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Tottenham Hotspur could look to another Premier League star to replace Micky van de Ven

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Tottenham Hotspur are hoping to avoid a catastrophic relegation this season ahead of the opportunity to rebuild over the summer for a new era.

The north London club reportedly dream of the return of former manager Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently the USA national team manager and might consider a return to his former club even if they are relegated, as per GiveMeSport. But to remain a Premier League club next summer is critical on many levels, not least to aid Spurs’ transfer business. Major exits might be in the offing either way but the level of squad clear-out that the club could be forced into if things do not go to plan could reach unprecedented heights.

Star defender Micky van de Ven has been linked with a summer transfer exit for some time and Spurs might be forced to search for a replacement for the 24-year-old, which will prove a difficult task.

Spurs should sign Van de Ven’s Netherlands team-mate as perfect successor

If Van de Ven were to depart the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer, Spurs should look to his Netherlands international team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke and attempt to lure the centre-back away from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 25-year-old is approaching the final year of his deal and the Seagulls might be forced into a sale this summer as a result, amidst reports that he has already rejected contract extension approaches from the south coast outfit. A club with Brighton’s sustainable business plan on the transfer market is unlikely to allow one of their prize assets run down his deal and could make a huge profit on a player they signed for just £3m in 2020.

Reports by TEAMtalk in December stated that Tottenham were ‘primed’ to secure a move for Van Hecke, while Brighton retain hope that their defensive ‘leader’ will sign a new deal at the club. It might cost Spurs or other interested parties as much as £40m to prise Van Hecke away from the Amex, as per the report, with the north Londoners linked for the last couple of transfer windows.

Van Hecke would be ideal for Spurs amid Van de Ven to Barcelona links

Former NAC Breda defender Van Hecke has become a reliable performer in the Premier League and would adequately replace many of the qualities Spurs would be missing without Van de Ven. Amongst these is his ability to contribute with goals at the other end, registering three goals and two assists this term, while he boasts the highest average rating in the Albion squad this season with 6.96 according to WhoScored.

He would certainly be missed at his current employers, but the Seagulls are experienced at replacing their star men and would hope to so again if he can be convinced of a move to north London this summer – which could be a difficult task as things stand, but the arrival of Pochettino could change that.

As for Van de Ven, the Spurs defender might already have his heart set on departing this summer. Latest reports by Sport in Spain state that Barcelona are considering a move for the 24-year-old, who is said to be ‘desperate to move’ as per the report. He could be available for a cut-price fee of less than £55m, Barca club chiefs feel, with Liverpool and Real Madrid also holding a long-standing interest.

Tottenham Hotspur could face competition for a key transfer target this summer.

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Tottenham Hotspur have ten matches to save their Premier League status and avoid one of the most catastrophic relegations from any division in the modern era.

The north London side are yet to win a Premier League match in 2026 and are slipping ever closer to the bottom three, with a run of four consecutive defeats which has not been halted by new interim head coach Igor Tudor, who has seen London derby defeats to Arsenal and Fulham since he took over from former boss Thomas Frank.

Regardless of which division Spurs find themselves next season, a major rebuild is needed to revitalise an injury-ravaged squad. Whole-sale change is needed both on and off the pitch to stop the rot and prevent the club from turning a two-year domestic blip into a new reality.

An early transfer target has emerged as Spurs continue to scout players from a range of positions ahead of the summer.

Serie A star to complete massive Spurs switch this summer?

As per reports by Sport Witness, Tottenham have ‘initiated transfer contact’ over a move for midfielder Nicolo Fagioli of Fiorentina, who has emerged as a key player for the Serie A side and attracted Premier League interest in the process, with a big move ‘overdue’.

The 25-year-old joined on an initial loan deal in February 2025 which was made permanent over the summer, departing Juventus after a decade on the books at the Old Lady. The deep-lying midfielder has since made 52 appearances for Fiorentina, scoring four goals, and is a seven-cap Italy international.

