also said to be keeping an eye on the situation, but a move north of the boarder currently looks the most likely.

Moore played 45 minutes of the pre-season game against League One side Reading earlier this month. He was back in the starting XI on Saturday when Spurs took on Luton Town at Kenilworth Road, he played 77 minutes before being replaced by Callum Oluesi.

The final decision over Moore’s short-term future will lie with new head coach Thomas Frank. But it seems that he has been granted permission to seek a temporary move away.

Tottenham could be set for a busy week both on and off the pitch with their pre-season tour of Asia now underway. Thomas Frank has already overseen three friendlies in charge of Spurs and over the next 10 days will see his side take on Arsenal, Newcastle United and Bayern Munich overseas.

Three new signings have been completed this summer with Mathys Tel, Kota Takai and Mohammed Kudus joining. The hope would have been that Morgan Gibbs-White would also be on the plane heading to Hong Kong but he has instead signed a new contract at Nottingham Forest.

Alongside Gibbs-White, nine players contracted to Tottenham have remained in London with Dejan Kulusevski, Destiny Udogie and new signing Takai among the injured stars staying home.

Fitness problems are not the reason three academy stars have not travelled with Spurs writing in their pre-season tour announcement that "Mikey Moore, Alfie Devine and Dane Scarlett have been granted permission not to travel in order to explore potential opportunities for loan moves."

The former has significant interest from the Championship but The Telegraph's Matt Law has claimed Scottish Premiership side Rangers have emerged as the favourites to sign him on a temporary basis.

Devine and Scarlett meanwhile will likely stay in England with the latter spending last season on loan at Oxford United while Devine was at Belgian side Westerlo alongside Luka Vuskovic. Any permanent outgoings currently look unlikely with Bryan Gil and Manor Solomon, two players expected to depart, still recovering from injury.

Richarlison and Yves Bissouma meanwhile, have travelled to Asia despite Spurs being open to both leaving. Even if the latter stays, the Lilywhites are expected to sign a new defensive midfielder.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Spurs have a genuine interest in Bayern Munich's Joao Palhinha with contact made to his camp but no formal proposal sent to the German champions. Despite only joining 12 months ago, the Portugal international is free to depart for as little as £25.8million (€30m)

With Palhinha having played in the Premier League before and Bayern open to an exit, it seems very likely that if Tottenham make an approach this week, it is a deal that could be wrapped up very quickly.

In terms of other moves that might go ahead, Spurs find themselves in what could be a very interesting set of transfer dominos. With Gianluigi Donnarumma yet to extend his contract at Paris Saint-Germain beyond 2026 - amid links to Manchester United - the European champions have made a move for Lille's Lucas Chevalier.

Tottenham have missed out on one of their big priority transfer targets of the summer.

It looked as if Morgan Gibbs-White would become a new Spurs player after the Lilywhites seemingly triggered the 25-year-old's £60million release clause. But after Nottingham Forest shut down communications and threatened Spurs and the player's agent with legal action, the transfer saga ended on Saturday with Gibbs-White signing a new deal with Forest.

New head coach Thomas Frank saw the England international as the perfect man for his Spurs system, having previously tried to sign Gibbs-White when he was in charge at Brentford.

James Maddison has travelled with the squad to Asia for their pre-season tour of Hong Kong and South Korea, but Dejan Kulusevski remains sidelined, leaving Spurs short of options in the No.10 role somewhat.

There is an argument that Tottenham also need to address the No.6 position ahead of the summer transfer window closing.

But while that may be a priority, Tottenham could make an £80million signing that is not entirely necessary to make up for the Gibbs-White failure.

Spurs have been linked with a move for Rodrygo from Real Madrid, with the Brazilian looking set to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

Xabi Alonso has arrived as new head coach, taking over from Carlo Ancelotti, and Rodrygo has found his game time so far limited under the Spaniard, playing little part in Los Blancos' Club World Cup tournament.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to the Premier League for much of the summer, with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool tipped to make a move, before completing deals for Noni Madueke and Florian Wirtz respectively.

Now Tottenham have emerged as potential suitors, and while Spurs are well stocked in the forward department, a player of Rodrygo's calibre coming through the door would certainly make supporters forget the loss of Gibbs-White.

Rodrygo is comfortable anywhere across the frontline and would be a statement signing at a time when Spurs look to be lagging behind their rivals in the new signings stakes.

Tottenham face a monumental transfer decision after top target Morgan Gibbs-White ended speculation surrounding his future by signing a new contract at Nottingham Forest.

