The Boy Hotspur

Fiorentina are hoping to appoint Fabio Paratici as their technical director, and they are working to get the deal done.

They want him to sign a five-year contract with the club. The Tottenham director is in ‘constant contacts’ with the Italian club, and negotiations are ‘advanced’ as per Matteo Moretto. It will be interesting to see if he’s willing to move back to Italy.

Tottenham still need Fabio Paratici

Tottenham need a capable sporting director, and the Italian has proven his quality over the years. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can replace him properly if he decides to move on. The opportunity to move back to his homeland could be tempting, and Fiorentina have an exciting project as well.

The North London club are looking to build a formidable team for the future, and they will be hoping to fight for major trophies. They need a quality director who can bring in the necessary signings for them to progress. Paratici would have been very useful for them.

Paratici could be vital for Spurs

Tottenham recently announced his return to the club after his 30-month ban. Paratici has been working alongside Johan Lange to improve the Tottenham squad since his return. It remains to be seen whether the North London outfit is prepared to sanction his departure now.

It would be a major coup for Fiorentina if they manage to get the deal done. Paratici is highly admired across Europe, and he could help them build a formidable team for the future. Ideally, Tottenham should do everything in their power to convince him to stay at the club and help rebuild the team under Thomas Frank.

They have the bones of a very good squad, but they need more quality if they want to compete with elite clubs.

This is one out of the blue, and does come with a cautionary note. There are strong ongoing rumours linking Tottenham Hotspur winger Brennan Johnson with a potential January move to Crystal Palace. No deal has been completed yet, but interest is credible and gathering momentum.

However, former professional footballer Chris Armstrong, who made 141 appearances for Spurs in the late 90s, understands that talks are somewhat advanced!

Spurs are open to selling the 24-year-old Welsh international if a suitable offer arrives (around £40-50m, close to the £47.5m they paid Nottingham Forest in 2023). They’ve shifted to considering loan options, too, as recouping full value may be tough given his reduced role. Manager Thomas Frank has said he’s “happy” with Johnson but acknowledges the need for squad depth and that players want minutes.

Palace, under manager Oliver Glasner, are actively monitoring Johnson and see him as a versatile attacker to bolster their squad. They need cover and reinforcement in wide areas, especially with Ismaila Sarr at the Africa Cup of Nations and other injuries. Palace view him as a fit for their high-tempo style and are the most advanced club in pursuing him.

After a strong 2024/25 season (including the winning goal in Tottenham’s Europa League final triumph), Johnson has started only six Premier League games under Frank this term, with limited minutes overall. A move could benefit him ahead of Wales’ World Cup qualifiers.

Given Spurs paid so much for Johnson, this could result in any fee eclipsing Crystal Palace’s £32m fee they paid for Christian Benteke.

Life after football has not been entirely straightforward for Chris, and in July 2016, Armstrong was arrested for possession of cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy after a raid in West Kensington. He pleaded guilty to possession of Class A and Class B drugs at Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court and was fined £375. He denied having a drug problem.

A few summers later in July 2021, Armstrong caused £2,000 of criminal damage and assaulted staff at a Tesco in Chelsea, London. The staff had refused to open for him to buy cigarettes. He admitted to the offences at Westminster Magistrates’ Court the following January. In March, he received an 18-month community order and treatment for his drug and alcohol problems, as well as court costs of £180

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for the Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi recently.

They remain keen on signing the 26-year-old in January, and the player is seeking an exit as well. He has struggled for opportunities at the club, and he wants to get his career back on track with regular game time.

Davide Frattesi needs a fresh start

The move to Tottenham could be exciting for him. However, Roma and Juventus are interested in the player as well. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can beat them to his signature. As per L’Interista, the player will cost around €30 million, and the North London outfit have the finances to pay. They might be able to offer him a more lucrative contract compared to the two Italian clubs as well.

Spurs need more depth and intensity in the middle of the park, and the Italian could be the ideal fit. He has been described as “one of the best” midfielders in Europe in the recent past. He has been held for his tenacity and “ferocity” as well. Tottenham could use someone with his skill set. The player will be desperate to showcase qualities, and his hunger to succeed will be a bonus.

Frattesi could be a bargain

If he manages to adapt to the Premier League, the €30 million investment could prove to be a bargain. He is at the peak of his powers, and he could play his best football in England.

