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Joao Palhinha has been in excellent form for Tottenham in the early stages of the new campaign.

The former Fulham midfielder spent last season away from the Premier League, but his performances so far this term have already made it look like he never left.

Tottenham signed Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich earlier in the summer on a season-long deal, and it appears to be one of their best pieces of business from the entire window.

The 30-year-old has already become a key part of Thomas Frank’s midfield, and his experience and energy will be invaluable to Spurs as the season progresses.

This article includes exclusive comment from former Tottenham scout Bryan King.

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Tottenham to trigger £27m option to buy for Joao Palhinha

The deal for Palhinha to join Tottenham includes the option to buy him for £27million at the end of the season, according to Sky Sports.

The Portugal international joined Bayern for a hefty fee of £44m last summer, but the Lilywhites will get the opportunity to land him for significantly less at the end of this campaign.

He has been an inspired addition for the North Londoners so far, and he has already established himself a key component of Frank’s team.

With that in mind, ex-Spurs scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that the N17 outfit have to trigger their option at the first opportunity to keep Palhinha at the club permanently.

“Palhinha is someone that they (Spurs) have to bring in permanently,” King said.

“He’s such a good player, and it’s been a great bit of business to bring him in on loan.

“When you get a loan player, it’s always a case of whether he will settle and fit into the system. Top players can handle these situations, and he certainly has.

“I would imagine that the £27m would be money well spent. I think they’ll try and get that deal done as quickly as possible, to then get another couple of seasons out of him.”

Joao Palhinha deal vital for Spurs given Rodrigo Bentancur situation

The speculation surrounding Rodrigo Bentancur’s future at Tottenham provides even more incentive for them to ensure that they don’t miss out on Palhinha.

The Uruguay international is out of contract at the end of the season, and has been heavily linked with a move to Atletico Madrid, which could result in Spurs losing one of their key men.

Palhinha is far from a carbon copy of Bentancur as a player, but it would be invaluable for Frank and Co. to keep an experienced holding midfielder around if the 28-year-old does decide to leave.

There is no way that the departure of the former Juventus star wouldn’t hurt Spurs, but it would at least soften the blow a little if they could keep hold of Palhinha.

Tottenham will be to build on their impressive start to the season when they face Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Thomas Frank’s side dismantled West Ham 3-0 in the Premier League to make it three wins from four.

Now, Spurs will want to make inroads in the Champions League, with the Yellow Submarine their first opponent in the competition.

Speaking ahead of the clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Frank provided some significant team news involving Randal Kolo Muani.

Thomas Frank confirms Randal Kolo Muani to play vs Villarreal

Spurs have been handed a favourable Champions League draw, with PSG and Borussia Dortmund the two standout opponents.

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Despite a surprise loss to Bournemouth, the Lilywhites can be pleased with the start they have made after defeating Burnley, Man City, and the Hammers.

As for Villarreal, they have also started the campaign in fine fettle, with two wins from four, including a 5-0 win over Girona.

Many Tottenham supporters will have been wondering if Kolo Muani would make his debut for the North London club, and Frank has now spoken.

“Randal Kolo Muani, he’s ready. How many minutes? They can always play more minutes than we think,” Frank said during his pre-match press conference.

“And, of course, if we needed him to play, he could play 90 minutes, but can he play at the intensity, at the level we want? But, he’s ready and he’s involved tomorrow, so that’s the most important thing.”

Thomas Frank confirms Dominic Solanke injury for Tottenham

Solanke has been absent through injury, and as expected, Frank confirmed that the striker will not feature against Villarreal.

“For Dom, he’s taking steps in the right direction, so that’s positive. As you saw that he’s not ready to be involved tomorrow.”

The 28-year-old did feature in the UEFA Super Cup and the opening two days of the Premier League campaign as a substitute.

However, Tottenham fans will have to wait to see him in action as he continues to recover from injury.

Tottenham begin their Champions League campaign against Spanish side Villarreal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday.

Spurs have started the Premier League season brilliantly, winning three of their first four Premier League games.

Tottenham won the Europa League in May, ensuring that they will play Champions League football for the first time since 2022/23.

They take on a Villarreal side that has had a good start to the campaign, but lost 2-0 to Atletico Madrid at the weekend.

Weather forecast for Tottenham vs Villarreal

Ahead of the match, the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Monday due to strong winds.

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Winds could get as strong as 55mph, which is in the “dangerous” region.

The weather is only in place until 6pm on Monday, though, more than 24 hours before Spurs face Villarreal.

Kick off on Tuesday is at 8pm, where the temperature should be around 18 degrees Celsius, so the game does not appear to be under any threat.

Tottenham handed favourable Champions League draw

Tottenham were handed a favourable draw in the Champions League, as they look to finish in the top eight of the league phase.

