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Tottenham digging their heels to retain Europa League hero as Spanish giants circle

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Tottenham do not intend to let Cristian Romero leave on cheap and are want over £60 million for his services

New Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank has plenty of tough decisions to make starting this summer.

Thomas Frank has made a good first impression at Spurs, and he is aiming to build on the Europa League success and make the club ‘serial winners’ in the coming years. He will be under high scrutiny from all directions, starting from recruitment of new players. This is why the current transfer window is extremely crucial for the Dane and Tottenham.

The 51-year-old certainly had conversations with the hierarchy before the club decided to make a move for highly-rated Japanese defender Kota Takai, who is set to join Spurs from Kawasaki Frontale. Frank is also expected to be consulted with regards to players he wants to keep at the club and build his team around. And he is already facing a difficult situation over one of the Lilywhites’ best players.

Cristian Romero has been widely linked with Atletico Madrid despite Tottenham’s hopes to retain him. The 2022 World Cup winner’s future at the club has been uncertain for a while now and he fuelled further speculation by admitting his desire to play in La Liga in future. This has led to Atletico Madrid even making it public that they want to sign the centre-back, with their coach Diego Simeone calling him a “great player”.

However, according to a report from The Telegraph, Spurs remain firm that they are going to get bullied into selling Cristian Romero for a cut-price fee by Atletico Madrid. They are valuing him at over £60 million, a fee the La Liga side may struggle to pay despite their concrete interest in signing the Argentinean international.

Romero, who was the Man of the Match in the Europa League final against Manchester United in May, still has two years left on his deal at White Hart Lane. The central defender has shown time and again why he is considered to be one of the best in his position in the world right now. Although this past season was a bit stop-start, he proved his value when it mattered the most and helped the North Londoners end their 17-year-old trophy drought.

The 27-year-old is set to return to the club for pre-season training in the second week of July with his future in doubt. It was recently suggested that Frank’s appointment as the new head coach has led to a U-turn on the South American’s Tottenham future.

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Daniel Levy is well within his rights to ask for over £60 million for Romero, given his stature, ability, leadership skills and pedigree. Tottenham clearly have no intentions of losing their best defender and they are doing everything they can to keep him at N17 for one more season as they look to kickstart a new era under Frank.

“Keep an eye”- Tottenham ready to sell £25m defender who fell down the pecking order under Postecoglou

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“Keep an eye”- Tottenham ready to sell £25m defender who fell down the pecking order under Postecoglou - To The Lane And Back
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The end of the road is near for Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin at N17

Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin arrived at N17 with high hopes after a successful stint at Genoa. The Romania international was signed as a potential cover for Cristian Romero in the heart of the defence, and the club viewed him as a potential successor of the Argentine defender in the long-term.

But it is fair to say that the transfer has not quite worked out for both the player and the North London club. The 23-year-old has failed to replicate the form he once showed during his time in the Serie A, and it looks like Spurs are running out of patience with the centre-back. The fans have also not seen the defender play regularly, as numerous injuries have held him back from starting consecutive games at N17.

The Romania international was forced to sit on the side-lines for most parts of last season as well. The 23-year-old endured a long-term injury as he ruptured his ACL earlier this year. The injury has not him any favours as there are doubts at N17 that the ex-Genoa star would not reach his potential after recovering from it.

Radu Dragusin might head for a summer exit from Tottenham

It was reported earlier that Radu Dragusin was linked with a move to Inter Milan in the summer. The Serie A giants are keen to land the 23-year-old as they look to bounce back from a disastrous season. However, the transfer links did not last long as the Romanian’s agent shut down any possibilities of a summer move to Italy.

However, there is a new twist in the transfer saga involving the Spurs defender now. As per Graeme Bailey (via TBR Football), Tottenham are willing to sell the 23-year-old in the summer as they look to cash-in on underwhelming players. Bailey said,

“I think an interesting one at Tottenham to keep an eye on is Dragusin, because Danso is now well ahead of him in the pecking order. It wouldn’t surprise me if we see something with Dragusin this summer and a possible exit. I don’t think Spurs have been blown away by what he’s done since arriving at the club.”

