The Boy Hotspur

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:

Atletico Madrid are plotting a Bosman move for Tottenham mainstay Rodrigo Bentancur.

The Uruguayan international’s future has become a massive talking point as he has entered the final year of his contract. Since he could be available for free in a year’s time, Atletico Madrid have identified him as a priority target to reinforce their midfield, as per a report from Fichajes.

Bentancur joined Spurs at the start of 2022 after making a name for himself at Juventus. He has been an integral part of the North London club’s first team over the years.

He played a massive role in their Europa League triumph last season and has been one of the first names on their team sheet under new manager Thomas Frank. While he remains a key figure in the team, his future is up in the air because his contract runs out at the end of the season. Bentancur has been hailed as a “great player”.

Atletico Madrid could push to sign Rodrigo Bentancur

Since the 28-year-old could end up being a free agent next summer, some of the biggest clubs in the world are keeping a close eye on his situation. Atletico Madrid are one of the clubs that are keen on signing the South American midfielder.

Diego Simeone is a huge admirer of the former Juventus star and considers him an ideal fit for his system because of his work rate, physicality, and ability to bring balance to their midfield. With him potentially available for free, the Madrid-based giants have made him their priority target. They see this as too good an opportunity to miss out on.

Tottenham are reluctant to lose Bentancur

While Atletico are ready to push hard for his signature, Tottenham have no intentions of letting him leave. They are working hard to renew his contract at the request of their manager. The North London club are ready to reward him for his performances and are hoping he will commit his long-term future to the club.

Fenerbahce president Ali Koc suggests an injury prevented them from signing Tottenham outcast Yves Bissouma.

Yves Bissouma seems to be surplus to requirements at Tottenham, and the club have been looking to offload him throughout the summer. While they couldn’t find him a new club before the end of the transfer window in England, they were hoping a Turkish club would snap him up.

Fenerbahce have been keen on his signature and were reportedly on the verge of securing his services. But the move has fallen through. During an interview with Fener Ajans, the Super Lig club’s president, Ali Koc, has revealed that an injury to the Mali international stopped them from signing him this summer.

Yves Bissouma was close to joining Fenerbahce

Koc said via SportWitness: “We all want a number 8. Bissouma was close, but he got injured,” he is quoted as saying.

“We want a smart number 8. He can distribute the ball intelligently and play box-to-box. We’re working on a young player. Transfers at Fenerbahçe don’t end until the last minute. Those coming in and out never end. We’ll push the envelope until the last moment.”

After proving his credentials at Brighton, Bissouma joined Spurs in the summer of 2022. Unfortunately, the move to the North London club hasn’t worked out for the 29-year-old. He has failed to establish himself as a key figure in the team.

Bissouma is not a key player for Frank

While he did make 44 appearances last season under Ange Postecoglou, the Mali midfielder was more of a rotational option. Following the arrival of Thomas Frank, Bissouma seems to have gone further down the pecking order. Since he is not a part of the new manager’s plans going forward and his contract is running out, Spurs have been keen on getting him off their books.

They were hoping a move to Fenerbahce would materialise, but things haven’t gone according to plan for them. While reports earlier suggested that the Turkish club had been handed a list detailing the player’s personal issues and reasons not to sign him, Koc has stated that the reason for not signing him is an injury.

With the Turkish transfer window ending in a few hours, Bissouma seems set to continue at the North London club for now. They might try again to offload him when the transfer window reopens in January.

Tottenham are keeping a close eye on Cardiff City sensation Dylan Lawlor ahead of a potential move.

Lawlor broke into Cardiff’s first team last season, and within just six months of his breakthrough at club level, the teenage defensive sensation has already made his debut for the Welsh national team.

His sensational rise has put him on the radar of multiple English as well as German clubs, and according to a report from EFL Analysis, Tottenham are one of the clubs that are closely monitoring Lawlor’s progress.

Welsh manager Craig Bellamy recently heaped praise on the player.

“Beyond impressed,” Bellamy said of Lawlor. “What a player.

“He was so just so impressive, and we needed him to be because we were fully aware of the pull-outs.”

Dylan Lawlor has impressed at Cardiff

The 19-year-old centre-back was handed his Cardiff debut last season. While things haven’t really gone according to plan for the Welsh club as they ended up getting relegated to League One, Lawlor, who got promoted to the first team at the start of the year, has managed to cement his spot in the team.

He has been a regular feature in Brian Barry-Murphy’s XI and is one of the reasons why Cardiff are sitting top of the table in the third division. His impressive performances, along with his massive potential, have put him on the radar of clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle United, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund.

Cardiff are aware of the increasing interest, and they want to do everything in their power to hold onto their teenage sensation. He recently penned a new deal, which suggests he will be around for now.

Tottenham could soon make a move for Lawlor

But clubs like Spurs could soon try to lure him away. The North London club have focused more on signing young stars in recent windows, and Lawlor seems like an ideal fit for their project. With Ben Davies in the final phase of his career and Cristian Romero attracting interest from European giants, the Cardiff sensation could prove to be a valuable addition for the long term.

As a result, the North London club are monitoring the 19-year-old, who recently made his international debut in a 1-0 win over Kazakhstan. He put in a man-of-the-match display in his first-ever outing, giving a clear idea of what kind of talent he is and why Spurs are keen on having him in their squad.