It remains to be seen whether Tottenham follow up on their interest with an official proposal to sign the player next month. They need to improve the team if they want to finish the season strongly. They have lost their way in recent weeks, and they will be desperate to bounce back.

Tottenham Hotspur are one of the clubs interested in signing Ruben Vargas from Sevilla.

The 27-year-old has done quite well for the Spanish club, and Tottenham are hoping to secure his signature in January. Meanwhile, they will face competition from Leeds United and Aston Villa as well. Leeds are preparing to offer €20 million for the player, and the other two clubs are closely monitoring his situation, as per Orgullobiri.

Ruben Vargas has done well this season

The Swiss International has done well for the Spanish outfit, and he has the technical attributes to do well in the Premier League as well. He is excellent when it comes to taking on defenders and beating them in one-on-one situations. Tottenham need unpredictability in the attack, and he could be the ideal fit for them. Vargas has seven goal contributions in La Liga this season.

The opportunity to move to the Premier League could be exciting for him. It would be a step up in his career, and he would get to compete at a higher level. Playing alongside quality players at Tottenham could bring out the best in him.

Spurs to sign Vargas?

Tottenham have the finances to get the deal done, and they should be able to convince the player to join the club. Leeds and Aston Villa have exciting projects as well, but Tottenham are a bigger club with better players.

The 27-year-old is highly rated at Sevilla, and he has been labelled as a “proven and experienced” player in recent months. It will be interesting to see if Sevilla are prepared to sanction his departure in January. He is one of their players in the attack, and losing him in the middle of the season would be a huge blow.

Leicester City attacker Jeremy Monga has been linked with a move away from the club in recent weeks.

The 16-year-old is highly talented, and he is rated by several top teams.

According to Team Talk, multiple clubs are interested in securing a signature. He is yet to sign a professional contract with the championship club, and they are hoping to secure his signature in the coming months.

Leicester will be extremely disappointed if they lose a player of his potential, but it would not be a surprise if Monga is prepared to take up a new challenge. It would be a huge opportunity for him if he ends up at a top club.

Jeremy Monga is a player in demand

The report claims that Tottenham have been pushing very strongly in recent weeks, but they will face competition from Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle United.

Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have all had conversations with his agents regarding a potential move.

It will be interesting to see which of these clubs can get the deal done. Tottenham have done well to bring talented young players in recent windows, and they are looking to build for the future. They could use someone like Monga. It remains to be seen whether they can beat the competition for his signature.

Monga could be a future star

The 16-year-old should look to join a club where he will get ample opportunities and a clear pathway for his development. The move to the north London club could be ideal for him. Thomas Frank could groom him into a key player and help him fulfil his potential.

Given his age and contract situation, he could be signed for a reasonable amount of money. The deal could prove to be a masterstroke in future.

Tottenham’s Vicario, largely down to his own inconsistencies, is going through a rough patch. The most notable dramas occurred in recent Premier League matches:

vs Fulham (November 29, 2025: Tottenham 1-2 Fulham): Early in the game (around the 6th minute), Vicario rushed out of his area to clear the ball but miscued his kick, gifting possession to Harry Wilson, who scored into an empty net for Fulham’s second goal.

This error put Spurs 2-0 down quickly, and a section of home fans booed Vicario during the match, prompting manager Thomas Frank to defend him strongly, calling the booers “not true Tottenham fans.”

vs Nottingham Forest (December 14, 2025: Nottingham Forest 3-0 Tottenham): Vicario was directly involved in the first two goals.

For the opener (28th minute), he played a short pass to young midfielder Archie Gray under heavy pressure, leading to Ibrahim Sangaré intercepting and teeing up Callum Hudson-Odoi for a simple finish (some blame shared with Gray).

For the second (50th minute), Hudson-Odoi’s over-hit cross from the left sailed over Vicario and directly into the net due to poor positioning/judgment.

As per the Daily Mail:

The heat is firmly on Guglielmo Vicario after another error-strewn display in the chastening 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Frank has resisted, perhaps unsure if Kinsky is ready. Vicario can make brilliant saves. He was outstanding in a 0-0 draw in Monaco in October, but often lacks confidence under the high ball.

He is frequently targeted with crowding tactics at set-pieces and, recently, prone to poor decisions with the ball at his feet.

The problem is that he is one of the grown-ups in a young team lacking leaders and character.

