Football London

Tottenham in line for double cash boost as West Ham work on two attacking transfers  Football London

Tottenham Hotspur have signed three defenders, two midfielders, and a goalkeeper so far this summer, but they're yet to wrap up a deal for an attacker.

Roberto De Zerbi could build one of the strongest frontlines in the Premier League before the transfer window slams shut. Johan Lange has already forked out nearly £250m on new players this summer, but the Tottenham Hotspur sporting director is yet to get his hands on a forward.

During the pre-season tour of Australia, the Spurs head coach outlined his ambition to strengthen the 'attacking positions'. De Zerbi said: "The target now is to complete the attacking positions.

"We want the first target, the first level, because anyway we are already important players, but I think to start the new project we need another couple of important players, for sure."

Then, a few days later, he teased the possibility of a 'bomba' signing. De Zerbi said: "We completed 60 per cent of our project in the transfer market. Now we have another bomba. Is it close? I hope, but it’s not finished for sure.

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

"We have to increase the number of goals with the play, with the quality of the play, with the midfielders, with the attackers, but we have to bring players able to score goals.

"The idea in the transfer market is 24 hours per day you think what is the best player to put inside. You read the news, he’s going, he’s leaving. I love working in the transfer market.

"It’s not a pressure, it’s one of the nicest part in my work, in my job. In the transfer market, when I want one player, I become like a shark. No chance to say no."

De Zerbi later appeared to downplay the prospect of a big-name signing, claiming 'bomba' has a different definition in his native language. But the sentiment remains: he wants to bolster his attack this summer.

So, with that being said, football.london has looked at what the new Tottenham frontline could look like on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.

De Zerbi scraps Klopp plan

De Zerbi should deploy Gakpo on the left wing at Tottenham, just as Arne Slot did at Liverpool. During Jurgen Klopp's spell in charge at Anfield, however, the 27-year-old forward largely featured as a striker; he did well up top, scoring 17 goals and providing seven assists in 48 outings.

Under Arne Slot, Gakpo returned to his favoured position on the left. The Netherlands international featured 78 times for Liverpool under his fellow countryman in that position, scoring 26 goals and providing 12 assists.

His record in the final third remained fairly similar, which speaks volumes about his quality.

Kudus flanks Gakpo on the right

Mohamed Kudus looks set to be a key player for Tottenham under De Zerbi. As it stands, there's no better right winger at the club than the 25-year-old, whose end product, ball-carrying ability, and work rate out of possession will certainly come in handy as Spurs look to climb the Premier League table.

Tottenham break the bank... again!

Omar Marmoush would be an excellent addition to the Tottenham starting lineup, especially if he were to be deployed as a support striker behind Dominic Solanke. Although the 27-year-old forward is more than capable of leading the frontline, he's previously enjoyed a lot of success playing off a frontman, especially towards the end of his spell at Eintracht Frankfurt.

With a strong pivot of Sandro Tonali and either Mateus Fernandes, Archie Gray, Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur or Pape Matar Sarr, De Zerbi can afford to be more expansive this season and put Spurs on the front foot.

Under Pep Guardiola, Marmoush was largely out of favour. If the Egyptian feels he doesn't stand much of a chance under Enzo Maresca, either, he could be looking for a fresh start.

Solanke leads the line

Dominic Solanke should be given the chance to lead the Tottenham frontline this season. Although the 28-year-old striker struggled to impress last season, he spent well over half of the campaign on the sidelines with an injury or a knock.

When fit and available, he showed glimpses of great promise, scoring in each of his three Champions League appearances as well as netting a brace against Manchester City in the Premier League.

Ultimately, if De Zerbi can keep the Englishman fit, the floodgates will open.

Tottenham are Champions League-ready

De Zerbi could soon be spoiled for choice when selecting the Tottenham frontline, with the likes of Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert, and Dejan Kulusevski set to become available later this season. If Spurs were to add Gakpo and Marmoush to the squad, they would be more than ready to begin competing in the Champions League next season.

There's one problem, though. The Lilywhites have already spent nearly £250m on new players this summer, so De Zerbi will need a cash injection, funded either by sales or further investment from the owners.

Tottenham prioritising two transfers with two permanent sales also in pipeline  Football London

Cody Gakpo has told Roberto De Zerbi his favourite position as Tottenham eye transfer  Football London

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur this summer

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly stepping up efforts to sign Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo. It comes after Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi hinted at a 'bomba' in reference to a bombshell announcement.

