Football FanCast

Tottenham Hotspur are now racing Liverpool and a whole host of other Premier League clubs for the signature of a former Real Madrid player.

Spurs eyeing new signings amid Frank uncertainty

After a difficult Premier League campaign thus far, the FA Cup may have been a welcome distraction for Thomas Frank, but his side were knocked out at the third round stage, falling to a 2-1 home defeat against Aston Villa.

Journalist Martin Lipton has since suggested the writing could be on the wall for the Tottenham boss, saying: "Thomas Frank’s lifeline at Tottenham is getting shorter and shorter. You can’t see it lasting too much longer.

"This is a club that feels dysfunctional, feels lost. It doesn’t look as though the Dane will be sacked this week, but in truth, it looks and feels like nothing more than a matter of time."

With Spurs winning just one of their last seven matches in all competitions, it remains to be seen how much longer Frank can last in the job, but the blame can't be solely placed at the manager's door, and with the north Londoners 14th in the table, some new recruits may be needed.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Tottenham are now racing Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Brighton and Crystal Palace for the signature of Como defender Jacobo Ramon, but former club Real Madrid have a major say on his future.

The Spanish club have the option to buy Ramon back for a fee of just €8m (£7m), which means they could choose to re-sign the centre-back before selling him on for a higher fee in the future.

At the moment, the 21-year-old's value is estimated to be €18m (£16m), but a deal could end up being considerably more expensive, amid widespread interest.

"Complete" Ramon has shades of Van Dijk

Scout Jacek Kulig has taken to X to praise the youngster, describing him as a "complete" and "dominant" defender, while also likening him to Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

Since arriving at Como, the Spaniard has established himself as a key player, scoring two goals in 16 Serie A appearances this season, and he has showcased his strong defensive attributes on a regular basis over the course of the past year.

As such, there are clear signs the Como star could soon be ready to make the step-up to a top club, and he could be a fantastic long-term addition to the Tottenham squad.

Pressure is mounting on Thomas Frank after another dismal loss, with Tottenham now reportedly moving for a Real Madrid star who could potentially help to rescue his job.

Tottenham crash out of FA Cup as pressure mounts on Frank

Frank edges ever closer to the sack after Tottenham crashed out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday evening.

The loss represents the latest disaster in what has become a nightmare reign for the Danish manager, with Spurs now winning just three of their past 14 matches across all competitions.

Villa dominated the opening period at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, taking control through Emiliano Buendia's 22nd-minute strike. The Argentine fired into the roof of the net after John McGinn and Donyell Malen carved through Tottenham's defence with quick passing.

Morgan Rogers doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time, bending his finish into the corner after Buendia turned provider.

Tottenham supporters greeted the half-time whistle with loud boos while Villa fans taunted Frank with chants of "sacked in the morning" and mocked him as "an Arsenal fan" following his infamous cup blunder earlier in the week.

For context, the beleaguered boss had embarrassed himself before Wednesday's Bournemouth defeat when he drank from a cup bearing the Arsenal logo.

Spurs showed improvement after the break when Wilson Odobert reduced the deficit in the 54th minute. Randal Kolo Muani won possession in midfield before feeding the winger, who drilled low into the far corner from 12 yards.

Xavi Simons also struck the post as momentum briefly shifted, while Kolo Muani forced a save from Marco Bizot.

However, Villa held firm despite sustained late pressure to secure their spot in the fourth round. The visitors have now beaten Tottenham twice this season and knocked them out of the cup for the second consecutive year.

The final whistle sparked ugly scenes as both sets of players became embroiled in a mass confrontation on the pitch. Rogers and Ollie Watkins clashed with Joao Palhinha, with substitutes, coaching staff and stewards all dragged into the altercation before order was restored.

Frank now sits 14th in the Premier League with his position appearing untenable. His side face relegation-threatened West Ham at home next weekend in what could prove a make-or-break fixture for his future in north London.

As the Lilywhites boss fields complaints from the fanbase, off the pitch, Spurs are reportedly working to strengthen his severely weakened squad.

They've just sealed a deal for Santos left-back Souza after their second bid was accepted earlier this week, but Frank quite simply needs attacking options.

Brennan Johnson departed for Palace in a £35 million deal, while Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski remain out through injury — leaving Frank with precious few attackers to choose from.

Tottenham make £52m bid for Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz

According to reports from Spain, Tottenham have now tabled a £52 million bid for Real Madrid attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz as Frank desperately seeks reinforcements following their FA Cup exit.

