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Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a new bid for Manchester City winger Savinho - but would signing him be too big of a risk?

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So far, Tottenham Hotspur’s summer business has been eminently sensible. Acquiring both Marcos Senesi and Andrew Robertson on free transfers has added strength and depth to the squad while keeping costs under control. A much bigger splash seems to be on the horizon, however.

Multiple stories in the Brazilian media suggest that Spurs are set to make a second stab at signing Manchester City winger Savinho after an abortive bid late last summer. This time, they have a rather better chance of success – but is the £50m-rated winger worth the investment, and how likely is it that a deal gets done?

Spurs linked with a fresh bid for Manchester City’s Savinho

Around a year ago, Spurs made an approach to Manchester City regarding Savinho’s availability and were swiftly rebuffed. 12 months on, however, and the picture has changed considerably.

Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo have displace Savinho from the starting line-up at the Etihad and the 22-year-old made just seven league starts over the course of the 2025/26 campaign. Spurs could be sensing a chance to take another bite at the cherry.

Globo Esporte reported earlier this week that Spurs have already opened talks with Manchester City in the hopes of negotiating a deal, and the early signals are that they will be rather more receptive this time around – and the player himself could be keen to jump ship.

On Friday, ESPN Brasil reaffirmed the claim that discussions have already started and further suggested that Savinho “wants to leave” City to join Spurs. There’s no suggestion that personal terms have been agreed or that the two sides are in alignment on his valuation, but either the winger is taking big strides towards North London or the Brazilian media have collectively got things very wrong indeed.

Reports from last summer suggested that Manchester City valued Savinho at over £50m last year, although in the end they decided not to negotiate with Spurs at all. Whether that price tag has fallen in the interim is unclear – while he perhaps hasn’t justified such a large outlay on the field of late, he remains a significant talent with five years left on his contract. He certainly won’t come too cheap.

But he is looking increasingly like a spare part at the Etihad and it’s unlikely that City would play hardball this time around. If Spurs are indeed still interested in Savinho, they may very well have the chance to land him – and none of the reports about his future have yet mentioned any other bidders, suggesting that they will have a clear path to his signature. But is he good enough to help Spurs to turn things around?

Is signing Savinho really a risk worth taking?

With the defensive rebuild already taking shape, Spurs have a little more freedom to turn their attention to the task of patching up a misfiring attack over the course of the coming transfer window. Signing Savinho would give them a winger who is more direct and perhaps more daring than the players currently on the books – but also one who is severely out of sorts.

Right wing is a clear position of need for Spurs, who failed to find a convincing starter there last season after Mohammed Kudus sustained the quadriceps injury which has sidelined him since January – but Savinho offers the ability to play on both flanks, adding competition across the attack.

The question is how good that competition will be. Savinho scored just once in seven 24 league appearances in 2025/26 and even if only seven of them were starts, there’s clear evidence that he sorely need to sharpen up in the penalty area to realise his full potential – having only scored one Premier League goal in his debut season, too, he now has just two top-flight goals from an xG total of 7.34. Most centre-backs have considerably better conversion rates in front of goal.

His creativity and dribbling quality made up for that a year ago and persuaded Manchester City that Savinho was unsellable, but there has been a sharp decline in that area. Eight assists in 2024/25 became just one in 2025/26, and his success rate when taking a defender on went from an impressive 57% to a woeful 32%. Savinho’s form fell away sharply over the past year.

For Spurs, the question is whether that was just a blip which can be rectified with more regular football and an injection of confidence – and also whether he can ever be coached into being a better finisher. The other question is just how big of a gamble they’re willing to take on him. He certainly didn’t look much like a £50m player over the past year.

Savinho has considerable potential and enjoyed a debut campaign which implied that he can cut it in the Premier League, but he needs to right the ship. Perhaps Spurs, a side who are listing heavily themselves, would be taking too great of a risk in putting their faith in the Brazilian to be the winger they need next year.

Reports from Italy suggest that Tottenham Hotspur could be involved in a shocking summer swap deal

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Tottenham Hotspur’s summer has yet to truly take shape, and while rumours are swirling around North London about the direction the club will take as it looks to rebuild a squad which endured a worrying dalliance with relegation, the only thing that’s currently clear is that there will be plenty of movement in the transfer window.

According to a new report from Italy, that could include a rather surprising swap deal. Juventus, it seems, have a player that Spurs want to get their hands on before the start of the 2025/26 campaign – but may demand one of Roberto De Zerbi’s regular starters in return.

The shock swap deal Spurs could be offered this summer

A new report from Italian outlet Calciomercato suggests that Spurs are monitoring Canadian striker Jonathan David, whose transfer to Juventus last summer has yet to bear much fruit – despite scoring freely in France over the course of several seasons with Lille, David managed just eight goals in 46 games for his new club and his future is up in the air.

