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Alfie Devine is part of a growing pack of young players vying for a place at Tottenham.

Devine spent last season on loan at Belgian side Westerlo alongside Luka Vušković, where he had a solid season, scoring six goals from attacking midfield.

The 20-year-old will now return to Spurs to stake his claim for a place in Thoms Frank’s first-team squad, but will have his work cut out as Tottenham are brimming with academy players in the same boat.

As such, plenty of departures are expected in North London this summer, both permanent and on loan, as Frank shapes his squad for the 2025/26 season.

Archie Baptiste signs for Middlesbrough after leaving Spurs

In stark contrast to Tottenham’s senior squad, the academy has seen plenty of movement, most recently with Max McFadden being picked up by Spurs after leaving Leeds.

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There have also been several outgoings, including Damola Ajayi joining Doncaster Rovers on loan, as well as the release of a handful of young players last month.

One of them was Archie Baptiste, who represented the Spurs Under-18s over 50 times but struggled to make the transition to Premier League 2, making only two substitute appearances last season.

The 19-year-old has already found a new home and was quickly snapped up by Middlesbrough, prompting him to post on Instagram (4 July) with the caption, “Buzzing to have signed for this club let’s get to work”.

Devine commented on the defender’s post with a ‘clapping hands’ emoji to congratulate his former teammate.

Devine will have work cut out to secure a place in the first team

As with any squad, Tottenham have varying depth in different positions, but attacking midfield is one where there is a lot of competition among the younger contingent.

Devine will be in direct competition with Jamie Donley, who will return to Hotspur Way on the back of an excellent loan spell with Leyton Orient in which he registered 19 direct goal contributions.

Another talent emerging from the ranks is Luca Williams-Barnett, who has just signed a new contract with Spurs and has already trained with the first team on numerous occasions, despite being only 16.

With James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski already in situ, Devine will have to go a long way in impressing Frank this summer to stand a chance of being in his long-term plans.

Marcus Rashford is set to leave Manchester United this summer, with Tottenham one of the many clubs linked with the forward.

The 27-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with Aston Villa, but they will not make a permanent move for him.

Rashford is waiting for offers to leave Man United, as he is not a part of Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans.

While there has been talk of a move to Barcelona, the England international remains a United player for now, with weeks left in the window.

Rashford wages are no problem for Spurs

Rashford’s £300,000-a-week wages were bound to be a sticking point, but Manchester United are reportedly willing to subsidise his earnings.

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While the forward could leave Old Trafford on loan, it is believed that a bid of £40million would be enough to lure him away from United permanently.

Football finance expert Dan Plumley – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – has provided insight into a possible deal for the England international.

“You would anticipate his wage demands would be pretty high,” he said.

“If you look at that in the context of Spurs, that’s not necessarily an issue for them on a wages turnover position, because theirs has historically been lower than 50 per cent in the last few seasons.

“So, if you look at wages to turn over headroom, and obviously wrapping that up into UEFA and squad cost, it’s plausible.

“The bigger question is, again with Spurs, how much are his wage demands, what does he want, and you’ve got to factor that into the long-term contract position before you’ve even engaged on a fee.

“It’s one of those where Spurs could afford it in the long-term, and they’re going to have Champions League money as well to boost that in the season that we’re coming into, but it’s whether or not they really want to outlay a significant amount of wages on that kind of player, and then the fee over the top.”

Tottenham face Barcelona obstacle for Rashford

While Spurs represent an appealing option for Rashford, there is the rather substantial hurdle of Barcelona.

Although the 27-year-old is not understood to be their top target, he is becoming an increasingly likely acquisition.

That is because Nico Williams has decided to remain at Athletic Bilbao, while Luis Diaz could be unattainable.

Tottenham will likely have to hold tight and see what unfolds with the Spanish champions before engaging with Rashford, but they are in a position to spend big if needed.

Tottenham could make a statement by signing Marcus Rashford this summer.

Tottenham need fresh faces to kick off the Thomas Frank era in North London, and Rashford would represent a marquee arrival.

The Englishman burst onto the scene as a teenager at Manchester United and has since been mentioned in the same breath as some of the Premier League’s best players.

However, the winger has yet to live up to his full potential and, after a disappointing couple of years at United, was loaned out to Aston Villa for the second half of the 2024/25 season.

Rashford is no longer in Ruben Amorim’s plans, and Tottenham could be the perfect destination for the 27-year-old to get his career back on track.

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Barcelona ruled out signing Rashford

Rashford is reportedly keen on a move to Barcelona. His desire is so strong that it has even been suggested that he would be willing to accept a wage cut to leave United.

However, as reported by Diario AS on Saturday (5 July), Rashford is not considered a priority for Hansi Flick or Deco, and the file has been dismissed.