The 25-year-old has emerged as one of the standout performers at the Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco. His impressive displays in the tournament have caught the attention of several top European clubs, with Spurs now making their move.

Frank and co view the Spanish-born playmaker as the 'perfect fit' to revitalise his struggling attack, with the north Londoners apparently moving in with an offer.

Diaz has found opportunities limited at the Bernabeu despite his technical quality and versatility across the front line, but his ability to operate as a number 10 or wide forward makes him an attractive proposition for the north London club.

Real Madrid are now weighing up the substantial offer. The £52m fee represents significant value for a player who has struggled for regular minutes this season, though his recent international form has dramatically increased his market value.

“He can be the best player in the world," said Morocco coach Walid Regragui after their 2-0 AFCON quarter-final win over Cameroon.

“Of course, today he is the X factor of my team.

“I want to say congratulations to him because now he understands what it means to have Moroccan blood: to run, to fight and to give what you have.”

Tottenham believe they can offer Diaz the consistent playing time and prominent role he craves. The club are also said to be confident the promise of being a key figure in their rebuild could tempt him to swap Madrid for London.

Thomas Frank is fighting to save his job at Tottenham amid a very poor run of form, and he could be about to lose another player after Brennan Johnson.

Spurs languish 14th in the Premier League table with just one win in their last six matches, prompting fierce criticism from supporters and unrest within the squad.

Frank has won only 11 of his first 31 games in charge since replacing Ange Postecoglou last summer, with just four victories coming in the last 17 matches across all competitions.

They've also just been knocked out of the FA Cup third round after a 2-1 loss at home to Aston Villa, with a spirited second-half fight back not enough as Unai Emery's side clung on for the win.

Adding fuel to the fire, Frank has faced intense scrutiny after images emerged of him holding a cup with an Arsenal badge before the Bournemouth clash, further inflaming tensions with an already frustrated fanbase.

Supporters chanted "boring, boring Tottenham" during last week's goalless draw with Brentford, while players were booed off following the 1-1 stalemate against Sunderland.

The atmosphere turned toxic at the Vitality Stadium as travelling fans exchanged words with players after Antoine Semenyo's 95th-minute winner condemned Spurs to another damaging defeat.

According to Football Insider, while Tottenham's hierarchy are not rushing into a knee-jerk reaction, the manager needs to deliver positive results immediately or face the sack.

The pressure has been compounded by a mounting injury crisis. Mohammed Kudus faces at least two months on the sidelines with a quad injury, while Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, Destiny Udogie, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski are all unavailable.

Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr have been away at the Africa Cup of Nations too, leaving Frank with a threadbare squad.

Club captain Cristian Romero added to the turmoil by appearing to criticise the hierarchy on social media following the Bournemouth defeat. Media sources also revealed unrest among the squad after Brennan Johnson was allowed to join Crystal Palace, with players questioning the direction of the club.

Despite the mounting pressure, Spurs chiefs remain prepared to give Frank more time. However, more poor results could prove the final straw.

In more positive news, the club completed their £13m signing of Santos left-back Souza this week, providing defensive reinforcement as Frank battles to turn around Tottenham's dismal campaign.

Radu Dragusin asks Tottenham to leave after Roma 'agreement'

Supporters were perhaps expecting a month of incomings rather than outgoings, but after their controversial sale of Johnson to Palace, defender Radu Dragusin could follow the Welshman.

The centre-back has spent the last year out with an ACL injury, only just returning to the squad, but Roma have been attempting to poach Dragusin away from N17 and back to Serie A.

Now, Fabrizio Romano confirms that Dragusin has asked Tottenham if he can go to Roma this month, with the defender already reaching an 'agreement'.

“Roma continue to work on Radu Dragusin, because Roma have had concrete contacts with Tottenham," Romano told his YouTube channel in Italian.

"The relationship is very good.

“The player has already said yes to Roma. Dragusin is ready to go to Roma. I was telling you in December to keep an eye on Roma and Fiorentina.

“Roma have arrived. Roma have arrived strongly. Roma have arrived with direct contact with Tottenham, with an agreement already made with the player.

“Dragusin has let Tottenham know that he would welcome a move to Roma, the opportunity to return to Italy after a long time out due to injury.”

The 23-year-old only joined Spurs from Genoa in a deal worth £27 million around two years ago, but now finds himself behind Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Kevin Danso in the pecking order.

Gian Piero Gasperini is now offering him a return to prominence in Italy, and an opportunity he is keen to grasp with both hands.