With Spurs looking to reshape their attack, the pacy David – who scored 109 goals in 232 matches for Lille and has an equally impressive record at international level – could be back on the club’s radar after they were reported to be one of the teams interested in signing him last summer when he was available on a free transfer.

Juventus won that race, but are embarking on a rebuild of their own as they look to balance the books – their financial situation is rather grim as it stands – and to fix their own attacking failings. The rebuilding process includes attempting to strike a fresh deal for Randal Kolo Muani, who enjoyed a good loan spell in Turin before struggling with Spurs during the 2025/26 season.

Another domino in a rather convoluted rally is Andrea Cambiaso, one of the most widely sought-after players in Juventus’ squad and whose potential departure would leave the Old Lady in need of a new left-back – and that’s where the swap deal could come in, it’s claimed, with Destiny Udogie among the potential targets.

Udogie has been a regular starter under De Zerbi but David could be offered as a piece in a part-exchange deal, a scenario which would suit the cash-strapped Serie A side. Whether it would suit Spurs remains to be seen – the report suggests a swap offer as an option which is somewhere on the table, but doesn’t claim to know Spurs’ attitude towards such a deal, and nor is there any suggestion that negotiations have taken place.

Complicating matters further is the fact that Juventus have yet to reach a decision on whether to give David another year at the Allianz Stadium or not. With Loïs Openda expected to leave and the future of Dušan Vlahović still undetermined, they have yet to figure out whether it’s worth holding on to the Canadian or whether they have enough firepower up front to let him leave.

If Kolo Muani is signed and Vlahović chooses to stay, however, then David may end up being surplus to requirements, knocking over the first domino in the chain. There will likely be other sides interested in David, who had dozens of suitors last summer, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Spurs among the teams in the mix with Kolo Muani unlikely to return and Richarlison expected to seek a new club.

Would signing Jonathan David be worth the loss of Destiny Udogie?

Whether Spurs would be sufficiently keen on David to consider selling Udogie is another matter, of course. The Italy international started every game under De Zerbi after the Italian took charge, and while he lacks some of the attacking instincts the manager seems to appreciate in his full-backs, it’s evident that he has a role under the new regime.

Based on his work at Lille, however, the prospect of adding David to the squad would certainly be a tempting one. The 26-year-old may have had a tough time at Juventus so far, but in a system more sympathetic to his talents he has a track record which suggests he could thrive.

At his best playing in a fast attacking team who look to make use of his speed and his ability to exploit space in behind the opposing defence, David was an odd fit at Juventus where he was often asked to play with his back to goal in a role which was closer to that of a traditional target man. It wasn’t a style of play which suited David, and his confidence and performances seemed to plummet as a result.

His ceiling is demonstrably much higher than the past year of his career would suggest. In De Zerbi’s fast-moving, high-pressing style of football, his natural talents might be given more space to come to the fore - and his outstanding goalscoring record is a testament to the potential results.

Whether that tempts Spurs into giving up Udogie is an open question, and it’s only an offer that will reach the table if a number of other moves take place – in short, it’s not necessarily likely, but it is a solution which could suit two teams trying to make significant changes to their squads after disappointing recent results.

Should Spurs seek a deal for David which doesn’t involve any players, then Calciomercato claim that Juventus are expected to value him at around €30-35m (£26-30m), likely rather less than the valuation that Spurs would place on Udogie. A straight cash-for-player deal is rather more probable, but perhaps Juventus could make the terms tempting enough if the dominoes do indeed fall as planned.

The latest Premier League transfer news including Spurs, West Ham, Chelsea and more

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The 2025/26 Premier League season is now in the rear-view mirror, after the roller-coaster campaign drew to a close last weekend. Arsenal celebrated their title win at Selhurst Park, Manchester City waved off legendary manager Pep Guardiola, and Liverpool did the same for Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson - the latter of whom is heading to Tottenham.

Meanwhile, the Gunners are gearing up for their first Champions League final in twenty years, with Mikel Arteta’s side hoping to claim an historic double by defeating Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest. Last time they made it to the final, back in 2006, Arsenal threw away at one-goal lead to lose 2-1 to Barcelona, and will be looking for redemption this time around.

Off the field, the summer transfer window hasn’t opened yet, but that hasn’t stopped Premier League sides racing to get some deals done in principle ahead of next month. With less than two weeks to go until the eagerly anticipated 2026 World Cup, clubs will be under pressure to agree terms with top players before they jet off to North America for up to five weeks.

We begin today’s transfer round-up at Stamford Bridge, where incoming new manager Xabi Alonso will have a hectic few weeks in which to build his squad for next season. As well as new signings, plenty of sales are expected - including that of goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. The 24-year-old has struggled for game time this season, only featuring when Robert Sanchez has been injured.

Team Talk report that the towering stopper captured the attention of a number of clubs back in January, with the likes of Porto, Genoa and Besiktas having all “registered strong interest” in signing him. It’s also noted that West Ham asked of his availability, as they looked to find a reliable option between the sticks.

