Football London

Tottenham agree double transfer deal as two other exits edge closer to completion  Football London

Tottenham are weighing up the sale of club captain Cristian Romero, who has been on an extended break following his involvement in the World Cup with Argentina

Tottenham's productive early summer transfer business has backed them into a corner over the future of Cristian Romero.

For months - despite signing a new contract last summer - it has become clear that Romero is likely to leave the club before the September 1 transfer deadline.

The problem is, now Spurs have bolstered their defence with a cluster of new signings including ready-made replacement Jan Paul van Hecke, interested clubs are trying to lowball Roberto De Zerbi's side.

Inter Milan have held talks but the latest reports out of Spain are that Atletico Madrid are willing to go 'all out' to land the 28-year-old. The problem? 'All out' is seemingly defined by a €30million offer (just £26m), per the report.

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That figure is far too low for Spurs to consider selling Romero and, while it appears said offer hasn't officially been submitted yet, it would have to be much higher to strike a deal.

There had also been reports in Italy that Spurs were close to reaching an agreement with Inter for Romero worth about £34.5m but even that, on the face of it, seems low value.

Regardless of his complex history with Tottenham, he is coming off the back of a World Cup campaign where he reached the final and was one of the best central defenders at the entire tournament.

At 28, he should be about to enter his prime and it's not as if his Spurs contract is one year out from expiring.

Tottenham are just unfortunate that unlike previous years, Real Madrid and Barcelona are not properly hunting for defensive reinforcements, though both clubs do also still like to do business on the cheap.

De Zerbi has clarified in the past week or so that Romero is expected back at Tottenham soon, explaining: "I texted with Cuti yesterday to make a plan for when he comes back to London. [I did not speak to him about] the transfer market. That's not my job. I know there are many solutions in the transfer market."

The issue he faces is that it would set a bad precedent if Romero, who has made it clear he wants out, is getting straight back into the side over the likes of Van Hecke and Kevin Danso when he has continually let the fanbase down and pushed for a transfer.

Equally, there is no point in Spurs keeping Romero if he's not going to play as his value will only decrease. That's why they need to somehow drive up the price and ensure they get the best possible deal for the club.

Roberto De Zerbi admits he sent angry text to Tottenham transfer target and gives Kulusevski update  Football London

Tottenham transfer news LIVE: Savinho agreement, Cody Gakpo response and Cristian Romero latest  Football London

Tottenham Hotspur continue to be active in the summer transfer window after making a strong start to their business with several signings once the market opened

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly have a verbal agreement for Cristian Romero to join Inter.

Spurs are said to be receiving £30million plus £4million in bonuses, but their deal is apparently dependent on Benjamin Pavard leaving. The former France international spent last season on loan at Marseille, who did not exercise an option to sign the player permanently.

Several clubs across Europe are reportedly interested in Pavard, who is said to have rejected approaches from Benfica, Como and Galatasaray. Inter have apparently already offered Pavard to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, after reputedly receiving transfer enquiries from Al-Hilal earlier this year.

Corriere dello Sport claims that he wants to stay despite the Italian champions already signing John Stones this summer. He joins Alessandro Bastoni, Carlos Augusto, Federico Dimarco, Manuel Akanji and Yann Bisseck in defence.

They describe their situation as 'the backpack is currently in overabundance' even before Romero's seemingly impending addition. The Argentina international has apparently agreed a contract after what is described as a very close negotiation with his entourage amid reported advances from Arsenal and Atletico Madrid.

Romero is even reportedly taking a pay cut. His wages are said to be decreasing from approximately £5.14million annually to £4.71million.

Their signing of Stones is also said to have convinced him to join and become 'the new pivot' of their defence. However, any move will seemingly be delayed by the need to shift Pavard.

His departure would reputedly save them £11million in amortisation and gross salary. There is a suggestion that they could include the Frenchman in a swap deal to sign Moussa Diaby.

Inter would apparently only be able to sign the former Aston Villa winger by including one of their players in exchange due to the high costs involved. However, that is assuming Pavard would agree to join Al-Ittihad.