Vicario is mature, intelligent and a strong voice in the dressing room. Although some pundits criticise him for trying to blame others for his own mistakes, he is usually willing to front up in public when other senior players do not.

Critics (including pundits like Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards) have highlighted a pattern of distribution errors under pressure, poor command of crosses/set-pieces, and a tendency to blame teammates rather than accept responsibility.

Guglielmo Vicario has conceded 20 goals and kept 5 clean sheets in 16 matches in the Premier League 2025/2026 season. That means when Vicario is in goal, his team concedes a goal every 72 minutes. Guglielmo Vicario’s per 90 minutes goals conceded stat is 1.25. In terms of raw goalkeeping, he’s saved 47 of the 68 shots faced – meaning Guglielmo Vicario’s save percentage is 69.12%.

These mistakes have fuelled speculation about Tottenham exploring replacements (e.g., James Trafford or others) potentially in summer 2026, though Frank continues to back him publicly.

Spurs sit 11th in the Premier League with inconsistent results—winning only six of their 16 league games under him, including just one in their last seven and a heavy 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

This poor run has sparked fan frustration, criticism of Thomas Frank’s tactics and style of play, and media speculation about his future, with reports linking potential replacements like Mauricio Pochettino, Oliver Glasner, and Marco Silva.

However, this feels less like Frank being out of his depth, and more like a continuation of the form that cost at least the last 6 managers their jobs. Sources indicate he’s not at immediate risk of being sacked: the club’s hierarchy is backing him for now, emphasising no “quick fix” after last season’s struggles and planning January transfers to strengthen the squad. They view this as a long-term project and have no plans for a knee-jerk reaction despite the mounting scrutiny.

John Mousinho, Portsmouth’s manager, has frequently praised Yang Min-hyeok

John Mousinho, Portsmouth’s manager, has frequently praised Yang Min-hyeok, the 19-year-old South Korean winger on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur, while emphasising patience due to his young age and adaptation to English football.

Yang joined Spurs in January 2025 after a standout spell at Gangwon FC in the K League. He was immediately loaned to QPR (scoring twice in 14 games), then moved to Portsmouth in August 2025 for further development.

Amid rumours of a potential January recall by Spurs (possibly for a re-loan elsewhere, with interest from Bundesliga and Ligue 1 clubs) and unfounded links to Real Madrid, Mousinho stated on December 17-18, 2025:

“I think Minhyeok will be here for the rest of the season. Spurs have a recall… if they want to recall him.”

He described Yang as a “really bright spark” early in the season, noting typical inconsistencies for a young player in a struggling team, but overall “he has done very well.” Mousinho mentioned trying Yang on the right wing recently to find the best fit.

Throughout the season, Mousinho has been positive:In October 2025, after Yang scored in back-to-back games (including a winner vs. Middlesbrough), he called it a “fantastic week” and said Yang deserved the praise for improving every game.

In December (pre-window), he said Yang’s loan had “exceeded expectations,” especially filling in for injured players like Josh Murphy.

Upon signing, Mousinho highlighted Yang as “direct and exciting,” a “real prospect” highly rated by Spurs. He repeatedly stressed patience, noting Yang’s language barriers, recent arrival in England, and need to adapt to the Championship’s physicality.

Recalling the boy might serve Thomas Frank well, after all, he is frequently berated for his tactics and substitutions, and a fresh face might not do any harm.

Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United have been tracking Bournemouth’s US midfielder Tyler Adams for weeks, according to the Boy Hotspur Substack, as they look to add energy and pressing power in midfield this January.

Club analysts and scouts have given strong reports

Club analysts and scouts have given him strong reports, and his past connection with transfer chief Christopher Vivell has kept the file active at United. Internally, United views Adams as an “alternative option” for their 2026 midfield plan. He’s under contract at Bournemouth until 2028.

Chelsea and Spurs are keeping him on their lists as a ball-winner suited to quick transitions. Newcastle and West Ham are gathering reports for Premier League tempo and second-ball value, while Inter and AC Milan are assessing him as a cost‑effective six/eight from the English market. That wider interest could make negotiations more competitive in January.

Money is unlikely to be an issue

Financially, despite his current situation, Bournemouth are likely to ask for a €30–40m fee, driven by the long deal and Premier League market dynamics. Any bid would be structured with instalments, performance-based add-ons (such as appearances, points targets, and European competitions), and a sell-on clause. Premier League clubs prefer to limit the upfront outlay with bonus‑heavy packages. Bournemouth may also push for a “stay until summer” condition, subject to fitness checks and squad planning.