It’s said that four unnamed Premier League sides are now in the race to sign Jorgensen, and that he’s keen to become a number one again as he was during his time with La Liga side Villarreal. Besiktas and Porto are both thought to still be in the mix, but it’s not stated how much Chelsea will demand for a player they signed back in 2024 for around £21m.

The 3AM Verdict: Jorgensen never really looked the real deal at Chelsea, appearing hesitant with the ball at his feet and when required to come and claim the ball at set-pieces. In the right environment, he could thrive, but at this stage in his development the Denmark international doesn’t look ready to be hurled into a full season of Premier League football.

Tottenham ‘keeping tabs’ on Brighton to gem

Let’s jump on the District line, change at Victoria, and then hop on a bus as we head on over to Tottenham. Spurs are have flown out of the traps since the season concluded, and are close to completing the aforementioned Robertson deal as well as another free transfer to land Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth.

It looks like the north Londoners aren’t stopping there, with Football Insider reporting a potential move for Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley. They say the Seagulls are ready to sell the ex-Celtic star, with both Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid already making their interest known. Spurs too, are said to be in the mix, with Brighton looking to make back the £25m they spent to sign him from the Scottish Premiership side in 2024.

The report goes on to note that Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi is behind the apparent interest, having brought his former player with him on loan to Marseille during his time with the Ligue 1 outfit.

The 3AM Verdict: Giving a manager the players they want to do their job always makes sense. De Zerbi knows that O’Riley suits his system, and how to get the best out of him. Spurs’ midfield is crying out for some fresh legs and dynamism, and the Denmark international could prove to be a thrifty piece of business should he become a regular starter.

West Ham eye lethal Championship striker

We’ll finish off our London special in the east of the city, where West Ham are coming to terms with their fate of being relegated to the Championship. They’ll still be in our Premier League rumours until next season’s fixtures are announced, just in case you were wondering when the brutal cut-off would be made.

Sport Witness bring news of the Hammers’ big summer rebuild, with a rumour suggesting they’ve got their eyes on a new striker: Swansea City forward Zan Vipotnik. The story says that the Irons have “great interest” in the Slovenian striker, who blitzed his way to 23 Championship goals last season.

The 3AM Verdict: Swansea are said to want around £25m for their star man, which is a lot of money to pay for a second tier striker. West Ham do need goals, and Vipotnik has certainly provided plenty of them in his sophomore Championship season. His signing would be worthwhile, but the Irons would do well to whittle down that asking price.

The latest Premier League transfer news as Spurs, Chelsea and more push ahead with their summer window plans

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There’s now just over two weeks to go until the summer transfer window gets underway, and clubs are already frantically working behind the scenes to get deals agreed ahead of the 2026 World Cup. While they can’t be officially confirmed until June 15, a number of deals are expected to be agreed in advance of that date - such as Anthony Gordon’s move to Barcelona.

We’ll get today’s rumours round-up underway at the Etihad Stadium, where Manchester City are preparing for life after Pep Guardiola. Any football fan with an internet connection knows that ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will be his successor, and the club are expected to sign and sell a host of players ahead of the major transition this summer.

One potential outgoing is that of Portuguese defender Ruben Dias, who has spent the last six seasons at the club. Caught Offside claim that PSG, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are all interested in signing the 29-year-old, who is said to be “unsettled” following Guardiola’s exit. The report claims the player has told his agent to try and secure his exit this summer.

Further on in the story, it’s claimed that Dias’ “market valuation” is around £52m, but the accuracy of said estimated price tags are often well wide of the mark. However, given that the player’s contract currently runs through until 2029, City won’t have to sell him on the cheap, having paid a hefty £62m for the player back in 2020.

The 3AM Verdict: Given that he’s won it all at City - well, maybe not the Conference League, but we’re sure he’ll be able to sleep at night - and is still very much in his prime, it’s understandable that Dias is considering leaving. Guardiola’s exit is as good an opportunity as any, and who can blame him for looking to escape the Manchester drizzle for some football in sunny mainland Europe?

Chelsea could be offered bold swap deal

We’re starting to get the feeling that Enzo Fernandez’s future might be this summer’s big ‘will-he-or-won’t-he?’ transfer saga. The Argentina international doesn’t exactly seem enthralled with the idea of another season at Chelsea - one without any European football, it must be noted - and rumours continue to swirl regarding a potential move to Real Madrid.

A new report from Team Talk claims Chelsea will be after “significantly more” than the £107m they paid for Fernandez back in 2023, which could prove a stumbling block for Los Blancos. It’s then stated that the Spanish powerhouse could get around this with a more creative offer - offering a lower fee but including some players into the bargain.

Rather than more established talents on the fringes of the squad like Eduardo Camavinga, the story suggests that young duo Jacobo Ramon and Chema Andres could be offered instead, given the Blues’ penchant for relentlessly hoovering up young talent. The alleged proposal would be highly complicated, as it would involve Real Madrid activating a clause to buy them back from the clubs they’ve recently joined, before including them in the deal.

