The Boy Hotspur

Yves Bissouma, the 29-year-old Mali international, has dramatically purged his Instagram (which has over 800k followers) of any #THFC or Tottenham-specific content. This includes match highlights, team photos, and the post-victory celebration for the Europa League. His bio still lists “Football Player – Tottenham and Mali,” but the visual history with the club is now erased.

Yves Bissouma has DELETED all #thfc-related posts from his Instagram page. 📲❌ pic.twitter.com/ph00eWciPF

— Spurs Army (@SpursArmyTweets) December 5, 2025

Mali International has already been linked with a move away

Recent reports suggested Bissouma is pushing for an exit, with interest from clubs in Turkey (e.g., Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe), Saudi Arabia, Portugal, and Germany. Tottenham had reportedly planned to extend his contract to avoid a free transfer in summer 2026, but his actions suggest that he’s not committed. A forced health break and lack of playing time have reportedly caused “frustration,” making a winter move “increasingly probable.”

The deletion coincides with Bissouma’s ongoing injury recovery (ankle surgery in October 2025) and his exclusion from Frank’s plans. He’s featured minimally this season, missing 84 games over three years due to injuries and disciplinary issues, including a 2024 “laughing gas” scandal and repeated lateness that led to his omission from the 2025 UEFA Super Cup squad against PSG.

This isn’t Bissouma’s first social media meltdown

The player’s X account remains active but shows no direct acknowledgement of the deletions. This isn’t his first social media statement. That said, similar purges happened during his 2022 Brighton-to-Tottenham transfer and a 2024 Mali national team snub.

If this signals an exit, Bissouma leaves with 100 appearances, 2 goals, and a Europa League winners’ medal. Tottenham fans are divided: some see him as a “cult hero” for his flair, while others see him as underperforming due to off-field issues. Updates could come from Frank’s next presser, which would be after the Brentford game.

Our conclusion on Bissouma

Bissouma was a player that just about every fan thought would dominate and explode at Spurs, but it appears he wasn’t cut out for the levels of concentration at the top. Given his age, this may well been his last chance.

Tottenham Hotspur are now prepared to bring Troy Parrott back to the club in the coming months.

The 23-year-old has been in phenomenal form for AZ Alkmaar and his country. He has recently helped his country secure World Cup qualification with five goals in two matches.

Troy Parrott is in fine form

He is at the peak of his powers right now, and Spurs are willing to pay €35 million to get the deal done, as per Fichajes. The opportunity to return to his boyhood club could be exciting for the player. It remains to be seen whether the Netherlands outfit is prepared to sanction his departure.

He is an indispensable asset for his club and country right now. Losing him in January would be a huge blow. The 23-year-old Irish forward has 14 goals in 18 matches this season.

Meanwhile, Tottenham need a reliable goal scorer, and the 23-year-old could be very useful for them. He will be desperate to prove himself in the Premier League after failing to make his mark in English football with Tottenham in the past. The opportunity to return will be hard to turn down for him. It remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.

Spurs could use Parrott

Spurs have been in poor form in recent weeks, and they will look to bounce back strongly. Signing the right players in January could help them get their season back on track. A quality striker could make a big difference for them. It will be interesting to see if they can agree on a deal with AZ Alkmaar.

Parrott is still quite young, and he will improve with coaching and experience. He could develop into a reliable Premier League goal scorer with the right guidance. This could be the right time for him to take on a new challenge and compete at a higher level. The move to the Premier League would be perfectly timed for the young attacker.

Marcus Rashford’s future remains one of the hottest topics in football transfers. The 28-year-old England international is currently on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United, where he’s impressed enough to spark a bidding war.

While a permanent move to Barca looks like the frontrunner, Tottenham Hotspur have emerged as a serious contender for a shock Premier League return, according to CaughtOffside, this morning.

Should Rashford leave Barcelona?

Rashford joined Barça on loan in the summer of 2025 after falling out of favour under manager Ruben Amorim at Manchester United. He’s thrived in Spain, contributing goals and assists in La Liga and the Champions League.

