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Tottenham have been told that they will need to pay an excessive transfer fee to sign Igor Thiago from Brentford in January.

The Bees frontman is among the top scorers in the Premier League at the 10-game mark, with Erling Haaland the only man to better his tally of six league strikes so far in 2025-26.

Thiago has quickly attracted attention from Tottenham ahead of the January window, with Thomas Frank keen to reunite with one of his former stars.

The Dane has made the 24-year-old one of the main priorities for his side this winter, and progress is already being made towards a deal.

Igor Thiago deal won’t come cheaply for Tottenham as contact made

Tottenham have already made contact with Brentford about the possibility of a deal to sign Thiago in January.

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Reports in Brazil have indicated that the Lilywhites have lodged an enquiry over the availability of the former Club Brugge star, with Newcastle also in a similar position.

Frank was still at the helm at Brentford when they signed Thiago for £30million in the summer of 2024, but was unable to use the frontman much due to injury issues last season.

Ex-Spurs scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that the player’s form will have created an awkward situation for the N17 outfit to try and strike a deal in January.

“If you look at Tottenham’s centre forward hunt, they missed out on Mbeumo in the summer,” King said.

“Now Spurs are going for another striker from Brentford in Thiago. Unless the offer is right, with him signing for Brentford for £30m, they will want to get a similar amount of money as they did for Mbuemo.

“Because, why should they sell their centre forward halfway through the season. If Spurs want him, they’ll have to pay well over the odds for him.”

Igor Thiago’s conversion rate is fantastic

Richarlison’s inconsistency has continued at Tottenham this season, and it is no surprise that they are keen to upgrade at the top of the pitch this winter.

Thiago has only played a handful of games in the Premier League, but he has already proven himself to be a hugely dangerous finisher.

The Brazilian boasts an impressive conversion rate of 27 per cent across the opening 10 games of the league season (Sofascore), by comparison, Richarlison’s stands at just 19 per cent.

That gets even more impressive when you compare it to Dominic Solanke’s performance from last term, when he converted chances at a rate of just 15 per cent.

Several players have left Brentford and gone on to have major success in recent years, and Thiago could well be the next. But it is now up to Spurs to decide whether they are willing to pay a premium for him.

Thomas Frank has been urged to start Joao Palhinha when Tottenham face Manchester United on Saturday.

Tottenham will face Man United in the Premier League after an impressive 4-0 win over Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League on 4 November.

While Xavi Simons was the Man of the Match for Tottenham, Rodrigo Bentancur was excellent in the midfield.

However, starting both Bentancur and Palhinha in the midfield could be a disaster, as it has been in several games this season.

Tottenham need to be more attacking vs Man United

Palhinha netted in Tottenham’s victory over Copenhagen in what was an excellent cameo from the defensive midfielder.

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As a result, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Tottenham expert and Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham believes that if Frank has to start one of Bentancur or Palhinha against United, it should be the latter.

“We went in there, just Bentancur as the lone CDM, and he was fantastic as well,” Wenham said.

“So I think for the Man United home game, we have to continue with the single pivot. I would rather see Palhinha in there than Bentancur.

“I don’t think Bentancur plays badly, but Palhinha is an outstanding player.

“So I’d like to see something like Palhinha, Pape Matar Sarr and then Xavi Simons as the three against United.

“If it were at Old Trafford, I’d be completely with Frank and going with Bentancur and Palhinha, but I just think for the home games we need to be more attacking, we need to get on the front foot.

“We need to change something because it hasn’t worked at home so far. The record is abysmal compared to how outstanding it is away from home. So something needs to change.”

Thomas Frank will be tempted to play more defensively against United

Tottenham fans have been craving to see their team play with greater attacking intensity, and their prayers were answered against Copenhagen.

However, a game against United in the Premier League is likely to be a more competitive game.

Indeed, players like Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha can harm Spurs in several ways. As a result, it would be unsurprising to see both Palhinha and Bentancur start for more defensive stability.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has hinted that Mohammed Kudus could still feature against Manchester United.

The Ghana international was absent last time around as Tottenham secured a 4-0 win over Copenhagen in the Champions League.