The 3AM Verdict: Real Madrid are notorious for managing to find the odd £150m lurking down the back of the Bernabeu sofa, but paying all that cash up front for Fernandez does seem unrealistic. Chelsea have pretty much acknowledged that they have a crippling addiction to buying wonderkids, and shouldn’t let Los Blancos enable them any further. Should more established talents be included in the deal, then the proposal would start to make sense.

Spurs get boost in Savinho pursuit

Let’s hop on the Tube over to north London to round things off, where Tottenham are set for a very busy summer indeed after avoiding relegation on the final day of the Premier League season. They’ve already pretty much wrapped up a big move for Liverpool’s Andy Robertson ahead of his participation with Scotland at the World Cup.

With that deal all but done, Roberto De Zerbi will be looking to strengthen other areas of his squad, and we covered the club’s interest in Man City’s Savinho earlier this week. According to Football Insider, the Brazil international is “keen” on a potential move to Spurs, after struggling to get into the side ahead of January signing Antoine Semenyo.

The story suggests Tottenham would be ready to give the 22-year-old plenty of game time, and that he’s enamoured by the idea of playing for De Zerbi. Reference is also made to Spurs’ long-term interest in Savinho, and that Guardiola’s exit - as with Dias - could be a decisive factor in the player’s future.

The 3AM Verdict: The idea of a Robertson-Savinho link-up down the left certainly sounds appealing, even if the former has shown signs of moving past his peak this season. Spurs are doing the right thing getting the bulk of their business done early, and kicking things off with two Premier League proven players looks to be a smart move.

Tottenham Hotspur’s new home kit for the coming 2026/27 season seems to have leaked online ahead of its official release.

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Fresh from securing their Premier League survival, Tottenham Hotspur’s brand new away kit for the forthcoming 2026/27 season appears to have been leaked online – although their supporters don’t seem to be to keen on Nike’s distinctly bold new design.

Details of the leaks have been published by Footy Headlines, although 3 Added Minutes has not yet been able to verify the information and no official launch date for the shirts has been set.

What Tottenham’s new away kit for 2026/27 looks like – according to leaks

The social media post above shows fake kits which were copied from the apparently genuine new design, with digital renders from other sources supporting the claims that Spurs will indeed be wearing one of the Premier League’s most distinctive change kits come August.

The base colour for Nike’s new look is ‘obsidian,’ an extremely dark shade of blue, but it’s the vivid purple, pink and orange stripes which grab most of the attention, with the abstract pattern suddenly intensifying from the chest downwards.

The circular collar and sleeve trim are the same obsidian colour as the bulk of the shirt, while the club crest, front-of-shirt sponsor and the traditional Nike swoosh logo are all picked out in plain white – a straightforward approach to the details which is perhaps necessitated by the distinctly garish style of the rest of the shirt.

Assuming the alleged leak is accurate, the away kit will certainly have a rather more daring design than that expected for next season’s home jersey, which is set to be an entirely plain, traditional white jersey lacking in any form of flair. It may well be the case that the fans prefer to keep things simple, however, based on the initial response to the new leaks on social media.

Fans react to bizarre new Spurs away kit online

The reaction from many Spurs supporters on social media has been less than positive, with some of the more printable comments reacting to the leaks suggesting that the shirt looks “like the box art for an iPad” and “40% off by September.”

No doubt the daring new Nike kit will have its fans, as all of the loudest football shirts tend to, but it certainly doesn’t look likely to become an immediate bestseller for the club if the online comments reflect the wider fanbase’s views.

Leaks of the new home kit also drew a negative response, with Nike’s design described as “lazy” due to the lack of detailing or originality. There may be some pressure on the American kit manufacturer to deliver something rather better for the third kit, details of which have not yet been leaked from any reliable source.

The official launch date for Spurs’ new shirts has not yet been made known, with the home kit likely to come out first at some stage in the coming weeks. Unlike the clubs using Adidas kits next season, Nike did not use the final day of the season as a chance to ‘preview’ their new shirts.

The latest Premier League transfer news involving Spurs, Aston Villa, Liverpool and more

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The dust has settled on the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, after an enthralling campaign that saw Arsenal win their first title in 22 years, Bournemouth qualify for Europe for the first time in their history, and the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle United have deeply underwhelming seasons they’ll be looking to move on from quickly.

Over the course of the next few weeks, clubs in England’s top tier will embark upon their summer recruitment drives - looking to rid themselves of the deadwood and bring in some shiny new replacements. The transfer window opens on June 15th, but plenty of work will already be going on behind the scenes as managers look to land their top targets.

Let’s begin this round-up in north London, where Tottenham Hotspur are looking to shake off a harrowing 2025/26 that saw them escape relegation on the final day of the season. They’ll be preparing to strengthen their injury-ravaged squad significantly, particularly up front, where they need cover for the likes of Dominic Solanke and Richarlison.