It would be a strange year if Tottenham Hotspur made their way through an uneventful campaign. Though, while a lot has been going on down N17 this year, few of the Spurs faithful would say it's been enjoyable.

After that last-gasp defeat at Bournemouth last time out, Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has tumbled into deeper waters after replacing title-winning manager Ange Postecoglou last summer. That's been exacerbated by the unfortunate Arsenal-branded cup incident at the Vitality Stadium.

There's plenty of time to bounce back, but Spurs need to use the January transfer window effectively if they wish to stop the rot and turn things around.

Already, ENIC family have moved to add an upcoming talent to the ranks following the £35m sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace.

Spurs set up January signings

Confirmed: Tottenham have an agreement sealed with Brazilian club Santos for the transfer of 19-year-old left-back Souza. Formalities stand between the Londoners and their new prospect, who will provide cover for the injury-prone Destiny Udogie.

That's one chunk of the left side sorted, then, but after the sale of club legend Heung-min Son last year (and now the departure of Johnson), landing a left winger is also a priority.

And, in keeping with the Lilywhites' push to sign up-and-comers, Said Suleiman has been added to the shortlist, according to transfer insider Rudy Galetti.

Bundesliga clubs Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig are thought to have the lead, both also locked in talks with Suleiman's Slovak employers, AS Trenčín.

The 19-year-old is regarded as one of the brightest Nigerian talents in the world.

Why Spurs are pushing to sign Suleiman

Suleiman, a three-cap Nigeria U20 international, is an electric left winger with mighty strength and a natural sharpness in front of goal. Across all competitions this season, he has scored three goals and supplied four assists.

Said to have produced "one of the best ball-carrying/dribbling numbers in world football last year" by analyst Marcus Bring, you can see why Tottenham - and top German clubs - are invested.

His prolific potential suggests he could replace Johnson down that left flank, and strong underlying aspects further strengthen his chances.

Also described as "one of the best wingers playing outside Europe's top five leagues" by journalist Bence Bocsak, there's no question that Suleiman has what it takes to be a star in the Premier League, and Spurs' record of promoting and developing talented youngsters may well swing the odds in their favour, albeit with Leverkusen and Leipzig both skilled in that department themselves.

He's raw, but there's a lot of potential there. Were Suleiman to sign this winter, it's possible he wouldn't become an instant hit, but rather, spend some time learning the craft, perhaps popping out on loan for the latter half of the campaign, or across the 2026/27 season.

While the gap between the Slovakian top flight and the English Premier League is a gaping chasm, Suleiman's start to life on the outer rim of Europe's football scene can only be viewed through a positive lens, and his ability to be combative and win many duels each game would help build a strong partnership with Souza behind him.

The Brazilian, also 19, is "very versatile", and he "defends well and attacks well", as per South American football expert Tim Vickery. Moreover, he has enjoyed a taste of elite quality ahead of him in the shape of Neymar Jr., his teammate throughout 2025.

Suleiman is hardly on a level with one of the great wingers of this generation, but his fleet footwork and blistering speed would be traits well-worn by the Brazilian record scorer, and in this, Souza might feel he has something to work with over the coming years down N17.

This could be a duo for the ages down the line, both athletic and powerful and creative on the ball. Though fans rightly demand progress in the short-term, aligning with planning for the future, these can only be seen as promising moves for a club determined to build a project of lasting success.

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a £13m deal for their first signing of the January transfer window and the player is now set to fly to London having been pulled out of his club's fixture this weekend.

Frank targeting FA Cup success as Spurs plan new signings

Thomas Frank has promised to go “full strength” when Tottenham host Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round and knows a long run in the competition can save their season.

“Full strength. Yeah, all in. Because we want to win it, both the game and the tournament if possible, but it’s one game at a time. We’re facing a very good Villa team. We know that, but we’ll go all in to try to win.

“I’m very, very aware that a cup run will be fantastic. The FA Cup is the biggest cup and most historic cup tournament, not only in the UK and England, but also in the world.

“So we will do everything we can to win that game tomorrow and then progress to the next round and to install belief. That’s the only thing we’re thinking about.”

And while the former Brentford boss is trying to change the fan sentiment following boos from the away end at Bournemouth, the club are dong everything they can to help him, targeting a couple of new signings this month.

First, they are eyeing a replacement for the departed Brennan Johnson, with names like Omar Marmoush and Kevin Schade mentioned as potential options.

Spurs also want to strengthen in defence, and have now agreed a deal for Santos defender Souza.

