Football FanCast

Tottenham Hotspur are now weighing up an offer for a defender, who plays for one of their bitter rivals, amid doubts over Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero’s futures, according to a report.

Interest in Van de Ven and Romero growing

As we approach the summer transfer window, it is looking increasingly likely Tottenham could lose at least one of their centre-backs this summer, with Romero attracting widespread attention, and a Premier League club are now in the race for the Argentine.

Earlier this month, it was revealed Aston Villa were ready to offer a five-year contract to the defender, with chairman Daniel Levy open to selling him for the right price, amid interest from European heavyweights Real Madrid.

Romero is not the only Spurs defender in Madrid's sights, however, with the Spanish side also looking at Van de Ven, who could "stand out" as a better option than Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, according to former scout Mick Brown.

As such, Ange Postecoglou's side may have to bring in a replacement at the end of the season, and a report from Football Insider has now revealed they have a new target in mind, namely Chelsea defender Renato Veiga.

Veiga could be available for just £30m this summer, and Spurs are weighing up a bid for the 21-year-old as a potential replacement for Romero, who is deemed the most likely centre-back to exit N17 this summer.

The Blues are looking to make a quick profit on the 21-year-old, who they signed for just £12m, but there are doubts over whether they would consider selling him to their bitter rivals, which poses a problem for Tottenham.

Not only that, but the Lilywhites may not be willing to shell out £30m for a player who has only featured sporadically for both Chelsea and loan club Juventus this season.

"Hidden gem" Veiga becoming key player for Juventus

The 6'3 defender was described as a "hidden gem" by Ben Mattinson during his time with FC Basel, with the scout also highlighting his ability to play at left-back and central midfield, which could make him a versatile option for Postecoglou.

Not only that, but after a tough start to the campaign with Chelsea, the starlet has now established himself as an important player for Juventus in the Serie A, starting the last four games, while he has also amassed four caps for national side Portugal.

Not only that, but the Portugal international is clearly a strong tackler and able to drive the ball forward from defence, given his performance on some key metrics over the past year, when compared to other centre-backs.

It is unfortunate that Chelsea may be unwilling to sell Veiga to Tottenham this summer, as he is now starting to show signs he could go on to be a top centre-back.

Tottenham Hotspur are now planning to submit an opening offer for an "intelligent" midfielder, who has a release clause of €80m (£69m), according to a report.

Spurs pursuing midfielder amid Bissouma uncertainty

Yves Bissouma has fallen down the pecking order this season, with the midfielder remaining on the bench throughout Monday night's 2-1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, and there have been suggestions Tottenham could look to cash-in this summer.

The same report details that Rodrigo Bentancur's future may also be in doubt, given that Ange Postecoglou is unhappy with his options in the middle of the park, which means at least one new midfielder may need to be brought.

Versatile Manchester City gem Nico O'Reilly is one of the latest players to be shortlisted, although it may be difficult to prise the youngster away from the reigning Premier League champions, and there are other options in mind.

Como's Nico Paz and Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Larsson are also well-liked, with the latter player now considering a move to north London, despite interest from Man City, in what could be viewed as a boost for Spurs.

Tottenham are clearly looking at options from far and wide, with a report from Caught Offside revealing they have now joined the race for Sporting CP's Morten Hjulmand, who is attracting attention due to his technical and leadership skills.

Manchester United and Arsenal are also keen on Hjulmand, and the Dane has a €80m (£69m) release clause in his contract, although Sporting may consider bids of €50m - €60m (£43m - £52m) this summer, at which point they could look to cash-in.

Spurs are now looking to submit an opening offer below the 25-year-old's release clause, as they continue to run the rule over potential replacements for Bissouma.

"Intelligent" Hjulmand impressing in Portugal

Tottenham's hopes of reaching next season's Champions League were boosted after booking their place in the Europa League semi-final last week, and scout Ben Mattinson believes the Sporting maestro is capable of playing as a 6 or 8 or a side in Europe's elite competition.

Not only that, but Mattinson describes the central midfielder as "defensively intelligent" and capable of reading the game to a "high level", which is underlined by the number of tackles and interceptions he made in the Champions League this season.