Tuttomercatoweb in Italy report that the player is attracting interest in England, but Spurs could have competition – as Newcastle United are also thought to be considering a move for the midfielder. The two clubs have made ‘exploratory contact’ for Fagioli, and his future is ‘up in the air’ as reports of a summer move intensify.

Would Spurs or Newcastle be the right move for Fagioli?

Tottenham have seen intense injury issues in midfield in recent months, with key players such as Lucas Bergvall, Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski all out injured and limiting the options available to Tudor.

Fagioli is viewed as a versatile profile capable of both providing defensive cover in holding midfield or playing further forward in the No.8 and helping his team from an attacking standpoint. Spurs have few such profiles in their squad at present and might view Fagioli as a valuable addition, particularly if some of their current players look to move on for a fresh start in the summer.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have a strong midfield unit under Eddie Howe but have seen issues arise after a recent injury to captain and star man Bruno Guimaraes, without whom they still have yet to win in the Premier League, four years on from his arrival at St. James’ Park. Sandro Tonali has been heavily linked with a summer move away and so a new midfielder might be high up on the list of priorities for the Magpies at the end of the season.

It will make for interesting viewing where Fagioli ends up next, as two of the Premier League’s current six participants in the Champions League last 16 go head-to-head for the signature of a star whose stocks are set to rise even further over the coming months.

A round-up of the biggest new Premier League transfer rumours from the past 24 hours.

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Another day of gossip has been and gone, and that means that it’s time for 3 Added Minutes’ regular morning round-up of the biggest Premier League transfer rumours which you might have missed over the past 24 hours – starting with a story involving Arsenal and Liverpool.

Caught Offside claim that the two top-flight clubs are “involved in [an] intense competition” over Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, whose name is “circulating among Europe’s elite” off the back of another strong season at the San Siro.

Arsenal and Liverpool have both “explored his situation,” apparently, and they will have learned that Inter would “only entertain offers between €90-100m” – that’s up to £87m. That could easily make the 26-year-old the most expensive defender of all time.

Apparently both Manchester City and Chelsea are also taking a look at Bastoni but “appear more cautious,” perhaps because of the colossal price tag, while Barcelona also “admire” him – not that there seems to be much chance that they can afford €100m given their financial issues.

The 3AM Verdict: This story has really done the rounds over the past day or two, but we think that it’s all very speculative for now – we struggle to see Arsenal, in particular, spending that much on a centre-back this summer. We don’t doubt that sides of this calibre are casting an eye over Bastoni, but we’re a long way from the point at which a deal is actually likely.

Fulham offer Spurs striker ‘escape route’

Let’s head over to Football Insider now, for a cross-capital story which suggests that Fulham could offer Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison an “escape route” this summer, with Marco Silva apparently interested in reuniting with a player he managed at both Everton and Watford.

The report suggests that a very friendly chat and hug between Silva and Richarlison following the final whistle of the recent game between Fulham and Spurs was a “hint” of a future bid, with the Brazilian “a likely candidate to be sold” heading into the summer. Apparently Silva will “surely” want his side to launch a bid if he extends his stay at Craven Cottage past the end of the season.

There is no indication that any talks have taken place, nor any word on the kind of transfer fee which Spurs might demand for their leading goalscorer. It’s also mentioned that Crystal Palace have demonstrated interest as well, but that thought isn’t expanded upon.

The 3AM Verdict: This is an entirely specious report spun out from a quick hug and a chat between two former colleagues at the end of a game. There is no evidence that a deal is likely or even under discussion at any level. Ignore this rumour – it’s not necessarily implausible, but there is absolutely nothing to substantiate it whatsoever.

Chelsea boss ‘fighting’ to keep striker amid Everton & Bournemouth interest

Let’s round things off with a story from Sports Boom which states that Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior is “fighting” to persuade his club’s transfer team not to sell striker Liam Delap this summer – with Everton and Bournemouth both said to be keen to sign the 23-year-old forward.

