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Thomas Frank is preparing to transform Tottenham in more ways than one next season.

Tottenham fans have been anxiously waiting to see what Frank has in store for the Lilywhites now that he has taken the reins in North London.

The Dane was known for getting the best out of his players at Brentford, and there will be hope that this approach persists. As a result, several struggling Spurs stars could revive their careers this year.

Frank to give Will Lankshear a chance after failed West Brom loan

Will Lankshear was unable to find his best form while on loan at West Brom during the second half of last season.

The centre-forward managed just two goals in 19 appearances for the Baggies. However, this has not stopped clubs from seeing his potential.

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Several clubs across Europe are interested in taking Lankshear on loan next season, including West Brom.

However, Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes Frank will want to look at the striker first, with Spurs’ first pre-season fixture against Reading scheduled for Saturday (19 July).

“Lankshear also has a chance to impress Frank,” Wenham said.

“He had that loan at West Brom which didn’t quite go to plan, but, interestingly, they want to take him again this year.

“The reports I saw from West Brom fans were that they actually liked Lankshear and he worked hard, even if he didn’t get as many goals as he’d like.”

Tottenham should consider loaning Lankshear to West Brom again

They say that the second time is the charm, and this could ring true for Lankshear and West Brom.

It was confirmed last month that former Tottenham assistant coach Ryan Mason will be West Brom’s head coach next season. This would be a huge boost for Lankshear, who is familiar with the 34-year-old.

There is no doubt that Mason will want to give the young forward as much game time as possible. Furthermore, even if Lankshear does impress Frank during pre-season, Spurs cannot guarantee him minutes in the first team at the moment.

Dominic Solanke impressed last season, while new signing Mohammed Kudus is comfortable playing as a centre-forward. With this much competition at Tottenham, Lankshear will be better off seeking another loan next season.

Tottenham are reportedly keen on securing the services of Burnley defender Maxime Esteve this summer.

Injury expert Dr Rajpal Brar has assessed his availability and fitness record ahead of a potential move to North London.

The 23-year-old is on course to play in the Premier League next season, with Burnley securing promotion to the top flight.

Esteve should face no issues with his medical

The centre-back’s fitness record last season suggests that he should have no issues in clearing his medical, according to Dr Brar.

Tottenham have been linked with a move for Esteve as they’re keen on strengthening their defence ahead of the 2025/26 season.

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Discussing the state of play with Esteve exclusively with Tottenham News, Dr Brar, a doctor in physical therapy and a sports scientist, shared his verdict.

“He played all 46 league games last season, so that’s as good as it gets,” he said.

“This means there should be no issues whatsoever with his medical.

“Also, he’s got Premier League experience under his belt, which will come in handy with his adaptation and would minimise injury risk too.”

Tottenham should sign Esteve as a backup centre-back

Esteve is a decent backup option for Tottenham due to his proven defensive prowess and tactical fit.

His standout 2024/25 Championship season, playing all 46 games and conceding just 16 goals, showcases his reliability and composure, earning him Burnley’s Player of the Season award.

The Frenchman’s left-footedness, physicality and speed complement Spurs’ expected high defensive line under Thomas Frank, mirroring Micky van de Ven’s style.

His ball-playing ability is impeccable, ideal for Frank’s possession-based system.

With potential departures, Esteve provides depth and long-term potential.

Despite Burnley’s £30million+ valuation, his Champions League aspirations align with Tottenham’s ambitions, making him a shrewd acquisition to bolster their backline.

Yves Bissouma could be headed for the exit door at Tottenham after three years in North London.

Bissouma has been somewhat of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde figure at Spurs, as his performances have ranged from excellent to lamentable.

The Mali captain showed that he still possesses the ability to step up to the occasion with his stellar showing in the UEFA Europa League final.

However, the Lilywhites have rarely witnessed that calibre of performance from the midfielder in a Spurs shirt, while plenty of games have, in the words of his former manager Ange Postecoglou, passed him by.