Gakpo made 36 Premier League appearances for the Reds side last season, scoring seven goals in a difficult campaign for Arne Slot's team. Liverpool finished fifth in their bid to retain the Premier League title - failing to win a trophy while frustrating supporters with an unimaginative style of play.

Netherlands international Gakpo was one player who came under strong criticism for being too predictable in attack. The 27-year-old found himself vying for a starting place with teenager Rio Ngumoha towards the end of the season.

And new boss Andoni Iraola has already signed one new winger at Anfield this summer in the shape of Spanish World Cup-winner Victor Munoz. That has led to increased speculation that Gakpo could be on the way out.

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

Now, journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed Spurs will look to sign the Dutchman, with talks said to be entering the key stages soon.

It is claimed that the former PSV star is an option alongside Manchester City's Savinho, who remains a top target. He claims that a potential deal for Gakpo depends on Liverpool's intentions and the price, as he is not actively up for sale.

De Zerbi has recently revealed that Tottenham's summer transfer business is not yet complete. Spurs have been busy with Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, and Martin Dubravka all joining.

"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 Tuesday.

"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!"

The Italian went on to clarify his comments before Spurs’ 2-1 win against Chelsea in Sydney on Saturday.

The 47-year-old said: “Yes, but bomba in Italian is different from bomba in English. 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.”

Tottenham get sale boost after tour omission as PSG submit £28.3m transfer offer  Football London

Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky is delighted that Roberto De Zerbi decided against one grand gesture he was all set to make.

Kinsky has completed a remarkable journey since his horror show on Atletico Madrid's bumpy pitch in March to become the man who helped save Tottenham from relegation and then take his place as De Zerbi's number one.

The 23-year-old Czech stopper became the butt of jokes after his Champions League debut ended after just 16 minutes, with two clangers and three goals rattling past him

He was hauled off by Spurs caretaker boss Igor Tudor that night, the Croatian claiming it was to protect the young keeper but it only intensified the glare on him as videos of the goals and his exit went viral on social media.

Then two things happened. Guglielmo Vicario could no longer play through the pain of a hernia problem and needed surgery and then De Zerbi arrived.

The Italian recently admitted that he had planned to make Kinsky captain for his first game against Sunderland to show his belief in the player. He eventually decided against it and Kinsky went from strength to strength, with save after save to help De Zerbi keep Spurs in the Premier League.

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

"I wasn't aware of that," said Kinsky of the captaincy gesture out on the club's summer tour in Australia.

"Honestly, I have to say, I'm quite happy he didn't do it! I think he wanted to encourage me after what happened. On the other hand, I think when he came, he knew me, he knew that I don't need any encouragement.

"All I need is to hear that he is confident in me, trusts in me, and gives me time on the pitch. That was key because I was feeling well in that game. Even after the game, what happened happened.

"I just made sure I continued doing what I'm supposed to do - training well and working hard. This is where my confidence comes from.

"So [being made captain] wouldn't change anything for me. It would just be taking big attention, which at that moment was not necessary. It was more about the club, not me."

De Zerbi told Kinsky in the summer that he would be his number one goalkeeper going forward as Vicario informed the club that he wanted to leave. Kinsky duly signed a bumper new contract.

"It made me happy to hear that. He was clear with me, which made it very easy for me to make the decision [to stay]," said the young Czech.

As well as Kinsky's skills with his hands, he is also excellent with the ball at his feet. De Zerbi is keen to make the most of that.

"I think he can improve in the build-up a lot, but he will reach, for sure, the top," said the Tottenham boss. "With the goalkeeper coach and me, we will create the training just for him to better understand the free player and everything he needs.

"He is very clear with the pass, but he can become faster in the decision in build up. He has all qualities to become one of the best."

With Vicario expected to return to Italy, Kinsky has been joined by veteran former Newcastle stopper Martin Dubravka and the two have instantly bonded.

“It's great, because there is one Czech player in the Premier League, which is me, and one Slovakian player in the Premier League, which is him!" said Kinsky.

"Eventually, we ended up in the same team, which is great because we speak almost the same language.

"In English it's difficult to speak about certain things sometimes, but because he's so similar to me, his background is also similar, he's a goalkeeper, we have so many things to speak about."

So where does Kinsky's confidence come from? The answer is Mr and Mrs Kinsky, with his father, also named Antonin and also a Czech international goalkeeper in his day.

"I think it's the way my parents raised me. Never be too high, never be too low. Always be you. Always believe in yourself, because sometimes you can have good results, sometimes you can have bad results," said Kinsky Jr.

