The Boy Hotspur

Luca Williams-Barnett scored two goals for Tottenham Hotspur’s Under-21s in their 4-1 victory against Newcastle United in the Premier League 2 on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

This lad cannot stop making headlines.

First Goal (20th minute): Williams-Barnett opened the scoring with a clinical finish. The goal came after a burst forward by teammate Rio Kyerematen, who provided the assist. Williams-Barnett took a touch and drove the ball across Newcastle’s goalkeeper, Max Thompson, into the far corner of the net. This goal put Tottenham 1-0 up.

Second Goal (53rd minute): After Newcastle equalised through Cathal Heffernan in the 38th minute, Williams-Barnett restored Tottenham’s lead early in the second half; another clinical finish, indicating his composure and precision. This goal made the score 2-1 in Tottenham’s favour.

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for the Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.

The 23-year-old has impressed in the Championship, and his performances have attracted the attention of the London club. According to former Tottenham scout Mick Brown, Tottenham have been watching him closely, and they are impressed with his displays.

Tottenham monitoring Hayden Hackney

“Hackney is going to be on the radar of a lot of clubs,” he told Football Insider.

“He’s probably as talented a player as there is in the Championship at the moment, and I was really impressed by him the first time I saw him.

“He’s got a great picture of the game around him, can take the ball in tight areas and find passes to get his team moving up the pitch.

“I’m told Tottenham have been watching him and I expect they’ve been impressed by his performances, so they could be the ones to make a move.”

They could certainly use more depth in the middle of the park, and the 23-year-old will help them control games better. He is regarded as one of the finest players in the Championship right now. He was chosen as his club’s player of the year last season.

Spurs move ideal for Hackney

The young midfielder will only improve further with coaching and experience. The move to the Premier League could be ideal for him. Regular football in the first division will help him improve further. It could accelerate his development.

Tottenham will be an attractive destination for the player as well. They have recently won a European trophy, and they have Champions League football at their disposal. They have signed quality players and a quality manager recently. He will want to be a part of their ambitious project.

It will be interesting to see if Tottenham follow up on their interest with an offer to get the deal done.

Tottenham Hotspur are one of the clubs interested in signing the Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The 33-year-old is no longer an indispensable asset for the Spanish club, and he needs to move on to play regularly. According to a report via Fichajes, Tottenham have made enquiries to sign the player ahead of the January window. It will be interesting to see if Barcelona are prepared to sanction his departure.

The report claims that they could be willing to let him move on if he requests a transfer. A potential loan deal with an option to buy has been mentioned in the report.

Spurs could use Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Tottenham could certainly use a quality goalkeeper, and the German Internation would be an exceptional acquisition. He has proved his quality at the highest level with club and country. He has won multiple major trophies throughout his career, and he could prove to be an upgrade on Guglielmo Vicario. He has been hailed as a “great goalkeeper” in the past.

The Italian international has impressed at Tottenham, but he can be quite inconsistent. More competition for places could be ideal. It would help the north London club improve as a team.

If they can sign the 33-year-old German on loan with an option to buy, it would be a low-cost acquisition, and it would help them improve. Meanwhile, clubs like Manchester United are on the player as well. Tottenham should look to act quickly in order to get the deal done.

Exciting challenge for Ter Stegen

If they can promise him regular game time, the Barcelona star could be attracted to the idea of joining the London club. The move to the Premier League could be exciting for him at this stage of his career.

He will be hoping to play regularly, and Tottenham could provide him with the exit route.

Tottenham Hotspur continue to be linked with a move for the Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.

The 25-year-old is in red-hot form this season, and he has found the back of the net six times in the league already. He is on the radar of Manchester United as well.

Former Tottenham scout Mick Brown has revealed that the north London club is keen on securing his signature, and he could prove to be an excellent acquisition for the club.

Tottenham keen on Antoine Semenyo

Brown said: “He’s so instrumental in what Bournemouth do, he scores goals, gives them power and running ability, and he does so well technically and creatively as well.

