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Dominic Solanke has been absent from Tottenham’s preseason due to injury worries.

The striker has missed much of Thomas Frank’s first preseason in charge as a precaution due to a minor ankle injury.

Solanke’s first season in Tottenham colours didn’t go to plan for the former England international, with a lack of form and injuries holding him back.

Given Frank’s push to sign new attackers to bolster Spurs’ forward line, Solanke could find his playing time limited next campaign.

Randal Kolo Muani could take Solanke’s place

Tottenham have been heavily linked with a move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani.

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Should the striker sign for Frank’s side, Solanke could find his gametime limited in the famous white shirt.

Spurs are looking to hijack the deal for Kolo Muani.

Both Juventus and the forward are keen for a reunion in Turin after his successful loan spell. However, negotiations have stalled between PSG and the Old Lady, and given Juventus’ uncertain financial situation, the Lilywhites are reportedly looking to hijack the deal, with talks now underway.

The move would give Frank a major decision to make up front, with Richarlison or Solanke surely bound to be moved on should they complete the signing.

Solanke and Kolo Muani could play up front together

Spurs are clearly keen to explore their attacking options this summer after missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White.

However, there have been very few rumours linking Solanke with a move away. Therefore, Frank could choose to play the pair together.

Solanke’s physical dominance, as well as Kolo Muani’s red-hot pace, could be the perfect recipe for Frank to replicate what he managed to do at Brentford with Bryan Mbuemo and Ivan Toney.

‘I expect no issues with Zabaryni’s Tottenham medical’ if deal progresses – Doctor

Tottenham are reportedly keen on signing Bournemouth defender Ilya Zabarnyi ahead of Ligue 1 side PSG.

The 22-year-old centre-back was ever-present for the Cherries last season, impressing under manager Andoni Iraola.

He missed only two league games for Bournemouth, which were due to a suspension and not injury issues.

This article includes exclusive opinion from injury expert Dr Rajpal Brar, a doctor in physical therapy and a sports scientist.

Zabarnyi lauded for perfect injury record ahead of potential transfer

The Ukraine international is not expected to face any issues clearing his medical this summer, according to Dr Rajpal Brar.

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Tottenham want to sign Zabarnyi ahead of Champions League winners PSG and are willing to pay the £60million the Cherries are demanding. (RMC Sport, 30 July)

Dr Brar told Tottenham News: “He missed just two games last season and that was due to a suspension, so he had a perfect injury record.

“That’s a good look for any club looking to sign him.

“He’s also got adequate Premier League experience under his belt and at 22, will only get better.

“I expect no issues with his medical.”

Tottenham may only sign Zabarnyi if Cristian Romero leaves

Zabarnyi is a strong long-term replacement for Tottenham’s Cristian Romero due to his Premier League-proven attributes.

His physicality, aerial dominance and ball-playing skills align with Thomas Frank’s demands, making him a seamless fit for Spurs’ aggressive defensive style.

Zabarnyi’s near-perfect attendance in Bournemouth’s ninth-place 2024/25 campaign and his partnership with Dean Huijsen highlight his reliability and potential to develop into a top-class defender.

However, with Romero’s future now stabilised after Atletico Madrid’s interest cooled, Spurs are unlikely to pay Bournemouth’s £60million valuation for a backup.

Spurs already have Micky van de Ven being a regular starter and the Cherries defender is unlikely to be fine with playing second fiddle.

Spending such a sum on a reserve defender doesn’t align with Daniel Levy’s prudent transfer strategy, especially with Zabarnyi reportedly favouring a move to PSG.

How much Palhinha deal could cost as Tottenham in talks with Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich star Joao Palhinha has been linked with a move to Tottenham this summer.

With news of Morgan Gibbs-White signing a new deal at Nottingham Forest, Tottenham can now turn their attention to other targets.

Spurs had been linked with a move for Palhinha earlier in the summer, though the noise quietened down.

However, Thomas Frank’s side now look to be returning to Bayern Munich with a potential loan move pending for the Portuguese international.

Tottenham will potentially pay all of Palhinha’s weekly wage

There is still expected to be some outgoings at Tottenham this summer, with Juventus showing an interest in signing Yves Bissouma. This could open the door for Palhinha to sign for Spurs.

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The midfielder has shown that he can perform in England after his time with Fulham; however, his move to Munich hasn’t worked out.

With Palhinha now unwanted in Bavaria, Spurs are in talks over a potential loan deal [The Athletic].

According to Capology, Palhinha earns £8.65million a year at Bayern Munich.

Should Tottenham sign the 30-year-old on loan, the Lilywhites would likely have to cover all of his base salary, which means any deal would cost at least £8.65m, plus a potential loan fee.