Xavi Simons came in for Tottenham and grabbed an assist despite putting in yet another frustrating performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Lilywhites will be hopeful of welcoming back their summer signing from West Ham as Tottenham prepare to host Man United on Saturday.

Frank has now revealed via his press conference on 7 November that Kudus’ chances of making the squad against Ruben Amorim’s side are uncertain.

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He said: “Yes, everyone came through [the game] well. The ones that had been out for a small spell, Cuti [Cristian Romero] and Dest [Destiny Udogie], responded well. Kudus is touch and go for tomorrow.“

Mohammed Kudus could transform Tottenham

Brennan Johnson was sent off against Copenhagen as he was handed a direct opportunity to replace the Ghanaian in the starting 11.

The 24-year-old may have blown his chance, despite getting on the scoresheet, especially if Kudus makes his return against the Red Devils.

The former Ajax man may have only missed one game for the Lilywhites, but he would be a big miss if he were absent in the upcoming Premier League clash.

The winger was a rare bright spark in the defeat against Chelsea last time out as he arguably came the closest to netting for the home side.

Kudus took three shots off in North London and also attempted six crosses, while also completing two dribbles.

He maintained the positivity surrounding his performance, achieving a 96 per cent pass accuracy, and also won eight duels, which can only be seen as a positive.

Having him back against United could prove to be a game-changer, following a positive start to life in North London.

Kudus has been star man for Tottenham under Thomas Frank

Spurs’ number 20 has been electric since signing him from West Ham in the summer, and was a miss against Copenhagen.

The 25-year-old has already contributed to five Premier League goals, the most in the Tottenham squad alongside Richarlison.

Having a dangerous wide option available against Man United’s 3-4-3 formation could prove to be game-changing against unpredictable opposition.

Amad Diallo and Diogo Dalot featured as wing-backs for the Reds last time around, with both representing potentially ideal opposition for Kudus if he features.

Xavi Simons will have to deliver a similar performance against Manchester United as he did against Copenhagen.

Tottenham triumphed in a 4-0 victory over Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Despite being substituted off around 30 minutes before full-time after Brennan Johnson received a red card, his performance convinced fans that Thomas Frank had finally unlocked Simons.

However, the Dutch international’s real test will come on Saturday against Man United.

Xavi Simons will need to prove himself further vs Man United

Tottenham take on Man United in the Premier League on 8 November, and will look to get back on track in the Premier League.

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Indeed, Spurs’ 1-0 defeat to Chelsea last matchday saw Simons substituted in the second half after replacing Lucas Bergvall in the first half, after he sustained a head injury.

As a result, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Tottenham expert and Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham believes all eyes will be on Simons to perform now that he will be coming up against tougher opposition.

“Simons got a lot of confidence, obviously, and that continued in his game. We saw flicks, tricks – he could have finished with four assists in the first half. So his confidence was very high,” Wenham said.

“But against Man United, Bryan Mbeumo, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, it’s a totally different task than what we saw against Copenhagen.

“Hopefully, he’s in form and confident and is now ready to go into the Man United game and deliver a similar performance.

“But I just think the level of opposition was staggeringly poor. I mean, Copenhagen were terrible. They were dreadful. I mean, like a Championship-level team.”

Xavi Simons’ performance will depend on Thomas Frank

Simons was so impactful against Copenhagen because he received the ball in areas where he’s most dangerous.

Indeed, rather than a double pivot of Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha, Frank opted to play Bentancur as the lone defensive midfielder.

The introduction of Pape Matar Sarr rather than Palhinha gave Spurs a more offensive edge and, in turn, saw Simons become the focal point of the attack.

As a result, Simons could struggle against United in Frank reintroduces his defensive double pivot, and as such, his performance will likely come down to the Dane’s tactical decisions.

Micky van de Ven’s latest goal has Tottenham supporters wondering if he could be used elsewhere on the pitch under Thomas Frank.

Frank has overseen a steady start to his reign at Spurs, and his Dutch defender has been a pivotal part of their successful results so far.

Having scored six goals in all competitions, Van de Ven’s wonder goal against Copenhagen has left fans thinking that he might be their most clinical finisher.