Delap’s future at Stamford Bridge is “shrouded in doubt” following a disappointing debut campaign, but Rosenior will apparently “plead” with his bosses to keep him, having presumably been impressed by the former Ipswich man since taking over from Enzo Maresca.

Financial pressures caused by their record-breaking losses could encourage a sale, it’s suggested, with Bournemouth “monitoring” Delap and Everton briefly mentioned as potential suitors as well. There’s no word on how much money it might take for either side to get hold of him.

The 3AM Verdict: To be honest, this is another story which is rather light on detail, especially when it comes to Everton and Bournemouth’s alleged interest. Delap has shown a few sparks of life since Rosenior’s arrival, however, so perhaps the new manager is keen to see what his striker can do before he’s sold – but Chelsea’s business model means that they’re seldom afraid to get rid of a player quickly if he’s deemed to be below par.

Spurs have a number of issues that they need to resolve in the summer transfer market - and signing a new goalkeeper could be one of them.

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One would need to have plenty of time on their hands to list all of the issues which Tottenham Hotspur need to deal with this summer – they have an uneven playing squad full of potential holes, for starters, and need to find a permanent manager to take over from Igor Tudor. Assuming they survive relegation, Spurs are likely to be rather busy once the season is over.

Some of their concerns have already attracted plenty of attention. They have a midfield in dire need of a rebuild, for instance, and likely need to find some reinforcements in defence with the futures of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero up in the air – but one problem which hasn’t been discussed as often as it might have been is the one they have between the goalposts.

Why Spurs may need to find a new goalkeeper in the transfer window

When Guglielmo Vicario first arrived in North London, he looked likely to be a player who would offer a long-term fix between the sticks – but the Italian’s form has declined in the last two seasons, and rumours in Italy are increasingly linking him with a move back to his home country.

Both Inter Milan and Juventus are supposedly interested in signing the 29-year-old, and Vicario himself is allegedly open to a move. That’s both a problem and a potential solution for Spurs, creating an area of need while opening up the opportunity to upgrade in a key position.

Based on the xG model, Vicario has allowed two goals more than he ‘should’ have this season, a record which makes him just the 18th most effective shot stopper in the Premier League by that particular standard – while his save percentage of just 64% is undeniably sub-par. For every fine save he makes, and there are many of them on the highlight reel, he lets one through that he perhaps should not have done.

Throw in a concerning propensity towards mistakes, especially in crowded penalty boxes, and there is a strong case to made in favour of letting Vicario head back to Serie A and finding a replacement. Fortunately for Spurs, this may not be the worst summer in which to go shopping for a new stopper.

The £50m goalkeeper who could offer Spurs a solution

A few names have already cropped up in dispatches as potential targets for Spurs, even if we’re at the stage of the season when most transfer rumours are often gossip rather than solid, carefully-sourced stories.

James Trafford, exiled to the bench at Manchester City by the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma, is the gambler’s option, a player of unquestioned potential who remains largely unproven at the highest level. Sunderland’s impressive Robin Roefs is another, although there is likely to be a bidding war if he does become available this summer.

A player who could be both obtainable and proven, however, is Brighton & Hove Albion’s Bart Verbruggen. The Dutchman has been a consistently impressive player since arriving in the Premier League and now, with just two years left on his deal at the Amex Stadium, is reaching a point at which his club must either extend his contract or sell to extract maximum value in the transfer market.

A few reports – again, little more than gossip at this stage – suggest that £50m might be enough to sign him, a steep price for a goalkeeper but not beyond Spurs’ means if they sell Vicario for half of that or more.

His production this season has also been considerably more impressive than Vicario’s. He boasts a respectable 69% save rate so far, bolstered by a fine performance in last weekend’s 2-0 win at Brentford, and is credited with preventing 1.64 goals compared to the xG he has faced, putting him inside the league’s Top 10 – and few of those above him are plausible transfer targets, save perhaps for Robert Sánchez, another goalkeeper whose errors have drawn unwanted attention.