Romero has already informed Roberto De Zerbi that he intends to leave Spurs this summer. The club's head coach has acknowledged as much during pre-season.

De Zerbi said: "At the beginning of my time, in April, I had, I don't know, one million individual meetings! And [the players] told me what their idea was. I said: 'Yes, help me to [keep Spurs] up, and then I'll help you to leave. If you don't help me to stay up, you stay underwater with me!'

He added: "After the [World Cup] semi-final, we text a message, but I never called him to convince him to stay. I respected what he told me."

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo as they look to strengthen their attack this summer

Tottenham have received a major boost in their pursuit of Cody Gakpo, with Liverpool reportedly set to open talks for two Paris Saint-Germain stars. It comes after Roberto De Zerbi hinted at a 'bomba', signalling a major announcement.

"In the transfer market, when I want one player, I become like a shark, no chance to say no," De Zerbi told football.london after the club's penalty shootout win over Sydney FC in pre-season last week.

"The transfer market, it's not finished for sure, but we completed 60 per cent of our project in the transfer market. Now we have another bomba!"

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Gakpo has emerged as a target for the north Londoners, and Fabrizio Romano claims Spurs are preparing to move for the Dutchman, with talks expected to enter a key phase soon. Manchester City's Savinho and Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson are also options as De Zerbi looks to bolster his frontline.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are pursuing two Paris Saint‑Germain players, Ibrahim Mbaye and Bradley Barcola, according to French outlet RMC Sport. Both players are said to be keen on the move to Anfield, and talks with PSG are expected to 'begin shortly.'

However, deals will not come cheap with Barcola valued at around £140m and Mbaye at £42m. Should the Merseysiders pull off both moves, the club may be more open to letting Gakpo leave this summer to create space within Andoni Iraola's squad and balance the books, given both deals could come at an outlay of £182m.

The 27-year-old is viewed as an option alongside Manchester City's Savinho, who remains a priority target. However, any move for Gakpo would depend on Liverpool's stance and the fee involved, as the forward is not currently being pushed towards a sale.

De Zerbi has made it clear that Tottenham's summer business isn't finished yet. Spurs have already been active, bringing in Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Martin Dubravka but more movement is expected.

The Italian boss, having hinted at a 'bomba' signing, then clarified the meaning behind the remark. "Yes, but bomba in Italian is different from bomba in English," De Zerbi added.

"You can write what you want, no problem, no pressure. But I said we have to complete the transfer market. I think we have some other players to complete the squad, and the players will be here in the next few days, for me, the top players.

"I don’t know if the expectations are bigger than two days ago, but we have to go forward and think of the good of the team of the club, of the squad. But in Italian it's a different word. I think Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Senesi, Robertson are bomba. For me, top player for us."

Gakpo featured 36 times in the Premier League for Liverpool last season, scoring seven goals during what proved to be a difficult campaign under former boss Arne Slot.

The Reds finished fifth in their attempt to reclaim the Premier League title, ending the season trophyless and leaving supporters frustrated by an often unimaginative style of play.

Tottenham dream attack as Roberto De Zerbi signs Cody Gakpo and Savinho in £132m double deal  Football London

Tottenham's Nicolas Jackson stance revealed as Roberto De Zerbi draws up forward list  Football London

Tottenham have been offered the chance to sign a former Arsenal striker to improve Roberto De Zerbi's forward line this summer

Tottenham have reportedly been offered the chance to sign former Arsenal youngster Folarin Balogun. The 25-year-old has been the subject of discussions between the Lilywhites and intermediaries, according to reports.

Balogun's representatives are claimed to have contacted Spurs directly with a proposal for the Monaco star, who came through Arsenal's academy. The striker is said to be available for a 'competitive fee.

The frontman's long-term future at the Ligue 1 club remains uncertain, and his availability makes him an attractive option following the intermediaries' approach, according to the Sun. Monaco would be required to sanction his exit still after he scored 19 goals in 31 matches last term.