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness) report in print that Spurs have taken a shine to Levante striker Karl Etta Eyong, who was a rumoured transfer target for Everton last summer before he opted to join Luis Castro’s side from Villarreal. He got the season off to a flying start scoring six goals in his first ten matches, before dropping off considerably, netting just once more since October.

The report claims that Tottenham and Everton are now both keen on the Cameroon international. It’s said that a bid in the region of £22m could be enough to convince Levante to sell the 22-year-old, who has fallen behind youngster Carlos Epsi in the pecking order. Barcelona previously had interest in Eyong, and it’s thought he won’t agree to a move elsewhere until he learns whether a dream move to the Camp Nou could happen.

The 3AM Verdict: Everton won’t have a crazy amount of money to spend this summer, and will need to make some shrewd signings. Eyong clearly has bags of potential, but would represent a risk for a Toffees side who aren’t blessed with great attacking options. Spurs will have more funds available to them, and will surely be looking at more high profile candidates.

Alisson set for ‘crunch talks’ with Liverpool

Over to Anfield, where Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson is far from a happy chappie. That’s according to Team Talk, who claim that the Brazil international and his representatives are set for “crunch talks” with the club after they allegedly blocked his move to Juventus. The 33-year-old’s contract expires next summer, and his future has been a matter of intense speculation in recent weeks.

The report suggests that Alisson has been convinced of a move to Turin and is happy with the terms offered to him by Juventus, but Liverpool aren’t willing to sell him. With his understudy Giorgi Mamardashvili seemingly not trusted to become the Reds’ new number one next season, it appears that the club are looking for at least another year to figure things out.

The 3AM Verdict: Alisson will want to get this sorted out quickly, with the 2026 World Cup just around the corner. Liverpool’s indecision on who their starting stopper should be next season will be doing them no favours, and they’d do well to let Alisson leave and either hand Mamardashvili the gloves, or spend some money on a top class replacement.

Aston Villa eye Galatasaray star

We’ll finish things up in the west Midlands, where Aston Villa are still bathing in the glory of winning their first major European trophy since 1982. With Champions League football next season, the club are expected to be able to attract a higher calibre of player this summer, after a frustrating past couple of transfer windows that have seen the club struggle to recruit big names.

According to Football Insider, the Villans are “one of the leading candidates” to sign Galatasaray midfielder Gabriel Sara, with his club said to be willing to entertain offers in the region of £35m. It is suggested that this fee would not be out of Villa’s reach, with their qualification for UEFA’s elite competition easing their PSR concerns.

The 3AM Verdict: The one-cap Brazil international has come a long way from playing for Norwich City in the Championship, and his high-tempo style of midfield play would make him an excellent fit for Unai Emery’s all-action outfit. £35m is still a significant investment, however, and you’d expect him to be a regular starter if such a fee was handed over.

New reports suggest that Spurs are poised to bid for no fewer than three Brighton stars

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Having averted disaster on the final day of the season with a 1-0 win over Everton, Tottenham Hotspur have a difficult summer ahead of them. They are expected to begin a sweeping rebuild, with the aim of building a squad capable of looking like a ‘big six’ side once more. A lot of deadwood will be cut, a lot of new faces will be signed – and now a new story suggesting a potential triple transfer deal with Brighton & Hove Albion provides us with our first hints of how they plan to go about their business.

The Independent’s Miguel Delaney claims that Spurs are considering bids for new fewer than three members of Brighton’s squad, each of whom played under Roberto De Zerbi when he was head coach at the Amex Stadium: Carlos Baleba, Jan Paul van Hecke and Bart Verbruggen. But what does that shortlist say about the shape of Spurs’ summer?

What Spurs rumours tell us about their plans ahead of the summer

In the immediate aftermath of the win over Everton, the Spurs non-executive chairman Peter Charrington admitted in an open letter to supporters that the club had failed to build its squad in a suitable manner over the past few years.

“Football success had not been driving our decisions,” Charrington wrote. “We did not have the right expertise in key roles. We did not build squads good enough to compete in the most demanding league in the world.”

It’s a comment which reads partly as a dig at the departed Daniel Levy, who developed a habit of nickel and diming his way through the transfer market, focussing on negotiations and pricing rather than finding players who fit an overarching tactical profile. It suggests that Spurs want to rebuild around a coherent vision for the squad, and also perhaps that they will no longer spare expense in order to get the right players in.

The shortlist reported by Delaney suggests something similar. In picking out three players De Zerbi coached at Brighton, there is an implication that recruitment will be conducted in lockstep with the coach, with his desires prioritised and his strategy catered to – and in putting Carlos Baleba, in particular, on their list, it can be inferred that Spurs are prepared to break the bank.