Souza pulled from Santos squad with defender travelling to join Spurs

Indeed, according to reliable Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte, via Sport Witness, the left-back has been pulled from Santos' squad for their opening match of the season against Novorizontino on Saturday.

His agents requested the club withdraw him from the game to avoid an injury which would scupper the deal, and he's now 'set to fly and complete his move to Tottenham'.

While the deal isn't 100 per cent complete yet, the report states there 'shouldn’t be an issue' as the Lilywhites close in on their first signing of the winter window,

Tottenham Hotspur have a number of players heading towards the exit door as Thomas Frank faces a small overhaul of his squad in the January transfer window.

Tottenham players who could leave in January

Tottenham sold Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace in one of the biggest early moves of the transfer window as Frank and Johan Lange look to rescue a season which is in serious danger of petering out before winter is over.

The Lilywhites have been linked with a move for Manchester City's Omar Marmoush as a possible replacement for the Wales star, and an another attacker is likely needed this month, especially if Mathys Tel follows amid links to Galatasaray.

There could also be an overhaul in defence however, with doubts surrounding the futures of both Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, who has long been linked with a move to one of La Liga's big clubs and added fuel to the fire when he appeared to blast the club's hierarchy on social media following the defeat to Bournemouth.

"At times like this, it should be other people coming out to speak, but they don't - as has been happening for several years now.

"They only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies." - via Cristian Romero's Instagram

They aren't the only defenders with question marks surrounding their futures either, and a report from Italy has revealed talks for Radu Dragusin to leave North London have advanced this week.

Dragusin exit advancing with agent in Roma talks

Indeed, according to Friday's Gazzetta dello Sport, via Sport Witness, Dragusin's move to Roma has "gained momentum in recent hours" and his agent has held talks with the Serie A outfit.

Managed by former Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini, the Italian side would prefer a straight loan move, which is currently holding the deal up as Spurs would prefer a permanent sale.

The likely solution is a temporary deal with some form of manadatory purchase option, meaning Dragusin has likely played his last game in Tottenham colours.

Shifting the Romania international's wages off the books will provide space for Lange to bring a new face in this month, and given the centre-back has only played once in the Premier League this season, totalling just five minutes of playing time, he won't be a big loss to Frank's squad depth.

The January window is already a week old, and Tottenham Hotspur need to get moving, with the Lilywhites in danger of ending the month weaker than they started it.

Having already sold last season's top scorer, Brennan Johnson, to Crystal Palace on a £35m deal, the north London side have since lost starting right-winger, Mohammed Kudus, to injury, disrupting an attacking unit that has already been without Dominic Solanke for much of the campaign.

There remains an exciting core of young talent at N17, namely Xavi Simons, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray, although that trio no doubt needs to be built around, with the club still finding their footing in the post-Harry Kane and Son Heung-min era.

A squad in need of reinforcement could get just that if recent reports are to be believed, however, with Thomas Frank's side potentially closing in on a first deal of the window for another rising star.

£13m sensation now wants to join Spurs after bid

With Frank and co currently residing in 14th in the Premier League table, it's fair to say that additions are a necessity this month, with the loss of Johnson only heightening the need to strengthen at the top end of the pitch.

That search has reportedly led ENIC to look at Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, Jorgen Strand Larsen, with the £40m-rated Norwegian believed to be up for sale, after scoring just one league goal all season.

Elsewhere, meanwhile, Spurs also appear keen to bolster the backline, with competition needed at left-back, with journalist Fabrizio Romano providing the latest on their pursuit of Santos teenager, Souza.

As per Romano, the Lilywhites have agreed the structure of a €15m (£13m) deal for the teenage full-back, after previously seeing an £8m offer rebuffed by the Brazilian outfit.

The transfer insider notes that personal terms with the player have already been agreed and that Spurs are now actually "closing in on a deal" to sign the player.

The player himself, meanwhile, is said to be 'keen' to make the move, if the two parties can reach an agreement.

Why Souza could be Spurs' next Bergvall

There remains real excitement surrounding the likes of Gray and Simons, although these weren't exactly unknown quantities prior to their moves in 2024 and 2025, respectively, a fact reflected in their £40m and £52m price tags.

In Souza, Spurs could well be repeating the success of landing the aforementioned Bergvall instead, with the Swedish star arriving as a teenage talent from Djurgarden for a minimal fee of just £8.5m.

That relative bargain deal looks like a particularly astute one, even with the 19-year-old having yet to nail down a regular starting role to date, with the midfield sensation already earning comparisons to the likes of Luka Modric in north London.