The French side signed Balogun from Arsenal in 2023 in a deal worth up to £35million, with the forward previously enjoying loan spells at Middlesbrough and Reims. Mikel Arteta's side are due a 17.5% sell-on clause from any deal agreed for the striker's transfer.

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Balogun made just two league appearances for Arsenal before leaving, but had built a solid reputation during his time coming through the ranks since the age of 10. Having been prolific in academy football, he bagged 22 goals for Reims before signing a five-year deal with Monaco.

Since joining the Ligue 1 side, Balogun has scored 31 goals and made 13 assists in 91 appearances. He looked set to be one of the World Cup's standout performers in the summer, scoring three goals in four matches

His time at the tournament was overshadowed after being at the heart of a scandal when red-card punishment was suspended for a year following communication between US President Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino.

Balogun received his marching orders in the round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina after accidentally hitting the back of Tarik Muharemovic's leg with his studs. It was only following VAR intervention that Balogun was shown the red card, but the controversy was far from over.

The forward was permitted to feature in the subsequent round against Belgium following considerable pressure from the host nation, including from Trump and his administration. "I think it's an absolute disgrace, I really do," declared Wayne Rooney, speaking as a pundit for the BBC.

"I know it's UEFA but I got a three-game ban before Euro 2012. I was due to miss the three group games and I got told if I went over to Switzerland and did a training session with a bunch of kids, my third game would get taken off. I agreed to do it because I didn't want a three-game ban but I thought that was wrong.

"For this to be suspended, they either take the red card away, which is probably the right decision, and then he can play. But to suspend it for a year? I think it's an absolute disgrace. Infantino should be ashamed of this.

"The sportsmanship of this game is in question here. If I'm USA's opponent, I'd be absolutely fuming. It's wrong in every way. If you're an England player tonight or a Mexican player, and you get a red card, do you expect to be playing the next game? Where does it stop?"

Tottenham are working to secure the permanent sale of winger Manor Solomon on the back of his loan spell with Fiorentina, who he helped avoid relegation from Serie A last season

Tottenham winger Manor Solomon's representative has indicated that the race for his client's services remains open.

It's been a slightly strange pre-season for the Israel international, who was a mainstay in Roberto De Zerbi's starting XI for pre-season matches in New Zealand and Australia.

Given the player is highly likely to depart, it seems rather peculiar that De Zerbi has been utilising him so much over the past few matches.

West Ham have already held talks while Hull City are the latest side credited with an interest in Solomon.

Gilad Katsav, part of the forward's representation, has now issued a small fresh statement on the situation.

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Speaking to One‘s ‘Talk of the Day’ show over the weekend, he said (via Sport Witness): “There’s a lot of talk, but if anything happens, you’ll know and we’ll keep you updated.”

Katsav has already made it public that he is working to facilitate a permanent move away from Tottenham for Solomon before the transfer deadline.

At this stage of his career, the attacker is keen to play regular football, something unlikely to materialise at Spurs.

But Tottenham have so far struggled to bolster their attack in the transfer market, which may explain why De Zerbi, who knows the player from his time at Shakhtar Donetsk, has been testing Solomon during pre-season.

Mohammed Kudus has been absent since suffering an adductor issue against Sunderland in January and was unable to travel with the squad to Oceania.

Solomon spent the second half of last season on loan in Italy with Fiorentina after being signed by former Spurs technical director Fabio Paratici.

But La Viola refused to trigger their £8.5million buy-option and while they remain attentive to Solomon's situation, it doesn't look like they're going to revive their interest after closing in on a loan for Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono.

The 27-year-old Tottenham man has also previously spent time out on loan at Leeds United, where he scored a stoppage-time Championship title-winning goal against Plymouth, and Villarreal.

His Villarreal loan went through at the eleventh hour of transfer deadline day last summer despite interest from Crystal Palace.football.london reported back in June that Solomon had already been told by De Zerbi that he was not part of his plans.

He has two years left to run on his current contract in north London and should seal an exit in the coming weeks.