The journalist added,

“There has also been a bit of agitating from the player, I think even in January he was agitating a little bit, and I guess this is what happens when you’re signing squad players. When you get someone like Dragusin arrive and he’s confident that he can get a first-team spot, but he ends up sitting on the bench, then you have an issue. I’m not sure Spurs would stand in his way.”

Graeme Bailey has suggested that Radu Dragusin has fallen down the pecking order at N17 and the defender has failed to impress the club since arriving from Genoa. The journalist then points out that Dragusin was expecting to be a starter at N17 and sitting on the bench has made him wanting to leave the club in the summer. Bailey has insisted that Spurs would not mind letting him leave if a suitable offer comes in.

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“No chance”- Tottenham Hotspur expected to miss out on £85m Premier League star

Tottenham among clubs exploring summer move for rising Chelsea star; player available for £35m

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Tottenham are exploring move for Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong - To The Lane And Back
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Tottenham are interested in signing £35m-rated Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong

Thomas Frank will already be working hard ahead of next season after he was confirmed as Ange Postecoglou’s replacement as the new Tottenham Hotspur boss earlier this month.

Daniel Levy recently declared his ambition for Spurs to win both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League in the coming years, and there is no doubt that Thomas Frank will harbour the same ambitions. And for that to happen, the Danish tactician needs to be backed heavily in the transfer market starting from this summer.

The Lilywhites are sticking to their transfer strategy of investing heavily in youth, with highly-regarded Japanese prospect Kota Takai set to join from Kawasaki Frontale. They are not going to stop with just Takai’s signing and want to add another young defender to their ranks.

According to a report from the Independent, Tottenham are among several clubs interested in signing Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong. Newcastle United also remain keen, while Borussia Dortmund have escalated their interest and are willing to act this summer.

Chelsea may be willing to do business for £35m, having previously rejected approaches—including loans—for the teenager. A product of their academy, Josh Acheampong has been viewed by the Blues boss as a prospect for the future, but after breaking into the senior team last season, he is understood to want more regular opportunities in order to continue his development.

The England youth international played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea’s final group-stage game at the Club World Cup against ES Tunis on Wednesday. The versatile defender, who signed a new deal at the Stamford Bridge in late 2024, is attracting heavy interest from different parts of Europe with the summer transfer window now in full swing.

Tottenham’s interest in Acheampong suggests their keenness to bolster their pool of young talents. A defender who can operate as both centre-back and right-back, the English prospect would represent a smart long-term investment at White Hart Lane. However, with Takai set to arrive, coupled with young defenders Luka Vuskovic and Ashley Phillips about to team up with Frank’s squad after their successful loan spells with KVC Westerlo and Stoke City, respectively, signing another defensive prospect this summer doesn’t appear to be a priority.

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Tottenham backed to pass on signing 14G/A Serie A winger this summer

Instead, Tottenham must invest the money to bolster other areas of the pitch like the midfield and attack. And if they still feel they are short of options in central defence, Daniel Levy must target a bit more experienced player who can hit the ground right away, rather than another youngster in the developmental phase of his career.

Prolific Georgian marksman attracting Tottenham Hotspur’s attention; financial opportunity for Tottenham to exploit

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Tottenham leading the race to sign Lyon star Georges Mikautadze - To The Lane And Back
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Lyon striker Georges Mikautadze has emerged as a target for Tottenham

Lyon have been relegated to Ligue 2 because of their poor finances, leaving a host of talented players available for several European clubs to pluck away from them.

The French giants were provisionally demoted back in November and were given until the end of the 2024-25 campaign to improve their financial condition. A transfer ban was also imposed on them in the January transfer window.

The club intend to appeal the decision, but that hasn’t stopped several Lyon players from attracting interest from different leagues across the continent. After Rayan Cherki’s departure to Manchester City earlier this month, it looks like another Lyon star is set to follow him to the Premier League.

According to a report from Spanish outlet Fichajes, Tottenham are leading the race to sign Lyon striker Georges Mikautadze.