Munich had been looking for a transfer fee of £21m for Palhinha, but with a lack of suitors, it is looking more likely that the midfielder will head out on loan.

The German giants paid over double the £21m asking price for the Portuguese star to bring him in last summer, but are clearly willing to take a loss on Palhinha in a bid to get him off their books.

Palhinha to disrupt Tottenham’s midfield

Last season, the Spurs midfield grew too comfortable.

The North London outfit struggled in the Premier League due to several fitness issues and should go into the 2025/26 campaign with better squad depth.

Their lack of competition last season led the likes of Bissouma to take his place in midfield for granted, and whether he leaves or not in the coming weeks, he must improve.

Bissouma has failed to live up to expectations and perform consistently in N17, and replacing him with Palhinha seems like a no-brainer.

Tottenham beat Arsenal 1-0 on Thursday, and there was plenty to be happy about for the Lilywhites.

A long-range effort from Pape Matar Sarr handed Spurs the victory over their bitter rivals in Hong Kong (31 July), in the first-ever overseas North London derby.

Thomas Frank got one over Mikel Arteta as his side looked threatening, while also remaining defensively resolute.

Tottenham’s victory came with some fine moments, and fans will be particularly pleased with defender Pedro Porro, as footage of a clash with Arteta emerged.

Porro clashes with Arteta in Spurs win

Arteta is not exactly a popular figure among the Spurs faithful, and Porro would have further endeared himself to the fanbase in one moment of aggression with his fellow Spaniard.

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As Porro lined up to take a throw-in, Arteta came out of his technical area and claimed that the defender should be further back.

The right-back was clearly unhappy that the manager was out of his box, and Porro gave Arteta a little shove to put him back in his technical area, which the Arsenal manager was clearly unhappy about, but this left Spurs fans delighted.

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Porro impresses in Tottenham win

Porro has been an inconsistent performer in his time at Tottenham, but he was impressive defensively as Tottenham beat Arsenal.

Gabriel Martinelli struggled to get into the game as a result of Porro’s strong one-on-one defending in Hong Kong, and fans will hope that this sparks a revival in form for the Spaniard.

The defender was humiliated in the last league defeat to Arsenal in January as Tottenham lost at the Emirates, but he bounced back well against the Gunners to put in a solid performance.

Porro looks set to compete with Djed Spence for a starting spot at right-back, and if he can continue to impress, he will likely start the Premier League season.

The 25-year-old is typically an attacking wing-back, and adjusting to a back four has not been easy, but his performance against the Gunners showed that he is capable of locking down a winger to keep a clean sheet when necessary.

Tottenham are prepared to do what it takes to bring Randal Kolo Muani to Hotspur Way this summer.

The North London club will face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup final next month after winning the Europa League.

After winning his first confrontation against Arsenal as Tottenham manager in a 1-0 pre-season victory in Hong Kong on Thursday (31 July), Thomas Frank will be feeling confident.

However, he could now be handed an unexpected boost from the competition itself as Spurs get ready to pounce.

Tottenham want to sign Kolo Muani this summer

Tottenham have been keen to get Richarlison off their hands this summer, and Kolo Muani could offer a suitable alternative.

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As reported by Santi Aouna via X on Thursday (31 July), Tottenham want to sign Kolo Muani, and talks are now underway.

The Frenchman is keen on returning to Juventus after a successful loan spell with the Italian club. However, it is understood that there is no agreement yet with the Old Lady, while club-to-club negotiations with PSG have stalled for weeks.

This creates the perfect opportunity for Tottenham to swoop in and hijack the deal this summer. After missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White earlier this month, Daniel Levy will not be prepared to let another star slip from his grasp.

Kolo Muani would be perfect for Tottenham

While the French forward has struggled to break away from his miss in the 2022 World Cup final, there is still an impressive player just waiting to break free.

Indeed, he netted 8 times in 16 appearances in Serie A last season and could run riot in the Premier League. At first, this seems wide off the mark given the competition in the league.

However, it is this very competition which increases the striker’s chances of performing well in England. The Premier League is home to some of the best teams and players in the world, which makes the games more open.

Whether home or away, teams in the league play to win. As a result, while there is more quality in the league, there are also more chances to score and space to run into. Kolo Muani is at his best when given space to carry the ball, which boosts his chances of succeeding in North London.

Therefore, if done right, he could be an incredible addition at Tottenham.

Cristian Romero is set to become a huge staple in North London as Tottenham’s likely masterplan is outlined.

The Argentine was close to a departure from Hotspur Way, with Atletico Madrid among the interested clubs.

However, the Spanish side’s interest has since cooled after it was revealed that the defender is likely to remain at Tottenham this summer.

As a result, the London club are keen to tie him down for good with a new contract supposedly in the works.

