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Tottenham may already have a replacement in mind for Brennan Johnson.

Johnson looks set to join Crystal Palace with the January transfer window now open for business at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Thomas Frank may face further issues this winter, with the Tottenham dressing room unlikely to be happy with Johnson’s exit at this stage.

That is hardly surprising after Tottenham drew 0-0 with Brentford as their struggles in front of goal continued in the Premier League.

That may be the case, but the general feeling around Johnson and his imminent departure could change if an alternative is brought in quickly.

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Brennan Johnson funds to be reinvested at Tottenham

Tottenham and Crystal Palace have reached an agreement for Johnson that will see the Wales international move to Selhurst Park.

The forward scored the winning goal in the Europa League final in May, but now his journey in North London is set for a frustrating end.

Johnson signed for Spurs from Nottingham Forest in 2023 for over £40million, with his sale three years later representing a loss.

Former scout Bryan King is surprised by the fee involved in this deal, but has suggested a replacement will likely be found to utilise the funds.

Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, King said: “They’re going to lose money on him because he cost around £40m.

“The minimum I expected them to get is the fee they paid for him, but Palace have made an offer for a player who isn’t in Frank’s plans, and it’s a way to move him on and then bring another player in.

“Johnson wants regular football, he’s more focused on that than cash.

“There will be clauses in the deal for sell on clauses and stuff like that for a fee that big.

“He’s got to pick his game up, he’s proven that he can be inconsistent, so he’s got to prove himself at Palace.“

Tottenham must learn from Eberechi Eze saga with Johnson funds

To bring in over £30m for a player who seemingly isn’t in Frank’s plans is wise, but only if the fee is reinvested wisely this winter.

The summer showcased just how poor the Lilywhites can be with their business, so they need to now move quickly to land their priority targets.

Eberechi Eze was strongly linked to Tottenham and then joined Arsenal, so that sort of story can’t be replicated this month.

Spurs must showcase their mite and allow improvements to come in and help them move forward after a poor start to the season.

Luca Williams-Barnett has sent what could be perceived as being a cryptic message to Thomas Frank over a squad decision made for Tottenham’s draw at Brentford.

Tottenham were held to a 0-0 draw against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Thursday, as full-time boos sounded from the Spurs away end.

Frank is already under pressure from Spurs fans to deliver, and after Tottenham only managed to get three shots on target during the match, the Dane hasn’t helped his own case.

Williams-Barnett is a top talent for Spurs and has been lighting it up in the youth ranks the past couple of years.

However, after the teenager was once again unable to make Frank’s bench, he seems to have made his feelings clear on social media.

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Luca Williams-Barnett does not seem happy

Williams-Barnett has featured on Frank‘s bench on a couple of occasions this season, and even made his professional debut against Doncaster in Tottenham’s third-round Carabao Cup win in September.

The 17-year-old has featured seven times for the Lilywhites’ Under-21s in the Premier League 2 this year, scoring six goals and assisting four.

Williams-Barnett took to Instagram to share a picture of himself in a Spurs top with a rather cryptic emoji, which could indicate his frustration towards Frank.

The Spurs Express reposted the youngster’s Instagram story, which was later taken down from his page.

On the other hand, he could also be disappointed by the fact that there haven’t been any under-21’s matches since November, with the next one coming on 9 January.

However, the timing of the post certainly raises eyebrows.

Thomas Frank showed another glaring issue vs Brentford

Frank’s snubbing of Williams-Barnett only highlights the underlying problem that he is neglecting the Lilywhites’ youth stars.

Ange Postecoglou had no issue in promoting young talent at Tottenham, and even gave gems the chance to shine in the Europa League.

Frank continues to play players who are perhaps underperforming at the moment, as he refuses to hand fresh talent opportunities from the bench.

If anything, it must be deflating if you are a young player at Tottenham, and in the case of Williams-Barnett, it’s been proven that no matter how well you play in the academy, you won’t get a chance.

Thomas Frank is facing the task of getting a fragmented Tottenham side to play at their best.

With the January transfer window now open, Tottenham will be looking to make some signings, though the only news as of late has concerned outgoings.

Kota Takai is heading to Borussia Monchengladbach on loan, Jamie Donley looks set to join Oxford, and Brennan Johnson seems to be edging closer to a permanent move to Crystal Palace.

However, it is the latter of the three moves that has sparked concern, and it will do nothing but increase the pressure on Frank at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tottenham squad unhappy with Brennan Johnson developments

Johnson was an integral component of Tottenham’s Europa League success under Ange Postecoglou, and had it not been for his goals in the Premier League, there is a genuine chance that Spurs could have been playing Championship football this season.