Brighton are expected to seek a transfer fee in the region of £100m for Baleba, using potential competition from Manchester United to push for top dollar. Van Hecke, who is entering the final year of his contract with the Seagulls, and Verbruggen – whose deal expires in 2028 – may not come cheap, but a deal for Baleba would almost certainly shatter the club’s transfer record, the €65m (£56m) spent on Xavi Simons last summer.

It would be a highly expensive commitment to De Zerbi’s brand of football, albeit one that is perhaps necessary. Since sacking Mauricio Pochettino in 2019, Spurs have stumbled blindly between coaches with very different playing styles and worldviews, and seldom worried about signing players who fit the template those coaches wanted to build around. The result has been a deeply frustrating decline.

Charrington’s comments suggest a recognition in the corridors of power at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that they have to let a manager plant their flag and get the players the want, with their style of play becoming Spurs’ default for the foreseeable future. Whether De Zerbi will be the wisest choice of coach to build around in the long term remains to be seen, but it appears that they have at last made a clear decision on the club’s direction and intend to stick with it.

Defence the priority as Spurs look to the future

Delaney’s report also adds backing to stories which suggest that Spurs are likely to agree to sign both Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi on free transfers, and adds that Manchester City’s John Stones could be another player they look at. Throw in the defensive nature of their alleged targets at Brighton, and there is a clear suggestion that shoring up the defence is the immediate priority.

That focus is partly a matter of sheer necessity. Guglielmo Vicario and Cristian Romero are both expected to leave, the latter under something of a cloud, while there is interest from elite teams in both Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro. Combined with a lack of trustworthy depth along the back four, there is a clear need for fresh blood.

While signing players like Verbruggen and Van Hecke, who are familiar with De Zerbi’s system and have the technical chops to play in his aggressively high line, would forge a squad which could adapt to the Italian’s methods, the addition of both Senesi and Stones to the list of potential new faces also hints at a focus on players who have the touch and passing range to distribute the ball with the kind of precision and grace under pressure that De Zerbi requires.

Stones – and Robertson – are not getting any younger, but if they are indeed transfer targets then that also hints at a belief that the club lacks leadership. Both have the intangible qualities that could make them strong additions even if they aren’t regular starters, and it’s fair to say that a Spurs squad stripped of its best current defenders would lack natural captains.

There will surely be some attacking players added, as well, but the fact that Spurs are being linked so strongly with strictly defensive players suggests a certain degree of faith in the players they already have on the books but who were too injured to contribute in full to a disastrous season. A Spurs squad with a fully fit Dominic Solanke, Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski – plus Simons, who is likely to be out until the new year – may be a rather different animal to the tame one we saw cowering its way through 2025/26.

If Spurs have indeed shortlisted the players that Delaney claims, then the priorities seem to become quite clear: A focus on technical defenders who would suit De Zerbi’s high line, a recognition of the need for leadership, a belief that building a strong squad starts at the back, and the acknowledgement that current starters either aren’t good enough or are simply likely to leave the club regardless. The roadmap seems to have been drawn up. Now it’s time to see where it all leads.

Tottenham avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth - now they have a monumental rebuild project on their hands

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Tottenham Hotspur players and fans alike breathed an almighty sigh of relief on Sunday afternoon, as Roberto De Zerbi’s side secured a 1-0 win against Everton to ensure the club avoided the humiliation of being relegation from the Premier League. It was West Ham who dropped into the Championship, with just two points separating the London rivals.

Spurs began their season as reigning Europa League champions with Thomas Frank in charge, following Ange Postecoglu’s exit. The Lilywhites, who spent over £220m on new players over the course of the campaign, won three of their opening four matches, before a grim autumn set them up for a catastrophic nosedive into the final straight. But, ultimately, they survived - and that’s all that matters.

Tottenham will now be looking to put a dismal campaign behind them, and push on next season without the distraction of European football to hamper their league performance. While the managerial situation now looks to be stable with De Zerbi at the wheel, the playing staff look set for another reshuffle, with a number of transfers in and out expected this summer.

Ahead of what should be a hectic few months of wheeling and dealing for Spurs, we’ve taken a look at a number of players who’ve already been linked with a move to north London:

Every player Tottenham could sign this summer - goalkeeper and defence

James Trafford - Man City: The goalkeeper position will be one Spurs definitely look to shake up, with Guglielmo Vicario set to leave and return to Serie A. He’s been a far from convincing number one since arriving from Empoli back in 2023, and failed to fill the void left by his predecessor, Hugo Lloris.

Trafford, who joined the City last season ready to be their starter, only to be almost immediately usurped by the shock signing of colossal stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma, will also likely be leaving his club this summer. He’s been heavily linked with Spurs, and signing England’s successor to Jordan Pickford would be an excellent bit of business.