The Denmark international has been a key player for title-chasing Sporting CP this season, showcasing his leadership abilities by captaining the Portuguese side, and his defensive competence suggests he could be a solid signing for Tottenham.

Of course, it is by no means a guarantee that Hjulmand would be able to make the step-up to the Premier League, but his displays for Sporting in the Champions League indicate he is capable of performing at the highest level.

Tottenham Hotspur are now eager to sign the Premier League's "best" right-back, and they are expected to open agent talks soon, according to a report.

Spurs pursuing full-backs amid Udogie interest

Tottenham's performances in the Premier League this season are a major cause for concern, but Destiny Udogie has done enough to attract the attention of Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola's side pushing to sign the 22-year-old.

As such, Ange Postecoglou may be tasked with bringing in a new left-back this summer, should the 59-year-old remain in his post as manager, and AC Milan's Theo Hernandez has now been identified as a key target.

There have also been suggestions that Spurs could look to strengthen on the opposite side of defence this summer, having opened talks to sign Flamengo right-back Wesley Franca last month, and a new target has now entered the frame alongside the Brazilian.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Tottenham are now eager to sign Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina, with the Nigerian's performances this season catching the eye of a whole host of Premier League clubs.

Newcastle United, Liverpool and Chelsea are also named as potential suitors for the defender, so there could be fierce competition for his signature this summer, and there is also a chance he remains at the City Ground.

Forest are looking to offer Aina a new long-term contract, in a bid to ward off the interest from elsewhere, but it could be difficult to retain his services, with Spurs expected to open agent talks in the near future.

The right-back's current deal is set to expire at the end of the summer, which means he could be available on a free transfer, should he fail to agree fresh terms with Forest.

Aina now among Premier League's "best" right-backs

The 28-year-old has enjoyed a steady rise to the top, spending time with Hull City, Fulham and Torino before establishing himself as a key player for Champions League-chasing Forest in the Premier League this season.

Having impressed for the Tricky Trees, the London-born defender has been described as "the best right-back in the Premier League" by former Nigeria international Julius Aghahowa, proving himself as "effective" in both defence and attack.

Pedro Porro has received criticism for some of his defensive performances at times this season, which suggests it could be wise for Tottenham to bring in a new right-back this summer, despite Djed Spence being one of their "best performers".

Aina has proven himself to be one of the best options available, given the level of his performances this season, and his potential availability on a free transfer is an added bonus for Tottenham.

Tottenham Hotspur have now joined the race for an "amazing" Premier League midfielder, but there could be fierce competition for his signature from some of Europe's top clubs, according to a report.

Spurs' summer transfer plans

The 1-0 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt last week has provided Totttenham with a real chance to make a success out of this season, with Ange Postecoglou's side now just a two-legged tie against Bodo/Glimt away from reaching the Europa League final.

However, having fallen way below expectations in the Premier League, Spurs have set out to make serious improvements to their squad this summer, with targets being identified in multiple positions, including attacking midfield.

Como maestro Nico Paz has recently been named as a potential target for the Lilywhites, having enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in the Serie A, while they have also set their sights on Athletic Bilbao's Oihan Sancet.

According to a report from The Boot Room, Tottenham are also considering options from within the Premier League, and they have now joined the race for Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly, who is attracting the attention of some of Europe's top clubs.

Having enjoyed a breakthrough season with Man City, the likes of Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain have now expressed an interest in O'Reilly, while Chelsea and Newcastle United headline the interest from the Premier League.

The 20-year-old is an attacking midfielder by trade, but he has showcased his versatility by starring at left-back since breaking into the City starting XI, and Pep Guardiola is eager to keep hold of him.

In fact, such is City's determination to retain the services of the youngster, who has previously been valued at £40m, they are in talks over a new contract, which could make it very difficult for Spurs to lure him to north London.

"Amazing" O'Reilly starring for Man City

It is little wonder some of Europe's top clubs are now queuing up for the starlet, given the level of his performances since breaking into the Man City side, scoring twice in his last two Premier League outings, including what could be a very important effort against Everton last time out.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has clearly been impressed by the City academy graduate's recent displays, lauding him as "amazing" earlier this month, while also describing him as a "versatile and quality player", given the job he has done at left-back.