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However, the arrival of Frank in North London changed that, with the Wales international very quickly becoming a squad player at best.

It’s been a stop-start campaign for Johnson, who has started just six Premier League games, with a move to Crystal Palace now pending.

However, according to Alisdair Gold, that pending move has caused unrest in the dressing room at Tottenham, with several first-team players said to be frustrated to lose a “popular” figure.

If Spurs replace him adequately, that unrest may die down, but having seemingly missed out on Antoine Semenyo, it remains to be seen how they will do that.

What’s the latest on Johnson’s move to Crystal Palace?

According to BBC Sport reporter Sami Mokbel, Johnson’s move to Crystal Palace is “completed”.

Tottenham will receive £35million for his departure, having signed him for £12m more from Nottingham Forest back in 2023.

Johnson completed the first part of his medical on New Year’s Day and is reportedly set to be available for the Eagles when they face Newcastle United on Sunday.

Neither club have confirmed the deal at the time of writing, though official confirmation could come within the next 24 hours.

Tottenham appear to be clearing the decks ahead of a busy January transfer window.

Thomas Frank has somewhat steadied the ship with a win over Crystal Palace and Thursday’s 0-0 draw against his former side, Brentford.

Archie Gray is the latest young star to make a real name for himself in North London this season, but there are plenty in reserve waiting for a similar chance.

Luka Vuskovic is one of those shining, currently on loan at Hamburg, and it looks as though another defender will get a chance to prove himself in Germany, too.

Kota Takai to seal Tottenham exit

Kota Takai is yet to get his chance in a Tottenham shirt, and he’ll have to wait until next season for that opportunity now.

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Signed from Kawasaki Frontale in Japan last summer, the 21-year-old is now set to spend the second half of the campaign with Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Florian Plettenberg has reported that Takai will join the Germans on loan until June, and is already training with the squad on Friday afternoon.

Mönchengladbach are currently in Turkey on a warm-weather training camp, with the Tottenham defender already involved.

Where has Kota Takai been?

After signing in the summer of 2025, injuries have hit the Japanese defender hard.

Takai has missed 16 games through a foot injury, which also stopped him from making a mark in the Carabao Cup against the likes of Doncaster.

Takai was on the bench at Selhurst Park as Spurs beat Crystal Palace 1-0 over Christmas, but he missed out at Brentford, presumably to jet away for this loan move.

The 21-year-old is a full Japan international with four caps, with a loan move to Germany likely taken to solidify his chances of a World Cup 2026 spot with the Blue Samurai.

With over 80 appearances and two senior trophies in his home country, there is great hope for this young defender, who will just want to prove himself after months of uncertainty with injury.

Let’s hope he can do just that, with Vuskovic the perfect example.

Tottenham are set to accept a loan deal with Oxford United for Jamie Donley in the winter transfer window.

Donley has returned to Spurs from Stoke City after joining the Championship outfit in the summer on a season-long loan.

Will Lankshear is at the Kassam Stadium and could now be joined by the Northern Ireland international.

The Potters didn’t give the 20-year-old attacker many opportunities, and it makes sense for the North London outfit to further his development elsewhere.

Jamie Donley to reunite with Will Lankshear away from Tottenham

Donley and Lankshear will hope to revive their prolific partnership at Oxford, according to Lilywhite Rose.

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The Tottenham insider reports on 2 January that the Northern Irishman is on his way back to the Championship.

With Gary Rowett’s team fighting relegation, the attacking-midfielder will hope to contribute to Oxford’s success this season.

Lankshear has had a decent stint at the U’s so far, scoring six goals and providing one assist in 24 league appearances.

Brennan Johnson also seems close to joining Crystal Palace, with fans expecting reinforcements up front in January.

It will be interesting to see how the squad will shape up in the coming weeks as the North London outfit look to turn the tide in the Premier League.

Spurs have major transfer dilemma after what’s happened with Thomas Frank

Thomas Frank’s future at Tottenham is uncertain, as the Danish manager has failed to impress many fans recently.

It leaves Spurs with a significant dilemma in the transfer window if the former Brentford boss is eventually let go.

It wouldn’t make sense for the North London outfit to cater to Frank’s style of play if he doesn’t have a future in N17.

Tottenham should look to strengthen their squad in the coming weeks, but whether that will be for the Danish manager remains to be seen.

The goalkeeping situation at Tottenham is a complete mess under Thomas Frank.

