The Boy Hotspur

Tottenham are one of the leading contenders to sign Stade Rennais sensation Desire Doue this summer.

The North London club seem to be quite focused on adding young stars to their squad as they look to prepare for the short as well as the long run. They have already added Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall to their squad and according to a report from L’Equipe, Tottenham are in pole position in the race for the services of Desire Doue.

The 19-year-old winger has had an exceptional rise at Stade Rennais. He has been a part of their first team since 2022 and has only gone from strength to strength. Last season, the teenage sensation had 10 goal contributions (4 goals, 6 assists) in his 43 outings. While he prefers playing out wide on the left, Doue is capable enough to feature in multiple attacking positions.

His huge potential along with his versatility have put him on the radar of Tottenham who have just entered the race for his signature. He could be a great fit for the North London club as he can add depth to the flanks as well as provide cover to James Maddison.

Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are the other three clubs who have shown significant interest in him. All four clubs seem to be in a position to go on the offensive. Meanwhile, the German giants have already had a €35 million bid rejected by Stade Rennais who want €60 million for their star forward.

Tottenham might be one of the most advanced clubs in Doue’s pursuit but with the asking price quite high, there are no indications that Spurs would be willing to meet their demands.

Tottenham hold out on their €25 million asking price for Emerson Royal amidst interest from AC Milan.

The Italian giants have been working on a deal to sign Tottenham full-back Emerson Royal for some time now. Reports have suggested that they have an agreement in place with the player and are putting pressure on Spurs to lower their demands as they look to strike a deal for a bargain price. But, according to a report from Gazzetta dello Sport via SportWitness, Tottenham haven’t budged from their initial asking price of €25 million.

Emerson has gone down the pecking order under Ange Postecoglou and he is not in the Australian manager’s plans moving ahead. As a result, Spurs are ready to sell the 25-year-old who still has two years left on his deal. But, they will only let him leave on their that on their terms.

Earlier in the year, Milan were informed that they could sign the Brazilian full-back from Tottenham without much trouble. The North London club would lower their demands if the player was keen on making the move. But, things haven’t turned out as expected.

Reports suggest that the player’s agreement with Milan is putting pressure on Daniel Levy and his team. They had lowered the asking price to €20 million, with Milan waiting to get it down to €15 million. However, in reality, Spurs haven’t lowered their demands and at this point, the Italian giants can’t afford to sign Emerson. As a result, they seem ready to shift their attention elsewhere.

Tottenham hold out on their €25 million asking price for Emerson Royal amidst interest from AC Milan.

The Italian giants have been working on a deal to sign Tottenham full-back Emerson Royal for some time now. Reports have suggested that they have an agreement in place with the player and are putting pressure on Spurs to lower their demands as they look to strike a deal for a bargain price. But, according to a report from Gazzetta dello Sport via SportWitness, Tottenham haven’t budged from their initial asking price of €25 million.

Emerson has gone down the pecking order under Ange Postecoglou and he is not in the Australian manager’s plans moving ahead. As a result, Spurs are ready to sell the 25-year-old who still has two years left on his deal. But, they will only let him leave on their that on their terms.

Earlier in the year, Milan were informed that they could sign the Brazilian full-back from Tottenham without much trouble. The North London club would lower their demands if the player was keen on making the move. But, things haven’t turned out as expected.

Reports suggest that the player’s agreement with Milan is putting pressure on Daniel Levy and his team. They had lowered the asking price to €20 million, with Milan waiting to get it down to €15 million. However, in reality, Spurs haven’t lowered their demands and at this point, the Italian giants can’t afford to sign Emerson. As a result, they seem ready to shift their attention elsewhere.

Tottenham Hotspur are actively pursuing Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey to bolster their squad this summer.

According to Ben Jacobs, Spurs maintain a strong interest in the 23-year-old, even though Villa are hesitant to let him go following Douglas Luiz’s transfer to Juventus.

Speaking to GMS, Jacobs emphasised that Tottenham are still considering the possibility of signing Ramsey.

However, Villa’s determination to retain the Englishman means Spurs might have to present a significant offer to secure his transfer.

Jacobs suggested that if Spurs cannot land Ramsey, they might target other players such as Wolves’ Pedro Neto, Leipzig’s Lois Openda, and Lille’s Jonathan David.

He said:

“Tottenham are still exploring whether Ramsey might be possible, but Villa don’t want to lose him, so they’re either going to have to pay big money for him, with or without Lo Celso, or they’re going to have to move on.

“And it may be that there are other players that they have a stronger chance of successfully getting, including Wolves’ Pedro Neto, Leipzig’s Lois Openda, and in a slightly different position, Lille’s Jonathan David.”