A revelation at the 2024 European Championships in Germany, Georges Mikautadze arrived at Lyon from FC Metz last July and enjoyed an incredible season at the Groupama Stadium, netting 17 goals and supplying 11 assists on top of that in 47 appearances. This includes 11 goals and six assists in 34 Ligue 1 appearances, helping Lyon finish sixth in the table. However, with Lyon now relegated to Ligue 2 due to failing to comply with the financial rules, the Georgian international is destined to leave the club after just one season,

At this moment, Tottenham are understood to be favourites for the 24-year-old’s signature. There is uncertainty regarding two Spurs forwards at the moment, with Son Heung-min entering the final year of his contract while Richarlison has been heavily linked with a return to Everton. There is a big possibility of both Son and Richarlison being sold this summer to make room for young, exciting and reliable forwards in Thomas Frank’s squad.

At 24, Mikautadze is at the right age to test himself in the Premier League, and due to his speed, directness, creativity and goalscoring instinct, he’d be a solid acquisition for the Lilywhites. The Georgian may not be an immediate starter under Frank but should be a good option to regularly challenge Dominic Solanke for a place in the XI.

With his pace and industry, the ex-Metz man would be a dangerous player to bring off the bench against tiring defences. The 24-year-old generally plays as a striker but can also play as a left-winger, which only adds value to his name.

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Lyon have to raise funds by hook or crook this summer, something Spurs must look to take advantage of when it comes to signing Mikautadze. For now, the player’s valuation is unknown, but the North Londoners must aggressively go for the intelligent striker to boost our forward options.

Tottenham make fresh contact to sign #9 target on a free transfer, but is he an ideal striker under Thomas Frank? – Opinion

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Is Jonathan David the right #9 under Frank? - To The Lane And Back
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Tottenham Hotspur have been subject to links with a move for a number nine this summer, and this will be the second successive summer where Daniel Levy has been looking to move for a number nine after the Lilywhites marquee move for Dominic Solanke in the previous summer transfer window. It is considering the fact that the goalscoring burden on the former Cherries striker is quite heavy and the North Londoners need a partner for him to ensure that he is not run into the ground.

While the Lilywhites have been linked with multiple strikers ranging from Viktor Gyokeres to Miguel Merentiel, it is to be seen what sort of player Thomas Frank opts for, and while the links are still flowing in and it seems quite open, the North Londoners have now established links with a move for Jonathan David.

Jonathan David has had links with a move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the past three transfer windows, and confiding the fact that he is a free agent now means that there is a higher likelihood of him ending up within the corridors of Hotspur Way. And this comes after the fact that the talks between his representatives with Juventus and Napoli have slowed down and Tottenham have made fresh contact to secure his signatures.

With Tottenham in the race to try and attain his signature now, we have to see how he fits into the system at N17 with Thomas Frank in charge of the proceedings at Tottenham, given how the Dane took charge of the proceedings in North London earlier this season.

Before we get into how he would phase into the structure in North London under Thomas Frank, let’s understand a bit about David…

Jonathan David – a brief

Strengths

The Canadian international has excellent movements, given how he is extremely agile in finding space between centre-backs and then making those highly incisive diagonal runs in behind the defensive line. This is where he combines his striker instincts with his intelligent positioning that makes him an elite mover in the box. He also has that clinical capacity with both feet given how he is always composed when facing one-on-one situations. And this helps him thrive when he is playing through the lines or when he is trying to delay his runs in the box.

The 25-year-old also has that clinical ability about him given how he can finish with both feet. He is also quite capable in terms of work rate, given how he is relentless when it comes to out of possession, and this is something that Thomas Frank would absolutely love, given how he is good at pressing with intent and recovering the lost balls.

Weaknesses

He is not as much of an aerial threat in the box, and the Canadian ace ends up struggling when he is facing physically dominant centre-backs (which he will do quite often against most of the Premier League teams). Jonathan David is also more capable when he is running into the ball than holding it up when facing pressure, which could limit his utility, especially in the systems when he will be playing as a lone front man in certain scenarios.

How does Jonathan David fit in at Tottenham under Thomas Frank?

If we are thinking about bringing Jonathan David but from a more tactical point of view, the Dane head coach is likely to take up the 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 hybrid system at N17, where he will build a transitional verticality in his structure. He will also make that dual-striking option at Tottenham and impose compact pressing shapes.