This comes as the Balugrana club have decided to ramp up their efforts to sign Liverpool forward Luis Díaz after Nico Williams extended at Athletic Club.

The report states that United would be willing to part with Rashford for a “modest” £34.5million fee that could convince Tottenham to accelerate his signing.

Indeed, now that Barcelona are out of the running, the former Villa winger could consider staying in England, and with UEFA Champions League football on offer, Tottenham could convince Rashford to move to North London.

Rashford could thrive at Tottenham

Rashford is the kind of talent that few clubs would let pass by if allowed to sign him.

While he has struggled to get back to his best, glimpses of the player he could be were on show when at Villa. This could indicate that in the right environment and under the right manager, the Englishman still has plenty to offer.

Therefore, there is every possibility that Tottenham will not be disappointed if they sign Rashford this summer.

Tottenham must make a decision soon as Mohammed Kudus’ release clause expires in five days.

It is widely reported that the release clause in Kudus’ contract with West Ham, set at £85million, is only valid for the first 10 days of July.

Tottenham are hoping to negotiate a much lower deal, but Daniel Levy’s frosty relationship with the Hammers is adding an extra layer of complications to Spurs’ advances.

With other clubs, including Chelsea, also considering the Ghanaian this summer, Levy may have to alter his approach to ensure the 24-year-old joins the Lilywhites.

Tottenham favourites to sign Kudus despite deal still being far off

Spurs have already missed out on various targets, and while Kudus was likely not Levy’s top priority, the Lilywhites are swiftly running out of options.

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The revelation from David Ornstein via The Athletic on YouTube (5 July) that Tottenham are still far from signing Kudus will only add to the angst among supporters.

Ornstein stated, “I think Tottenham would carry appeal to someone like [Kudus], Champions League football and remaining in London, but there will be other options as well, and I don’t think this one is close to a conclusion as of yet.”

Despite this revelation, N17 remains Kudus’ most likely destination, as Ladbrokes have the playmaker at 8/11 to join Tottenham, although these odds are drifting, with Chelsea second favourites at 6/4.

Thomas Frank will be hopeful that the deal can pull through, as the former Ajax forward’s versatility would allow him to fit in multiple positions for the Dane, who often changes his team’s formations to suit the opposition.

Frank’s front line is still a mystery

One of the allures of Frank is that, for all of his success and longevity at Brentford, it’s challenging to associate him with a specific style of play.

This can be seen as a positive, as he is willing to adapt according to the variables, but it makes assessing how Tottenham will shape up quite challenging, especially up front.

From the way the 53-year-old spoke about Dominic Solanke and the relative lack of competition at centre-forward, it is expected that he will start.

However, it is unclear whether Frank will play two wide forwards, like Mathys Tel and Brennan Johnson, or whether he is looking to bring a player like Kudus to play off Solanke in a much more central position.

Tottenham’s pre-season tour will give the first indication of Frank’s vision and unveil some of the mysteries of how his front line will look, and it would not be a huge surprise to see one or two rogue inclusions.

Daniel Levy is once again the centre of attention at Tottenham as the North Londoners prepare for the 2025/26 campaign.

Pressure has been mounting on Levy to make inroads in the summer transfer window following Thomas Frank’s arrival.

The calls for some movement are accelerating as Premier League rivals are significantly strengthening while the Lilywhites remain dormant.

Levy is no stranger to the spotlight but has made a new announcement at Tottenham to alleviate some of the worries.

Tottenham confirm return of the Bill Nicholson Gates

Levy’s crowning jewel during his 24-year reign as chairman has been the building of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which is now one of the leading venues in world football.

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The 63-year-old was careful to preserve remnants of the old White Hart Lane during construction, and Tottenham have confirmed (July 2) that the Bill Nicholson Gates will be returning this summer.

The famous gates are set to be reinstated between the Ticket Office and historic buildings at the north of the stadium, continuing the tribute to the former Spurs icon, who had a famous picture taken in front of the feature in the 1970s.

Ex-Spurs scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that this announcement somewhat eases the pressure on Levy’s shoulders, but that he will ultimately still be judged on the summer’s transfer dealings.

“Levy waited to get rid of Ange Postecoglou,” King said.

“He’s brought in Frank after a lot of speculation, and now he’s obviously trying to get on the good side of supporters after that decision by reinstalling these gates.

“Is there a bigger name at Tottenham than Nicholson? A lot of people don’t think anyone has done as much for Tottenham as he did in all of his roles across the club. To bring back those gates, I think, is a good move by Mr. Levy. It will certainly ease some of the pressure, that’s for sure.

“However, the biggest pressure at the moment is the inactivity regarding transfers. A lot of talk, no action. Something needs to be done; who’s going to be leaving, who’s coming in? Too much speculation makes unrest in the football club.”