Tottenham have so far bolstered their midfield by signing Archie Gray. But the club aims to further strengthen this area by bringing in another midfielder.

Ramsey could be a great addition to Ange Postecoglou’s side.

His ability to play both as a number 8 and number 10 showcases his versatility and unique skill set, making him an attractive option for the Lilywhites.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen on strengthening their defence and have identified Mario Hermoso as a prime target.

Hermoso, an experienced centre-back, became a free agent after his contract with Atletico Madrid expired last month.

According to Radio Punto Nuovo, relayed by CalcioNapoli24, Napoli are also interested in signing Hermoso but must first offload a player to make room for him.

Alongside Napoli, Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Chelsea have all shown interest in the Spanish defender.

Hermoso left Atletico Madrid after rejecting an offer with a significant decrease in wages.

He is now said to be exploring his options, with Tottenham’s interest potentially playing a pivotal role in his decision during this transfer window. Other Premier League sides have only made tentative enquiries.

Hermoso began his football career at Real Madrid’s youth academy in 2005 at the age of ten. In July 2019, he moved to Atletico Madrid, signing a five-year contract worth €25 million, with Espanyol retaining a 20% future sale clause.

At Atletico Madrid, he made an immediate impact and was instrumental in their La Liga title win during the 2020-2021 season.

Despite his solid performances across all competitions in 45 appearances last season, Atletico decided not to include him in their future plans.

The 29-year-old centre-back, renowned for his defensive skills and versatility, could provide valuable experience to Tottenham’s defence.

With Spurs’ renewed interest, Hermoso’s potential move to North London could bolster the squad’s defensive options for the upcoming season.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen on strengthening their defence and have identified Mario Hermoso as a prime target.

Hermoso, an experienced centre-back, became a free agent after his contract with Atletico Madrid expired last month.

According to Radio Punto Nuovo, relayed by CalcioNapoli24, Napoli are also interested in signing Hermoso but must first offload a player to make room for him.

Alongside Napoli, Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Chelsea have all shown interest in the Spanish defender.

Hermoso left Atletico Madrid after rejecting an offer with a significant increase in wages.

He is now said to be exploring his options, with Tottenham’s interest potentially playing a pivotal role in his decision during this transfer window. Other Premier League sides have only made tentative enquiries.

Hermoso began his football career at Real Madrid’s youth academy in 2005 at the age of ten. In July 2019, he moved to Atletico Madrid, signing a five-year contract worth €25 million, with Espanyol retaining a 20% future sale clause.

At Atletico Madrid, he made an immediate impact and was instrumental in their La Liga title win during the 2020-2021 season.

Despite his solid performances across all competitions in 45 appearances last season, Atletico decided not to include him in their future plans.

The 29-year-old centre-back, renowned for his defensive skills and versatility, could provide valuable experience to Tottenham’s defence.

With Spurs’ renewed interest, Hermoso’s potential move to North London could bolster the squad’s defensive options for the upcoming season.

Tottenham Hotspur are eager to secure their longstanding target Eberechi Eze during the ongoing transfer window.

Eze, Crystal Palace’s standout midfielder, reportedly prefers a move to Spurs over North London rivals Arsenal, despite Arsenal’s preliminary contact with his representatives.

That is according to the latest report from Football Transfers, which claims that the England international is keen on regular playing time, which he is uncertain about achieving with the Gunners.

This desire for consistent minutes makes Tottenham a more attractive destination for him.

Eze has been on Spurs’ radar for a while, with the club identifying him as a key addition to their squad.

The Lilywhites are reportedly prepared to activate his £60 million release clause, plus an additional £8 million in potential add-ons, to bring him in.

Despite Crystal Palace’s efforts to retain Eze, especially upon his return from the Euros, the midfielder appears inclined towards a move away from Selhurst Park.

Eze played a role for England in the Euros, making three substitute appearances and significantly contributing in the knockout stages.

This included a vital pre-assist against Slovakia and participating in the quarterfinal win over Switzerland. However, he did not feature in the final, where England lost to Spain.

Eze, who has three years left on his contract with Crystal Palace, showcased his talent last season by overcoming a month-long injury to score 11 goals and provide four assists in 27 league appearances.

With Tottenham ready to meet his release clause, their interest in Eze underscores their commitment to enhancing their squad with top talents. This move could significantly bolster Spurs’ attacking options for the upcoming season.

Tottenham are showing a keen interest in signing Juventus winger Federico Chiesa during the current transfer window.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, relayed by Tutto Juve, Spurs have initiated contact with the Serie A giants about a potential move for Chiesa.

The 26-year-old forward, who joined Juventus in 2020, is increasingly likely to depart the Italian club this summer. Although Roma are also interested, Chiesa is said to prefer a move outside of Italy.