That said, it seems unlikely that Tottenham will be able to sign the England U20 international this summer, considering he is now closing in on a contract extension at the Etihad Stadium, which means they may have to move on to other attacking midfield targets, of which there is no shortage.

Tottenham Hotspur are now very interested in signing a "sensational" Premier League forward this summer, and they are preparing a €60m (£51m) offer for his services, according to a report.

Spurs planning for the summer transfer window

The 1-0 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday night was a stellar effort, with Ange Postecoglou's side booking their place in the Europa League semi-final, but there is still a great deal of uncertainty lingering over Tottenham as we edge closer to the summer transfer window.

Given Spurs' very poor Premier League campaign, Postecoglou's future remains in doubt, and AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been invited for talks over a potential move to north London this summer.

The Lilywhites are also putting plans in place to improve their squad, and there could be a focus on bolstering their attacking options, with Athletic Bilbao attacking midfielder Oihan Sancet recently joining the list of targets, given the Spaniard's goalscoring exploits.

Signing a new winger is also on the agenda for Tottenham, and scouts have been left hugely impressed by Strasbourg's Dilane Bakwa, having recently watched the Frenchman in action.

However, given that Bakwa remains unproven in the Premier League, it could be viewed as a risk to sign the 22-year-old, and Spurs have also set their sights on a winger from much closer to home, namely AFC Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo.

That is according to a report from Spain, which states the Lilywhites and by extension Daniel Levy are now preparing to make a €60m (£51m) offer for Semenyo, having been impressed by the forward's performances in the Premier League this season.

Bournemouth are open to negotiations over a move, which suggests the door could be open for a deal, should the north Londoners be willing to stump up a sizeable fee.

"Sensational" Semenyo impressing for the Cherries

The Ghanaian made a flying start to the campaign, and he has continued to impress throughout the season, picking up ten goals and six assists in all competitions, most recently scoring the winning goal in his side's 1-0 victory over Fulham.

Journalist Thierry Nyann lauded the Bournemouth star as "sensational" earlier in the campaign, and he has developed a reputation for scoring some spectacular goals, including a fine effort in his side's 3-1 victory against Southampton in September.

The only concern about signing the winger will be the fact he is yet to prove himself at the very highest level, but he has shown remarkable signs of development throughout his career, working his way up from League 2 to the Premier League.

At 25-years-old, Semenyo still has time on his side to improve even further, and he could be a fantastic signing for Tottenham this summer.

It is right back to business for Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou after their heroics in the Europa League on Thursday, with Champions League qualification chasers Nottingham Forest awaiting them on Easter Monday as Nuno Espírito Santo looks to upset his former club.

Tottenham enter first Europa League semi-final since 1984

Spurs edged past Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals, courtesy of Dominic Solanke's vital spot-kick, and Postecoglou's side were forced to display some last-gasp pieces of defending to keep hold of their precious advantage on hostile away turf.

Bodies were on the line over a dogged, mature display which we've scarcely witnessed at Spurs all season long, and Postecoglou was thrilled by the effort from his players, as Tottenham set up their first Europa semi-final since 1984.

"They’ve been so united in believing in what we’re trying to achieve here and that is what gave me heart all along that if we got our own slice of luck in terms of getting some players back that I really believed this team could achieve," said Postecoglou on Spurs' win over Eintracht.

"That is what keeps driving me. It isn’t so much my belief in them, it’s their belief in what we’re doing and both players and staff have been outstanding. I am the front man for it but they take responsibility for it as well and all my decisions and everything I do, but not at any stage have I felt they lost any belief in me or what we’re doing."

Postecoglou has been repeatedly tipped for the Tottenham axe following a dismal Premier League season, having already lost 17 top-flight matches, but their Europa League campaign represents a golden opportunity for the Lilywhites to make history and fulfill the Australian's goal of winning silverware during his second term in charge.

All eyes are on the next round, where they will face off against fairy-tale semi-finalists Bodo/Glimt, but they must first take on both Forest and travel to Anfield for a clash against Liverpool.

Tottenham could be without James Maddison against Nottingham Forest

As Spurs prepare to host the former at home, Postecoglou has shared a pre-match update on star £170,000-per-week midfielder James Maddison.