Barça holds a £26-30 million buy option to make the deal permanent next summer, and sources close to the club (including sporting director Deco) see him as a long-term successor to ageing striker Robert Lewandowski.

Barcelona are in pole position to secure Marcus Rashford on a permanent deal. The English forward joined the Catalan side last summer on a season-long loan from Manchester United, after the club failed to land Nico Williams. Rashford quickly settled in and has made it clear he is happy at Barça.

That said, there is speculation that the giants might opt for a younger man in their future plans.

Money troubles could put things in doubt

The board are weighing up whether to trigger the €30 million buy option, with the decision depending on his performances and the club’s financial situation. While Rashford’s priority is to stay in Barcelona, his future has attracted attention from Europe’s top clubs.

PSG are closely monitoring the situation and have set aside €50 million should they decide to move. Tottenham Hotspur are also interested, which could open the door to a surprise Premier League return. Chelsea and Arsenal are keeping tabs as well, adding extra competition in England.

All signs point to Rashford being one of the headline stories of the January transfer window. Barcelona remains in a strong position, but PSG’s financial muscle and the interest from Premier League clubs make this saga one to watch.

Is Rashford a good fit for Tottenham?

It’s a hard pass from me. At 28, that ship has sailed. I wish him well, but there are better, more obvious targets out there. We do not need another Richarlison.

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to improve their defensive unit with the signing of Jan Paul van Hecke.

The 26-year-old defender has been linked with a move away from Brighton in recent weeks. He will be out of contract in 2027, and Brighton have not been able to agree on a new deal. The club will look to secure his long-term future quickly.

Spurs want Jan Paul van Hecke

Tottenham are interested in securing his signature, and it will be interesting to see if they come forward with an official proposal to get the deal done. He is highly rated at Brighton, and they will not want to lose him easily. He is likely to cost around £40 million, as per TeamTalk.

Fabian Hurzeler has recently claimed that he is one of the leaders of the dressing room.

He said: “When you see his past, where he has come from, what he went through to where he is now, you see a really consistent development. That’s because of his, his attitude. That’s because of his mindset. His effort is always above the things you can expect as a coach.

“That makes his values so important to us. He’s a Dutch guy, so I already like his, he’s very straight with you and honest with his opinion. I think that’s always powerful in the team.

“He’s one of my leaders, he’s in the leadership group. He has taken more responsibility and more ownership this season. I think that’s the next step for him, to not only be a great performer, but also try to be a leader in this club.”

Tottenham could certainly use someone like him. They need more depth in the defensive unit, and Van Hecke is well settled in the Premier League. He could make an immediate impact if he joins the London club. The opportunity to play alongside his compatriot Micky van de Ven will be quite exciting for him.

Tottenham certainly have the financial muscle to pay £40 million for the defender, and it remains to be seen how the situation develops.

Signing a reliable Premier League performer like Van Hecke could prove to be a wise decision. The player could make an immediate impact and help Tottenham improve.

Van Hecke could be tempted

The Netherlands international could be attracted to the idea of playing for Tottenham as well. It would be a step up for him, and he would get to test himself in Europe. He could also look to fight for trophies with them.

The asking price seems reasonable for a player who is a reliable performer in the top flight. He should be able to justify the investment in the near future.

Spurs head into our home Premier League clash against Brentford on a five-game winless run, with manager Thomas Frank facing a familiar injury crisis that’s left the squad depleted.

We are without several key players, though there’s cautious optimism around one or two potential returns, which makes a refreshing change!

What’s the good news

Cristian Romero is back available after serving a suspension, providing a boost to the defence.

No suspensions are currently active for upcoming matches.

Youth players like Archie Gray (recently recovered from a calf strain) are also stepping up.

Who’s definitely out?

Conclusions

The reality of Thomas Frank’s situation is that he needs better players, and he needs a greater sense of continuity. Fans need to stop shouting at a man with no choice and no routine. Tottenham, at full strength, don’t have a squad, but what we have now is a bit of a mess.