Spurs face familiar rivals Borussia Dortmund in London, whilst they must also travel to European champions Paris Saint-Germain in what is undoubtedly their trickiest match.

Ties against Bodo/Glimt, Copenhagen and Slavia Prague should be straightforward for Frank’s side.

Tottenham’s league phase fixtures:

Spurs are complete outsiders to win the Champions League, but given their good start to the season, they will prove to be a challenge to whoever they come up against.

Furious Tottenham officials contact Premier League to demand major rule change

Tottenham endured a mixed summer in terms of transfers, but are already making amends on the pitch.

Spurs missed out on Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White as they strived to sign a creative midfielder.

However, Thomas Frank’s side have started superbly in the Premier League, with three wins from their opening four games.

Now, officials at the North London club have contacted the Premier League to demand action because of what happened at the end of the window.

Tottenham want deal sheets scrapped after transfer fiasco

Spurs secured Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani at the end of the window, but it was far from a straightforward deadline day.

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Tottenham agreed a deal with Crystal Palace for Manor Solomon to leave on a season-long loan and even signed a deal sheet, which gave both sides further time to complete the move.

However, the Eagles then withdrew from the loan due to the circumstances surrounding Marc Guehi’s failed switch to Liverpool, which is said to have left officials of the North London club furious.

Indeed, the Lilywhites have suggested to the Premier League that such deal sheets should become a binding document which must be honoured, according to the Daily Mail on 14 September.

However, the publication reports that Spurs are unlikely to succeed in their efforts.

Can Manor Solomon play against Spurs in the Champions League?

Tottenham face Villarreal in their first Champions League clash of the season, with the pair set to meet in North London on Tuesday.

Thomas Frank left Mathys Tel out of his squad for the European competition, with Yves Bissouma, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski also out because of injury.

After a move to Palace collapsed, Solomon ended up joining Villarreal on loan, where he has yet to feature.

However, his debut for the Yellow Submarine could indeed come against his parent club at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It has not been reported that there is any clause in the winger’s contract that prevents him from playing against Spurs.

Despite this revelation, the 26-year-old may not start as he was an unused substitute against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Tottenham have had a strong few months on and off the pitch since Thomas Frank took the reins.

The Lilywhites added eight new signings to their squad in the transfer market, with the likes of Joao Palhinha and Xavi Simons particularly eye-catching additions to their ranks.

Frank has then had Tottenham playing some excellent football in the opening few games of the season, and they have already kept three clean sheets from their first four league outings.

The N17 outfit are flying high in the early-season Premier League table, but they still have clear designs on strengthening their hand even further in January.

Tottenham want deal with Sevilla for ‘special’ Ruben Vargas

Tottenham added Randal Kolo Muani to their attacking ranks on deadline day, and they now have excellent depth in almost every role in the final third.

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However, Frank still doesn’t appear to be satisfied with the options at his disposal, and a move is already being lined up to bring in another new face.

Spurs are keeping tabs on Sevilla winger Ruben Vargas, according to reports from Spanish outlet Fichajes.

The Switzerland international has opened the new La Liga campaign with three assists in as many games, and that has caught the attention of both Tottenham and Aston Villa.

The 27-year-old was branded as “special” by former Chelsea hero Pat Nevin (via BBC Sport) after his side knocked Italy out of Euro 2024, and he could now be on his way to N17 in January.

It is understood that it is looking “increasingly likely” that Vargas will leave Sevilla soon, with a winter sale potentially on the cards for the Spanish giants.

Ruben Vargas signing to spark Wilson Odobert exit

Wilson Odobert has struggled for gametime at Tottenham since Frank has come in, and if another wideman were to come through the door in Vargas, then it would surely have the youngster looking over his shoulder.

Spurs only signed him from Burnley in the summer of 2024, but he may just be one more new addition away from heading out on loan.

He has already been confined to substitute minutes so far this term, so if another player were to be added to the squad in his position, then he would surely need to leave in search of more gametime.

Odobert is a big talent, and Spurs would certainly be reluctant to sell him, so a loan stint elsewhere in the Premier League could prove to be ideal if Vargas does come in.

Tottenham continued their strong start to the season when they beat West Ham on Saturday in their first match since Daniel Levy’s departure.

Lucas Bergvall was among the standouts as Spurs beat West Ham 3-0 at the London Stadium, with Micky van de Ven and Pape Sarr also getting on the scoresheet.

It had looked to be a close affair before the opening 10 minutes of the second half saw Sarr give Thomas Frank’s side the lead, before Tomas Soucek was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Joao Palhinha.

Xavi Simons impressed on his Tottenham debut, with the 22-year-old bagging an assist for the game’s opening goal.