With a history of off-the-pitch issues and one year left on his contract, Bissouma is expected to go, with West Ham potentially holding the key to his departure.

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West Ham are frontrunners to sign Douglas Luiz

Tottenham signed Mohammed Kudus from West Ham for just shy of £55million, which drew criticism of the East London side for letting one of their prized assets leave for less than two-thirds the value of his release clause.

Spurs were the beneficiaries of the deal, while the Ghanaian’s departure did free up some funds for Graham Potter to reinvest in the side.

The Hammers are yet to make serious inroads in the transfer market, but have now emerged as frontrunners to sign Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz in a bombshell update via Corriere Dello Sport’s print edition (13 July).

The defensive midfielder has struggled for game time in Italy and has been linked with a swift return to the Premier League.

Tottenham have also explored Luiz as an option, as Thomas Frank looks to consolidate his midfield options, especially from a defensive perspective.

The report adds that Juve could turn to Bissouma to fill the void left by Douglas Luiz if he does head to West Ham.

Frank has tough decisions to make with squad

Frank has had more luck than most in the Tottenham dugout in terms of securing the right players this summer, with at least one or two more expected to arrive.

However, he must now uphold his side of the bargain to decide which members of the squad he does not see as part of his plans and work towards recouping some of the finances from player sales.

There is currently a large surplus of players at Spurs, and Frank will have to make tough decisions to ensure the right balance is struck in N17 to compete on all four fronts next season.

Daniel Levy is seemingly not done with his flurry of transfers at Tottenham.

The Spurs chairman has made a complete u-turn this summer and has gone the extra mile to support Thomas Frank after years of criticism for being too passive in the transfer market.

Levy has already signed four players and is on the verge of signing a fifth in Morgan Gibbs-White, for whom he deviated even further from his norm by triggering a release clause.

With Tottenham set to secure significant investment, more new faces are expected to arrive at Hotspur Way, with the latest target lauded by the club’s record goalscorer.

Tottenham step up interest in João Palhinha

Levy’s step up in transfer dealings over the last week has been in part to guarantee Frank has most of the new signings in place before Tottenham’s pre-season friendly against Reading, 19 July.

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The Dane has focused his energy on securing attacking players, but is now keen to address Spurs’ defensive issues, which saw the Lilywhites concede 65 goals in the Premier League last season.

Tottenham have sought to add a full-back and have already brought in Kōta Takai and Kevin Danso on a permanent deal.

However, they have yet to address their porous midfield and are stepping up their pursuit of João Palhinha from Bayern Munich, as reported by CaughtOffside (13 July).

The 30-year-old has struggled to lock down a starting position in Vincent Kompany’s side and is open to a move back to the Premier League.

The Portugal international could be available for as little as £26million this summer, but Spurs will face competition from Manchester United, who are also interested in the former Fulham man.

Spurs record goalscorer, Harry Kane, is a massive fan of his current teammate, previously calling him an “animal” in defensive midfield, and added that he is a “fantastic” player.

Frank could employ double pivot to help Spurs

Part of Tottenham’s problems in midfield last season was that players like Rodrigo Bentancur were shoehorned into an unfamiliar position at the base of the midfield in an ambitious formation.

The Uruguayan struggled with the responsibility, as did almost every player who took on that role.

However, Frank rarely used one holding midfielder during his time at Brentford, and could look to employ a double pivot instead.

As seen in the latter stages of the UEFA Europa League last season, both Bentancur and Yves Bissouma massively benefited from playing next to each other, as showcased by the final against United.

They admirably shielded the defence together, and took it in turns to progress the ball, which could see Frank improve the team by reverting to this formation, even without signing Palhinha.

Tottenham will face Reading in their first pre-season fixture of the summer.

Spurs will travel to the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday (19 August) to face the Royals as they begin life under Thomas Frank.