Maddison was forced off against Eintracht after his nasty collision with goalkeeper Kaua Santos, which resulted in the away side being awarded Solanke's decisive penalty.

The Englishman ultimately playing a crucial role in helping Tottenham to the semis, but as a result, Postecoglou has now confirmed that Maddison is a Tottenham injury doubt for Forest.

"It's fair to say he'll probably be a bit sore, so he's probably a doubt for Monday," said Postecoglou on Maddison's condition.

"The rest of the group, again, they all worked hard, so they'll be sore, but they should all be okay for Monday night. Sonny will still be out. He's been dealing with a foot problem for a while, so now is as good a time as any to give him the right time to to get over it. He'll definitely miss Monday. Everyone else should be okay."

The 28-year-old has bagged 10 goals and 11 assists throughout all competitions, and he'll likely be a sore miss against Forest, but with nothing to play for domestically, it is far more imperative that he's fresh and ready for their European tie.

Ange Postecoglou declared in August that he always wins a trophy in his second season.

Well, despite the fact his team are 15th in the Premier League table, he's still on course to deliver on his manifesto.

On Thursday night, Tottenham Hotspur reached the Europa League semi-finals, with Dominic Solanke's spot-kick enough to oust Eintracht Frankfurt at Waldstadion.

Spurs will now face Bodø/Glimt in the semi-finals, they have become the first-ever Norwegian club to reach the last four of any UEFA competition, with the Lilywhites thereby firm favourites to reach the final in Bilbao.

If Tottenham are going to end their 17-year wait for silverware, aiming to capture the UEFA Cup for the first time since 1984, one player in particular will be key, given that he's reminiscent of a Spurs star of yesteryear.

How good Mousa Dembélé was at Tottenham

When one thinks of Tottenham at their peak under Mauricio Pochettino, the players who immediately spring to mind might be Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Dele Alli, Hugo Lloris, Toby Alderweireld or Jan Vertonghen.

However, no Spurs supporter will overlook or ever forget Mousa Dembélé's importance to that side.

Back in the summer of 2012, the Belgian joined Tottenham from Fulham for a reported fee of £15m, going on to make 249 appearances for Spurs, before departing for Guangzhou City in the Chinese Super League in January 2019.

During his time at the club, Tottenham went from being a mid-table Premier League outfit to regular top four finishers and Champions League Finalists, and the pivotal role Dembélé played in this transformation cannot be forgotten.

Charlie Eccleshare of The Athletic described him as the 'lynchpin of Pochettino's' team, praising his 'ball-carrying skills' and 'ability to evade pressure'.

Meantime, Bart Vlietstra of the Guardian believes that, in his prime, Dembélé was 'the best midfielder in the world', while his former teammate Kyle Walker would agree, stating that he was "probably the best player I have ever seen play football”.

How Postecoglou would love to have Dembélé at his peak patrolling and controlling his midfield, something Spurs have severely lacked throughout this season, but is one current Spurs star showcasing some of the same qualities?

The current Spurs star who could be replicating Dembélé

Earlier this season, it would've been inarguable Dejan Kuluševski was Tottenham's most dangerous attacker, scoring in five successive matches just before Christmas, on target against Chelsea, Rangers, Southampton, Manchester United and Liverpool during this sequence.

However, more recently, the Swede has spent a few weeks on the sidelines due to a foot injury suffered against Manchester City in February, before making his return at Molineux last Sunday.

This is a major boost for Postecoglou, ahead of the aforementioned Europa League semi-final against Bodø/Glimt, and the table below illustrates why.

As the table outlines, since the start of last season, only Son Heung-min and Brennan Johnson have been involved in more Spurs goals than Kuluševski.

However, his similarities to fellow left-footer Dembélé come stylistically.

Jay Harris and Anantaajith Raghuraman of the Athletic praise the 24-year-old's 'impressive running power' as well as his 'durability' and 'defensive work' rate while, according to FBref.com, only nine players have recorded more progressive carries in the Premier League this season.

Ben McAleer of the Guardian adds that Kuluševski is 'absolutely vital' for this Tottenham team, asserting that he has been their 'most consistent player' of the Ange-era.