The fan backlash has deeply concerned Guglielmo Vicario is considering a departure, appears to stem from recent reports in Italian media, particularly La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Vicario, 29, has faced criticism from Spurs supporters this season, most notably after a high-profile error in Tottenham’s 2-1 home loss to Fulham on November 29, 2025. He misjudged a clearance outside his box, gifting possession to Fulham’s Joshua King, who assisted Harry Wilson’s open-goal winner in the 6th minute.

Fans booed him immediately after the mistake and continued during touches in subsequent games, including against Newcastle. Brentford manager Thomas Frank (noted for his Tottenham links) publicly called out the behaviour, saying it wasn’t “true Tottenham fans” supporting their players.

This has reportedly left Vicario “tired of experiencing yet another psycho-dramatic season” at the club, with tensions between the squad and fans described as a “critical issue” after a recent team meeting.

Italian giants Inter Milan are leading the chase, viewing Vicario as a long-term replacement for Yann Sommer (whose contract expires in summer 2026). Inter previously tried to sign him from Empoli in 2023 before Tottenham’s €20m (£17.2m) intervention.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport they’ve already contacted his representatives, and Vicario is said to be “open” to a Serie A return, potentially as early as January 2026.

Self-indulgent, much?

He’s informed his agents that this could be his “last agonising season” in the Premier League, fuelled by the fan toxicity and a growing desire to return home. His current salary is around €2.8m per year, and Tottenham might listen to bids starting at €30m to recoup their investment.

Quite frankly, the player would be better placed working on not making daft mistakes. There’s also a distinct lack of self-awareness, as demonstrated by all the unnecessary pointing and shouting that routinely follow his recurring errors.

Carlos Baleba, the 21-year-old Cameroonian midfielder currently at Brighton & Hove Albion, has emerged as a hot transfer target amid Tottenham Hotspur’s plans to bolster their midfield.

As of December 4, there’s no confirmed deal or completed transfer to Tottenham (or any other club for that matter), but sources at The Boy Hotspur indicate strong interest from Spurs, positioning them in a potential bidding war with Manchester United.

Tottenham, under manager Thomas Frank, are eyeing midfield reinforcements for 2026, with Baleba seen as a long-term fit alongside or replacing players like Yves Bissouma.

Tottenham Hotspur first expressed interest in late November 2025, sensing an “opportunity” if Man Utd pivoted to alternatives like Joao Gomes or Elliot Anderson.

Manchester United led the chase in summer 2025 but cooled due to the price and Baleba’s form; they’re still in the mix but prioritising cheaper options. Other clubs like Liverpool and Man City have been loosely linked, but no firm bids.

The Seagulls view Baleba as a “€100m asset” and won’t budge on a cut-price deal, even with his recent dip.

Betting guidance is out there

Odds of a Tottenham move are low for January (under 20% per betting markets as of Dec 3), rising to moderate (40-50%) for summer 2026 if Spurs qualify for Europe and negotiate aggressively.

Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 for around £10m and has since impressed with his technical ability, vision, and defensive nous in midfield. He’s under contract until 2028 (with an option for an extra year) and has 5 caps for Cameroon.

After a standout 2024/25 campaign, Baleba has dipped slightly this term (2 goals, 1 assist in 12 PL appearances), partly linked to summer speculation. Despite this, he’s still valued highly at around €100m (£88m / $114m) by Brighton, who are reluctant to sell in January.

Do Spurs actually need Baleba?

Tottenham are desperate for fresh blood. Fans picking holes in Thomas Frank appear unable to register what Ange Postecoglou did in his two seasons. Finishing 17th is still not impossible!

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the highly rated RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande.

According to Sky Sports, Tottenham face competition from Liverpool and Barcelona for the player. Tottenham and Liverpool have held “very advanced” talks with the player’s representatives regarding a potential move.

Tottenham eyeing Yan Diomande

Apparently, Thomas Frank is keen on signing Diomande to improve his attacking unit. It will be interesting to see if the North London club follow up on their enquiry with an official proposal to get the deal done.

They need more quality on the flanks, and Diomande could be the ideal acquisition. He will add pace, flair, and unpredictability to the side. The opportunity to move to England will be quite exciting for the young attacker as well. It would be a huge step up in his career, and he would get to test himself at the highest level.