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

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Romero set to be offered new Tottenham contract

According to the print edition of Mundo Deportivo (20 July, pg. 17), Tottenham have already seen one offer rejected by Romero. However, they are now believed to be preparing another proposal for a new contract.

With the Spurs captaincy seemingly up for grabs this summer, Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that Tottenham has conducted a masterplan to see the deal signed.

“I think it’s the perfect decision,” Wenham said.

“Moving forward for the club, I think if you give Romero the armband. When you now look Atletico Madrid signed David Hancko yesterday, they’re still pushing for Renato Veiga from Chelsea. I think that link to Atletico is finished now and done.

“So we can safely assume that Romero will be at Tottenham this year. That was step one, keeping the player at the club. Step two, if you ask me, is giving him the captain’s armband. Three is extending the contract of his close friend and best friend at the club, Rodrigo Bentancur. Step four is getting Romero to extend his contract.

“I think those other conditions make it a perfect scenario and a set of dominoes that fall that allows Romero to extend his contract to Tottenham, become probably the highest-paid player at the club and gives us a real basis to move forward on. But I would name Romero as the permanent captain.”

Romero would make an excellent captain

Romero’s Man of the Match performance during the UEFA Europa League final demonstrated that he is captain material.

The defender was a force at the back. He put his heart on the line to ensure Tottenham brought back silverware to Hotspur Way.

With Son Heung-min set to leave North London this summer, Romero is the natural person to take over the mantle. His commanding presence and ability to see the entire pitch put him in good stead to lead the Lilywhites for years to come.

This is how many Tottenham and Arsenal fans attended each open training session in Hong Kong

Tottenham have been out in Hong Kong for the latest stage of their pre-season preparations.

The Lilywhites have already lined up against Reading, Wycombe and Luton on home soil, but are about to face two tougher tests during their tour of Asia.

Tottenham are set to take on their bitter rivals Arsenal at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on Thursday (31 July), in a clash which is sure to see no love lost between the pair.

Thomas Frank’s side will then take on Newcastle in Seoul on 3 August, before returning to Europe to wrap up their pre-season schedule.

Tottenham outnumbered by Arsenal fans in open training sessions

Frank is expected to name a fairly strong Tottenham lineup for their game against Arsenal, and they have been hard at work in the buildup to the match.

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The Lilywhites arrived in Hong Kong on Monday (28 July), and have been training in the local area since they stepped off the plane.

Both Frank’s charges and their North London rivals have held an open training session at Kai Tak Stadium for fans to get a glimpse of the two teams ahead of the game, and both drew sizeable crowds.

Spurs opened their doors to the public on Tuesday (29 July), and around 9,080 fans were in attendance to watch their heroes get put through their paces, according to the South China Morning Post (30 July).

Frank’s squad underwent a 75-minute session, which featured keep-ball games, before eventually rounding off with a full game spread across half of the pitch.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal held their session the following day, and attracted a crowd of roughly 20,000, according to their official website (30 July).

Spurs will want to beat Arsenal regardless of pre-season friendly

Son Heung-min could be set to feature for Spurs against Arsenal, as the South Korean is a phenomenally big name in East Asia.

The Tottenham captain is facing an uncertain future at the club, but he will surely have left his teammates in no doubt as to their task against their rivals on Thursday (31 July).

Games like the North London Derby will always matter, regardless of whether there are points up for grabs.

Tottenham are moving into a new era this season after the appointment of Frank, and the last thing he and his squad will want is to lose their first encounter against their most-hated opponents, even if it is just a pre-season friendly.

The N17 outfit have won on just one of the last nine outings against the Gunners, and they will desperate to set the record straight in Hong Kong.

‘I love Levy’ shirt, Son reaction – What went under the radar in Tottenham’s training session

Tottenham held a public training session at Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday, as they prepare for Thursday’s pre-season clash against Arsenal.

The 9,080 fans in attendance were treated to 75 minutes of action, with Thomas Frank’s favoured style of training on full show.

The two North London sides will meet in the same stadium on Thursday (31 July), before Spurs travel to the South Korean capital of Seoul to take on Newcastle United on Sunday (3 August).

Here, Tottenham News fills you in on what you might have missed from Tuesday’s training session.

Son Heung-min delights adoring fans

According to the SCMP (30 July), the sight of Tottenham captain Son Heung-min generated excited screams throughout the stands at Kai Tak Stadium.

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The winger looked to be in fine form in training, despite the ongoing questions surrounding his future amid interest from MLS side Los Angeles FC.

The 33-year-old avoided walking through the mixed zone, presumably hoping to skip the inevitable stream of questions about the potential move.

Suprise love for Levy

It was not a surprise to see the fans in attendance showing their love for Spurs favourites like Son and Micky van de Ven.