Almost immediately after wrapping up a deal to sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United, attention turned onto Gibbs-White with a medical at Hotspur Way arranged just hours after contact was made. However, Forest were of the belief an illegal approach had been made and that heavily delayed any switch going ahead.

The 25-year-old meanwhile, showed up for the start of pre-season and featured in friendlies against Chesterfield, Monaco and Fulham. Following the conclusion of a 3-1 defeat to the latter, Forest confirmed he had penned a record deal keeping him at the club until the summer of 2028.

Though it was only for an extra 12 months, it is almost guaranteed that his weekly wage has been increased and if a release clause has been included, it will be for much more than £60million.

Despite seemingly wasting two weeks trying to sign him, the Lilywhites cannot afford to dwell on that failed transfer and simply have to complete a signing while on their pre-season tour in Asia with a 30-man travelling squad now confirmed and several injury updates provided.

With a significant amount committed to trying to bring in Gibbs-White, supporters will undoubtedly now want a big signing to be made. A new defensive midfielder is one of many priorities but a marquee addition, similar to the Forest star, is available for just a little bit more in Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze.

The England international has a £67.5million release clause in his contract and is seemingly primed for a move away from Selhurst Park. At the start of July, football.london reported it was highly unlikely that Spurs would try to sign Eze, however that stance may now have to change.

Unfortunately in that time, north London rivals Arsenal have communicated their desire to sign Eze with the player also keen on the switch. However, having spent just under £200million in the last three weeks, the Gunners are focused on outgoings.

Unless some significant funds are raised, it is entirely possible that Arsenal cannot afford to sign him and therefore Spurs could swoop in and hijack that planned transfer.

Eze would bring a new dimension to Spurs' attack and as they can also offer Champions League football, it seems likely Eze would be open to the move. A guarantee of more minutes could also be provided with Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice in his preferred role at Emirates Stadium.

Evangelos Marinakis has sent a pointed message to Tottenham and their chairman Daniel Levy after the Morgan Gibbs-White transfer saga ended on Saturday night.

Gibbs-White was the subject of an approach from Spurs a couple of weeks ago, with Tottenham appearing to trigger the £60million release clause in the 25-year-old's contract.

A medical was scheduled ahead of the proposed move, but no sooner had that happened than Nottingham Forest closed off all communication and claimed an illegal approach had been made. Legal action was threatened, with Forest writing to both Spurs and Gibbs-White's agent.

Nothing happened for two weeks, with Gibbs-White in limbo and Tottenham fans waiting for a deal to be concluded, with Spurs hopeful the transfer would still go through.

Behind the scenes, however, Forest were working to convince Gibbs-White to stay and they did just that with an announcement on Saturday night that he had extended his contract with the club.

Marinakis has now sent a pointed message to Tottenham and any other clubs looking to do business with Forest.

He said: "As long as I am in charge of Nottingham Forest, all these actions, approaches should take place, I repeat, in an appropriate manner.

"I would never let anybody from any other team try to get a player from us or make something [happen] that we don't agree with. Especially as I said with some guys that belong to our family."

Speaking after signing the deal, Gibbs-White said: "I’ve felt at home at Forest from the moment I arrived. The support from the fans, my teammates, and everyone around the club has been unbelievable.

“I believe in what we're building here – and with the backing of Mr Marinakis and the enormous ambition he has, I want to be part of making something special. I’m excited for what’s to come."

Tottenham will now have to turn their attentions elsewhere as technical director Johan Lange tries to deliver a player for the No.10 role that new head coach Thomas Frank wants.

Johan Lange is having to turn his attentions to other targets now after the Morgan Gibbs-White transfer debacle ended with the 25-year-old putting pen to paper on a new contract at Nottingham Forest.

Tottenham thought they had got their man when they triggered an alleged £60million release clause and organised a medical for the England midfielder two weeks ago.

But after Forest claimed there had been an illegal approach, shut down communications with Spurs and threatened legal action, the transfer stalled and ultimately Spurs have failed to get their man.

Lange, as he often does, worked quietly to try and sort the Gibbs-White deal away from prying eyes, but the failure casts a spotlight on the Spurs technical director and what he does next will be under the microscope.

Without James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski so far in pre-season due to injuries picked up at the end of last season, the lack of a No.10 has been highlighted in Thomas Frank's first few matches so far.

So where do Tottenham turn next? football.london takes a look at alternative options now Gibbs-White is a no go.

Eberechi Eze

We'll start with the man many Spurs supporters wanted first before Gibbs-White even became an option.

Eze has been linked with Tottenham in previous transfer windows and was a name discussed in dispatches this summer too, with question marks over his Crystal Palace future with just one year remaining on his current contract.

