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Perry Groves has warned Thomas Frank about his new signing, who could turn out to be more trouble than he is worth.

There is no doubt that Frank wants to start life at Tottenham on the right foot. As a result, he has urged Daniel Levy to make several summer signings.

The Tottenham Chairman is thought to be amenable to this request, given that he has hopes of winning the Premier League and UEFA Champions League soon.

However, there could now be fears that Levy has gotten one key transfer wrong.

Mohammed Kudus is a ‘strange’ Tottenham signing

Tottenham confirmed Mohammed Kudus as their marquee signing this month after agreeing terms with West Ham.

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This makes the Ghanaian the first player to move between the London rivals since Scott Parker in 2011. As a result, Levy will have a lot banking on the success of this signing.

Kudus tore up the Premier League in his first season, and Frank will be entrusted to help the player rediscover his best form. However, former Arsenal forward Groves is sceptical about the signing.

Groves told talkSPORT on Sunday (13 July): “Kudus has gone there, which I think is a bit of a strange signing. Because not last season, the season before, he had a good season. If you ask West Ham fans, they won’t be crying their eyes out.

“I saw him a few times again, and his attitude wasn’t great. Under Julen Lopetegui, and when Graham Potter went there, he played him out of position a few times as a false nine, which is ridiculous.

“But again, his reaction when he’s going one-on-one using the ball, his reaction getting back and helping his team out wasn’t good. Now, Frank won’t stand for that whatsoever, but going forward, he can be exciting. The jury is out.”

Kudus could excel at Tottenham

Despite the opinion of Groves, Kudus could still turn out to be Tottenham’s best signing in recent times.

The former West Ham star has the talent to succeed at Spurs if utilised correctly. This job falls to Frank, who is known for developing his players.

Indeed, the Dane turned Bryan Mbeumo into an absolute monster during his time at Brentford. The winger has become one of the best in the Premier League and contributed to 29 goals last season.

As a result, he has caught the attention of several suitors this summer. Tottenham were hoping to come out on top in the fight for his signature, but seem to have conceded to Manchester United.

However, the Lilywhites may have ended up with the better man. As well as the right wing, Kudus is comfortable on the left, centre and can play in the midfield.

Therefore, a player this versatile will likely be a delight for Frank to coach next season.

Daniel Levy has curated a perfect financial opportunity for Tottenham after Manchester United let it pass by.

Levy wears the reputation of a fierce businessman like a badge of honour and has made several changes at Spurs since becoming chairman.

This includes building the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which hosts several live events each year.

More recently, it has been widely reported that Tottenham are working towards securing a lucrative naming rights deal for their impressive stadium, and now Levy is set to add one more financial masterclass to his list of achievements.

Levy hires Altius8 agency, founded by former United employees

As reported by The Telegraph on Tuesday (15 July), Levy has hired the Altius8 agency, which was founded by former Manchester United employees who left Old Trafford after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival.

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The team is led by United’s former commercial star, Victoria Timpson, and is comprised of many of the Red Devils’ previous leading women in the executive team, who drove big commercial deals in Manchester, and could do the same in North London, which could see Spurs’ revenues soar.

A whole range of sponsorship assets will be overseen by Timpson and her colleagues, although it is unclear whether this will include the potential naming rights deal of Spurs’ stadium.

It has been suggested that the arrival of Timpson and Altius8, who will work alongside the Tottenham commercial team, headed by chief revenue officer Ryan Norys, and the recent arrival of Vinai Venkatesham, “represents a new direction for Spurs under Levy.”

Levy still has mountains to move at Tottenham

The Tottenham chairman deserves a pat on the back after the season he has had.

Indeed, the Lilywhites came out on top against United to clinch the UEFA Europa League, ending a 17-year trophy drought. Meanwhile, new head coach Thomas Frank is getting straight to work ahead of Spurs’ pre-season tour.

However, there is still more to be done in the summer transfer window.

The club welcomed Mohammed Kudus as their marquee signing earlier this month. Morgan Gibbs-White was expected to follow, but Nottingham Forest have reportedly blocked the transfer.