So let’s start with talking about the dual striker system (3-5-2 / 4-4-2 Diamond); this is where the 25-year-old is likely to slot next to Dominic Solanke, which, in a sense, will allow Solanke to play as the physical anchor, dragging defenders wide or deep while David will operate in half-spaces (trying to exploit channels with his sharp diagonal runs). Frank can create a more dynamic rotation pair where the Canadian international drops to combine while the Cherries ace stays advanced.

And this setup will allow David to get the most out of his movements and finishing without requiring him to hold up play consistently (so it doesn’t expose his weaknesses).

Another is playing in a 4-3-3 where David plays more of an inside forward. He will not be your classic wide forward, but he has shown that capacity to start wider (especially on the right) and then cut inside to attack the box. Here he can rotate with Eze or Kudus or Simons (whoever signs for Tottenham) as hybrid 10s and then give you that variation if Frank wants to implement a false nine mid-game.

We have seen how the Dane head coach prefers to play with vertical speed and rotational fluidity, which ends up suiting David, especially given how he thrives on quick ball movement and high-tempo transitions.

Should Tottenham sign Jonathan David or look elsewhere?

I think that Daniel Levy and Thomas Frank should be carefully weighing in the probables around Jonathan David’s transfer given how there are multiple number nine targets in the market. The former Lille ace is available on a free transfer, and given his age (25) and experience, he fits in the club’s age profile and gives you that tactical flexibility across the frontline. Moreover, he also complements Solanke’s style more naturally than Richarlison does (and holds strong resale value, which is quite an appealing trait for Tottenham).

That being said, David is not a natural target man, so if Frank is looking for someone more physical who can play in a similar role as Dominic Solanke, then someone like Viktor Gyokeres might be a better option.

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Author Opinion

If Daniel Levy can end up signing Jonathan David on a free transfer, it might end up being one of the smartest signings of the summer, especially given how Thomas Frank plays and how the incoming head coach can use the Canadian international’s off-ball intelligence and finishing alongside his pressing energy. So unless the North Londoners want to opt for a more physically dominant striker type, David looks like the right choice.

Can Borussia Mönchengladbach ace mould himself into a Thomas Frank defender at Tottenham Hotspur? – Opinion

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Can Ko Itakura mould himself into a Thomas Frank defender? - To The Lane And Back
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As Thomas Frank takes charge of the proceedings at the helm at Tottenham Hotspur, the North Londoners are expected to evolve into more of a system-driven side that plays in a more compact manner and are a flexible team that is built on positional discipline and intelligent ball use. And as the Lilywhites transition their roster as per the playing style of the incoming Danish head coach, they have turned their attention to Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Ko Itakura, who has built a reputation as one of the most composed and tactically versatile centre-backs in the German top tier.

Following the Europa League triumph under Ange Postecoglou (and qualifying for the Champions League while doing so), whilst keeping in mind how the North Londoners had struggled with depth in the previous campaign, Daniel Levy would be looking to ensure that the Lilywhites are ready to compete on all fronts in the upcoming campaign.

And bringing in a defender could be one of the priorities at N17 this summer, given how Spurs suffered with injuries at the heart of defence in the 2024/2025 season, which saw the likes of Archie Gray being deployed as a makeshift centre-back. Then to build on that, we are also seeing reports compounding about Cristian Romero linked with a possible N17 exit in the ongoing summer transfer window, making it more of a priority to bring in a new centre-back this summer.

The Premier League heavyweights are said to have been made aware of the 28-year-old potential availability during the summer transfer window, given how Daniel Levy and his team have been touching base over a possible transfer over the past eighteen months, and per Givemesport, the Lilywhites have now been informed that he will be available in the coming weeks.

But this is where the question arises: does Itakura fit the mould of what Thomas Frank needs at Hotspur Way?

Let’s get into Ko Itakura for a moment…

Strengths

The Japanese international is a system-flexible centre-back who is comfortable playing in a back four as well as slotting in a back three (and this plays well in the hybrid framework that Thomas Frank uses). The fact that he reads space well and has that ability to anticipate attacking movements to make proactive interceptions also bodes well in the compactness that the Dane head coach likes to operate within.