Levy’s legacy at stake this summer

For years, it was argued that Levy’s only legacy at Tottenham was the stadium he had built, leading to numerous protests being held for his resignation as chairman.

A European trophy has slightly altered that viewpoint, but his decision to make wholesale changes at the club in the immediate aftermath was both brave and risky.

If Frank’s appointment doesn’t go to plan, Levy will not be able to escape criticism for firing Postecoglou just as Spurs had seemingly turned the corner with achievements on the pitch.

Should he not adequately back the Dane to ensure success, the blame will once again land at Levy’s desk, making this summer arguably the most critical to his reputation during his tenure.

Thomas Frank has the opportunity to set the tone for his tenure by promoting a sensational Tottenham player next season.

All eyes will be on Frank over the coming weeks as Spurs prepare to embark on their pre-season tour.

It is believed that Tottenham fans will get a little taste of what is to come as the Dane decides his squad for the upcoming season. Pre-season will give players, new and old, the opportunity to showcase their leadership skills and fight for their places.

While Frank will have some tough decisions to make, the 51-year-old’s next one could be his easiest following a recent contract development.

Luca Williams-Barnett signs scholarship deal at Tottenham

Williams-Barnett has reportedly signed a two-year scholarship with Tottenham.

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This comes after the young prospect garnered a lot of interest from other clubs while his future at Spurs hung in the balance.

Williams-Barnett is considered one of the best young talents in English football; he could have his pick of the litter if he wanted. Therefore, the fact that he chose to remain at Spurs shows his commitment.

Frank should reward his commitment by promoting him to the first team next season. It is not like giving academy players a chance has not worked well before.

Indeed, Mikey Moore became an example for all academy stars when he lifted the UEFA Europa League with the first team. Ange Postecoglou demonstrated that trust and persistence pay off, with teenage duo Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray also instrumental in Spurs’ title-winning season.

This could encourage Frank to take a leap of faith and allow Williams-Barnett to stake his claim this forthcoming pre-season.

Tottenham must make several summer signings

The best teams are built on both youth and experience, and Spurs’ scales are tipping to one side.

Indeed, Tottenham have several young players who can lead the club in the years to come. However, Levy needs to bring in experienced players too.

Cristian Romero and Son Heung-min could both leave Tottenham this summer, and while Frank is a manager known for working with what he has, even this task could prove too big for him to handle, especially with UEFA Champions League football on the agenda.

Therefore, Levy now needs to add some experience to his young team to guarantee a successful season.

Ange Postecoglou could be back in management soon after he was sacked by Tottenham.

Daniel Levy and Co decided to part ways with the Australian on 6 June, despite winning the Europa League less than a month before.

Thomas Frank has since been appointed in North London, but Postecoglou could have a new job of his own amid the latest developments from the United States.

It was probably the right decision to sack the ex-Celtic boss as he had led the Lilywhites to their worst domestic campaign in years, with 22 losses in the Premier League.

Postecoglou could return to management immediately after Tottenham sack

Postecoglou has been lined up for the vacancy at LAFC, the MLS side which recently competed at the Club World Cup.

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Iconic commentator Ian Darke believes that the opportunity could be the right one for the former Spurs boss at this stage in his career, but better offers are likely.

Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, he said: “I would be a little bit surprised if he wound up in Los Angeles.

“Having won a European trophy last season, I think an offer would come his way.

“Being the kind of guy that he is, he wants to be in work; he does not want to be kicking his heels for three or four months waiting.

“Because what you generally have to do if you lose your job in the Premier League is wait until November, when two or three vacancies are coming up with teams panicking that they are going to go down, but he may not want to do that.

“Quality of life, it is the kind of package that might appeal to him, the lifestyle, LAFC, he has worked all over the world, hasn’t he.

“Would he get a better offer than that? Yeah, he probably would if he waited.”

Tottenham fans will wish Postecoglou well

Although his relationship with the media and supporters was often a troubled one, the fans will ultimately wish him well on his new adventure.

At the end of the day, he is the man who brought the club their first trophy in 17 years, and ended the stigma around the N17 outfit that they were ‘bottlers’.

He will rightfully take his place in Tottenham history when all is said and done.

Cristian Romero’s uncertain future is making Thomas Frank’s life very difficult at Tottenham.

Frank will be well aware that Tottenham are a much better side in almost every aspect when Romero is in the starting line-up.

The centre-back’s leadership, defending, and passing abilities make Spurs a far more formidable team, particularly when he plays alongside Micky van de Ven, with whom he has developed an excellent partnership.

Romero would be a considerable loss to Tottenham if he were to leave and would need to be adequately replaced. However, questions remain over his future after recent developments, leaving everyone at Spurs on the back foot.