The focus will be on the new manager, with the Spurs faithful excited to see what formation the Dane will employ and whether new signings Kōta Takai and Mohammed Kudus will make their debuts.

The contest will kick off at 3pm, with Tottenham News sharing the latest information regarding tickets, travel, and the weather forecast for those going along.

Tickets and parking are available for fans

As per the club’s official website, last updated on 9 July, Tottenham fans have been allocated 4,100 seats for the contest.

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All season ticket holders, including wheelchair and ambulant season ticket holders, who had already applied by the initial deadline have had their places confirmed.

The remaining tickets will go on sale at 10am on 14 July for those who did not apply, as well as One Hotspur Members, with one seat available per client reference number.

Tickets are priced as £12 for adults, £7 for seniors over 65 and fans aged 18-24, while junior prices range from £3 to £7.

The stadium is located 15 minutes away on foot from Reading Green Park station, while fans travelling directly into Reading Station will also be able to board the F1 shuttle service, which starts two hours before kick-off.

Alternatively, a taxi from the centre of town should cost around £10, and parking is available at the stadium for £15.

However, it is advisable to reserve a space in advance for those wishing to guarantee a spot, which must be done at least four hours before kick-off.

Fans advised to be wary of hot conditions

Temperatures are expected to reach up to 28°C on Saturday as fans are advised to take necessary precautions to protect themselves.

With little cloud coverage predicted in the afternoon, sunscreen and plenty of fluids will be essential to ensure both maximum safety and enjoyment.

A gentle breeze is expected, which may offer some respite to the spectators, but they should be geared up for a very hot day out in the summer sunshine.

Tottenham are set to take on Reading as Thomas Frank embarks on his first outing as Spurs manager.

All eyes will be on the Danish manager’s team selection and formation, with plenty of questions still looming over how Tottenham will set up under the 53-year-old.

It will also give the former Bees boss his first opportunity to see the players in action and help him decide which members of the squad will be part of his future at N17.

With over thirty senior players currently registered at Spurs, as well as a handful of younger members, the result will be secondary as Frank will undoubtedly rotate the side throughout.

Nevertheless, the former Brentford boss will still want to get off to a good start, while the Lilywhites will hope to get a first glimpse of their new signings.

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Team News

Frank should have most of his squad available, though Son Heung-min’s late arrival to pre-season could see the captain miss out on the game.

This fixture may come a little early for James Maddison, who is still recovering from his injury from last season, while it’s expected that Radu Drăgușin is still a way off first-team action.

Dejan Kulusevski is also ruled out, but his international colleague Lucas Bergvall seems to have recovered in time to play a part against the Royals.

New Tottenham arrivals Mohammed Kudus and Kōta Takai are expected to be available, while it’s unclear whether Morgan Gibbs-White will have signed for Spurs after Nottingham Forest threaten to block the deal.

Predicted lineup

Frank could give Kudus and Mathys Tel the nod behind Dominic Solanke after desperately looking to improve the front line’s functionality this summer.

In midfield, he will likely start Archie Gray in his preferred role alongside George Abbott, who has impressed in the first week of pre-season.

The biggest surprise could be in the centre of defence, as Takai and Ashley Phillips could be given a chance to prove themselves ahead of Guglielmo Vicario.

Prediction: Reading 1-3 Tottenham

As with any pre-season fixture, especially this early into the teams’ preparations, the result is the least essential element as both clubs look towards building up fitness and on-field connections.

Frank is likely to field an experimental side, and while he’ll be keen to arrest Tottenham’s awful defensive record from last season, a new-look backline is expected to concede.

However, their firepower vastly dwarfs Reading’s, with Tottenham News predicting a 3-1 victory for the Lilywhites in a game that will give clues as to how Spurs will look to operate under their new manager.

Tottenham are expected to shock with another deal as their eventful summer transfer window approaches its peak.