Following Tottenham's 4-0 demolition of Manchester City in November, speaking during Sky Sports' coverage, Gary Neville labelled Kuluševski as "brilliant" and a "serious player", adding that he uses his "strength and running power" to "subtley beat players" with ease.

So, while there are stylistic similarities to Dembélé and Kuluševski, the biggest overlap between the duo could be the fact they go under-the-radar a bit as Spurs' pivotal unsung heroes.

Tottenham Hotspur have "invited" a manager to hold discussions over potentially replacing Ange Postecoglou, with the tactician also responding to this approach behind-the-scenes.

Ange Postecoglou future uncertain despite Europa League campaign

Spurs booked their place in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday after a very hard-fought 1-0 win away to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Dominic Solanke's cooly-taken penalty was enough to hand Postecoglou a precious win and keep his hopes of winning silverware alive, following a torrid Premier League campaign where Spurs are on course for their worst ever finish.

However, some reports suggest that Postecoglou could be sacked regardless of what happens in Europe, so the Australian's future still very much hangs in the balance amid repeated links to other managers.

Chairman Daniel Levy's shortlist of potential replacements for the 59-year-old includes names like Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, Brentford's Thomas Frank, Fulham's Marco Silva and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, according to recent rumours.

Iraola has been tipped as Tottenham's top target to succeed Postecoglou, but Bournemouth won't make it easy for the Lilywhites after his impressive campaign in the Cherries dugout.

Bournemouth owner Bill Foley wants to extend Iraola's deal and is working to do so, having hailed his boss as "excellent", meaning Silva has emerged as an alternative frontrunner for the Tottenham job (talkSPORT).

The Telegraph also reported this week that Iraola is more inclined to remain at Bournemouth, despite the £10 million release clause in his contract, and this is echoed by journalist Duncan Castles.

Tottenham invite Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola for talks

Speaking on The Transfers Podcast, Castles reports that Tottenham have approached Iraola over the manager's job, inviting him for discussions, but the 42-year-old has seemingly rejected their advances in favour of staying on the south coast.

“Interestingly, my guidance on this is that Tottenham's approaches to Iraola have been rebuffed by the manager," said Castles.

“He has been invited and told to speak to them about that position, and has actually declined to do so.

“And instead, he has been having conversations with Bournemouth, informal conversations with Bournemouth for several weeks now, about not only continuing on his current contract, but signing a new contract to extend there."

With a move for Iraola looking less and less likely by the day, perhaps Glasner could be an excellent option. The Austrian, lauded for his "exciting" approach by Steve Parish, has guided Palace to an FA Cup semi-final and earned plaudits for his work at Selhurst Park since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Glasner also boasts a Europa League winner's medal on his CV, having won the competition with Eintracht in 2022, with pundit John Wenham also calling the 50-year-old a "far more exciting" appointment than Iraola.

"He is far more exciting than most names that have been linked," said Wenham to Tottenham News, "He is someone I would be happy for Tottenham to appoint. I think with better players he would excel, and I find him more exciting than Marco Silva or Thomas Frank, to be honest."

Manager Ange Postecoglou himself admits that the ‘general sentiment’ is that he'll be sacked, even if Spurs win the Europa League, set to face Bodø/Glimt in the semi-finals, after ousting Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.

So, with the club currently 15th in the Premier League table, Daniel Levy could be searching for a new manager come the summer, while the first-team squad may require a mass rebuild too.

So, do Tottenham lead the chase to sign a highly-rated youngster?

Tottenham's teenaged transfer target

According to a report by Pete O'Rourke of Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur are one of many top European clubs 'tracking' Gambian 'sensation' Gibril Sima, with Levy said to be 'ready to pay big' get a deal over the line.

Considering the 17-year-old plays for Gambian Dutch Lions FC in his native country, very little is known about him, but Pete O'Rourke describes him as "the next big talent to emerge from Gambia", adding that both Internazionale and Borussia Dortmund are also interested in securing his signature.

A report by Ebrima KB Sonko of Gambiana praises Sima's 'standout performances', labelling him a 'highly-rated young talent', while also noting that he has signed a two-year contract extension with his club, thereby protecting his transfer value.

So, could he be on his way to North London this summer?