Verbruggen is also comfortable with the ball at his feet and provides a strong base for possession, although his long-range distribution isn’t elite by Premier League standards, so he may not suit a coach who prefers a direct, counter-attacking style, but that aside he represents a player who is likely to be available at fair value for money, who is a proven, reliable performer at the top level, and who was many years left in the tank. There may be other overseas options who catch the eye when the time comes, but Verbruggen should, at least, be somewhere on the shortlist.

A round-up of the latest Premier League transfer rumours, with news from Chelsea, Brighton, Spurs, Newcastle and more.

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Another day of transfer stories is in the books, and that means that it’s time for 3 Added Minutes’ regular morning round-up of the biggest and strangest Premier League transfer rumours that you might have missed over the past 24 hours – starting with a story involving Chelsea and several other top-flight teams.

According to TeamTalk, the Blues are among several sides “showing interest” in Ecuadorian “sensation” Patrik Mercado, a 22-year-old midfielder currently at Moisés Caicedo’s former club Independiente del Valle.

The youngster’s form means plenty of clubs are taking notice, with Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth and Fulham all said to have “registered their interest” alongside several clubs from Europe and Brazil. Mercado is “set to be on the move this summer” after the World Cup, it’s said, with the three-cap international likely to be a part of Ecuador’s side.

There’s no word yet on how much Independiente del Valle might want for Mercado’s services, but it’s suggested that many of the clubs in the running could make formal offers “in the coming weeks.” Apparently Chelsea would likely send him to sister club RC Strasbourg at first, should they be the winning bidders.

The 3AM Verdict: Mercado is a tremendously talented player whose stock is rising rather rapidly and a good World Cup could easily see his price tag become rather hefty – and we wouldn’t be shocked to see any of these sides mentioned in the bidding when the times comes. Chelsea are always keen to find their next big thing, after all, and this is the kind of deal which matches their business model.

Spurs building shortlist to replace Vicario this summer

Over to struggling Tottenham Hotspur now, who seem set to move on from first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario this summer if another report from TeamTalk can be believed – and they’ve already put together a list of potential replacements.

Apparently Juventus are “prepared to meet the asking price” for Vicario, with Spurs set to demand up to €30m (£26m), while Inter Milan could make a move too. Supposedly Vicario has a “desire” to return to his home country, and isn’t expected to stand in the way of such a move.

All that means that Spurs are looking for alternatives, and have identified three possible new signings: Manchester City’s James Trafford, Sunderland’s Robin Roefs, and Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen. Apparently there is “no clear favourite” as yet, with all three potential targets.

The 3AM Verdict: None of those seem unfeasible, assuming that Spurs manage to stay in the Premier League at least. We’re certainly seeing more and more noise about Vicario leaving this summer, and this report brings in multiple Italian sources as corroboration. We think the alleged shortlist of replacements is speculative, but Vicario leaving looks quite likely.

Newcastle and Fulham ‘in mix’ to sign Liverpool target

Let’s finish up with a story from Sport Witness (via Corriere dello Sport) which claims that both Newcastle and Fulham are “in [the] mix” to sign AS Roman full-back Zeki Çelik – not long after reports suggested that Liverpool were also interested in getting their hands on the 29-year-old.

Although the Turk remains a key player for Roma, negotiations over a new contract have hit a dead end with Çelik apparently looking for wages which the Italian outfit aren’t prepared to meet, but which could be within a Premier League side’s wheelhouse. He’s available on a free transfer come July, hence the widespread interest.

Little evidence is provided for Newcastle or Fulham’s alleged interest, and nor is there any suggestion that either side has offered him a contract, as they are able to do now that he is in the last few months of his current deal.