He is valued at approximately €25 million, presenting an attractive and cost-effective option for Tottenham.

Known for his speed, skill, and versatility on both wings, Chiesa has been a standout performer for Juventus.

Despite an injury setback, Chiesa made a strong return last season, scoring 9 goals and providing 3 assists in 33 Serie A appearances.

Since joining Juventus from Fiorentina, he has scored 32 goals and assisted 23 in 131 games for the club.

Chiesa’s international performances have also been remarkable, specially his key role in Italy’s Euro 2020 victory, where he was named in the Team of the Tournament.

The combination of domestic and international success highlights his potential value to Spurs.

Chelsea and Manchester United are also reportedly interested in Chiesa, making the competition for his signature fierce.

However, Tottenham’s proactive approach in initiating contact underscores their determination to bolster their attacking options.

With Chiesa entering the final year of his contract, Juventus might be more open to negotiating a transfer to avoid losing him for free next summer.

Spurs’ pursuit of Chiesa aligns with their strategy to recruit dynamic and versatile players to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.

Rodrigo Bentancur has put his reputation through the mill a fair bit recently. First, that was the slur that many fans felt was racist, and then we witnessed the bottle-hurling incident that managed to cause significant distress to a member of his staff.

In respect of the racial slur, which Son has subsequently accepted the apology, it might be helpful to acknowledge that the UK is a remarkably inclusive nation, offering diversity and equality for all. Many nations are not as forward-thinking, and remarks about certain races ‘all looking the same’ don’t cause such upset.

If you have travelled or worked with non-Brits, you will understand my point.

Judging the behaviour of anyone, let alone footballers, is a challenging business. It is naive to believe that all nations will conduct themselves in a fashion agreeable to our high standards.

In respect of the bottle thrown in anger after the Colombia game, it now emerges that context, again, is our friend.

The father of teammate and Paris Saint Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte has revealed the full circumstances of what was happening on the night. He told the Uruguayan press just how unstable the situation had become amongst players’ family and friends in the stands.

“The beginning of the problem that took on a greater magnitude was when the fist bumps started on the stairs; the game was over and we realized that things were getting ugly.

“Colombians came down and to the right of where I was with my wife the first bumps started. We ran away, and our other problem jumped to the side.

“I remember seeing Rodrigo Bentancur’s wife with the very scared girl, Federico Valverde’s wife too; they are three-year-old boys. Bottles were flying, I tripped over a chair, and we went down behind the bench of substitutes.

“At one point my wife got very nervous, they started hitting, the police came and started sweeping everything away. My wife saw how they hit an elderly person, and she became unwell.”

Of course, there will be those who feel Bentancur is a bad egg and will be unwilling to listen to reason, however, all this is by way of explanation as opposed to excuse.

Hopefully, Rodrigo can get his head down and work on returning to be the exciting player we were all entertained by, and fans don’t have to make ‘judgements’ on what footballers say and do.

Ange Postecoglou started brightly in the Premier League, much to the shock of many, who were suspicious that the impressive form displayed in the Scottish Premier League and Japan might not be enough when it came to one of the most demanding divisions in the world. Tottenham got the results, but it was more about the intent of the play, and fans could see what the Australian was seeking to achieve.

After a while, key players picked up injuries and the squad weren’t just quite up to the task, or on the same wavelength as the gaffer. Performances became more forced, and the animated free-flowing football became far more of a scramble. Sure, Spurs managed to claim a European spot, but the sheer volume of games triggered by the Europa League would surely cause more problems.

One aspect that must be fixed, is the Tottenham frontline. Richarlison has not raised his game, despite the best wishes of fans, and Timo Werner has been outstanding value for the money, but he’s in no respect a top-flight calibre of striker.

Curiously enough, a failed broadcasting deal in French Football

French football is different to our own, clubs have to provide proof of solvency for a given season, but beyond that, there are no limits. And that solvency can be assured by unlimited owner inputs – hence PSG previously breached UEFA FFP but never had any trouble domestically.

TV money is about to fall off a cliff, as per this piece in the New York Times.

The LFP has been trying to sort its new TV deal — for the rights to show Ligue 1 matches from 2024 to 2029 — since October. The LFP has been trying to sort its new TV deal — for the rights to show Ligue 1 matches from 2024 to 2029 — since October, when an ambitious auction looking to bring in €1billion (£840m; $1.1bn at the current rates) a year was scrapped because there were no takers.

Given the extent of financial pressure that’s coming Ligue 1’s way, everything money-wise is looking deeply unsustainable.

Postecoglu has been said to be obsessed with acquiring a new number 9 according to FootballFancast and Football Insider say that Spurs could land Lille’s Jonathan David for as little as £25 million.

Surely Ange would be happy, and Levy would be delighted to take advantage of a situation?