Tottenham's transfer strategy

As outlined by Jay Harris of the Athletic, Tottenham's transfer strategy last summer was clear; sign young players, as the table below illustrates.

As the table presents, of the eight players Spurs have recruited throughout this season, six are aged 22 or under, with Dominic Solanke the oldest at 27.

This though, is nothing new, and Sima's potential arrival, coming in from a lower level with very little known about him, is reminiscent of a recent Spurs legend.

Dele Alli signed for Tottenham in January 2015 from Milton Keynes Dons for a reported fee of £5m, still only 18 years old at the time, having made just 88 senior appearances at League One level, scoring 24 goals and providing ten assists for MK.

Well, fair to say this was money well spent, considering Dele would go on to make 269 appearances for Spurs, registering 67 goals and 59 assists, a key member of the Spurs side that regularly finished in the top four and reached a Champions League Final.

Even after his powers began to wane, then-manager José Mourinho described Dele as "very, very important for Tottenham", having become the youngest Englishman to score 50 Premier League goals, as noted by Charlie Eccleshare, Tom Worville and Jack Pitt-Brooke of the Athletic.

In his prime, Dele was comparable to the best Premier League midfielders of all time, simply now seeking to resurrect his career in Italy, having joined Serie A side Como in January.

Nevertheless, Dele proves that a club can find a gem in the transfer market at a low fee and turn them into a star; given that Tottenham might not be in European competition next season, this has to be the strategy, and Sima seemingly fits the bill.

As another young rising star - having even earned comparisons to Arsenal icon Thierry Henry, as per O'Rourke - it certainly bodes well for the impact that the Gambian make, should he be plucked from obscurity.

Tottenham Hotspur are being handed a boost in the chase for a key transfer target also wanted by Man City, with the player said to be considering a move to north London behind-the-scenes.

Tottenham face Nottingham Forest after Europa League triumph

Under-fire Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was given some rare breathing room after his side put in a dogged display to overcome Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.

A penalty by Dominic Solanke was eventually enough to send the Lilywhites into their first Europa League semi-final since 1984, with Tottenham showcasing the much-needed mature defensive qualities which they've lacked all campaign.

Postecoglou's future remains in the balance, but the Australian could still make good on his promise of always winning silverware during his second season in charge.

A tough test in Bodo/Glimt awaits Tottenham in the semis, and despite their minnow status, they cannot be taken lightly - having just knocked out Serie A giants Lazio.

"From our perspective, we’ve had a difficult season and I think there’s some reasoning behind that. It was pretty evident that when we've got our strongest team out there, a lot of things we’ve suffered with this year I’m sure we wouldn’t have," said Postecoglou on Tottenham's chances of winning the Europa League.

"The spine of our team, at times we've been missing Vicario, Romero, Van de Ven, Bentancur, Solanke, all of them we've been missing at different times this year.

"We've got the whole group. It's not just them, it's the whole group together. We know that we can be a team that's pretty compelling against anybody. We're in the final four now, so we've given ourselves a chance."

Before their all-important battle against the Norwegians, which could make or break their season, Spurs have two tough Premier League tests in Nottingham Forest and champions elect Liverpool.

Postecoglou will be looking to maintain the positive mood around N17 after their quarter-final triumph, and hopefully not add more top flight defeats to their record after already losing 17 this term.

Hugo Larsson now considering move to Tottenham this summer

Summer transfer targets will also be keeping a keen eye on Tottenham's end to the season, and one of them is believed to be Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Larsson.

The versatile Sweden midfielder is a mainstay for Dino Toppmoller's side, racking up 40 appearances in all competitions, and he's done enough to earn himself a £50 million price tag and interest from Man City (Pete O'Rourke).

However, according to GiveMeSport, the 20-year-old is also a wanted man at Spurs. As per their sources, Larsson is privately considering a move to Tottenham, so he's fully aware of their interest, and it is claimed that Postecoglou's side are now "increasingly confident" they can tempt him to N17 as a result.

Predominantly a defensive midfielder, the Scandinavian starlet has already drawn comparisons with Rodri, and Football Analyst Ben Mattinson believes Larsson is "one of the most exciting talents" to come out of Sweden in recent years.