Guglielmo Vicario has been criticised for making a series of high-profile mistakes, and fans have had enough of his inability to play out from the back.

As a result, Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has been linked with a move to Tottenham, but the deal can only progress if the Seagulls find a replacement first.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen is an alternative option for Tottenham after falling out of favour at Barcelona.

Vicario could even leave Spurs in January, with Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford emerging as a leading candidate to replace him.

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Tottenham favourites to sign Man City’s James Trafford

Trafford played a starring role in Burnley’s 2024-25 promotion season, starting 45 matches in the Championship as the Clarets conceded a record-breaking total of just 15 goals.

Having progressed through their academy as a youngster, he returned to Man City in the summer for £27million plus add-ons.

Trafford started the first three games of the season, including in Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Man City, but was quickly dropped after Gianluigi Donnarumma’s arrival.

He has since played just four times across the Carabao Cup and Champions League, and a move to another Premier League club is now on the cards.

One bookmaker has slashed the odds for Tottenham to sign him, as they are the favourites at 5/1, with Newcastle second favourites at 9/2.

Another bookmaker has Spurs and Newcastle both at 9/2, and there is a lot of uncertainty as to what his next move may be.

Trafford was linked with Spurs in December 2024, but with the odds at 2/7 for Trafford to remain at Man City, Pep Guardiola’s quotes also don’t make for good reading.

What Pep Guardiola has said about Trafford isn’t great news for Tottenham fans

The goalkeeper will undoubtedly be frustrated by his start to the season, although Guardiola has insisted that he still has a vital role to play in Manchester.

On 16 December, he said: “Trafford stays in January. He’s staying with us this season, absolutely.”

Man City have a clear stance on their number two goalkeeper, and it would seem unlikely that they would let him go just six months after signing him.

However, a big fee could tempt them to part ways with the 23-year-old, and if there’s any top club that is in desperate need of a modern goalkeeper, it’s Tottenham.

Tottenham have recalled Damola Ajayi from his loan spell with League One side Doncaster Rovers, with two fellow London clubs now eyeing a deal.

Spurs decided to loan Ajayi out in the summer with hopes of the youngster developing in the senior game.

The winger has internal admirers in N17, but unfortunately, the move to Doncaster hasn’t panned out the way most thought it would.

Ajayi faced Tottenham in the Carabao Cup when Thomas Frank‘s side beat Doncaster 3-0 back in September, but since then has been unable to cement himself as a regular starter.

The latest news regarding his return to Tottenham has alerted two London clubs.

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Bromley and AFC Wimbledon interested in Damola Ajayi

Luckily for the Lilywhites, Ajayi is a talented forward, and they will have no issue in finding another club for him to develop with.

Frank has rarely used his youth players to his advantage since arriving, and another loan move seems obvious in January.

According to The Sun journalist Tom Barclay on X, following Ajayi‘s return to Tottenham, both AFC Wimbledon and Bromley have now shown interest in taking the 20-year-old on loan in January.

Spurs will now have to decide which of the two clubs suits the wide man best.

Why Bromley may be the best destination for Ajayi

Ajayi had success with Doncaster in cup competitions, but against lesser sides, with his best performance coming versus Chesterfield in the EFL Trophy.

The right-winger scored a goal and set one up in a 5-1 win over the League Two side, which may be telling in what club Spurs should let him go to.

Wimbledon are currently mid table in League One, the same division where Ajayi couldn’t start for Doncaster, who are in the relegation zone.

Bromley however, are in League Two, with the southeast London side seemingly a far better option for the Lilywhites to consider when deciding Ajayi’s next move.

January will be important for Spurs concerning incomings, but they also need to look after their youngsters too.

Tottenham have already swooped to bring Mason Melia to North London this winter.

Spurs have had a knack for improving young players and giving them first-team chances, with Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall thriving for the Tottenham first team right now.

Luca Williams-Barnett is arguably Tottenham’s brightest talent, but he is set to be joined by a new talent in the shape of the Irish striker.

Melia agreed a Tottenham move back in February as he continued to showcase his talents with St Pat’s Athletic of the Irish Premier Division.

The Lilywhites have now welcomed Melia to Hotspur Way in a move that is bound to excite those associated with the North London club.

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Who is Mason Melia?

Tottenham have been waiting to welcome Melia on 1 January, and there is good reason for that after multiple positive campaigns in Ireland.

The 18-year-old netted 13 goals and provided three assists across 35 league appearances throughout 2025, proving why he caught the eye in N17.