Tottenham want £70million for Romero

In an interview conducted at Tottenham last March, Romero brazenly declared that he wanted to test himself in La Liga, alerting Atletico Madrid to pursue the Argentine.

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The Spanish outfit have since made enquiries about the highly-rated defender and are reportedly willing to pay handsomely for the centre-back.

However, the figure is likely to fall well short of Daniel Levy’s £70million valuation of Romero, with the Spurs chairman unwilling to budge on his valuation, as reported by The Standard (30 June).

It could prompt Romero to try to force a move to link up with his compatriot, Diego Simeone, but it is unclear how far last season’s UEFA Europa League Player of the Tournament is willing to go.

Ex-Spurs scout Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that both Romero and his agent are causing trouble at Tottenham, and that a final decision needs to be made swiftly for everyone’s benefit.

“Romero has two years left on his contract,” King said.

“If Tottenham want to dig their heels in, they have the right to. I think this is Romero and his agent siring up trouble. Of course, Simeone will admire him; he’d be a great addition to Atletico, but he’d be a big loss to Tottenham.

“Romero has got two years left on his contract; either this needs to be put to bed, or he needs to be sold because it’s not doing the player or club any good.

“If Atletico want him, put £85million on the table and see what Tottenham say. Otherwise, Romero needs to get on with his job; Tottenham are paying him, not Atletico.”

Romero’s situation is where Levy earns his corn

There is an argument that players who want to leave should be allowed to do so for the benefit of the squad’s morale, as Frank will only want players at Spurs who buy into his vision.

However, it’s not always as simple as that, and with Levy, it’s even less likely.

The Spurs supremo is unflappable in his approach to transfers, particularly in his unwillingness to sell a player below his value, as seen with Harry Kane’s failed move to Manchester City.

The 63-year-old will not be bullied into a sale and very much earns his corn at Spurs in situations like these, so for all the noise about Romero wanting to leave, the decision will ultimately have to satisfy Levy.

Simone Inzaghi could be set to play a crucial role in deciding where Tottenham star Cristian Romero is playing next season.

This summer is a window of opportunity for Spurs, but as of yet, they have yet taken it, with most of the focus on players who could be jetting away from North London in the coming weeks.

Mikey Moore is one who could leave, as is Romero, who has been heavily linked with an exit from Tottenham since before the previous campaign came to an end.

Atletico Madrid hold a strong interest in signing the defender, but his future could be in the hands of Inzaghi, who was previously linked with the Tottenham job.

Saudi transfer could decide Romero future this summer

Romero’s future at Tottenham is up in the air, but much of it may depend on whether or not Atletico Madrid can secure an exit for Jose Gimenez.

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That is according to Fichajes (4 July), with it claimed that the Uruguayan international has attracted interest from Al Nassr and Al Hilal.

The latter are managed by Inzaghi, and if he is to sanction a move for Gimenez, that could release the shackles for Atletico to move to Romero.

His exit would be a massive blow for Tottenham’s chances of progressing under Thomas Frank, though it would also provide them with some serious funds to go out and strengthen their team where required.

Frank will be getting frustrated at Tottenham

Aside from Mathys Tel, who spent the last campaign on loan at Spurs, Tottenham are yet to bring any new faces to North London, despite the second week of July nearly being upon us.

That needs to change immediately if Tottenham are to have any chance of success next season, especially if players like Romero leave.

Thomas Frank could be set to give the green light to Mikey Moore ahead of a summer exit from Tottenham.

Now approaching the second week in July, Tottenham are still sitting with their hands tied behind their back when it comes to recruitment, with the permanent addition of Mathys Tel still their only piece of significant incoming business as things stand.

If Frank is to have any chance at achieving success with Spurs this season, he needs to be backed by Daniel Levy, which has yet to be the case.

Much of the focus still remains on the future of several current players, including Moore, whose exit from North London could be days away.

West Brom surely set to push for Moore transfer

As soon as Ryan Mason was appointed at West Brom, links immediately began to surface connecting several Spurs youth players with a loan move to The Hawthorns.

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One of those heavily linked with a move was Moore, who struggled for gametime at Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou last season.

However, West Brom have since reached an agreement for the sale of Mikey Johnston, their starting left-winger, and it may only be a matter of time until they push for Moore.

As good as Moore is, and despite how much he would be able to offer next season, getting regular first-team football needs to be the priority for him, and the Baggies would certainly be able to offer that.

Tottenham need to sanction loan exits this summer

First and foremost, Spurs need to accelerate the transfer plans of their own to have any chance of achieving something next season, though securing loans for those fringe players will also be important.

Young players need exposure to first-team football to thrive and develop, and it’s unlikely that any of them will receive that with Spurs, who need fresh quality for their Champions League campaign.