Daniel Levy recently revealed his ambition to win the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League. And if his latest ventures in the summer market are anything to go by, he seems determined to make his dreams a reality.

One of the biggest ways to ensure this is to improve their defensive record from last season. Indeed, Spurs conceded 65 goals in the Premier League last season – the fifth highest out of all the clubs.

As a result, the Tottenham chairman will be looking to make changes this summer.

Josh Keeley to sign new deal at Tottenham

Josh Keeley had a sensational season on loan at Leyton Orient alongside Tottenham forward Jamie Donley.

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The 22-year-old kept 16 clean sheets and even netted a last-minute equaliser against Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup.

As a result, Tottenham will likely reward Keeley with a new contract after his impressive season at Orient.

This development has pleased Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – who is surprised that Spurs have taken so long to offer him a new deal.

“Keeley had had an outstanding season on loan at Leyton Orient. They loved him down there,” Wenham said.

“I’m surprised Tottenham have taken as long as it has to come to the table in terms of negotiating a new, longer, improved, extended deal. But it seems to be in talks now, according to Alasdair Gold.

“I imagine a Championship club will have a space for him ready as their number one to go on loan, as soon as that new deal at Tottenham is agreed.

“But I’m surprised that it has taken as long as it has because he’s an outstanding young goalkeeper whose career projection and development have just been on an upward curve.”

Tottenham could improve defensively next season

Ange Postecoglou brought a fierce attacking approach to Tottenham, which left them vulnerable at the back.

Indeed, his highline would see his players vulnerable to being countered on and conceding several chances a game.

However, Thomas Frank is more cautious in his approach. This could see Spurs play as more of a tight-knit unit, and improve their defensive record.

While the future of the North London club under Frank remains to be seen, it is undoubtedly an exciting one to consider.

Daniel Levy has faced backlash in his approach to Tottenham’s finances in recent years.

Levy has made his ambitions to win the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League known and has taken the necessary financial steps to make his dream a reality.

It has been widely reported that Tottenham are on the right track to securing a lucrative six-figure stadium naming rights deal. This would give the club more leeway in the summer market, with the signing of Mohammed Kudus a taste of what is still to come.

However, it has been suggested that Levy could be set for a reduced role after the deal goes through.

Tottenham to be handed financial boost from Alejo Véliz deal

Alejo Véliz is set to leave on loan and return to his former club Rosario Central.

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The Argentine was touted as one of the next biggest talents when he signed for Spurs in 2018, but has since made eight appearances for the club.

And after two unsuccessful loan spells with Sevilla and Espanyol, Levy will be questioning the financial implications of his transfer.

However, Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that the chairman can pull a couple of million back.

“I feel the whole signing has just been a disaster from minute one,” Wenham said.

“Veliz has got that contract until 2029. The hope will be that he does so well back at the Rosario, where he had the breakthrough, that Tottenham comes to some sort of deal with him.

“It may be that the £13million was paid in instalments, and effectively in the last two or three instalments, are just wiped off the bill, and he’ll join Rosario, that way rather than Tottenham paying the full outlay of the £13m.

“So it’ll require a bit of kind of creative accounting, but Tottenham have done that many times when we look at Giovani Le Celso and others. For me, it’s a transfer that hasn’t worked out, but not all youth signings are going to work out.”

Tottenham should still sign a striker

With Véliz out on loan and Richarlison likely to leave this summer, Tottenham should consider adding another striker to their squad.

While new signings Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel can play as centre-forwards, other than Dominic Solanke, Spurs lack that pure number nine profile.

Therefore, if there is an opportunity in the market for a striker who fits the bill, the Lilywhites should consider making an offer.

Thomas Frank is only a couple of signings away from completing the jigsaw at Tottenham.

Frank was particularly keen on adding firepower to Spurs’ frontline since he joined Spurs, and finally got his wish in the form of Mohammed Kudus.

Tottenham are also still hopeful of adding Morgan Gibbs-White to their ranks, despite the complications posed by Nottingham Forest’s legal threats.

