The Boy Hotspur

Fabrizio Romano has revealed how Tottenham made the most out of the transfer window, especially with the signings of Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani.

The North London club had made significant additions to their squad heading into the transfer deadline day. But they were still looking for opportunities to further bolster their squad, and a few did come their way.

Spurs ended up signing Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani on the final day of the window. While the Dutch international was close to joining Chelsea, the French striker was in talks about securing a return to Juventus. However, both ended up joining the North London club, and Fabrizio Romano revealed how Spurs made a breakthrough on both deals during unsociable hours.

Impressive Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani moves

The Italian transfer expert, during his appearance on GiveMeSport’s Market Madness podcast, said: “I think the two Tottenham stories, for me, were really, really funny and good to cover. With Xavi Simons, it was in the middle of the night when the deal had this big change, and the player decided to say yes to Tottenham and to complete his move.

“When it’s during the night, it is always exciting for me because it’s something that doesn’t happen that often anymore in the market. That one was a great story. Also, Chelsea had been in control of this deal for a long time and then decided to move on to different plans, so seeing Tottenham sign the player was quite surprising.

“Randal Kolo Muani was another one that started to happen late in the night. Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain were in negotiations around midnight on September 1, and then everything collapsed in the following hours. Tottenham had the opportunity to then go for Kolo Muani.

“It is always fascinating to me when you have these kinds of crazy deals happening overnight. I love that one.”

Tottenham sealed late moves for Simons and Kolo Muani

Chelsea were in complete control of the Xavi Simons deal. The Blues were on the verge of securing his services, but there was a massive change in the deal in the middle of the night. Enzo Maresca’s team walked away from the deal, handing Tottenham the opportunity to secure his services.

Spurs were already looking for more creativity in the centre of the park, and they managed to get their hands on a top talent for £51 million. Something similar happened with the Kolo Muani transfer. PSG were in talks with Juventus regarding a potential transfer, but the deal collapsed around midnight on September 1. The North London club identified the opportunity and secured his services on a straightforward loan deal.

In recent years, not much has happened in the transfer market during the late hours, but Spurs certainly made the most of the unsociable timing.

Thomas Frank’s Tottenham are keen on signing Brighton defensive mainstay Jan Paul van Hecke.

The 25-year-old has established himself as a key figure in the Seagulls’ first team, and his consistent performances have helped him break into the Dutch national team. On the back of his impressive rise, multiple top clubs are now keen on signing him.

Tottenham keen on Jan Paul van Hecke

According to a report from CaughtOffside, Tottenham have their eyes set on the Dutch centre-back. The North London club already have Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven as their preferred defensive pairing, but the club are looking for more quality and depth as they look to compete on all fronts.

Liverpool and Newcastle United are interested in the Netherlands International as well.

Van Hecke has all the qualities needed to succeed at Spurs. He is great in the air, has a strong physical presence and is quite comfortable on the ball. On top of that, his ability to pick out passes from the back can give Tottenham an extra edge. Since he is already a Premier League-proven star, he will hardly take any time to adjust to life at the North London club. He has been labelled as “incredible” in the past.

Van Hecke could be signed for a bargain

The 25-year-old has entered the final two years of his contract at Brighton, and with a renewal nowhere in sight, a potential move to a bigger club in 2026 looks very likely. The Seagulls do not want to lose out on one of their best players and have already put forward a lucrative contract offer. They are ready to make Van Hecke one of the highest-paid players in their history.

However, the Dutch international doesn’t seem keen on extending his stay. He wants to play at the highest level, and Champions League football seems to be on his agenda. Spurs can certainly try to lure him to the club next year.

The Seagulls value him at £44 million, which is a fair reflection of his abilities. However, the North London club could secure his signature for a lower fee, with his contract running out.

There’s an interesting and paywalled piece in the Telegraph from Matt Law, which went out last night, and you can read it for free here, but I’ll summarise the salient points here for us.

The background to Levy’s departure was not so much that he had his hand in the cookie jar, but rather it was becoming obvious to Lewis’ that he was planning to sell the entire jar, cookies and all, to benefit himself personally.

Peter Charrington executed the internal review, ejecting Cullen and Levy within a matter of months.

Wage bill

‘It is estimated that Spurs have the sixth-highest wage bill in the top flight, behind all of their traditional rivals. In 2024, Tottenham’s wage to revenue ratio fell to just 42 per cent which was the lowest of the top 20 highest-earning clubs in the world.

It is understood the Lewis family want to focus on how and where money is spent in future and surely more needs to be put towards the wage bill to give Spurs a fighting chance.’