The 3AM Verdict: We’re seeing growing speculation surrounding Çelik and while we do believe that he’ll be on the move this summer, we suspect that a lot of the links really are more speculation than anything solid – and we haven’t seen any firm evidence to suggest that either Newcastle or Fulham will be in the mix, not that it’s especially improbable. One to wait and see with, as it stands.

Tottenham Hotspur may have a disappointing summer transfer window ahead - according to an intriguing prediction.

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Between Tottenham Hotspur’s difficult season and their strong financial position, few would expect the club to be quiet during the summer transfer window. This is a team in need of a rebuild and with the funds to make it happen.

That said, most pundits expected them to be busy in January, too, and in the end they really didn’t make much of a splash – much to the chagrin of Cristian Romero, who publicly criticised the lack of movement, and perhaps of Thomas Frank, too, given that he wasn’t given the reinforcements required to help him save his job.

Will Spurs actually spend freely in the summer, then, or will they once again prioritise young talent, a policy which Ange Postecoglou took umbrage with in a recent interview? Well, we don’t have a crystal ball but we do have the next best thing – Football Manager 2026. We decided to send the game a few months into the future to find out whether the world’s most accurate football simulation reckons that Spurs will go big in the summer or not…

Spurs sign Juventus and Napoli stars this summer – according to Football Manager

If Spurs fans are hoping for their side to make a bold statement in the coming transfer window, then they’d better hope that Football Manager has it all wrong – Spurs went shopping for bargains and youngsters in our save.

Not that a couple of the four deals done – yes, just four – don’t look relatively astute. Our virtual Spurs snapped up Juventus winger Edon Zhegrova from Juventus, for instance, on a loan-to-buy deal worth just £9.5m. Quick and tricksy, it’s hard to argue that the Kosovan wouldn’t represent good value for money.

More was spent on Napoli defender Sam Beukema, with the 27-year-old centre-back setting Spurs back £26m. Not a flashy signing, perhaps, but a very respectable rotational player if the stats accurately represent his ability.

Elsewhere, FC København right-back Rodrigo Huescas was signed for £16m to back up Pedro Porro, although it doesn’t look like the Portuguese’s starting place is in too much danger, while they also spent £2.9m to sign St. Patrick’s Athletic youngster Mason Melia. The young striker is a developmental prospect but has a dash of pace which makes him look like a good budget buy for the future.

In reality, though, it’s fair to say that most fans would see this as a pretty disappointing window, with the Spurs side largely looking much the same as it did before. We’d expect the knives to be out for the owners if this ended up being the sum total of their business in real life, however.

£77m made in sales as Spurs turn transfer window profit

Say what you like about this simulated transfer window, there’s no doubt that Spurs are being run as a pretty efficient business in our save – despite all the players the club need in real life, they actually turn a comfortable in this virtual summer.

Kevin Danso heads off to Atlético Madrid for £26.5m, making the deal to sign Beukema a break-even proposition, but the real money-spinner turns out to be the sale of young winger Mathys Tel – in our game, Manchester United take a chance on his potential to the tune of £45m. A year ago, that might have felt quite realistic.

Elsewhere, youngster George Abbott joined Fulham for £5.5m and veteran defender Ben Davies heads to relegated Burnley on loan alongside young centre-back Ashley Phillips – a move which would cause fans of Phillips’ former club Blackburn Rovers to seethe. Phillips might ask to be head to a different side, but otherwise the less headline-worthy deals of this virtual window do seem like the most realistic.

Ultimately, this isn’t the kind of prediction Spurs fans will appreciate, and we’d expect Football Manager to have underestimated the kind of work that the team needs to do over the coming summer. But then again, we thought that the club would sign more players this winter, too…

Tottenham may have a battle on their hands to hold onto a key first-team star this summer.

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The future of Tottenham Hotspur appears as uncertain as that of any club in the Premier League at present, with the north London outfit just five points outside the bottom three and having endured a worrying slide down the Premier League table which led to the sacking of Thomas Frank.