Moreover, one of his biggest assets is his ability to pass within different ranges, given that he can play through a diagonal ball to break a press or even play a vertical pass into the midfield. I think this ability he has with the ball brings a lot of high-value ball progression to the side, which has the capacity to get better if mid-blocks (which the North Londoners did struggle against last season).

And the thing is that he also gives you that versatile capability given how he can play as a right centre-back in a three and as a right CB in a four. He can also play in a defensive midfielder role (as a deep pivot) if needed. Now this makes him a valuable player, especially when Frank wants to adjust shapes mid-game or cover for injuries without changing his structure.

And lastly, he brings a sense of composure under pressure, which will be a big boost given how the North Londoners, at times in the last season, struggled with hurried clearances (especially without Romero), and then Itakura brings you that sense of calmness in the press as he takes his time on the ball and plays low-risk exits from danger situations.

Weaknesses

When I am thinking about the elite physical standards of the Premier League, then Itakura will not be the most physically dominant defender. The Japanese international relies more on positioning than playing with his physicality, and this can end up being tested in high-tempo situations or in aerial duels against strikers like Haaland or Havertz.

And there is also this recurring muscle problem that he has been undergoing in the past couple of seasons, and given all the injuries that the North Londoners suffered in the last season, it would be a slight red flag to consider his signatures.

How can Ko Itakura tactically fit in at Tottenham?

So if Thomas Frank is to play a back three (3-5-2), then play Itakura as RCB, where he is tasked with ball progression and then protecting the wide zones behind Pedro Porro when he bombs forward to attack. He can combine well with a deeper pivot like Bentancur or Frendrup (if Tottenham signs him). And would be ideal in games where the North Londoners are expecting a lot of possession.

You can also start him next to Micky van de Ven in a back four where he plays in a more reserved role, given that here he gives Van de Ven that freedom to carry forward, while the Japanese international drops deeper and gives you that right-footed balance to left-footed Micky. He is quite ideal for games where you need a sense of symmetry in build-ups from the back.

And when playing against possession-heavy sides (City or Arsenal), you can play him as a deep pivot, so you end up having more vertical compactness and a more secure base in the middle of the park, especially when Bentancur is pushing higher.

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

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Author Opinion

Now signing Ko Itakura will not bring you world beating headlines but he will give you exactly that tactically astute option that Thomas Frank will like in his roster.

If Levy is looking to bring in a sense of depth and mobility without paying hefty fees then Itakura is a signing that makes sense.

PL stalwart gives brutal verdict on Tottenham despite UEL success

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“I don’t know”- Ex-PL stalwart gives brutal verdict on Tottenham despite UEL success - To The Lane And Back
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Tottenham need to build on the Europa League success and kickstart a new era at N17

Tottenham Hotspur fans have not endured a good time in the last two decades under the leadership of Daniel Levy. The Lilywhites have managed to win only two major trophies since 2001 during Levy’s tenure. And it is safe to say that the North London club has regressed on the pitch in recent years. The main objective for the Spurs chairman is to make profit, not winning silverware at N17.

The Europa League success just summed up Daniel Levy’s tenure at the North London club. The Lilywhites won their first major trophy in 17 years, thanks to the heroics of Ange Postecoglou and his team. And what does Levy do? He went on to sack the Australian tactician just two weeks after the historic achievement due to poor domestic results.

One step forward, two steps back… that is exactly how Spurs have operated in the last two decades. The fans have also been frustrated with Daniel Levy and multiple protests are held before home games to showcase their anger towards the club’s ownership. The need to commercialise Tottenham has made the results on the pitch a second priority in recent seasons.

Troy Deeney does not expect great things at Tottenham next season

Tottenham are kickstarting a new era at N17 following their Europa League success. Club chairman Daniel Levy recently put out a bold statement stating that Spurs are now aiming to win the Premier League and the Champions League in the coming years. This was a clear message to the fans that the North London club will operate differently now, and look to build on the European success next season.

However, Troy Deeney does not believe Tottenham will win any major trophies again anytime soon. Speaking on The Fellas podcast, Deeney said,

“Listen, I don’t know what Spurs are. I say this all the time and the spurs fans get a bit angry. But I don’t actually know what Spurs are. We never think they’re going to win the Premier League. No one has ever said ‘let’s put a tenner on Spurs to win the league.’ We don’t expect them to win the FA Cup.”