The trimming of the wage bill was all part of preparing to trim the goose before selling it.

It had nothing to do with benefitting the club.

Investment

T’elegraph Sport last week revealed that Levy’s exit is due to coincide with significant fresh investment into the club worth over £100m. Sources close to the Lewis family insist the new approach will not be about debt and there will be “proper” support for the club to give it the best possible chance of sustained sporting success.’

A £100 million cash injection is probably subject to innumerable terms and conditions; however, it does appear to be almost like an apology, given the timing.

‘We’re sorry about Baldy misleading all of us. Have some player vouchers on us.’

The knock-on effect is that Frank sounds cautiously optimistic.

“I’ve spoken to a few from the Lewis family and Peter Charrington, the new non-exec chairman,” said Frank. “I also spoke to him before, of course he was already on the board. So there’s been good, constructive conversations and I feel the backing and they’re happy.

Selling

‘Venkatesham this week acknowledged that Tottenham “need to make sure that we’re selling players at the right time” and sales are just as important as signings these days.’

Daniel loved scraping the maximum return on players he sells, but he all too often failed to sell players on time or, even at all.

The list of players who were eventually ejected from the Luxury Spa facilities, after contributing little to nothing, is endless.

Asked about Bissouma’s immediate future, Frank said: “I will be surprised if anyone is leaving us now so, yes, he’s part of the squad.”

Well done, Daniel, we always knew you would reveal yourself.

For me, it was the ‘miss me when I’ve gone’ line, which had an air of menace about it, as if he was going to accidentally on purpose sell us to people even less interested in football than he was.

Tottenham have entered the race for the signature of Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher.

The former Chelsea star was on the verge of securing a return to the Premier League this summer. Manchester United came very close to signing him, but the move ultimately fell through. While Gallagher continues to be a part of Diego Simeone’s plans for the 2025/26 season, his future is still a big talking point.

Tottenham keen on Conor Gallagher

According to a report from Fichajes, Tottenham have joined the race to sign the English international. The North London club consider him an ideal option to bolster their midfield and are gearing up to make a move when the transfer window reopens in January.

Thomas Frank has already had quite an impact at Spurs. But, he still feels the need for a few more signings. The former Brentford boss wants more quality as well as competition in the centre of the park. Gallagher could certainly help their cause.

He already has enough experience playing in England, and his style of play is a perfect fit for Frank’s system. More importantly, his ability to feature in a variety of positions could do wonders for them.

Can Spurs convince Atletico Madrid to sell Gallagher?

While Gallagher still has four years left on his deal and he remains a key part of Simeone’s plans, an opportunity to return to his homeland will be tempting.

Meanwhile, cashing in on him will represent a significant financial boost for Atletico Madrid. But, they will be losing out on a versatile player who has been a consistent performer for Simeone since joining them in 2024 from Chelsea.

Gallagher’s camp hasn’t ruled out any possibility; as a result, this will certainly be one to watch. Considering the signings Tottenham made this summer, bringing in the 25-year-old Europa League Winner with Chelsea during the winter window would send a strong signal of intent from the club.

Tottenham have a special clause that will allow them to recall Luka Vuskovic in January.

The Croatian youth international joined Hamburg on a season-long loan towards the end of the recently concluded transfer window. Spurs sanctioned his departure to ensure he continues his development with regular first-team action.

Can Luka Vuskovic impress on loan?

While he is expected to stay at the German club for the entire 2025/26 season, the North London club can choose to bring him back in January. According to Bild via SportWitness, Spurs have included a special clause in his contract that allows them to recall him mid-season.

On the back of his impressive rise at Hajduk Split, Tottenham secured the services of Vuskovic at the start of July. While the Premier League giants do rate the teenage defensive sensation quite highly, he was unlikely to get much game time under Thomas Frank this season.

As a result, Spurs decided to let him leave on a temporary basis. Hamburg came forward and struck a deal with the North London club to sign the 18-year-old centre-back on a straightforward loan deal. Spurs will receive under €1 million from the German outfit, who are quite impressed with Vuskovic after his initial training sessions.

Vuskovic is highly rated

Their manager, Merlin Polzin, has heaped praise on the Croatian defensive sensation and has suggested he could make his debut against Bayern on Saturday. While they are excited to have the teenager in their ranks, they risk losing him in January because of the special clause.

“Luka, in terms of his personality and self-confidence, is an absolute leader who leads the way. He defends with a naturalness and robustness that is good for us,” he said.

Tottenham can cut short the loan move in winter, but they can only do that if another defender in Thomas Frank’s team suffers a serious injury. Hamburg will be hoping nothing of that sort happens, but if it does, Vuskovic could be gone sooner than expected.