Igor Tudor has arrived as the club’s head coach until the end of the season and is tasked with preventing Spurs from suffering arguably the most disastrous relegation in Premier League history. In terms of the size of club, at least, with the recent ‘big six’ appearing unbreakable until Spurs’ slide over the past two seasons.

If the unthinkable happens – or even if it doesn’t, but Spurs finish 15th and crash out of the Champions League – question marks will lie over the futures of several of the club’s biggest stars in the summer. Micky van de Ven has been linked with a move away, with Liverpool believed to be interested. Latest reports reveal that he is not the only Spurs star on the Reds’ radar.

Liverpool and Aston Villa could launch swoop for Lucas Bergvall

Reports by TEAMtalk state that Liverpool are ‘poised’ to join Aston Villa in the race for Lucas Bergvall, with both clubs thought to be monitoring the Swede’s situation amidst uncertainty in north London.

Villa are keeping a ‘close eye’ on the player and are reportedly ready to test Tottenham’s resolve with an offer for the 20-year-old midfielder, earmarked as one of the brightest prospects at Spurs. Unai Emery’s side are long-term admirers and reportedly made a surprise approach in January, which was swiftly knocked back. The move might appear more attractive in the summer, though, if Villa secure Champions League football and Spurs’ own league position leads to financial questions.

The stance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium thus far has been ‘clear in that he is not for sale’. But Villa and Liverpool appear to be ready to make a move despite this, with the Lilywhites set to demand a high-ball fee to deter suitors.

Bergvall a star of the present and future - but will it be at Spurs?

Six-cap Sweden international Bergvall signed for Spurs for a reported £8.5m from Djurgarden in 2024, featuring 45 times in his first season in England and winning Supporters’ Player of the Year as the north Londoners secured Europa League glory.

He has only featured 26 times this term, though, currently out with an ankle injury which is expected to keep him side-lined for a further six weeks. He was also often played out of position by former boss Frank, meaning his rapid development has stalled somewhat.

Tottenham view Bergvall as one of the top talents in Europe, something which has also been noted by Liverpool and Aston Villa. While Emery’s side might view the Sweden gem as the future of their midfield alongside experienced players such as John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Douglas Luiz, Liverpool are constantly scouring the market for young players capable of stepping up and aiding the Reds in their quest to take back the Premier League title in the coming seasons.

Either destination offers its clear advantages and is arguably a more attractive proposition at present than the circus going on at Spurs. Bergvall evidently has supreme talent and might be best-placed to realise it elsewhere – though the Lilywhites will certainly make it difficult for the midfielder to be prised away from their grasp.

The latest Premier League transfer rumours rounded up - with news from Manchester United, Liverpool, Spurs, Fulham and more.

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While it may be a some time before clubs can buy and sell players again, the rumour mill isn’t taking a break – and with top-flight sides busy working on their plans for the next window, we’re back with our regular round-up of the biggest and wildest new Premier League transfer rumours, starting with a surprising story involving both Manchester United and Liverpool.

According to The Daily Mirror, United are “weighing up” a move for Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, with the Argentine added to the Red Devils’ list of potential midfield targets ahead of the summer.

United remain interested in Elliot Anderson, Carlos Beleba and Adam Wharton, but are also considering Mac Allister amid “mounting” speculation that he could leave at the end of a difficult season for the former Brighton & Hove Albion man, who moved to Anfield for a reported £55m in 2023.

No player has moved directly between Manchester United and Liverpool since 1964 and the report admits that it would be a “huge task” for United to secure such a deal, with Liverpool’s view on Mac Allister’s future unknown. There is no suggestion that any discussions have taken place about a move, or any word on whether the player would even be open to it.

The 3AM Verdict: This is a very speculative article indeed with no details which suggest that a deal is remotely likely – at best, Mac Allister is just one name on a lengthy list of transfer candidates to be considered only if a deal becomes viable down the line. We would be surprised, to say the least, if he moved to Old Trafford this year.