Van de Ven‘s goalscoring exploits have been hugely beneficial to Tottenham‘s progress this season, and former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders has alluded to the idea of playing him as a striker.

Van de Ven has all the qualities to be a top striker

Van de Ven’s pace and power are second to none for a Premier League centre-back, and for him to be Tottenham’s top scorer in all competitions is remarkable.

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With three Premier League goals, Van de Ven has found the back of the net more than any other defender this season.

Speaking on talkSPORT on 7 November, Saunders suggested to Alan Brazil that he is best suited to play up front.

He said: “Has it crossed your mind that he can play up front? He can head the ball, he’s a great finisher, and he’s quick as lightning. Van de Ven might be wasted at the back.”

Whilst the claim is completely odd, there are surely some Spurs fans who would be quite bemused by the idea of him playing as a number nine.

He has also registered the most expected goals (xG), the most non-penalty xG, and the most xG on target of any defender in the top flight in 2025-26.

However, it feels foolish to dismiss his defensive capabilities, and with set-piece situations feeling more important than they’ve ever been, Van de Ven is definitely needed at the back.

That said, there is definitely room for improvement for the centre-back. Indeed, among his peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past 12 months, Van de Ven is in the bottom 35 percentile for tackles.

As per FBref, he is also in the bottom 12 per cent for interceptions and bottom 23 per cent for clearances per 90 minutes.

At the same time, Van de Ven certainly passes the eye test, no doubt helped by his contributions in attack.

With 0.21 non-penalty-goals per 90, he is in the very top one per cent of centre-backs in that particular metric.

This is obviously a suggestion that Frank won’t pay attention to, as he looks to get the best out of Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani.

Van de Ven’s importance in defence cannot be understated, and it’s up to the actual strikers to exceed his goalscoring tally.

Tottenham’s striker woes have led to the Van de Ven claims

Tottenham’s issues this season have been down to a number of reasons, yet the inconsistent performances of their attackers is something that has to change.

Richarlison’s performance against Newcastle was woeful, and he was hugely criticised for his ineffective display as Tottenham crashed out of the Carabao Cup.

Kolo Muani is adapting to the Premier League quickly; however, he is still waiting for his first goal in Spurs colours.

With Dominic Solanke out injured, Frank is desperate to have a goalscorer that he can rely on ahead of a tough run of fixtures.

Luckily for him at this moment in time, Van de Ven is stepping up superbly.

Ange Postecoglou has been told to wait for another big European job after a difficult tenure at Nottingham Forest.

Tottenham controversially sacked Postecoglou weeks after he lifted the UEFA Europa League with Spurs last season.

This came after the Lilywhites finished 17th in the Premier League with 22 defeats, the most without being relegated.

While Spurs are content with Thomas Frank at the moment, Postecoglou is still on the hunt for his next big break following his exit from the City Ground.

Ange Postecoglou may need to be patient for his next job

After departing Tottenham, Nottingham Forest appointed Postecoglou as manager.

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However, he was relieved from his duties just 39 days later, after he failed to win a single match.

Following this, Postecoglou has been linked with a return to Celtic, where he lifted the Scottish Premiership title in his first season.

Despite this, the Australian is still beloved among Spurs supporters and speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham hopes that he waits for another European job over the coming months.

“I thought Ange was really harshly treated at Nottingham Forest to bring him in straight after Nuno [Espirito Santo] was too much of a drastic change of style,” he said.

“I hope for Ange’s sake he now waits for a big European job in the coming months.”

Tottenham’s noticeable difference under Thomas Frank

Frank has been criticised for Tottenham’s attacking intensity these past few weeks.

This comes after Spurs generated 0.10 expected goals in their 1-0 defeat to Chelsea last Saturday.

While this is a far cry from Postecoglou’s high-risk, high-reward football, Frank seems to have turned over a new leaf with Tottenham scoring four goals against Copenhagen in a 4-0 win in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Indeed, where the two differ greatly is in their defensive approach:

It is still early days, but the Lilywhites seem to be a better and more rounded defensive unit under the Dane.