Troy Deeney does not what the expectations are at Tottenham due to the past failures that the club has endured. The ex-Watford striker suggested that he does not believe the Lilywhites will win the Premier League anytime soon. Deeney also goes on to say that Spurs will not win the FA Cup as well under Thomas Frank as the club is destined for setbacks under Daniel Levy.

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Tottenham open talks with Primera giants for £13m rising star

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Tottenham open talks with Racing Club to sell Alejo Veliz - To The Lane And Back
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Tottenham are looking to offload Alejo Veliz this summer

Thomas Frank has undertaken a major rebuild job at Tottenham Hotspur ahead of his first season in charge as the Dane goes about putting his mark on the squad he inherited from Ange Postecoglou.

There is expected to be plenty of business happening over the next couple of months at N17, with several players likely to depart in different capacity. One of those linked with an exit is Alejo Veliz.

Spurs spent £13m to sign Alejo Veliz from Rosario Central in the summer of 2023. He was deemed an investment for the future rather than a player who’d be tasked with making an immediate impact at the club. Former boss Ange Postecoglou did not fancy the Argentinean striker and he has been sent out on loan twice to La Liga.

The 21-year-old spent the second half of 2023/24 season on loan at Sevilla, before returning to Spain to join Espanyol on a season-long this past term. Veliz had a poor time with Espanyol, netting just once in 27 La Liga outings, as thus, the Catalan side are not interested in signing him permanently.

Following back-to-back underwhelming loan spells, the young striker is seemingly not fancied by new boss Thomas Frank too, and the club are looking to move him on. Rosario Central were keen were planning to re-sign Veliz, but Tottenham are now in talks with another club.

According to TyC sports journalist German Garcia Grova, the North Londoners have opened talks with Racing Club to sell Veliz. He claims on X that Racing Club have offered around £3.7 million to sign 60 per cent of the player’s rights, and Spurs have greenlighted his sale. The 21-year-old also wants to move back to Argentina, with talks over the structure of the deal continuing.

Veliz is one of the names placed on Tottenham’s chopping block as the move to invest on him two years ago has not worked out. He is surplus to requirements, and while it could be argued that the striker is only 21 and must get a look in from the new boss, the Hotspur Way chiefs seemingly feel the time is right to cash him in now before his stock plummets further.

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Tottenham backed to pass on signing 14G/A Serie A winger this summer

While a move to Tottenham has not worked out, the South American is still very young and will be back himself to potentially revive his career at the Racing Club. Hopefully, the deal goes through sooner rather than later.

Eberechi Eze move could spell the end of this ‘similar’ Tottenham Hotspur star at N17; ‘Question marks’ remain

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Ex-scout questions James Maddison's position if Tottenham signs Eberechi Eze - To The Lane And Back
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Tottenham want to make a ‘statement signing’ by bringing in Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze

The 2025 summer window is a crucial one for Tottenham Hotspur, who are expected to strengthen their squad following their return to the UEFA Champions League.

Spurs have agreed a deal with Kawasaki Frontale to sign Japanese defensive prospect Kota Takai earlier this week, after the permanent captures of Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel. More additions are expected to be made before the summer window slams shut, particularly further up the pitch, as the Lilywhites aim to compete on multiple fronts during the 2025/26 season.

Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze has been one of Tottenham’s top summer targets. The North Londoners are eyeing a move for the England international as ‘statement signing’ in a bid to bolster their attacking ranks. The 26-year-old, who moved to Crystal Palace from Queens Park Rangers in 2020, has a £68m release clause in his contract, which Spurs are certainly wary of.

Eberechi Eze has been fantastic for the Eagles, scoring 40 goals and providing 28 assists in 167 appearances, including the strike that won the FA Cup in May. He was the club’s MVP in their successful FA Cup campaign, scoring in the quarter-finals, semi-final, and of course, the final against Manchester City.

The Greenwich-born talent’s potential move to Spurs could spell danger for James Maddison. Maddison and Eze are proper playmakers and have thrived in the No.10 role for their respective clubs.