The move’s likelihood hinges on Bournemouth’s season goals and the size of the offers. A January deal would need a big package; otherwise, a summer switch looks more realistic. United will keep Adams as a Plan B while they continue to pursue their primary targets.

Our take on this transfer gossip

No deal is advanced for Spurs specifically, and Adams recently suffered a suspected MCL knee injury in Bournemouth’s draw at Manchester United (December 15, 2025), which could delay any potential transfer talks. Of course, nobody ever bought a knowingly injured player, but this need not rule out preparations being out in place for the summer.

Arguably, Tottenham needs to prioritise reinforcements elsewhere, but it would be good to know things were in place for the next window.

As of mid-December 2025, Thomas Frank’s time at Tottenham has been mixed and challenging. In the Premier League, Spurs sit 11th in the table, with a record under him of approximately 6 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses from 16 matches: that’s just 22 points. This is slightly worse than the equivalent stage last season under Postecoglou, who had racked up an equally impoverished 23 points after 16 games.

Recent form has been inconsistent: a heavy 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on December 14 sparked significant fan frustration and boos, following poor home performances, meaning only a few home wins all calendar year.

That said, there were brighter moments earlier, including strong away results like a win at Manchester City and a draw at Newcastle, plus a solid home victory over Brentford (his former club) in early December. Tottenham also performs decently in the Champions League, positioned 11th in the league phase with a chance of automatic knockout qualification, but so far, that’s been against sides that aren’t exactly world beaters.

Now, in an explosive article by Martin Lipton of the Sun, criticism of Frank has reached damning levels as the senior journalist beats three significant nails into the Dane’s career coffin.

“…with every passing week, it is harder and harder to shake the feeling that Spurs might just be too big a club for the Dane.

That he cannot quite grasp the scale, the scrutiny, the depth of longing inside the fan base, the sense of frustration that permeates every pore.

The reality, obvious as it might seem, is that Spurs aren’t Brentford, where building a genuine rapport with the fans meant so much, where expectations and ambitions were always limited.

However, in N17, legitimately or otherwise, that is simply not the case.”

Fan opinion is divided—many supporters are impatient with the lack of progress, perceiving the football as less exciting than under Postecoglou, and there has been criticism of tactics and results. Frank has faced boos and questions about player reactions (e.g., substitutions), and he’s emphasized that rebuilding the squad isn’t a “quick fix.”

Despite the pressure, the club’s hierarchy, now more hands-on under the Lewis family ownership after Daniel Levy’s departure, has publicly backed Frank, stating he’s not at immediate risk of the sack and deserves time, especially with needed squad improvements in upcoming transfer windows.

Overall, it’s a transitional period: Frank is implementing a more structured, adaptable style (drawing from his successful Brentford era, where he achieved consistent mid-table finishes on a budget), but results haven’t yet clicked fully at a bigger club with higher expectations. His job appears safe for now, but sustained poor form could change that.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan.

The 26-year-old has established himself as one of the finest defenders in European football, and Tottenham are hoping to bring him to the Premier League.

Spurs eyeing Alessandro Bastoni

According to a report from FCInterNews, Fabio Paratici is ‘crazy’ about signing the Italian defender, and it will be interesting to see if he can beat the competition from Chelsea. The Blues are also interested in the Italian Internation. It remains to be seen whether Tottenham can get the deal done.

They could use more quality at the back, and Bastoni would be a superb acquisition. He is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the world right now. Sky Sports has previously claimed that he is “as good as Saliba”.

Tottenham need top-quality players to bridge the gap with elite clubs, and Bastoni would be a game-changing signing for them. It remains to be seen whether they can convince the Italian to join the club. He could have his pick of top clubs if he wants to move, and Tottenham must convince him that he will be able to fulfil his ambitions with them.

Can Spurs agree on a deal for Bastoni?

Furthermore, Inter Milan will not want to lose the player easily. They could demand a premium for him. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham are prepared to break the Bank for him.

The opportunity to play in the Premier League could be tempting for the Italian. It would be an excellent challenge for him at this stage of his career. He is entering the peak years of his career, and he will want to compete at the highest level.

It would be a major coup if Tottenham managed to get the deal across the line.