“As a result of that, he’s maintained his form even when other big players have left the club.

“Semenyo would be an asset in anybody’s team, and that’s why I’m told Tottenham and Man United have both been looking at bringing him in.

“For Tottenham, though, he’s the type of player who could make a real difference for them.”

Spurs need Semenyo

They could use a dynamic attacker like him who is capable of playing anywhere across the front three. The African will add goals, pace, flair, and creativity to the side.

Tottenham have an excellent team, but they need to improve further if they want to fight for league titles. The African could prove to be a game-changer for them in the final third. The opportunity to move to Tottenham will be exciting for the player as well.

He will feel that he has outgrown Bournemouth, and he could be tempted to join a bigger club. Tottenham could be the ideal destination. However, convincing the Cherries to sell him will be difficult. Tottenham might have to pay a premium. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.

Another season of dancing around the rather depressing fact that Spurs still don’t have a decent striker, as they still haven’t managed to replace Harry Kane. However, one name mentioned in dispatches is that of Samu Aghehowa, formerly of Granada and now at Porto. The Boy Hotspur’s Substack understands that this attacking force is being monitored internally.

What’s his style of play?

Known for his explosive pace, physicality, and clinical finishing—often compared to Diego Costa—Aghehowa has been on Spurs’ radar since last season, with interest intensifying ahead of the January or summer 2026 transfer window. Aghehowa has been prolific since arriving at Porto, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards.

What’s Samu’s backstory?

Rose through Granada’s academy, scored 9 goals for them in La Liga (2023-24), then joined Atlético Madrid before a €15m permanent move to Porto in August 2024 after a failed Chelsea transfer due to medical and image rights issues.

Is this a target that would meet with the Lewis Family’s approval?

Spurs, under manager Thomas Frank, are seeking depth and competition for Dominic Solanke (currently injured) and Richarlison. Aghehowa’s profile fits their high-pressing, fluid attack—he could provide long-term cover and potentially upgrade on Solanke – which is unlikely to be difficult. Reports suggest he’s viewed as a “priority target” amid talks of fresh investment in 2026. Monitoring has been ongoing, but Porto are “reluctant to lose him in January” and would demand close to his €100m (£84m) release clause. A summer move is more likely, with Tottenham prepared to negotiate below the full amount.

Conclusion

Tottenham’s need for a reliable goal threat is clear, especially with Randal Kolo Muani on loan and Solanke’s fitness issues. Aghehowa’s Premier League-ready attributes (pace, power, finishing) make him a strong tactical fit for Frank’s system. However, the €100m tag could be a stumbling block—Spurs might push for €60-80m. Tottenham needs to do something about its attacking line and lose the mend and make do attitude.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

The 33-year-old German International goalkeeper has fallen down the pecking order at the Spanish club, and he needs to move on to play regularly. Joan Garcia is the first-choice keeper at the club right now. He has a contract with the Spanish club until 2028, and it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to sanction his departure in January.

According to Spanish publication SPORT (h/t SportWitness), multiple clubs are keeping tabs on him. Tottenham are looking to sign him on loan with an option to buy. The opportunity to move to England could be exciting for him. The German international was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world recently, and he has been described as a “perfectionist” by Xavi Hernandez.

Spurs could use Ter Stegen

Tottenham would do well to secure his signature. Guglielmo Vicario has been inconsistent in joining the club, and more competition for places would be ideal. The Barcelona star could push him for the starting spot. It would help Spurs improve as a team.

In addition to that, the German international has extensive experience in competing at the highest level. He has won several major trophies with Barcelona, and he could prove to be an excellent addition to the Tottenham dressing room. They are looking to win trophies regularly, and they could use his winning experience and leadership.

Can Tottenham convince Marc-Andre Ter Stegen?

It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can get the deal done. Signing the player on loan with an option to buy would be a masterstroke. It would be an inexpensive acquisition, and it would help the team improve.