Tottenham were initially confident about the deal going forward, but it now seems that Levy will need to move mountains to get it done. However, if the deal does go through, then Spurs are on track for one of their most successful transfer windows in recent times.

Tottenham could be about to take their pursuit of João Palhinha to the next stage.

The former Fulham midfielder has been away from English football for the last year, having moved to Bayern Munich in a big-money deal.

Tottenham are now keen to bring Palhinha back to the Premier League, and they have already been in contact to explore the Portuguese’s availability this summer.

Thomas Frank needs to bolster his midfield ranks with more top-quality options, and the former Sporting and Braga man could be the perfect addition for the Dane.

Tottenham to offer Yves Bissouma or Rodrigo Bentancur to Bayern

Tottenham are understood to be pushing forward in their pursuit of Palhinha, following the news that he could be allowed to leave Bayern for as little as £26million this summer.

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The 30-year-old has struggled to force himself into Vincent Kompany’s side regularly and would therefore be open to a potential return to England.

Palhinha seems set to be available for a surprisingly low fee for a player of his pedigree in the Premier League, and that could easily tempt the North Londoners into swooping in.

However, ex-Spurs scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that the Lilywhites should explore the possibility of trying to negotiate a potential swap deal involving some of their current midfielders.

“What about Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur?” King said.

“Perhaps there will be a potential swap deal here, to liven both players involved up. I can’t really see the benefit of bringing in Palhinha if Bentancur and Bissouma are both still there.

“Nobody has moved on yet. Speculation at this time of the year is becoming increasingly controlled by players’ agents. We need to wait and see what happens.”

Spurs would benefit from a swap deal with Bayern

Bissouma has been tipped to depart Tottenham this summer, while Bentancur’s performances have underwhelmed at times.

As such, a swap deal involving either of the pair would suit Frank and Co. perfectly, if they could convince the German giants to entertain an agreement of that nature.

The N17 outfit need to offload some of the players on the fringes of the squad this summer to make room for new faces, and a swap deal for Palhinha would tackle two issues at the same time.

Frank would get a quality addition to his midfield, while also securing the departure of a player who could potentially need to make way.

It remains to be seen whether Bayern would be open to the possibility, but if they were, it could prove to be something of a masterstroke by the Lilywhites.

Tottenham may have to move quickly to seal a move for Genoa centre-back Koni De Winter this summer transfer window.

With Cristian Romero’s future uncertain at Spurs, the Belgium international has emerged as a target for them.

The North London outfit signed Radu Dragusin from Genoa in 2024, and could now raid the Serie A outfit again for another defender.

Inter lead race for De Winter transfer as Genoa to accept £22m for Tottenham target

Inter are leading Tottenham in the race for De Winter, according to The i Paper.

The news outlet reports (15 July) that Spurs have made contact with Genoa, who are willing to accept £22m for the Belgian defender.

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It’s been claimed that the North Londoners are in a race against time to sign the 23-year-old due to his reasonable fee, with the Nerazzurri further along in their negotiations with their Italian counterparts.

The centre-back has also spent most of his career in Italy, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him prefer a move to Inter over Tottenham on that basis.

Dragusin may opt to leave Spurs in the coming weeks after struggling for regular game time under Ange Postecoglou, and it’s difficult to see that changing under Thomas Frank.

The Romania international has flattered to deceive, and the North London outfit’s fans won’t be bothered seeing him leave this summer.

De Winter could potentially be a perfect addition to Tottenham’s backline as they look to compete in all competitions next season, and Dragusin should be used as a bargaining chip with Genoa to sign the Belgian centre-back.

Daniel Levy to delight Frank with transfers this summer

Romero’s move to Atletico Madrid seems to have lost its legs, and his continuity in N17 seems realistic ahead of the upcoming campaign.

The Argentina international and Micky van de Ven will certainly keep their place in the starting lineup under Frank if they stay.

Tottenham will be concerned about their consistent fitness issues, though, and it makes sense to have quality backup options like De Winter and Danso in the squad.

With Inter looking to pip Spurs to the signing of the Belgium international, only time will tell how the situation will unfold.

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.