But a shirt held up adorned with the message “I love Levy” and a picture of the widely unpopular Tottenham chairman did prompt some questions.

The shirt was met with jeers when it appeared on the big screen, likely bringing a quick end to any ideas of a sudden change of heart about Daniel Levy within the Spurs fanbase.

Spence shows a little too much passion in the tackle

For fans who live thousands of miles away from North London, pre-season can provide a scarce chance to see their favourite players in action.

But fans in the stands would have been surprised to see Djed Spence treating a training match with, perhaps, a tad too much intensity.

The full-back was captured in a video posted by Chris Cowlin (29 July) as he rushed in to tackle fellow defender Pedro Porro, leaving the Spaniard rolling around in a heap on the floor.

Tottenham v Tottenham ends level

Tuesday’s training session concluded with a match between two teams composed of the Tottenham players present.

The fans in attendance may have thought, ‘great, a chance to see some goals!’ But, unfortunately, no – the game finished 0-0, according to Chris Cowlin.

Still, a deciding penalty shootout was played out, with Guglielmo Vicario saving spot-kicks from James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, and Porro.

Daniel Levy could sign a player who has the potential to transform Tottenham next season.

Levy started strong in the summer window but has since hit a brick wall with Morgan Gibbs-White extending at Nottingham Forest.

As a result, the Tottenham chairman will be looking to make up for lost time and seal another arrival to Hotspur Way.

With the first game of the Premier League season around the corner, Levy will need to act soon to complete the transfer.

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

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Tottenham urged to sign Joao Palhinha

As reported by Bild (23 July), Tottenham are interested in Joao Palhinha, with Bayern wanting around £21million for their player.

The midfielder has struggled to impress Vincent Kompany since arriving from Fulham and could be tempted with a departure.

While his age is a legitimate concern, Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that Spurs should go all out to sign him this summer, as he fits a profile of player Spurs currently lack.

“I could certainly see why Tottenham’s interest would be genuine, because Palhinha was phenomenal at Fulham,” Wenham said.

“People are rewriting history, saying he’s old and past it. No club ever is successful with a whole team full of young players over a long period of time. You need experienced players, you need players who have been there and done it. He was fantastic for Fulham, which is why Bayern Munich forked out the big bucks to sign him. He would instantly improve us.

“He’s got leadership skills, he’s got experience, and he’s got experience playing at the top level. So for me, it would be a no-brainer, especially at that pricing is really good value. I think sometimes people have to park their feelings about a player’s age.

“So I think Palhinha would be a fantastic signing. He’d slot straight into our team in a holding midfield role. And he’s the exact sort of character I think Tottenham are missing at the moment.”

Palhinha could be a good rotational option

The former Fulham star could be a good rotational option for Tottenham next season if given the chance.

He is Premier League-proven, which will be a huge boost for Thomas Frank’s league ambitions.

In a squad overflowing with youth, experience will be vital if Spurs want to compete for all trophies, and Palhinha could be the perfect blend of talent and experience.

Tottenham have made it no secret that Illia Zabarnyi is an option to strengthen their defence this summer.

Zabarnyi formed an elite partnership with Dean Huijsen for Bournemouth in the Premier League last season.

But with the latter of the two arriving at Real Madrid, the Cherries are reluctant to lose another defender. As a result, the club are said to have slapped a hefty fee on the centre-back.

However, Daniel Levy does not like to lose and is prepared to give in to the demands tabled.

Zabarnyi agrees to five-year deal with PSG

As reported by RMC Sport on Wednesday (30 July), Tottenham is ready to meet the £60million demanded by Bournemouth.

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The huge bid would break Spurs’ transfer record and is a testament to how much Levy values the player. However, it seems his heart is still set on the Parisian club.

The report adds that the defender has already agreed on a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain and is waiting for the clubs to come to an agreement.

As a result, a move to North London looks unlikely for the Cherries centre-back. But a return to the charge cannot be ruled out if his deal with PSG falls through.

Tottenham are stacked in the centre-back position

While squad depth is important, Tottenham run the risk of frustrating their players if another centre-back arrives without a sale.

It seems like Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero will retain their starting positions under Thomas Frank. While Kevin Danso and Ben Davies are good rotational options.

Meanwhile, the arrivals of Kota Takai and Luca Vuskovic position Spurs’ defence as one of the best in the Premier League in terms of talent. Vuskovic, in particular, has shown that he could become a starter within the next 12 months.

As a result, breaking a club record for a centre-back who does not have Spurs as his first option seems hasty. It would be better to invest that money in positions where Tottenham are lacking, such as left wing or in the midfield.

Therefore, missing out on Zabarnyi could turn out to be best for all involved.