Tottenham Hotspur ‘on the hunt’ for former Newcastle defender

Over to a story from TeamTalk now which alleges that Tottenham Hotspur are “on the hunt” for a former Newcastle and Bournemouth defender – Lloyd Kelly, who has established himself as a regular starter for Juventus since moving to Turin a little over a year ago.

With the future of both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven in doubt, Spurs are said to be among multiple Premier League sides tracking Kelly, with Chelsea and Liverpool also mentioned as potential destinations for the 27-year-old, whose value appears to have rocketed since a disappointing spell at St. James’ Park.

Kelly’s asking price is now said to be “more than double” what it cost Juventus to sign him, with an Italian media source speculating that he would cost up to €50m (£43.5m). He doesn’t seem to be Spurs’ only defensive target, either – Caught Offside reckon that they’re also looking at Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rüdiger, who is set to be available on a free transfer at the end of June.

The 3AM Verdict: As with the Mac Allister story, what we’re really seeing is hints of the process of a shortlist being put together – Spurs may well be interested in Kelly, but he could just as easily end up being way down a lengthy list of targets. They’d certainly need to spend big, too, with Kelly going rather well with the Old Lady. A maybe.

Liverpool ‘send scouts’ to watch Fulham star

Let’s wrap things up for today with a story from Football Insider which claims that Liverpool have “sent scouts” to watch Fulham forward Kevin, with the Reds’ representatives apparently having been watching the Brazilian since November.

Kevin, who only signed for Fulham last summer in a £34.5m move, is said to be “catching the eyes” of elite sides, although Liverpool are the only team mentioned by name in the story.

It’s said that Fulham, for their part, “will certainly not let him go for a cut price” – although there is no suggestion that an asking price has been established, or indeed that any enquiries have been made, but apparently the Cottagers believe it will “not be long until the bids start coming in.”

The 3AM Verdict: There’s no detail at all here, and indeed nothing other than complete speculation that bigger sides might be interested because Kevin has found some form. Perhaps Liverpool have watched him, but we’ve not seen or heard anything to suggest that there is serious interest there as yet. A non-story, in our opinion.

Could London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham do battle for a top defensive signing this summer?

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Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are likely to have different targets this summer but could go head-to-head over a transfer involving European giants Bayern Munich if a move becomes a possibility come the end of the season.

The Blues have started strongly under Liam Rosenior with eight wins in 11 matches in all competitions, a run which has seen the former Strasbourg boss tested across four different fronts already.

Tottenham, meanwhile, look dangerously close to a relegation battle at present and unlike last season, the fear is real this time with the likes of West Ham United, Leeds and Nottingham Forest fighting for their lives. Spurs have new head coach Igor Tudor at the helm until the end of the season and it will prove a challenging task for the former Juventus boss on his first time managing in England, amidst significant injury issues. If Spurs stay up come the end of the season – which currently is far from guaranteed – they may battle with their Stamford Bridge rivals for a crucial acquisition.

Chelsea & Tottenham Hotspur prepare to swoop for Kim Min-Jae this summer

Strengthening in defence is a crucial task for both Chelsea and Spurs this summer and according to reports, Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-Jae could be at the top of the list for both London clubs as they look to sign an experienced top-level player in the position.

Kim started and was a stand-out performer in Bayern’s 3-0 Bundesliga victory over Werder Bremen on Saturday but has found first-team minutes hard to come by under Vincent Kompany. Bayern insider Christian Falk told CFBayern that both Chelsea and Tottenham have ‘shown interest’ in Kim and have the South Korea centre-back on their shortlist. He has also previously been linked with Liverpool.

The 29-year-old is the most expensive Asian player in history after signing for Bayern from Napoli for £43m in 2023, having been an irreplaceable pillar in winning the Scudetto in his final campaign in Italy. But Kim is often third choice centre-back behind Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah at the back for Bayern, making 10 Bundesliga starts this season and just two in the Champions League.