That deal for the Scandinavian talent saw Spurs fend off rival interest from the likes of Manchester United, with the same seemingly set to be true with Souza, with the Brazilian also courting attention from the likes of Newcastle United and Chelsea's BlueCo owners.

A player for the long-term, like Bergvall, the left-back could also make an immediate impact in English football if handed the chance, having been described as an "absolute gem" of a player by scout Antonio Mango.

"Energetic, aggressive and tenacious", in the view of Mango, the promising defender has already made 38 made senior appearances for his current side, racking up five goal involvements in that time.

For comparison, Bergvall had only made 59 total senior appearances back in Sweden, before making his move last summer, with Spurs' relative gamble having seemingly paid off.

As already stated, the six-cap Swede isn't a genuine first-choice talent just yet, but he's shown more than glimpses to date, registering ten goals and assists in total at N17, from 69 outings.

The beauty of such a relatively low-cost deal is that Spurs can afford him the time to develop and progress without the scrutiny of a lofty price tag, with that likely to be a similar story if Souza is to join Frank's ranks this month.

While at the top end of the pitch, in particular, the north Londoners might be in need of more ready-made solutions to slot in and strengthen the side, there is no harm in also looking to the future with another exciting, Bergvall-esque deal too.

Tottenham have reportedly submitted an offer to sign a Brazilian playmaker amid their talks for Santos left-back Souza, with the Lilywhites looking to salvage their dwindling campaign.

Spurs' season suffered another devastating blow following last night's heartbreaking 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth.

Thomas Frank watched his side take an early lead through Mathys Tel before Bournemouth fought back to go 2-1 ahead by half-time, with goals from Evanilson and Junior Kroupi turning the match on its head.

Spurs appeared to have salvaged a point when João Palhinha scored a magnificent overhead kick to level the score at 2-2. However, Antoine Semenyo then bagged a devastating 95th-minute winner to hand Bournemouth their first victory in 12 Premier League matches.

It was the Ghanaian's perfect sign-off before his high-profile move to Man City, but for Spurs, it was a reminder of their obvious shortcomings.

The result has intensified pressure on Frank considerably, if it wasn't already there.

Spurs entered the campaign with genuine ambitions of silverware and challenging for European qualification, but still find themselves languishing in mid-table following another collapse that saw them concede more vital points.

Away from the pitch, the Lewis family need to showcase how Tottenham's first transfer window post-Daniel Levy can help to transform the club's fortunes.

Progress has been made securing personal terms with 19-year-old Santos defender Souza, though negotiations remain ongoing regarding the transfer fee after Tottenham's opening bid was turned down.

Attacking reinforcements are also a major priority for the Lilywhites, with star winger Mohammed Kudus now expected to be out until after the March international break following his injury against Sunderland.

Frank has also been without James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski all season, while summer signing Xavi Simons has failed to justify his £52 million price tag thus far.

Tottenham's need for attacking creativity has been a key theme of their lacklustre performances, and reports suggest they could turn to West Ham playmaker Lucas Paqueta as a solution.

Tottenham submit 'official offer' for Lucas Paqueta

The Brazil international is out of contract in 2027 and potentially up for grabs this year, especially if West Ham go down, which is looking more and more likely by the week.

Some outlets report that Spurs have held talks over a deal for Paqueta, with a report from South America now backing this up.

Indeed, according to Brazilian outlet Torcida Flamengo, Tottenham have apparently 'emerged as a strong competitor' to sign the £150,000-per-week attacker.

It is also believed that Frank's side have made an 'official offer' to sign Paqueta, worth around £26 million, but Flamengo are very real competitors for his signature as well.

Flamengo are attempting to lure Paquetá back to his homeland, and Torcida report that his current preference is a return to Brazil as things stand.

The midfielder came through Flamengo's academy before moving to Europe, and sources indicate he has a real desire to return to the Gávea and wear the famous red-and-black shirt once again.

While Flamengo are yet to match or better Spurs' offer, they remain confident they can complete the deal despite lacking Tottenham's financial muscle.

The Brazilian giants are working to construct a proposal that satisfies West Ham, while leveraging Paqueta's wish to return home as their primary advantage.

For Tottenham, Paqueta represents exactly the type of creative midfielder capable of unlocking stubborn defences and providing additional quality in attack.

Tottenham's season lurched further into crisis following last night's devastating 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth, but they could at least be closing in on a January signing.

The under-fire Thomas Frank watched his side surrender an early lead in humiliating fashion, collapsing defensively during a chaotic encounter that saw the Cherries snatch all three points at the Vitality Stadium.