"It's not always dependent on your skill. You can be doing well, but then sometimes maybe it doesn't work, or you can have a good game and still you don’t win, and it can happen for five games in a row. And what then? Will I be asking myself, am I good or am I not?"

He added: "It comes from how my parents raised me to work really hard, then when the tough moments come, you know what you put in, what your qualities are, and if you are able to compete at that level.

"I know what I've been doing since I was young, how hard I was working, how hard I'm working now, and what I'm going for. It's natural for me, but definitely thanks to them, and to one more person in my life, my personal coach.

"His mindset is completely switched on. He’s one of those people who you see, and you are like, ‘Wow, a great person’. A confident person."

That personal coach is Lukas Stransky, who has been working with Kinsky since he was a youngster.

"I call him a personal coach, but he’s my conditioning coach. I’ve worked with him for nine or 10 years. I think the reason we have worked so long is not just the quality of the way we work in the gym, but the quality as a person," said the Spurs stopper.

"When I met him at 14, he impressed me. Of course I didn't tell him from the beginning, but when I saw him, he was such a confident, humble person, with big results behind him, and this is the way I always wanted to be and what I was going for."

Now Kinsky also has a manager in De Zerbi who reinforces that in-built confidence.

“What he says to everyone, what he says to me, definitely gives me confidence. If you don't feel the confidence, you might play a bit more safe. If you feel the confidence, you can play to the best of your ability," said the Czech.

"If I know that he supports me and he believes in me, then of course I feel well on the pitch. In certain situations where there is risk, it makes it easier to take a bit more. Go more to the edge. I think this is sometimes where the difference in the games is made. This is definitely, definitely important."

As he was impressed by Stransky as a youngster so Kinsky has been impressed by De Zerbi now and the way he goes about coaching.

"He forces you to believe in yourself and be the best version on the pitch. Not to try to play safe, not try to play," he explained.

"If I or anyone makes two bad passes or something. The next time maybe I make an easy pass. But [under De Zerbi] no. It's like you made two good passes. If the intention was good, then it's just about the ability.

"Sometimes the ball can bounce or whatever, something can happen. But [we are encouraged to] just play as best as we can and enjoy the game. If you combine these two things, focusing on playing as best you can, and enjoying the game, that enables you to perform at your best level. I think this is always his message, above all the tactics."

Kinsky has previously said that the two key figures in helping him through those tough times after the Madrid mess were his goalkeeper coaches Fabian Otte and Dean Brill.

Brill is an up-and-coming coach while Otte is a fascinating character. Spurs' head of goalkeeping came from Liverpool where he won the Premier League title in the same role under Arne Slot. Otte has a PHD in modern football goalkeeping and is technically a Doctor of Philosophy.

The German also has a Masters in International Marketing and is a constant presence on social media, drilling into the science behind goalkeeping and the coaching methods he employs.

“My job is to play and train and listen to them, not to judge. I will say him and Dean Brill, because Dean was with me since I joined the club, are great people and great coaches," said Kinsky.

"I think what you say [about Otte's PHD] confirms the quality. If you have all these degrees and you work in professional football for such a long time, it speaks for itself.

"I enjoy working with them, and they were definitely key people for me last season. I wasn't playing regularly for seven months, and that’s difficult for every player, especially a keeper, because as a player you maybe get a few minutes every game, but as a keeper you get nothing."

He added: "In those moments, you need to train really well and be happy with yourself from the work on the pitch. I can do whatever I want in the gym and do the work that I'm supposed to do, but if I don't have a good feeling from the pitch, then it's difficult. They made sure I was feeling very well, so I'm very thankful to them."

Tottenham's summer spending spree shows no signs of slowing down, with as many as eight more deals potentially on the cards this week

It's been a summer of unprecedented spending at Tottenham, with the North London club splashing out like never before. Spurs have already shattered their transfer record and smashed their previous spending outlay in a single window, splurging a staggering £237million on six new arrivals - and all the signs suggest they're nowhere near finished.

Roberto De Zerbi has repeatedly hinted that more reinforcements are on the way and even teased a "bomba" signing this week, sparking feverish speculation among supporters. The arrivals so far have certainly matched the hype, with Sandro Tonali completing a £100m move from Newcastle and Mateus Fernandes joining from West Ham in an £85m deal.

Jan Paul van Hecke has also arrived from Brighton for £52m, while Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka have all been snapped up on free transfers. But despite already spending heavily, Tottenham's business looks far from complete.