Kim signing could be decisive - for both interested clubs

Chelsea are in need of an experienced head at the back, something that they have lacked since Thiago Silva departed the club in 2024. At 29, Kim would become the oldest player in the Blues’ squad at present and boasting league title wins in Italy, Germany and his native South Korea, certainly has the nous to get over the line under pressure which many members of the Blues’ youthful squad currently lack.

Spurs, meanwhile, boast a strong central defensive partnership in the shape of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero but retain fears of losing one of their star defenders in the near future. Their depth beyond the pair can be questioned and Kim would arrive as a first-team ready defender who is more than capable of stepping in to become first choice at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - while it goes without saying the success which fellow South Korean star Son Heung-min had at the club, both on the pitch but also drawing in legions of fans from his homeland.

Kim is not believed to be pushing for a move at present but if the right opportunity were to arrive and Bayern receive the right bid, it is more than possible that we will see the 29-year-old lining up in the Premier League in London come August. For which London club, remains to be seen.

The latest Spurs injury news and return dates ahead of their Premier League clash with old rivals Arsenal.

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Newly-installed interim manager Igor Tudor will be given a baptism of fire at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend – his first game in charge will be a North London Derby, and one made even more challenging by an astonishing list of injuries to key players.

Winger Wilson Odobert became the latest first-team player to sustain a serious injury last week when he was hurt during the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United which ultimately cost Thomas Frank his job, and the Frenchman is just one of 13 players who are either out or doubts for Sunday’s game against old foes Arsenal.

The good news is that some important players, including Pedro Porro and Richarlison, could be in line for a return – so with kick-off not far away, we’ve collected all of the latest Spurs injury news below along with the stricken players’ expected return dates when available.

Could Pedro Porro or Richarlison be available to face Arsenal?

Of the players with a chance of making it back to full health in time for the North London Derby, right-back Pedro Porro would perhaps be the most important. The Portuguese defender has missed Spurs’ last four matches with a hamstring injury sustained during the 2-2 draw with Burnley, but stands a chance of facing Arsenal.

Thomas Frank gave the Arsenal match as Porro’s target date before he left the club, saying that it was a “dream scenario” but that it “could happen.” There have not been any further updates on Porro’s condition since Frank was fired last week, meaning that he remains a doubt for the game as it stands.

When Tudor does provide an update on the many injuries he has inherited later this week, it will also be hoped that he has good news about leading goalscorer Richarlison, who also has a hamstring issue and hopes of playing in the derby.

As with Porro, it remains to be seen whether he will make it back to full fitness in time, but has every chance assuming he comes through training unscathed this week. As it stands, there have been no reports suggesting that January signing Conor Gallagher will be out despite appearing to sustain a knock against Newcastle last week. The England midfielder has reportedly never missed a professional match through injury.

How long will Spurs’ Wilson Odobert be out for?

Sadly, another player who sustained an injury against Newcastle will certainly be unavailable – young winger Wilson Odobert ruptured the ACL in his left knee and will undergo surgery before a lengthy lay-off. It’s far too early for a return date to be pencilled in, but he may not play again in 2026.

He becomes the third Spurs player to be ruled out by a serious knee injury, with James Maddison – another ACL victim – likely to be miss the rest of the season while significant setbacks in Dejan Kulusevski’s recovery means that he too could be out many more months. Before departing, Frank said of the Swede that he didn’t know whether he would play this season after initially being pegged for a Christmas comeback.

Other absentees include Mohammed Kudus, who is expected back at the end of March following a thigh injury, and Rodrigo Bentancur, who may miss the rest of the season with a hamstring problem.

Meanwhile, young midfielder Lucas Bergvall and veteran defender Ben Davies both have ankle injuries which will sideline them until mid-April, and elsewhere in defence Destiny Udogie (hamstring) and Kevin Danso (toe) will both be targeting a mid-March comeback. Spurs will also have to get by without Cristian Romero, who is suspended following his red card against Manchester United.