The result leaves Spurs 14th in the table after 21 matches and seven points off the top four - a dismal return that has intensified pressure on Frank considerably.

The north Londoners entered the campaign with genuine ambitions of challenging for European qualification and silverware, yet find themselves miles off it amid a torrid run of form.

Spurs have now dropped crucial points from winning positions on multiple occasions this season, highlighting systemic issues within the squad that the manager has struggled to address.

As a result, January is expected to be a busy month for Frank's side, with Tottenham believed to be targeting a new forward — especially after Mohammed Kudus' injury which will now keep him out until after the March international break.

They're also after Santos sensation Souza, with talks ongoing all week over a deal for the 19-year-old as Tottenham attempt to push a deal over the line.

Luckily, there's now been a significant development.

Tottenham agree personal terms with Souza ahead of new bid

Indeed, Tottenham have now agreed personal terms with Souza ahead of a potential move to north London, according to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano.

The breakthrough represents a significant step forward in the pursuit, with the player clearly viewing Spurs as an attractive destination to continue his development.

Negotiations remain underway with Santos as Tottenham prepare a new bid, anticipated to arrive soon. Details are still believed to be missing regarding the exact structure and value of the improved proposal, but Romano says Spurs have the full player buy-in at least.

Souza has been dubbed "the new Marcelo" by some in Brazil following his impressive performances for Santos.

The 'outstanding' teenager has established himself as a regular starter despite suffering an ankle injury last season, making 29 total appearances and contributing three goal involvements, all while demonstrating the attacking thrust that modern full-backs require.

The personal terms give Tottenham a crucial advantage in negotiations, with the player onside and eager to make the switch to the Premier League.

The Lilywhites must also be wary of competition for Souza's signature. Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle United have all shown interest in the Brazilian, according to reports, so Frank's side may have to act quickly.

Santos promoted Souza through their youth system and reportedly view him as a valuable commodity, capable of commanding a premium price despite his age and relative inexperience at senior level.

Tottenham cannot afford further delays given their current league position and lack of defensive cover. Frank needs reinforcements immediately to help inspire their torrid campaign, and the coming weeks may well prove crucial.

Tottenham Hotspur are now keen on signing an "elite" Champions League goalkeeper, who could be brought in as a replacement for Guglielmo Vicario.

Spurs eyeing new goalkeeper amid Vicario criticism

Tottenham have been underperforming as a collective this season, currently sitting 13th in the Premier League, having won just one of their last five matches, but their goalkeeper has received some particularly heavy criticism.

Following the 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest last month, Jamie Carragher slammed Vicario for refusing to take responsibility, saying: "Typical Vicario, he’s always blaming someone else. Every time I see him when a goal goes in, he’s throwing his arms at someone else."

Since then, the Italian has gone on to put in some improved performances, keeping clean sheets in two of his last four matches, but Jamie O'Hara remains unconvinced by the goalkeeper.

Interestingly, a report from TEAMtalk has revealed Tottenham have 'growing concerns' about whether the 29-year-old has a long-term future in north London, and they have now started looking at replacements.

The report states Tottenham are now keen on signing Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who could be allowed to leave the Spanish club this year, despite being highly regarded at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Indeed, the Spanish club may now be willing to sanction Lunin's departure, given that he has found game time hard to come by this season, and youngster Javi Navarro could be utilised as a back-up to Thibaut Courtois.

There could be fierce competition for the Ukrainian's signature, with Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion also named as interested parties, and there is a belief a move to the Premier League would strongly appeal to the £76k-a-week shot-stopper.

Lunin could be "elite" as a first-choice goalkeeper

The 26-year-old has made just two appearances for Madrid in all competitions this season, which came in the Champions League and Copa del Rey, suggesting he may need to leave the European giants for the good of his career.

The Ukraine international being a back-up goalkeeper arguably isn't a great sign, but in fairness, he is playing second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois, and he has impressed at Real Madrid when given the opportunity.

Lauded as "elite" by scout Ben Mattinson, the Madrid ace played a major role in his side reaching the Copa del Rey final last season, keeping a clean sheet and making five saves from inside the box in a 1-0 win against Real Sociedad in the semi-final.

The Kharkiv-born goalkeeper has also proven himself in the Champions League, making 13 appearances in Europe's elite competition, including eight en-route to glory in the 2023/24 edition, during which time he received high praise from Carlo Ancelotti.

As such, should Tottenham decide not to persist with Vicario as their first-choice goalkeeper, Lunin could be a solid replacement.