If they can promise in regular time, moving to the Premier League could be an attractive opportunity for the player. Tottenham have an exciting project and a talented squad.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the Spanish striker Samu Aghehowa.

The 21-year-old is highly rated across Europe, and he has been prolific since the move to Porto. He scored 27 goals last season, and he’s regarded as one of the finest young talents in European football.

According to Fichajes, Tottenham have now emerged as serious candidates to sign. They have placed him on the priority list. It will be interesting to see if they come forward with an official proposal to get the deal done.

Can Spurs sign Aghehowa?

Porto will not want to lose a player like him midway through the campaign, and the move might have to wait until the summer transfer window. Tottenham need another reliable striker. Dominic Solanke has not been able to score goals consistently, and Randal Kolo Muani is a temporary addition.

The Spanish striker could be the ideal long-term investment for them. He has shown his quality in the Portuguese league, and he helped Spain win a gold medal in the Olympics recently. He has the physical and technical attributes to do well in the Premier League, and he could develop into a future star for the north London club.

Samu Aghehowa could cost a premium

Signing the player will not be a cheap acquisition. He has a €100 million release clause in his contract. In addition to that, Aston Villa, Newcastle and West Ham are also interested in the player. Porto will be hoping for a bidding war for their star striker.

They will be looking to recoup as much as possible for the young attacker. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can negotiate a reasonable deal for him. The player could be attracted to the idea of joining them. It would be a major step up in his career, and regular football in England could accelerate his development.

The talk earlier in the season revolved around the Lewis family contributing in the form of a cash injection to Tottenham’s winter transfer window. Looking at today’s breaking news from The Boy Hotspurs’ Substack, it appears that the favourite is Bournemouth’s eye-catcher, Antoine Semenyo, the 25-year-old Ghanaian international.

Profile Fit:

Antoine Semenyo is a versatile, explosive winger/forward who excels on either the left or right side, with strong dribbling, ambidextrous finishing, and the ability to create opportunities from nothing. Analysts see him as an ideal replacement for Son Heung-min, adding directness and unpredictability to Tottenham’s attack.

Club Context:

Under manager Thomas Frank, Spurs are rebuilding their front line following injuries (e.g., James Maddison is out long-term) and recent Europa League success, which has qualified them for Champions League football. Semenyo has previously expressed excitement about playing in Europe, giving Tottenham an edge over rivals like Manchester United.

Bournemouth, fresh off a new five-year contract for Semenyo (signed July 2024, running to 2029), are demanding £70-80m.

This is steeper than their £55m+ sale of Matheus Cunha earlier, and Tottenham may need to exceed £65m to even start talks.

Number one target for January

Reports from October 4-5 indicate Spurs have now made Semenyo their “number one target,” with confidence building for a winter push. This follows Bournemouth’s ninth-place finish last season and Semenyo’s breakout form.

Semenyo has been Bournemouth’s talisman, contributing to 10 of their last 18 goals since April 2025. He’s the second-highest scorer in the league (behind Erling Haaland) over that span.

Current form indicators:

A marquee signing in the making:

Antoine Semenyo joined Bournemouth from Bristol City for £10m in January 2023; 22 goals in 89 appearances overall. Teammates call him a player with “all the ability in the world.”

If Tottenham act decisively in January, this could be a marquee signing to boost their title challenge. Bournemouth won’t sell cheaply, but Semenyo’s form (and desire for trophies) might force their hand.

For now, it’s speculation, but Semenyo’s trajectory screams “big move incoming.” Would he thrive at Spurs? Under Thomas Frank, it looks and feels plausible.

Tottenham are among clubs keen on Mario Gila from Lazio, and they will face competition from Crystal Palace, Brighton and Everton, as per TBR Football.

The 25-year-old Spanish defender has done well for the Italian club and he could prove to be a useful acquisition for Spurs. They have struggled in the absence of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero last season and they will need more depth in the side.