As a result, Tottenham could be in for greater league success if Spurs apply the attacking display seen against Copenhagen in the league.

Tottenham fans are in no mood to celebrate what looks like an impressive European record.

Tottenham triumphed in a 4-0 victory over Copenhagen in their most recent UEFA Champions League game on Tuesday.

The victory saw Brenann Johnson net his first Champions League goal while also seeing red.

The European feat saw Johnson make history as the first-ever British player to score and be sent off in the same Champions League game.

However, he was not the only record-setter on the night, much to the dismay of supporters, despite Tottenham extending their unbeaten run at home in Europe.

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Tottenham fans embarrassed by their latest record

Tottenham posted via X on 6 November that they are currently undefeated in 22 home European matches.

For all of the criticism Thomas Frank has faced, Spurs have not yet tasted defeat at home in the Champions League.

The game against Copenhagen was a splendid affair for fans and was a wonderful team effort from beginning to end.

Indeed, Xavi Simons finally looked fit to wear Tottenham’s shirt, while Micky van de Ven scored a solo goal which put Son Heung-min’s goal against Burnley in the Premier League last December to shame.

However, Tottenham fans have been left embarrassed by the teams the club has faced to remain undefeated at home in Europe.

“Look at the opposition…this club is truly shameless FC,” one fan commented under the post.

Another said, “We’ve played wifi passwords mostly,” while one more added, “Look at the badges of the teams played.”

Other fans were quick to point out that the Lilywhites’ home record in the league has not been nearly as impressive.

“But when we play proper teams at home in the Premier League, we struggle,” one fan said.

Another pointed out, “Can we do this in the league, please? Thanks,” while one more said, “We are such a confusing club because we are abhorrent at home in the league.”

How bad have Tottenham been at home in the league?

Tottenham have won just three of their last 18 Premier League games at home, after another disappointing 1-0 defeat to Chelsea last Saturday.

Away, the Lilywhites’ record has been much better:

It is difficult to say why Spurs’ home and away league results differ so greatly, especially given that home fixtures are in front of their own fans.

Either way, it is a problem Frank will need to solve for his side to have any chance of finishing in the top four this season.

Thomas Frank has been praised for the way that he has handled one particular Tottenham star in recent weeks.

The Dane has had a mixed start to his reign at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and he faced plenty of criticism after the recent defeat to Chelsea on home turf.

Frank’s Tottenham side bounced back with an excellent performance in midweek, as they saw off Copenhagen with a comfortable 4-0 victory in the Champions League.

There were plenty of positive signs for the boss in that display, not least the performance of one particular star who has had his struggles so far this term.

Xavi Simons shows the right attitude at Tottenham

Xavi Simons turned in a bright display for Tottenham against Copenhagen after a string of concerning performances in recent weeks.

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The Dutchman has needed time to adapt to English football after his move from RB Leipzig in the latter stages of the summer, and it hasn’t been a smooth transition for him at times.

He was substituted after coming on against Chelsea, but responded by notching an assist during the midweek win in European action.

Ex-Spurs scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that Simons has shown the right attitude since his arrival, and has praised Frank for the faith that he has shown in his new star.

“Any manager is always looking for players to show attitude, and Simons seems to have shown the right one, which was clear in his performance against Copenhagen,” King said.

“That’s what Frank has brought him in for; to stamp his authority on games, and it was the perfect game for him to do that. He was one of the Tottenham players who stood out.

“The manager has faith in him, he’s waited for him to hit that form that he knows he can hit, and he’s persevering with him. Simons is a good player.

“The only way Spurs will be able to get him to his best is by playing him in games, and that’s what Frank’s been doing, but people have been ready to criticise him for doing it.

“Frank has stood by him, and in that aspect, he’s shown pretty good management.”

Xavi Simons created more chances than any other player vs Copenhagen

Simons’ display for Tottenham in the Copenhagen victory was arguably his strongest since his arrival in North London.

The 22-year-old looked energetic, and showcased his excellent vision on several occasions throughout the game to create opportunities for his teammates.

Simons’ final tally of four chances created was more than any other player who featured in the game, and it was a major sign of what is to come from the former Barcelona academy star.