Andy Robertson - Liverpool: After nine fine seasons at Anfield, the Scotland international has called time on his Liverpool career after losing his regular starting spot in the side under Arne Slot. For now, he’ll be fully focused on the World Cup, but there will be plenty of offers coming his way over the coming weeks,

As things stand, Tottenham look to be the firm favourites to sign Robertson, but they will be wary of interest from elsewhere - particularly from Serie A giants Juventus, who have been tipped to hijack Spurs’ deal. Given the success his international teammate Scott McTominay has enjoyed in Italy, the ex-Hull City star could well be tempted to follow suit.

Marcos Senesi: For a club renowned for their top class recruitment, it really is a marvel that the Cherries have let the Argentina international slip through their grasp. The powerhouse defender played a crucial role in Bournemouth’s qualification for the Europa League this term, and has proved himself as a high quality Premier League operator over the past four seasons.

Like Robertson, he’s been heavily linked with a move to Spurs, to the extent that reports suggested a contract had already been agreed in principle - with the deciding factor being whether Spurs were able to avoid relegation. Now that’s confirmed, a free transfer switch to De Zerbi’s side looks to be a formality - he could well replace his Argentina teammate and tactless international travel enthusiast, Cristian Romero.

Every player Tottenham could sign this summer - midfield and attack

Curtis Jones - Liverpool: Like Tottenham, Liverpool will be doing plenty of business this summer, and Jones looks to be one of their players ready to head for the exit door. He’s been unable to secure himself a starting place at Liverpool, and at 25-years-old, he’ll be eager to join a club where he can play week in, week out.

Given that he came through the club’s academy, his sale will be highly beneficial for the Reds’ PSR situation, giving them the freedom they need to strengthen their squad elsewhere. Transfer stories linking Jones with Spurs have emerged in recent weeks, with a £35m fee likely to be enough to tempt Liverpool into selling.

Paulo Dybala - Roma: It feels like Dybala has been linked with a Premier League move for about a decade - at some point, it’s going to happen. Like Robertson and Senesi, the 2022 World Cup winner will be leaving his club upon the expiry of his contract this summer, meaning he’ll be available on a free transfer.

Tottenham have been admirers of the versatile forward for some time, but with the player set to turn 33-years-old this winter, he’s now well past his prime. With savings being made elsewhere with the aforementioned potential acquisitions from Liverpool and Bournemouth, Spurs should really be looking to spend a bit of money on any attacking reinforcements.

Savinho - Man City: Another long-term Spurs target, the Brazilian winger looks set to follow Pep Guardiola out of the Etihad Stadium door now the season is over. Once again he played fleetingly for his club this season, and the arrival of Antoine Semenyo means that’s unlikely to change in the 2026/27 campaign.

Recent transfer rumours suggest Spurs are ready to reignite their interest in the 22-year-old, who is said to be valued at around £60m. He’s capable of playing on either flank, and would give Tottenham some much needed depth and quality on the wings. However, if incoming manager Enzo Maresca takes a shine to the 13-cap Brazil international, Spurs may well struggle to sign him.

The latest Premier League transfer news involving Spurs, West Ham, Leeds and more

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It all comes down to this. After months of twists and turns, the Premier League’s relegation battle finally comes to a close this weekend, as Tottenham and West Ham look to avoid falling into the Championship. For Spurs, it’s simple: don’t lose to Everton and they’re safe. West Ham, however, must beat Leeds United and also hope the Toffees do them a big favour.

While the odds are firmly stacked in Tottenham’s favour, it will be an anxious atmosphere at their home stadium on Sunday afternoon, and fans will be frantically checking their phones to hear of developments down the road at the London Stadium. Everton, however, have had a real downturn in form of late, and have little to play for in their final match of the campaign.

We start today’s rumours round-up at Tottenham, where the club are still pulling together their summer transfer plan with the hope of staying up and being able to embark upon a major squad rebuild. A fresh report from Caught Offside claims Spurs have been given a bit of a boost, with Liverpool apparently willing to sell rumoured Tottenham target Curtis Jones.

The six-cap England international has, according to the report, made no progress in contract negotiations with last season’s Premier League champions, and the Reds could now look to sell him to avoid losing him for nothing once his contract expires next summer. It’s suggested he could be let go for around £35m, amid additional interest from Inter.

The 3AM Verdict: This would be a win-win for both Liverpool and Spurs. The former avoid losing a player for nothing and get a serious PSR boost by selling a former academy player in a ‘pure profit’ sale. Tottenham get a top quality midfielder for a reasonable price, and boost their own homegrown quota at the same time. Lovely stuff all round, it must be said.

West Ham eye Southampton star defender

Over to the equally nervy London Stadium next, where West Ham are also doing a bit of transfer planning behind the scenes. Team Talk suggest that Everton, Crystal Palace and West Ham all hold an interest in Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who could be available for around £20m this summer.

The Saints, of course, missed out on the Championship play-off final after being thrown out of the mini competition for spying on a Middlesbrough’s training session before their semi-final - a game in which Harwood-Bellis produced a deeply embarrassing ‘binoculars’ gesture to taunt an opposition player. He’s still keen to head to the Premier League this summer, and could push for an exit.