Mario Gila would be a handy option

They are competing in the UEFA Champions League this season and they will need to deal with a congested fixture list. Having another reliable defender would be ideal. Gila has the quality to help them improve and the move to England would be an exciting opportunity for the Spaniard as well.

The former Real Madrid ace is at the peak of his career and Spurs could be the ideal challenge for him at this stage of his career. He would get to compete at a higher level with them. Spurs could provide him with the platform to fight for trophies. They have won the UEFA Europa League recently.

It will be interesting to see if they can negotiate a deal for him in January. His contract with Lazio expires in 2027 and the Italians are under no pressure to sell him just yet. Spurs might need to pay a substantial amount of money to get the deal done.

Spurs could use more quality

Spurs are currently third in the league table, and they have started the season well under Thomas Frank. He will want to win a trophy with them this season. Adding more quality and depth to the side in January would be ideal.

Gila would help them tighten up at the back. His arrival would allow Frank to rotate Romero and Van de Ven as well. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.

Guglielmo Vicario rarely receives praise; that much is true.

Let’s start with a great quote. Harry Redknapp once said that people want perfect goalkeepers, but “…they don’t exist!” There must be some truth to this, as even universally acclaimed goalkeepers have off days and experience the odd clanger.

There have certainly been times when Vicario has struggled, flapped, whatever language one might seek to use, but the question is, does Italy’s first-choice goalkeeper since 2023, with 15+ caps, really deserve the criticism he gets?

Let’s begin by comparing him this season with his immediate rivals. The Vicar has started all Premier League matches, so far, and as we compare his stats to elite peers (e.g., Alisson of Liverpool, Ederson of Man City, David Raya of Arsenal—top PL goalkeepers by save percentage:

The Italian’s distribution is often criticised, particularly with his feet, and his mean passing accuracy is 82%. He does come out with the lowest percentage Alisson (88%), Ederson (82%) and Raya (leads with 95%).

Guglielmo is an excellent shot-stopper (top-10 in PL for saves per 90), commands his box well on crosses, and has improved distribution. His 72.5% save rate is solid for Tottenham’s mid-table defence (conceding ~1.1 goals/game), but the question is often asked why he can’t always hold the ball more frequently?

Observers show him respect. The Athletic praised his reflexes and penalty saves (3/4 in 2024-25). Sky Sports analysts rank him in the PL’s top-8 goalkeepers.

Guglielmo Vicario is an above-average Premier League goalkeeper and a key asset for Tottenham and Italy, but he doesn’t fully qualify as “elite” in 2025. Elite keepers (e.g., Alisson, Courtois, Neuer) dominate stats, win major trophies, and command €60m+ fees—Vicario’s trajectory points there (he’s only 29), but Tottenham’s lack of silverware and his stats lag slightly behind the absolute best.

Fan voices are less forgiving, and in this video, we get a flavour of the dismay.

For a player in the Spurs leadership group, he frequently lacks class and is given to demonstrating with players, although he has not yet gone face-to-face with Cuti Romero.

Here are some quotes from just this video – less charitable views can also be found on social media platforms.

“He doesn’t catch enough times, he likes to either punch the ball out or he will parry the Ball out, that was the reason for the first goal against Wolves.”

“Been saying this for so long, dives the wrong way for 5/5 pens in the super cup too”

“If it wasn’t for Levy refusing to pay Brentford, what they wanted for him and hoping to get him on the cheap, and then Arsenal paying what Brentford what they asked for, he would probably be playing for us ?”

“He infuriates me when he makes goal conceding blunders“

And here, I think we find the answer. People’s expectations of a Deloitte Money League side are that we have an elite goalkeeper.

Under Daniel Levy, it was all about doing things in the cheap, and did not hesitated, and just bought Raya, none of the conversation would exist.

Vicario is about the level one might hope for, given the money we paid.