The Lilywhites haven’t seen the best of him so far, but that could soon be about to change if he takes some confidence from his latest display.

Brennan Johnson’s red card against Copenhagen may have scuppered his chances at Tottenham.

Johnson was sent off for Spurs against Copenhagen for a silly second-half challenge on Marcos Lopez after his yellow card was upgraded.

The Wales international was bailed out by his teammates as a Micky van de Ven wondergoal helped secure a win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tottenham beat Copenhagen 4-0 in North London in a much better display as chances continued to flow after the sending off.

Johnson may live to regret his actions in N17, especially after Mohammed Kudus shared an update on his fitness.

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Mohammed Kudus shares injury update at Tottenham

Tottenham are preparing to face Manchester United as they look ahead to their Premier League return after a mid-week clash on the continental stage.

Thomas Frank will be provided with a stern test against Ruben Amorim’s men after such a positive win over the Danish outfit.

The Lilywhites’ recent home form will represent a concern, with the Chelsea defeat raising sizable worries among supporters.

Having Kudus back in the squad could prove to be a boost after he missed the Copenhagen win completely.

That may not be possible after the Ghana international shared a rather vague insight on his injury, suggesting that it is “getting better”.

The attacker could be ruled out for another fixture, something which could make Johnson feel increasingly silly.

Brennan Johnson may have scuppered chances with red card

The ex-Nottingham Forest man won’t be ruled out in the Premier League, but his sending off certainly wasn’t a great look.

Johnson had scored the opener in North London, but outside of this, had created just one chance in the 55 minutes before he was forced down the tunnel.

That didn’t make way for a positive defensive shift, as he made just one defensive contribution, won just 40 per cent of his duels and also committed three fouls.

This record won’t scream out to Frank, especially after his red card, as he goes in search of a potential alternative for Kudus.

The head coach has described the former West Ham star’s ability to carry the ball as “outstanding” and noted that Spurs will miss it without him.

Johnson may have been given the chance to take his place in the side, but his antics against Copenhagen could be a risk.

Joao Palhinha has certainly made his mark on Thomas Frank’s Tottenham side this season.

The tough-tackling midfielder has stamped his authority on the heart of the midfield, having started nine of Tottenham‘s 10 Premier League matches.

Palhinha’s performance against Man City was excellent earlier in the season, and Thomas Frank has clearly gotten the best out of him since arriving from Bayern Munich on loan.

It’s clear that he has played a massive role in Tottenham’s season so far, and he currently tops a Premier League metric that will have fans purring.

Joao Palhinha tops tackling stat with ease in the Premier League

Palhinha joined Spurs on a loan deal from Bayern Munich, which included an option to buy the midfielder for £26million.

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Since his emergence at Sporting during the early part of his career, Palhinha has always been known as a midfielder who is aggressive and tenacious.

Palhinha has made 44 tackles in the Premier League for Tottenham, 12 more than any other player in the top flight this season.

The Portuguese midfielder has also won 62.7 per cent of his ground duels and 57.1 per cent of his aerial battles.

Having registered three goal contributions from his deep position in the team, his numbers are hugely impressive in both boxes.

Palhinha has been a standout for Tottenham, and he is now undoubtedly one of the first names on the team sheet.

He is the classic profile of a player that typifies what a Frank team is all about: dogged, determined, and unrelenting, as he continues to hit new heights.

Frank experienced the same type of joy with Christian Norgaard at Brentford, and his new ball-winning midfielder will play a vital role in helping the Lilywhites achieve his aims.

Joao Palhinha has proven himself to be a great bit of business

Whilst Mohammed Kudus has been the more impressive summer signing, Palhinha is going completely under the radar.

It’s clear that there are weaknesses in his game on the ball after not impressing at Bayern under Vincent Kompany.

However, Frank is desperate for a midfielder who can break up play efficiently, and in Palhinha, he has one of the very best in the world who can release those around him.

Improvements need to be made throughout the team, yet Palhinha’s influence is one of the few pieces of the puzzle that must remain in place.

With Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison still to return, they also could reach new heights when having the safety net of Palhinha behind them.