Barcelona also keen on Diomande

Meanwhile, Barcelona will be hoping to sign the player as well. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and any player will be attracted to the idea of joining them. Tottenham must act quickly if they want to win the race for his signature.

The 19-year-old has eight goal contributions this season, and he will only improve with coaching and experience. He could develop into a top-class attacker with the right guidance. If Tottenham can sign him for a reasonable amount of money, the deal could look like a masterstroke in the long run.

The player has a contract with the German club until 2030, and they are under no pressure to sell him right now. They will look to recoup as much as possible for the player. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the Brentford attacker Igor Thiago in the coming weeks.

The 24-year-old has done quite well for Brentford, and he has 12 goals in 15 appearances across all competitions this season. It is no secret that they need more quality in the attacking unit, and Thiago would be an excellent addition.

Thiago could fancy Spurs move

He is entering the peak years of his career, and he could enjoy joining a big club. Spurs could provide him with the platform to compete in the UEFA Champions League. The player is likely to cost around €35-40 million.

According to a report from CaughtOffside, Tottenham are “strongly interested” in securing his signature, and they will face competition from multiple other Premier League clubs. It remains to be seen whether the London club can wrap up the move for Thiago in the coming weeks.

Spurs need Igor Thiago

They have the financial resources to pay the asking price for the player, and Thiago might be able to justify the investment as well. He has shown that he is capable of performing at a high level in the Premier League, and he could prove to be an upgrade on players like Dominic Solanke and Richarlison.

Both players have been underwhelming for the North London outfit, and Tottenham need better options in order to do well. They have been linked with other attacking targets as well. It will be interesting to see who they end up signing eventually.

The Brazilian could make an immediate impact at the London club if he joins them. He has adapted to English football quickly, and he has the technical attributes to play for a top team. He will certainly be attracted to the idea of joining Tottenham. He will hope that the two clubs can work out an agreement quickly.

Spurs went 2-0 down to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw at St. James’ Park, with captain Cristian Romero scoring a brace (header in the 78th minute and an overhead kick in the 95th) to rescue a point. The match was a chaotic affair, with Newcastle dominating possession (53%) but Spurs showing resilience.

Guglielmo Vicario 4 Some solid enough saves to keep Spurs in it; beaten on the penalty but no errors otherwise. However, dear me, his distribution is shocking. A passing accuracy of just 48% is no good. This is not Scottish football.

Destiny Udogie 6 Handled Murphy and Elanga well; goal-line clearance, but provided limited attacking options. Not really at the races.

Kevin Danso 7 Exceptional stuff. A 92 % passing accuracy and a 67% long passing rate. His long throws added threat, but he was quiet overall.

Cuti Romero 8 What a game, Spurs had been lacking bite, and he brought it. Heroic brace (header + overhead kick); booked but dominant.

Rodrigo Bentancur 5 Struggled physically in midfield; conceded the late penalty leading to Newcastle’s second goal. My real issue is he’s just not exciting to watch.

Pape Matar Sarr 6 The only Tottenham player matching physicality early; pressed well and flicked an effort that nearly scored.

Mohammed Kudus 7 cross-assisted Romero’s first goal. Decision-making was erratic at times (e.g., unnecessary kick-ups), but as usual, he was a key creator.

Lucas Bergvall 6 Didn’t quite have it all his own way, plenty of energy, making himself busy and available, stretching Newcastle’s defence and got past Livramento.

Brennan Johnson 3. He appeared to be making lots of effort, but he rarely achieves anything. A passing accuracy of 57% for a player who has so few touches; again, it really isn’t good enough.

Randal Kolo Muani 4 In one word, ‘isolated’ with no shots on target until late. Lacked service but couldn’t hold up play effectively against Burn and Thiaw.

My view on the result

Spurs’ lack of shots on target until the 78th minute (just two total, both goals) highlights ongoing creativity issues, but Romero’s brilliance masked deeper problems. Newcastle will rue missed chances and a late collapse.

Tottenham got away with one last night. A better Newcastle side could have, and arguably should have, humiliated us.