The 3AM Verdict: A bit of pub quiz trivia for you: Harwood-Bellis is one of four players this century to have one cap and one goal for England, along with David Nugent, Francis Jeffers and Steven Caulker. In terms of West Ham’s interest, it’s pretty simple: if they go down, they’ve got no chance of signing him - he’ll join Everton or Crystal Palace instead.

Leeds United ‘strongly interested’ in Bundesliga forward

Rounding this off, let’s swing by Elland Road, where Leeds United are still in a celebratory mood after avoiding the drop with plenty of time to spare. Daniel Farke’s side will need to strengthen over the summer, however, with a new striker likely to be their top priority. The man to do the job? Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic, according to Italian reports relayed by Sport Witness.

They say that the 12-goal Bosnia international is of interest to Serie A side Lazio, but they are unlikely to have the financial muscle required to seal his signature. Leeds however, do, and could get their hands on the in-demand forward with a bid in the region of £26m, which should be well within their budget as a Premier League side.

The 3AM Verdict: Leeds recruited really well last summer, bringing in some great signings like Anton Stach and Jaka Bijol. The Whites will find better bargains in Europe than they would signing directly from the Premier League, and would do well to continue that strategy going forward. Demirovic has been banging in the goals over the past three seasons in Germany, and looks well worth a punt.

The latest Premier League transfer news including Spurs, Liverpool and Leeds United

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The warm weather is here at last, but it’s not just the heat that’s got us tossing and turning at night, unable to sleep a wink - it’s those pesky summer transfer window rumours. Where on earth will Jarrod Bowen end up if West Ham go down? Who will win the epic battle to sign Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson? And just how many wonderkids is too many wonderkids for Chelsea?

These questions and many more will all be answered this summer, and we can’t wait for that transfer window to fly open come June 15th. Until then, we’re still scratching our head over Thomas Tuchel’s baffling World Cup squad announcement, which saw the likes of Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden all left crestfallen on the runway.

Let’s begin today’s transfer round-up in the capital, where Spurs fans are sticking their fingers in their ears to block out the endless choruses of ‘North London Forever’ in the streets, as their local rivals Arsenal continue to celebrate their first Premier League title in 22 years. For Spurs, things are far less rosy, with their relegation battle finale rapidly approaching.

Should Tottenham stay up, which they really should, they’ll be ready to launch a major squad overhaul this summer. High on their wish list, according to Football Insider, is Roma gem Paulo Dybala. Their report notes that he’s set to become a free agent this summer, and that Spurs will be “on alert” as they look to finally sign their long-term transfer target.

The 3AM Verdict: Spurs are already said to be preparing to signing Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers, so you’d think they could spend a bob or two strengthening other areas of the squad. At 32-years-old, Dybala is well past his best, not to mention injury-prone. Tottenham would do well to get their chequebook out and spend some decent money on a better alternative who won’t join their already jampacked treatment room.

Liverpool close in on first summer signing

Let’s dart over to Anfield, where transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has dropped one his trademark ‘Here we go’ social media posts, announcing that Liverpool are closing in on their latest transfer deal. The reporter posted on X: “Liverpool agree deal to sign Samuel Martínez from Atletico Nacional, here we go! Deal in place for 17 year old Colombian talent to join in 2027, as soon as he turns 18... Agreement closed.”

It appears that the Reds have beaten both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in the race to sign the highly-rated wonderkid, who is a towering attacking midfielder also able to play in a less advanced role. He’s picked up plenty of youth caps for his country, and is widely tipped as a real ‘one-to-watch’ for the future.

The 3AM Verdict: Signing and then flipping talented young footballers is a good way to make some money. He’ll cost Liverpool less than £1 million, so you’d expect them to receive significantly more than that if they opt to move him on in a few years time. Given all the hype surrounding the player, this seems like a bit of a no-brainer and an excellent piece of recruitment from the Reds.

Leeds United linked with bargain free agent

Lastly, we’ll hop on a budget flight to Germany, to find out what on earth is going on at Union Berlin. Just yesterday, we reported on one of their defenders preparing to leave the club at the end of the season as a free agent, with Everton interested. Now it appears another of their back line could be about to do exactly the same thing.

In this case, Leeds United are in the mix - according to Team Talk. They bring word that the Whites are ready to battle Borussia Dortmund for Danilho Doekhi - a centre-back who’s played every league game for his side over the past couple of seasons. The report states that Whites boss Daniel Farke is a “long-term admirer” of the player and sees him as an ideal fit for his back line.

The 3AM verdict: The story goes on to list a whole bunch of other clubs who want to sign the 27-year-old Dutchman, including the likes of Aston Villa and some other, unnamed European sides who could also offer Champions League football. If that’s the case, a move to Leeds won’t seem so attractive - we don’t fancy their chances of getting this deal done at all.