This would see Frank get much closer to his desired final squad at Spurs, though their strong links with Yoane Wissa suggest a striker remains on the cards.

The Dane is also likely to target a midfielder to act as a defensive pivot, especially with Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur both in the final year of their contracts.

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Spurs have made contact to sign João Palhinha

Frank has a lot of faith in Archie Gray, having been close to signing the versatile teenager last summer before Tottenham swooped in to hijack the deal.

He is expected to lay claim to the number six role, which was shared between Bissouma and Bentancur last season to varying degrees of success.

The Uruguayan is more suited to a traditional midfield role, whereas Bissouma could leave Spurs this summer after an overall underwhelming showing since his arrival from Brighton in June 2022.

However, with Gray being just 19 years old, Spurs could look for a more experienced alternative, and have made contact with Bayern Munich’s João Palhinha, as reported by Givemesport (12 July).

The Portugal international struggled to make an impression on Vincent Kompany, limiting him to just nine starts across all competitions for the Bavarian club last season.

He was signed for a fee above £40million from Fulham just over 12 months ago, where he consistently topped the charts for most tackles made in the Premier League.

The 30-year-old would not come cheap for Spurs, but after winning the UEFA Europa League, the Lilywhites have much more pulling power, allowing Frank to call the shots in terms of targeting high-calibre players.

Palhinha would be a very sensible signing for Spurs

For all the talent that Frank has at his disposal at Spurs, he lacks a reliable defensive presence in the heart of the midfield.

This was often Tottenham‘s downfall under the 51-year-old’s predecessor, especially in transition, where the North Londoners were carved open time and again.

Palhinha would go a long way in halting that issue, as he specialises in shielding the defence, while being very adept at receiving the ball under pressure to start attacks.

He would also bring a wealth of experience to the young Spurs squad, making him a very sensible signing if Bayern are willing to let him leave for a reasonable fee.

Tottenham could throw their hat into the ring for Rodrygo as he nears an exit from Real Madrid.

Rodrygo has found it difficult to fully adjust to life at Real Madrid since he signed in 2019.

The Brazilian has put up some incredible performances for the Spanish club, including scoring two goals against Manchester City in 2022, to send his team to the UEFA Champions League final. However, he has been unable to play in his preferred position due to the success of Vinicius Junior in that spot.

The arrival of Kylian Mbappe has not helped matters, and the 24-year-old has seen his gametime slashed. As a result, he could be on his way out, and Tottenham could become a viable destination.

Tottenham unlikely to sign Rodrygo this summer

As reported by The Athletic (3 July), Real Madrid are open to selling Rodrygo this summer.

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The Brazilian is reportedly considering a move to the Premier League, with Mikel Arteta keen to bring the Brazilian to Arsenal.

However, Tottenham could steal him from the Gunners’ clutches, as it has been suggested that Madrid could be ready to part with Rodrygo for a fee of around £60million.

But as of now, this is no more than a fantasy as Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes this is a deal Spurs will not entertain.

“Rodrygo is one of those players who comes with £200,000-weekly wages,” Wenham said.

“Tottenham, unfortunately, and much to the frustration of a lot of the fans, we don’t operate in that market, buying ready-made players from clubs like Real Madrid.

“It’s a shame because there are great market opportunities to be had there sometimes, but it’s just not a signing Tottenham would make. I could give you 15 teams that would be more likely to sign him than Tottenham.”

Rodrygo would take Tottenham to the next level

Rodrygo is next to unplayable when deployed on the left wing and could take Tottenham to the next level if signed.

His best spell last season came when Vinicius was injured earlier during the campaign, and he had the freedom to play on the left-hand side.

With Son Heung-min nearing the end of his time at Tottenham, Spurs could offer Rodrygo guarantees that their rivals cannot. Therefore, this is a deal which the Lilywhites should consider.