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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.

Tottenham are expected to encounter another layer to the Yves Bissouma transfer saga, which could hit a lot closer to home.

Bissouma has struggled to hit his best form since he signed for Tottenham from Brighton three years ago.

The midfielder found it difficult to get gametime at all under Antonio Conte, but had his moments under Ange Postecoglou. However, he was still inconsistent despite showcasing his potential at times.

As a result, the Mali international is set to leave Spurs this summer. But the latest development in the saga could throw the club off guard.

Bissouma wants to remain in Premier League

The Tottenham midfielder has garnered interest from Italy and Turkey, with Fenerbahçe making contact with Bissouma.

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However, the Lilywhites could be out of luck as it now seems that the 28-year-old prefers a departure closer to home.

As reported by Sacha Tavolieri via X on Saturday (12 July), Bissouma has expressed his desire to remain at Tottenham – or at least in the Premier League this summer.

This could see him sign for a rival club who could pounce at the opportunity to sign a solid defensive midfield option with 12 months left on his contract.

It is without a doubt that Spurs would prefer for Bissouma to move abroad, but if they remain committed to letting him leave in the coming weeks, the club may be powerless to stop it.

Bissouma’s departure from Tottenham will be bittersweet

Bissouma has indeed failed to reach the expectations fans had surrounding his transfer. However, he fights for the badge and plays with his soul which is difficult to come across.

He did not put a foot out of line when facing Manchester United during Spurs’ biggest game in recent years.

Along with Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr, he ran circles around United’s midfield and guided the club to victory.

This is a performance which was not lost on Spurs supporters and will be remembered for years to come.

As a result, it will be difficult to part with a player who has shown he loves the club. But just like most things in life, this is something that must be done.

Tottenham are not out of the woods just yet as Real Madrid could make an approach for Cristian Romero this summer.

Daniel Levy would have taken a huge sigh of relief after it was widely reported that Atletico Madrid had ended their pursuit of Romero.

The Argentine has become a staple in the defence at Spurs, and the club were not keen on letting him leave Hotspur Way.

But the Tottenham chairman may be faced with no other choice after a recent big-money reveal.

Real Madrid want to sign a defender

Real Madrid were humiliated when they conceded four times against Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final on Wednesday (9 July).

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The players may have held their heads down in shame when they walked off the pitch, but the defeat seems to have lit a fire inside Florentino Perez.

As reported by Spanish outlet Marca on Saturday (12 July), Madrid are in the market for a defender after the game against PSG.

The report reveals that Xabi Alonso has asked for defensive reinforcements, and their £63million winnings from the Club World Cup could boost their pursuit in potential bad news for Tottenham.

The Spanish club have already expressed interest in Romero before and could return to the charge this summer.

If the player wishes to leave and with only two years left on his current contract, Levy may be forced to accept the sum that Madrid are willing to pay.

While Tottenham are keen on extending Romero’s stay, the last thing the North London club need is for a player of his magnitude to leave for free.

Tottenham must extend Romero’s contract

The partnership between Micky van de Ven and Romero has the potential to be one of the strongest in the Premier League next season.

Tottenham fans were robbed of seeing it in its entirety after a series of injuries took over Hotspur Way. But with Thomas Frank, who has a more cautious approach to Ange Postecoglou now at the helm, the duo could be platformed a lot more.

As a result, the North London club should look to extend Romero at all costs. He still has a lot left to give to the side as both a defender and a leader if Son Heung-min leaves.

Tottenham have already made several huge changes this summer and are far from being done.

Vinai Venkatesham has been praised by Spurs supporters for the noticeable changes to the communications department since he started at the club.

The CEO made clear that his key priorities are football, fans and staff, and he seems to be making good progress.

This, coupled with Daniel Levy’s desire to win the Premier League and UEFA Champions League in due course, has led to internal and external changes.

As a result, the Lilywhites have ramped up their efforts in the market this month, as Tottenham News brings you the latest from N17.

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Fenerbahçe set to hold talks with Bissouma and Tottenham

As reported by Yağiz Sabuncuoğlu via X(11 July), a representative authorised by Fenerbahçe has flown to London to meet with Tottenham and Bissouma.

This comes after the former Brighton midfielder was linked with a move to Juventus in addition to the Turkish club.

However, if all goes as hoped, the Turkish club could accelerate the file, which would see the Mali international leave Hotspur Way this summer.

James Maddison set to be axed at Tottenham

With the North London club officially announcing the signing of Mohammad Kudus and Morgan Gibbs-White not too far behind, James Maddison could find himself in a difficult situation.

Jamie O’Hara believes he will be pushed down the pecking order now that at least one of the two will play for Spurs next season.

While speaking on talkSPORT (10 July), O’Hara said: “I think that pushes Maddison down the pecking order a little bit.

“Dejan Kulusevski is a good player. When he’s fit and he’s on it, he’s really good, so do you play Kudus on the left and Kulusevski on the right? Gibbs-White, Dominic Solanke, that in my head is probably how you would start.

“But Kudus can play on the right as well, and as a number 10. It’s a good problem to have; we have a lot of games.”

Tottenham interest in Conor Gallagher threatens Rodrigo Bentancur

Conor Gallagher is one of the players Atletico Madrid are willing to hear offers for this summer.

Levy has shown he is willing to go the extra mile and could be up for the challenge despite the midfielder’s stint at Chelsea.

This latest development could see Rodrigo Bentancur leave Hotspur Way for good. Indeed, the midfield at Tottenham is beginning to become a little crowded now that Kudus has signed, with Gibbs-White still expected to follow.

And with 12 months left on his contract and no extension signed, the Uruguayan could become the next player to bid farewell.

Tottenham announce Manchester City goalkeeper addition to Under-18s squad

Tottenham have officially announced the new additions to their Under-18 squad for next season, which includes Farren Doran, who was signed from Man City.

He is seen as a talented player and is expected to provide competition for Blake Irow, who is their current number one.

In addition to Dorran, the North London club also confirmed the signing of Luca Williams-Barnett, who contributed to 32 goals in 23 appearances last season.