Tottenham are looking to hand Micky van de Ven a bumper new deal to keep European giants at bay.

Micky van de Ven has only gone from strength to strength since joining Tottenham from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2023. Not only has he established himself as one of their mainstays, but the Dutch international is also widely regarded as one of the best young defenders in the world.

Multiple clubs keen on Van de Ven

According to a report from TBR, the North London club have internally discussed the possibility of handing Van de Ven a significant pay hike. They are ready to offer him a new lucrative deal to secure his long-term future and stop other top clubs from trying to sign him.

The 24-year-old centre-back has formed a reliable partnership with Cristian Romero, and Spurs want him to be an important part of their long-term plans. Having already secured the future of the Argentine international, they are hoping to strike a deal with the Dutch international, who has been linked with the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

Spurs ready to double Micky van de Ven wages

While his current deal runs until the summer of 2029, the former Wolfsburg defender earns just £50,000-per-week, which is certainly way below his market value. Spurs want to reward him for his performances and, at the same time, secure his future.

They are willing to offer him a new deal that will more than double his wages. The new deal will see him earn in excess of £100,000-per-week. With European giants lurking in the background, a contract renewal will ensure Van de Ven continues to be a part of their project under Thomas Frank.

Vinai Venkatesham, who has been recently appointed as their new CEO following the departure of Daniel Levy, is all set to open talks with the Dutch international about the prospect of a bumper new deal. It will be interesting to see if they manage to agree terms with the 24-year-old in the coming months.

The idea of a half-and-half scarf was the work of an evil genius, allowing unofficial vendors to essentially sell counterfeit goods to both sets of fans at big football matches.

They were originally more common in European competitions (where they symbolise the unique, cross-league nature of the fixture), but they’ve become ubiquitous in Premier League matches since the league’s commercialisation in the 1990s.

Again, they’re not official club merchandise—clubs like Liverpool or Manchester United sell single-team scarves—but they’re produced by independent sellers who avoid direct trademark infringement by slightly altering designs (e.g., off-kilter wording or generic motifs).

Prices usually range from £5-£15, making them an affordable memento for fans, tourists, and neutral spectators.

West Ham is making a stand against the fake merchandisers

Now, West Ham United have said that enough is enough. The club has issued a statement demanding that fans be more ordinarily identifiable.

“West Ham United would like to make supporters aware that enhanced security measures will be in place for Saturday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur. This includes additional checks at turnstiles, restrictions on half-and-half scarves or items illustrating the colours/crests of both clubs and steps to ensure home areas remain for West Ham United fans only.

“We would like to kindly ask all supporters for patience when entering the stadium to allow our staff to perform these checks, especially during the busiest times in the 45 minutes ahead of kick-off.”

Badly made and lacking in authenticity

Not only are United right to crack down on this practice, to make policing match day less hectic for staff, but these pieces of merchandise are undermining the rivalry between sides, not to mention sanitising the game as part of the general corporate takeover of football.

A far cry from their European origins, they are often described as cheap and poorly made, and they’re mocked for appearing in “random league fixtures” rather than epic finals.

Tottenham fans have a special place in their hearts for youth players. After all, it was home-grown Harry Kane that generated so much love amongst supporters. Spurs’ all-time top goalscorer with 280 goals in all competitions.

His standout seasons include 2016–17, when he scored 29 goals in 30 matches, and 2017–18, with 30 goals in 37 matches, showcasing his lethal finishing and play making ability.

Kane was genuinely adored as a club legend, often referred to as “one of our own.”

Growing up 15 minutes from the stadium as a lifelong Spurs supporter, he connected deeply with the fan base. His dedication was evident in moments like his emotional farewell after scoring four goals in a 2023 pre-season match, where he applauded all four corners of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It now emerges that Spurs could have a new prodigy coming through the ranks.

Coaching at the Brommapojkarna academy

Bergvall came through the same academy as Dejan Kulusevski, at Brommapojkarna, under coach Peter Kisfaludy.

Kisfaludy told Sun Sport:

“I worked with him when he was nine-years-old until 14. And directly after the first training session I was thinking ‘oh s***, this is something special’.

“He has always been the wonder kid that everyone is speaking about.

“I have worked in the Brommapojkarna academy for so many years; we had Gyokeres, Kulusevski, John Guidetti and Ludwig Augustinsson, but Lucas has the most talent of anybody.”

Not a player who fans have to wait to adapt

Bergvall has been an impact signing, joining Spurs from Djurgårdens IF for £8.5 million in July 2024, and quickly adapted to the Premier League’s pace and physicality.