Mohammed Kudus shared a touching moment with the West Ham staff following the game, despite the hostile reception he received from the home fans.

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Gary Lineker gives insight on bombshell Daniel Levy announcement

The football world was rocked when Tottenham announced that Levy would depart from his role as executive chairman.

The days since have brought huge speculation over the ownership of the North London club, but CEO Vinai Venkatesham has since confirmed that the club is not for sale.

Levy, a hugely controversial figure at times, held his position as Chairman of Tottenham for over 24 years.

The businessman had become an enemy of the fans after often failing to properly back the club’s head coaches in the transfer window.

But Levy would say that his thoughts were always with the club’s financial health in mind, with the 63-year-old overseeing the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2019.

Such was the surprise surrounding the announcement, Gary Lineker suggested that even Levy himself was unaware of what was coming in the days leading up to the news.

“I know someone that knows Daniel reasonably well and was chatting with him the day before,” Lineker told The Rest is Football podcast on Monday.

“And I don’t think he had any idea that was coming. He doesn’t believe so (that Levy saw the news coming).

“So it was a bit of a turn-up. Obviously they waited until the transfer window had closed, so time for a change.”

Daniel Levy situation suggests movement behind scenes at Tottenham

Levy’s departure seemed to shock everyone in the footballing world, with the Executive Chairman holding such a pivotal role at Tottenham for so many years.

Suggestions have been made that the decision could be due to pressure from fans, or the embarrassment the club faced on several transfer sagas over the transfer window, but the real reason could go further than that.

Venkatesham appears to be gaining more power at the North London club, and it could be guessed that the former Arsenal man had a direct hand in Levy’s departure.

Mathys Tel only joined Tottenham permanently this summer, but he has already cut a divisive figure.

Tel has endured some torrid moments for Spurs already this season, missing his penalty against PSG before being left out of Thomas Frank’s Champions League squad.

However, Frank gave the Frenchman a rare start when Tottenham dismantled West Ham 3-0 in their latest Premier League outing.

While the forward will be striving to make a positive impact in North London, some regrets over his transfer have already emerged.

This article includes exclusive comments from Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham.

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Tottenham may have Mathys Tel transfer regret

It has already been suggested that Tel could leave Spurs on loan after he was ostracised from Frank’s Champions League squad.

Indeed, despite starting against the Hammers, the North London club might look back and wonder if they should have struck a different deal with Bayern Munich.

Now, Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – has shared his thoughts on Tel.

“Is there a feeling of hindsight that maybe they should have approached Bayern to take him on loan for a second season rather than committing to the purchase?” Wenham said.

“Is there a feeling that the characteristics and style he’s got are quite similar to what we already have in Wilson Odobert, who we’d committed to buy the year before?

“So Tel will have to just knuckle down and work hard now, but obviously, the frustration was there with the level and quality of those finishes for France. And then you watch the disappointing penalty in the Super Cup. It’s frustrating.”

What next for Mathys Tel at Spurs?

The forward started up top for the Lilywhites against West Ham and did little to inspire despite an emphatic team performance.

Tel managed to muster just one blocked shot in 79 minutes and struggled to cause any threat in a rare audition.

In truth, the 20-year-old has looked better out wide, and Frank was experimenting, given the impending Champions League clash with Villarreal.

However, it appears that the Frenchman will find starting opportunities sparse, and he simply must take any chance that comes his way.

Tel may get more opportunities in the domestic cups, but that may not be enough for him to make a telling impact.

Indeed, if he carries on in the same vein, then a loan move could be sanctioned in January.

Ange Postecoglou could already be under pressure at Nottingham Forest before his reign has even properly begun.

The former Tottenham boss was appointed by the East Midlands outfit last week, after controversial owner Evangelos Marinakis made the decision to relieve Nuno Espirito Santo of his duties.

Postecoglou was sacked by Tottenham in surprise circumstances, as a dismal domestic campaign seemingly overshadowed the Europa League success in the eyes of the Spurs board.

His return to Premier League management saw his side beaten 3-0 by Arsenal at the weekend, and the 60-year-old could be about to find himself under scrutiny already.

Ange Postecoglou already 10/1 to be next Premier League sacking

Postecoglou was mocked by Arsenal fans as he took charge of Forest for the first time, as his side were serenaded with a chant of “Are you Tottenham in disguise?” during the latter stages of Saturday’s clash.

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The former Celtic boss has been a divisive figure during his two-year stint in the Premier League, and that is likely to continue to be the case as he takes the reins at Forest.

The Reds are now three games without a win following their opening day victory over Brentford, and the expectation will be that Postecoglou can come in and quickly begin to get the team back to playing their best football.