That has added to his running tally of 23 goals in 95 appearances, a stellar record in terms of goals and minutes for a teenager.

The forward has already made the step up to the Ireland Under-21s side and has scored two in his five showings so far.

This level of output is what made Spurs swoop for Melia, with his move to North London now finalised after months of waiting.

Melia has finally confirmed Tottenham move

The N17 outfit have had to wait 11 months, but now finally have their hands on the Irishman ready for the second half of the season.

The teen agreed to join Spurs in a “record transfer fee for a League of Ireland player”, which is reportedly worth an initial £1.6million.

This could be an eye raiser for Thomas Frank after his side’s struggles in front of goal since he took over as head coach in the summer.

Melia is far from the finished article, but at 18, he can thrive for the Lilywhites and potentially make a first-team sizable splash in the coming months and years.

The Danish head coach should consider Melia moving forward, with his invaluable amount of senior minutes at 18 proving how good he could be.

Tottenham could make Enzo Maresca their next manager after his surprise Chelsea exit.

Maresca struggled in his early days at Chelsea, but was able to turn things around as he lifted the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League last campaign.

Chelsea secured a 2-0 win over Tottenham earlier in the season, with Thomas Frank’s side representing a much more inconsistent outfit than the Blues.

Frank has come under pressure at Tottenham, but it is the Italian who has lost his job in a largely confusing situation at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca will now be on the hunt for a new role, with a switch across the capital to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium potentially in the pipeline.

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Jamie O’Hara wants Enzo Maresca at Tottenham

Frank could soon depart Tottenham and leave the Lilywhites in need of yet another new head coach for the third time in as many years.

The Dane replaced Ange Postecoglou at the end of last season, as the Australian was sacked despite winning the Europa League.

Things haven’t worked out to this point for the ex-Brentford man, but he has outlasted yet another Premier League boss in N17.

Maresca had raised frustration among the Chelsea hierarchy, but it was still a surprise to see him depart with the Blues sitting fifth in the table.

That has raised eyebrows across the division, with the Italian already linked to Manchester City as a potential summer replacement for Pep Guardiola.

Despite this, former Spurs midfielder has called for his old side to swoop for Maresca and bring him to North London while speaking on talkSPORT.

He said: “Yes, I would have him [Maresca at Tottenham]. I think if we could get Enzo Maresca, I would go and get him right now. I think he’s a good manager.“

Could Maresca swap Chelsea for Spurs?

The ex-Leicester City boss has certainly increased his reputation in the Premier League with a largely positive spell at Stamford Bridge.

Qualifying for the Champions League and two trophies hasn’t been enough to save him and his exit was inevitable after recent reports.

The question now is whether Maresca could move to Tottenham if Frank were to be shown the door in the coming weeks or months.

That could all depend on the future of Guardiola and whether he wants to leave Man City or remain for another season.

The Lilywhites will have to keep their ear close to the ground if they are to wait on the 45-year-old after his explosive Blues exit.

Archie Gray has been called out after Tottenham’s 0-0 draw with Brentford on Thursday.

Thomas Frank was hoping to bring in Tottenham’s New Year with a victory, but his side were held at the G-Tech Community Stadium.

Frank started Gray as a number 10, in the absence of Lucas Bergvall, but the former Leeds United star did not impress.

He thought he had earned a penalty in the second-half, but there was not enough contact according to the referee and the VAR.

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What did Hackett say about Tottenham star Gray?

Keith Hackett believes that it was an act of simulation from the Spurs ace, who was attempting to fool the officials.

Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, the former FIFA-listed official said: “Archie Gray and his fall to the ground is unconvincing, and he is attempting to win a penalty kick by simulation.

“Match officials have made the correct call.”

Gray still has a lot to learn at Tottenham

Gray is one of the most promising youngsters in the game, but he still has plenty to learn to become a regular star.

Play acting in the box will not help his game, and referees may question whether he has dived if he is genuinely fouled in the area now.

There was minimal contact, and he made a meal out of it, which will not bode well for his reputation with officials in the future.

He needs to focus on grabbing goals and assists for Spurs, rather than trying to win penalties by tricking the referee.

His performances have been wildly inconsistent, and Frank needs him to step up and prove that he deserves a place in the team.

He was not helped against the Bees, as he is not a number 10, so he had a difficult job to do on the night, as he is used to playing in central midfield, defence or at right-back.

When everyone is fit, he may not get into the side, with Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur in brilliant form, so he needs to make a good impression when he does get a chance.