Spurs are expected to remain one of the busiest clubs in the market this month, with further arrivals and departures both on the agenda. With that in mind, here are eight deals they could complete this week - including another £100m blockbuster.

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

Savinho

Tottenham have a long-standing interest in Manchester City winger Savinho as they look to add dynamism to their front line. The 22-year-old Brazilian has struggled for form and game time at the Etihad Stadium and is reportedly open to a move to Spurs.

A deal could reportedly be struck around the £60m mark, though Tottenham are said to be working to negotiate that price down. With Spurs light on wide attacking threat, Savinho would have a good chance of locking down a starting berth, bringing elite dribbling and wide press resistance to the squad.

Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford remains one of the most intriguing targets linked with Spurs following an impressive spell on loan at Barcelona. With Manchester United keen to sell the 28-year-old and setting an asking price of around £30m, Tottenham are said to be exploring a deal as they look to add proven Premier League pedigree to their frontline.

A permanent return to Barcelona now looks off the table, leaving Rashford with dwindling options. A move to Spurs could therefore become an increasingly attractive proposition for the England international, while De Zerbi's side would gain a forward capable of adding both goals and experience to an attack still crying out for greater firepower.

Omar Marmoush

Like Savinho, Omar Marmoush has endured a frustrating start to life at Manchester City despite his undoubted talent and eye for goal, and Tottenham could look to capitalise. The Egyptian has found regular starts hard to come by behind Erling Haaland and is reportedly open to a fresh challenge where he can play a more central role.

City are expected to demand at least £50m for the 27-year-old, whose ability to operate anywhere across the front line would make him an attractive option for Spurs. Marmoush would offer pace, relentless pressing, intelligent movement and, perhaps most importantly, the consistent goal threat Tottenham are keen to add this summer.

Cody Gakpo

Cody Gakpo has emerged as another ambitious target for Tottenham as they look to land another statement signing before the transfer window closes. The Liverpool forward is believed to be keen on securing a guaranteed starting role in his preferred position on the left - something Spurs are in a position to offer.

Prising him from Liverpool's grasp, however, will be no easy task. Despite sitting behind Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike in the attacking pecking order, the Reds are believed to value the Netherlands international at more than £70m. It would represent a significant investment, but one Tottenham may be prepared to make for a player with Gakpo's proven pedigree, versatility and consistent goal threat.

Adam Wharton

Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has emerged as one of Tottenham's dream targets as they continue their ambitious summer rebuild. The England international is one of the most sought-after deep-lying playmakers in the world and Spurs believe he has the ability to become the heartbeat of their midfield for years to come.

Palace have set a staggering price tag of £100m to deter suitors, but Tottenham could see the investment as worthwhile. If they were to get a deal over the line, they would have one of Europe's most stacked midfields, with Wharton lining up alongside the likes of Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Xavi Simons, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Archie Gray.

Cristian Romero

Cristian Romero's Tottenham exit appears to be edging closer, with Inter Milan pushing to secure the services of the Argentine defender. De Zerbi revealed on Saturday that Romero is nearing a move to the Serie A giants, with a £34m deal reportedly on the table.

Speculation over the Spurs captain's future has been building for some time, and the arrival of Van Hecke from Brighton only increased the feeling among supporters that a departure was inevitable. Losing a player of Romero's quality will undoubtedly be a blow, but a £34m fee represents solid business for a defender in his late 20s while also helping Tottenham balance the books after a huge summer of spending.

Richarlison

Brazilian international Richarlison is on the chopping block as Tottenham look restructure their attack. Persistent injuries and squad rotation have limited his impact, and with just 12 months left on his contract, a departure is likely.

On Saturday, De Zerbi revealed that Richarlison wants to leave and it's understood that Spurs have set an asking price of around £25m. "As a guy, he's unbelievable [in] his attitude and behaviour, but in the end, we have to respect what he wants to do," De Zerbi said.

Lucas Bergvall

Lucas Bergvall could become one of Tottenham's surprise departures this summer as the club look to generate funds after a huge recruitment drive. With a host of high-profile midfielders arriving, competition for places has intensified, leaving the Swedish prodigy facing an uphill battle for regular first-team opportunities.

Several Premier League clubs are monitoring the 20-year-old, who Spurs reportedly value at around £60m. Newcastle and Nottingham Forest have reportedly seen offers rejected, while Chelsea and Brighton are also believed to be keeping tabs on the midfielder's situation.

Mateus Fernandes shares real reason he chose Tottenham over Man Utd transfer  Football London

Tottenham make shock Victor Osimhen approach as Roberto De Zerbi plots next transfer  Football London