The Tottenham star enjoyed a strong last season, delivering 23 goal contributions in 45 outings. However, the 28-year-old’s story with injuries continued as he suffered a serious knee injury in May that forced to miss him the Europa League final. He is expected to be out for a couple of months, which has raised question marks over his future under the new boss at N17.

Now, ex-Spurs scout Bryan King has questioned whether Maddison and Eze can play together at Tottenham.

Maddison and Eze are technically gifted, intelligent playmakers who’d improve any team in the Premier League. Despite both preferring to play centrally, they can co-exist and thrive in Frank’s system. It is worth noting that Eze can also operate off the left, and with Son Heung-min entering the twilight of his career, his long-term position could be on that flank at Spurs if signed. This would then allow Maddison to wreak havoc centrally whilst combining with Eze in the half spaces.

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Back in June 2023, Maddison had congratulated Eze on making his England debut in a 4–0 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying win against Malta. He wrote under the Palace ace’s Instagram post: “Deserved. Baller.”

Considering Spurs need a bigger and stronger squad next season, fans would hope to see Maddison and Eze flourish if the latter is signed this summer.

“Limited by those things”- Tottenham facing potential cash crunch this summer despite UCL qualification

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“Limited by those things”- Tottenham facing potential cash crunch this summer despite UCL qualification - To The Lane And Back
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Tottenham need to generate funds to back Thomas Frank in the summer

Tottenham need to be proactive in the transfer window as they look to kickstart a new era under Thomas Frank. The Lilywhites endured a dismal Premier League campaign, finishing just a place above the relegation zone. The poor league position also resulted in huge financial constraints as the North London club incurred a loss last season.

However, the Europa League success saved the club’s blushes in more ways than one. Not only did it ended the club’s long-standing trophy drought, but it also ensured that there was a huge influx of cash heading their way for the summer. It was reported earlier that Spurs approximately earned £70m after getting over the finish line in the final against Manchester United.

Now, the North London club must do everything they can and back Thomas Frank in the summer if they want to succeed under the Danish tactician. Daniel Levy has not made matters easy for himself as he put out a bold statement suggesting that the Europa League success was not enough, and Spurs will now aim for the Premier League and the Champions League in the coming years.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy may find it tough to finance the club in the summer

Tottenham are already under a lot of scrutiny as fans did not like Daniel Levy’s decision to sack Ange Postecoglou just two weeks after the Europa League success. Not only that, but many are now hoping that the Spurs chairman puts the money where his mouth is and back Thomas Frank in the transfer window.

However, finance expert Stefan Borson has pointed out the difficulties Daniel Levy would face in financing the club in the summer. Speaking to Football Insider, Borson said,

“My understanding from conversations that I’ve had is that even if they wanted to, Spurs are limited in that they’ve got the Champions League money, it’s going to be really important. But they are restricted by both banking covenants in terms of what they can spend and what they can lose profit-wise, and also cash.”

The finance expert added,

“Daniel Levy is a very wealthy individual by virtue of his stake in Tottenham, but it’s paper assets and wealth. He’s not crystallised it, so he’s obviously taking very nice money as a salary over the years and he’s clearly very wealthy, but most of his wealth is wrapped up in the shares of Tottenham, which are not a liquid asset.

“I guess he could go to a bank and borrow, using it as collateral. If he’s not prepared to do that, then he’s not in a position to put money into the club either. They are limited by both of those things.”

Stefan Borson has suggested that Tottenham only have the Champions League money to spend in the summer as they are restricted by bank covenants. The finance expert adds that Daniel Levy’s stake at the club is paper assets and wealth, meaning all his money is through shares and it is not liquid asset to spend. Borson also points out that the club chairman could use his shares as a collateral in the bank, but Spurs might struggle for cash if Levy does not decide to do that.

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Now, fans can only hope that the Lilywhites manage to find a way to generate funds in the summer to invest in the squad. The North London club must try and sell some of their underperforming players, and use the income generated from that to bring in new arrivals. But, it is not as easy as it sounds, and Daniel Levy must be proactive in the transfer market to deliver on his promise of backing Thomas Frank.