Like Gibbs-White he is likely to cost in the region of £60million and unlike the Forest man, Eze is capable of playing across the frontline and in midfield, so his versatility could be key.

football.london reported at the beginning of July that it was highly unlikely Spurs would move for Eze, but that may have been down to an impending move for Gibbs-White. Now a deal could be resurrected, although Eze has been linked with the likes of Arsenal since then.

Jacob Ramsey

Another player Spurs have talked about in the past and that could be resurrected.

football.london understands that there have been no talks between Spurs and Ramsey this summer, but again, now Gibbs-White is not going to be completed, it could be one Spurs go back in for.

Aston Villa need to ensure they remain compliant with Premier League Squad Cost Rules and are looking to make a few sales in order to do that.

Harvey Elliott

Given Liverpool's spending this summer there are a number of players already at Anfield that my be looking at their futures and Harvey Elliott is one of those.

The midfielder played a starring role for England U21s as they won the European Championships this summer and will have plenty of suitors.

West Ham have been linked with a move, but Spurs could get another one over on the Hammers - having signed Mohammed Kudus from them - and move to secure the services of Elliott before their rivals.

Xavi Simons

The RB Leipzig star looks set to join Chelsea this summer, but Spurs could decide to make a late move to hijack that deal.

football.london understands the Dutchman has made it clear he wants to join Chelsea, but the Blues are looking to sell before they buy now, having already splashed out more than £150million this summer.

Chelsea entered club-to-club talks with RB Leipzig on Wednesday with an agreement over a fee for the Netherlands international the topic of conversation.

Morgan Rogers

Another player that Lange could return to his old employers to snare.

Rogers will probably be the most expensive option on this list, with Villa reluctant to lose one of their prize assets. Again though, as we mentioned above, Villa do need to make sure they comply with Premier League Squad Cost Rules.

Rogers would, alongside Eze, undoubtedly be the star signing for supporters to fill the No.10 role.

Tottenham Hotspur are in danger of being left behind in the 2025/26 Premier League and the season has not even started yet.

Spurs already have plenty of catching up to do, having finished last season in 17th place - leading to Ange Postecoglou being sacked, despite having won the UEFA Europa League trophy.

Thomas Frank is the new man in charge and has spent the last few weeks getting to know his new players and working with them on the training ground to implement his style of play.

The Spurs squad is travelling out to Hong Kong today, for the club's anual pre-season tour, preparing for games against Arsenal on Thursday and then Newcastle United in South Korea next Sunday.

Only two new signings will be part of that travelling party and there are no guarantees that one of those new faces will even be part of the squad.

Tottenham have spent £60million on Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United and Kota Takai from Kawasaki Frontale - £55million of that sum going on Kudus.

Takai picked up a knock in training with his new side and has not been present for the pre-season games in England so far.

Tottenham had hoped to double that transfer spend by signing Morgan Gibbs-White for £60million, but after two weeks of radio silence, with Spurs having seemingly triggered the player's release clause only for Nottingham Forest to shut down communication and threaten legal action over what they considered an illegal approach, the 25-year-old has now put pen to paper on a new contract at the City Ground.

It is a damaging blow for Tottenham and new boss Frank, who had seen the England international as the perfect No.10 in his system in N17.

Spurs will now have to turn their attentions elsewhere, with less than three weeks until the new season begins now. And they are being left behind by their rivals in the Premier League.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have all made huge strides in improving their squads in the summer transfer window.

Liverpool have signed four new players at a cost of £269million, while Chelsea have brought in six new faces for around £212million. Arsenal have now made it six signings this summer with the capture of Viktor Gyokeres, taking their spending to around £201million.

United have splashed out around £133million on three new signings, with City also bringing in three new faces for about £127million.

Ignoring Mathys Tel making his loan move permanent and Kevin Danso's loan being turned into a permanent deal - as neither are new faces with an option and an obligation to join Spurs - the two transfers leave Spurs behind in terms of squad changes and money spent compared to their rivals.

Having finished in 17th place, Spurs will have less money to spend than their rivals, based off merit payments from the Premier League, but by winning the Europa League they have the carrot and financial reward of Champions League football this season.

Frank needs to have the tools at his disposal to get the job done and leaving things late in the transfer window will only hinder the Dane when it comes to the start of the Premier League season.

Spurs must move on quickly from the Gibbs-White debacle and set their sights on a new No.10 quickly. There is also the question of a new No.6 to be answered, while certain players could do with being moved on.

The clock is ticking and after Daniel Levy's vow that the Europa League was not enough and that Spurs need to win the Premier League and want to win the Champions League, the pressure is on.