Forest have one of the most volatile and unpredictable owners in the league in Marinakis, and with that in mind, it will perhaps come as no surprise to Spurs fans that Postecoglou is already the fifth favourite to be the next sacking in the top flight, according to Oddschecker.

He has only been in the job for a matter of days, but he is already valued at 10/1 to be the next Premier League dismissal, with only Graham Potter, Ruben Amorim, Vitor Pereira and Daniel Farke currently sat at shorter odds.

Tottenham have the right man in Thomas Frank

Postecoglou will always be held in high regard by Tottenham’s fans, given that he delivered them the club’s first major trophy in 17 years.

However, the Lilywhites are undoubtedly now better off with Thomas Frank at the helm.

The Dane is a much less abrasive character than his predecessor, and the stability and calming presence that he provides is exactly what is needed in N17 after the last few years.

Throw in the fact that his team already looks to be resolute and well-organised defensively, and there is little to dislike from his reign so far.

Richarlison has made an encouraging start to the new season at Tottenham.

The Brazilian has struggled to find both form and consistency in the three years since his move from Everton, but he has already looked like a different player under Thomas Frank.

Dominic Solanke’s injury has left Spurs short of options in the opening few weeks of the season, and the 28-year-old has certainly taken the opportunity that has been handed to him as a result.

The frontman struck a brace in the opening day win over Burnley, and that has already carried him to the halfway mark of his entire Premier League goal tally from last season.

Richarlison finishes second in MOTD’s August Goal of the Month

Richarlison’s future at Tottenham was looking bleak over the summer, but his resurgence under Frank has opened the door to a potential new contract for him at the end of the season.

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With that in mind, he will be desperate to maintain the form that he has shown in the last few weeks, which started with that impressive display against Burnley.

The former Everton hero opened his team’s account for the new season in just the 10th minute, before notching his second later in the encounter with a stunning scissor kick.

The strike showcased the level of quality that everybody knows he possesses, but he has been largely unable to produce moments of magic like that throughout his time in North London.

Nevertheless, the goal was recognised by Match of the Day, who nominated it for their Goal of the Month award for August.

Richarlison found himself up against some strong competition, and he ultimately finished second in the running, with 21% of viewers backing him with their vote.

He was beaten by Dominik Szoboszlai’s incredible free-kick in Liverpool’s victory over Arsenal, which claimed a huge 44% of the vote.

Richarlison could be a useful option for Tottenham this season

Richarlison’s performances for Tottenham have left a lot to be desired over the years, but Frank has seemed to have got the best out of him so far.

The striker works hard for his team and leads the line well, and if he can remain in confident form, then we could easily see him return to the type of goalscoring record that he enjoyed during his days on Merseyside.

He had three consecutive seasons of over 10 Premier League goals for the Toffees, and that would certainly be a welcome return for Spurs if he could achieve that again, especially given the additional quality that they have elsewhere.

The challenge for Richarlison will now be for him to maintain this start over the whole season, and if he can manage that, then he may well have resurrected his Spurs career.

Tottenham are preparing for their return to Champions League action on Tuesday night.

The Lilywhites haven’t played in Europe’s premier club competition since the 2022/23 season, and they will be hoping to get off to a good start against Villarreal.

Spurs have started well in the Premier League, and that has added to the largely positive feel that has been present since Thomas Frank’s arrival at the start of the summer.

The Lilywhites have shown plenty of encouraging signs so far this term, but they may now have a problem on their hands.

Tottenham loanee Alejo Veliz suffers suspected dislocated collarbone

Tottenham chose to loan out Alejo Veliz once again this summer, and the Argentine youngster has headed back to his homeland with Rosario Central.

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He has already made eight appearances for his boyhood club this term, and found the back of the net in a recent draw with Deportivo Riestra.

However, he now appears to be facing a lengthy period on the sidelines as he was pictured wearing a sling while leaving the stadium after Sunday’s clash with Boca Juniors, according to La Capital.

The 21-year-old was forced off in the 42nd minute of the encounter, but was then the last of his teammates to leave the ground, when he was stopped by fans who wanted to take photos with him.

Veliz is set to undergo scans on Monday to try and highlight the true extent of the problem, but La Capital add that “everything suggests a dislocation of the right collarbone.”

Spurs may consider recalling Alejo Veliz

Veliz may have only left Tottenham in July for this loan spell, but they could already have a decision to make over his future.

The forward has felt like the forgotten man in N17 at times due to the number of loan stints he has had in recent years, but the Lilywhites still have a duty to look after him physically and ensure that he gets the best possible treatment.

With that in mind, it would be no surprise to see them opt to recall the youngster from his loan if the injury is as serious as first thought.

That would likely be a last resort for Spurs, but the news of his issue is sure to have caused concern at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and they may now have a decision on their hands as to how they choose to handle the situation.