He made 45 appearances across all competitions, including 27 in the Premier League and 12 in the UEFA Europa League, starting 10 of those European matches. His versatility and consistency have made him a regular in Ange Postecoglou’s midfield, often alongside players like Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison.

In April 2025, Bergvall signed a new six-year contract until 2031, signalling Tottenham’s commitment to building around him. This extension, accompanied by a reported pay rise, underscores his importance to the club’s future.

It certainly feels as if supporters have a new talisman in the making.

Tottenham fans have a special place in their hearts for youth players. After all, it was home-grown Harry Kane that generated so much love amongst supporters. Spurs’ all-time top goalscorer with 280 goals in all competitions.

His standout seasons include 2016–17, when he scored 29 goals in 30 matches, and 2017–18, with 30 goals in 37 matches, showcasing his lethal finishing and play making ability.

Kane was genuinely adored as a club legend, often referred to as “one of our own.”

Growing up 15 minutes from the stadium as a lifelong Spurs supporter, he connected deeply with the fan base. His dedication was evident in moments like his emotional farewell after scoring four goals in a 2023 pre-season match, where he applauded all four corners of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It now emerges that Spurs could have a new prodigy coming through the ranks.

Coaching at the Brommapojkarna academy

Bergvall came through the same academy as Dejan Kulusevski, at Brommapojkarna, under coach Peter Kisfaludy.

Kisfaludy told Sun Sport:

“I worked with him when he was nine-years-old until 14. And directly after the first training session I was thinking ‘oh s***, this is something special’.

“He has always been the wonder kid that everyone is speaking about.

“I have worked in the Brommapojkarna academy for so many years; we had Gyokeres, Kulusevski, John Guidetti and Ludwig Augustinsson, but Lucas has the most talent of anybody.”

Not a player who fans have to wait to adapt

Bergvall has been an impact signing, joining Spurs from Djurgårdens IF for £8.5 million in July 2024, and quickly adapted to the Premier League’s pace and physicality.

He made 45 appearances across all competitions, including 27 in the Premier League and 12 in the UEFA Europa League, starting 10 of those European matches. His versatility and consistency have made him a regular in Ange Postecoglou’s midfield, often alongside players like Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison.

In April 2025, Bergvall signed a new six-year contract until 2031, signalling Tottenham’s commitment to building around him. This extension, accompanied by a reported pay rise, underscores his importance to the club’s future.

It certainly feels as if supporters have a new talisman in the making.

Welcome to match week 4 of the 2025-26 Premier League season, following another fascinating international break, we’re back with a London derby!

West Ham is currently sitting 16th in the table, and Tottenham is in 4th after three matches. Key storylines for fans will undoubtedly include Tottenham’s new signing, Mohammed Kudus, facing his former club, West Ham, and both teams dealing with injuries (e.g., West Ham without Niclas Füllkrug due to a calf issue; Tottenham monitoring Dominic Solanke’s fitness).

What does the form guide suggest?

It is always tough to consider games as early as this one in the fixture list. Teams have yet to find their bowling length, and results can reflect that coaches are still seeking to convey their messages to players.

Tottenham are narrow favourites due to their better early-season form and attacking depth, but West Ham’s home advantage and recent win could lead to a draw or upset.

Betting odds (as of September 12) list Tottenham at around 2.12 to win, a draw at 3.55, and West Ham at 3.30, implying approximately a 47% chance of a Spurs victory.

The Boy Hotspur suggests that the Spurs’ win is very much achievable, as Graham Potter has been suspect this season. That said, if we play as we did against Bournemouth, we’ll be in trouble.

Where to watch using United Kingdom TV Channels:

Live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage starts at 5:00 p.m. BST.

Streaming: Sky Go app (for Sky subscribers). Now TV offers day passes for non-subscribers (around £14.99 for sports).

TNT Sports may cover other matches that weekend, but this one is confirmed on Sky.

United States TV Channels:

Broadcast on NBC (main channel for the featured match).

Streaming: Peacock (Premium or Premium Plus subscription required, starting at $5.99/month). Also available via NBC Sports app with a cable login. Other options include Sling TV (Blue plan, includes NBC/Peacock access), FuboTV, or YouTube TV (all carry NBC and offer free trials).

Radio/Extra: SiriusXM FC or NBC Sports audio streams for live commentary.

Canada TV Channels:

fubo Sports or DAZN Canada (DAZN holds exclusive rights for the full Premier League).

Streaming: DAZN app (£29.99/month or annual plans). fuboTV Canada also streams it live.

Australia TV Channels: