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Tottenham are bucking the trend as they attempt to sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham.

The Lilywhites have targeted the Ghanaian as their first marquee signing of the summer for Thomas Frank, who has been itching to bring in a proven Premier League forward this window.

Kudus would be the first player to join Tottenham from the Hammers since Scott Parker in 2011, with Daniel Levy and David Sullivan not thought to be on the best of terms.

Nevertheless, the Spurs chairman is hoping he can still navigate a deal to prove he is willing to back his new manager.

Jordan comments on rivalry as West Ham reject Spurs’ opening bid

It is widely reported that Tottenham have had a £50million bid for Kudus rejected by West Ham.

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The 24-year-old has a release clause set at £85million, which is only active for the first 10 days of July, but Levy is hoping to secure the forward for a much lower fee.

Spurs are favourites to sign Kudus, but will be aware that other clubs are also looking at the forward, who failed to reproduce his best form last season following the appointment of Graham Potter.

The mooted transfer has garnered a lot of attention, with Simon Jordan stating on talkSPORT (3 July) that he believes the transfer should go through.

The former Crystal Palace chairman also dismissed Tottenham’s rivalry with the Hammers as potentially being a hindrance to the deal, downplaying its importance.

Asked about the negative reaction the potential transfer has produced from the West Ham supporters, Jordan asked, “Why are you so offended specifically?

“Are you offended at the transfer, or are you offended at the transfer going to Spurs? There is no massive rivalry between West Ham and Tottenham is there?

“They are London football clubs, they are both in the same division, but is there this massive rivalry? I don’t recall a big one.”

This is clearly a ridiculous comment from Jordan, who is no stranger to making outlandish claims, as there is a lot of animosity between the Premier League rivals, especially among the fan bases.

It is no secret that they share a mutual disdain for one another, and any player movement between the London clubs is sure to be met with a lot of anger.

Kudus deal needs to be concluded quickly

Tottenham cannot afford the pursuit of Kudus to drag on as pre-season begins.

Frank already has a huge task ahead of him to instil a completely new tactical identity on his inherited squad and will want any new arrivals to be there as soon as possible.

A delay, and even possibly a bust, on the Kudus deal would set the Danish manager back and hamper his chances of constructing a squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts next season.

Ashley Phillips’ long-term future may lie away from Tottenham.

Phillips began his youth career at National League North side Curzon Ashton before joining Blackburn Rovers at 12 years old.

Tottenham signed the defender in 2023, and he has since blossomed into a promising talent. After successful loan spells with Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City, Phillips‘ transfer value could soon skyrocket.

Phillips’ transfer value could rise to £15million

Tottenham have made good use of young players in recent seasons.

Mikey Moore became a source of inspiration for Spurs’ academy hopefuls as the 17-year-old became a UEFA Europa League winner last season, and Phillips will hope to make a similar impact in the first team.

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According to the print edition of The Sun on Sunday (29 June, pg. 57), Thomas Frank is keen on the idea of including Phillips in his plans.

However, should Tottenham hesitate to promote the centre-back, Sheffield United are waiting to secure his signature, with the Blades ready to pay £6million.

But Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes Phillips should be loaned out next season, not sold.

“Yes, we do have a lot of centre-backs on the books at the moment,” Wenham said.

“However, I think Phillips is one more loan away from seeing that value rise from £6m to £15m-plus. Every loan he’s been on, he’s been in the first team and not looked out of place.

“Stoke fans loved him, he was well-liked at Plymouth, where he was named Young Player of the Year. I think he needs one more loan, either at the top end of the Championship or in the Premier League, and his value will rise to £15m.

“Tottenham bought him for £2m, so it might be tempting to sell him for £6m, as that’s technically 200 per cent profit. However, he’s one loan away from his value rising exponentially. Therefore, Tottenham should look to loan him out, not sell him.”

Tottenham should evaluate Phillips during pre-season

Tottenham should still evaluate Phillips during pre-season, despite claims of his value rising if he were to be loaned.

Football has seen several young defenders climb through the ranks at the biggest clubs. Connor Bradley shocked spectators in the Champions League last season with his performances against Kylian Mbappe. Meanwhile, Pau Cubrasi has been excellent for Barcelona since his debut.

There is a willingness to trust young players now more than ever, and Tottenham could benefit from continuing to do so.

Thomas Frank is no doubt focusing fully on the transfer window as the start of the Premier League season edges closer.

While incomings are highly important, departures can help balance the squad and add extra spending money.

Therefore, multiple players have been linked away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in recent weeks.

Son Heung-min is no doubt the biggest name linked away from Spurs, in what would be an emotional departure.

Now, Tottenham Hotspur News has highlighted three players that simply must be sold this summer to make way for better talent.

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Richarlison’s time is up at Tottenham

Richarlison has struggled since he joined Tottenham in 2022.

The Brazilian attacker has had a limited output in front of goal, which has helped contribute to Spurs’ recent downfall.

Since his arrival, the 28-year-old has only averaged a goal contribution every three matches, an awful ratio.

Last season was arguably his worst yet, with Richarlison being consistently criticised for his performances.

Now, an exit must be on the cards if Spurs are to make any money back on the attacker.

Everton are rumoured to be interested in Richarlison, and Frank has to make sure that this transfer goes through.

Manor Solomon’s transfer stock will never be higher

Manor Solomon is yet to regularly feature for Tottenham since he joined the London club in 2023.

Instead, last campaign, he was sent out on loan to Leeds United, where he helped Daniel Farke’s side reach the Premier League.

Here, he netted 10 times and picked up 13 assists in all competitions in a sensational season.

However, there is a big difference between the Premier League and the Championship, and there are doubts he can make the step up.

With the 25-year-old’s value being at a peak, Frank should look to cash in now rather than risk this plummeting in the upcoming season.

Leeds are reportedly interested in re-signing Solomon this summer, and this would be a great deal for all parties.

Yves Bissouma could spark bidding war

Yves Bissouma has failed to hit the heights he achieved at Brighton before his move to Spurs.

While the midfielder has shown glimpses of quality, the 28-year-old has been far too inconsistent.

Now, the Mali international is entering the final year of his deal, sparking speculation around his future.

Recent reports have indicated that Tottenham are hoping for a bidding war for Bissouma this summer, in an effort to make some money.

However, if a decent offer comes in for the midfielder, Frank should not think twice about accepting.

Benfica and Turkish international Orkun Kokcu has emerged as a midfield target for Tottenham.

Thomas Frank is still awaiting the backing from Daniel Levy since his arrival at Tottenham, though the addition of Mohammed Kudus is looking more and more likely to become their first big arrival this summer.

However, several more will be needed, and with Yves Bissouma potentially on his way out, a new midfield signing will be a priority.

Several have been linked with a move to North London, with the latest update suggesting that Benfica’s Kokcu is on their radar.

Kokcu attracting interest ahead of potential Benfica exit

Kokcu is a midfielder who has always been fairly well known, despite not having played in one of the top five leagues in Europe.

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The Turkish international spent nine years at Feyenoord before his move to Benfica in 2023, where he has consistently showcased his ability.

However, the 24-year-old has now been linked with a move to England, with Tottenham one of the sides said to be keen on him [Caught Offside].

With that said, Besiktas are also interested in a deal, with a report from Sabah (7 July, pg16) stating that the midfielder is committed to their famous black and white, which is believed to strengthen their chances of signing him this summer.

Kokcu could leave for a fee in the region of £34.7million this summer, which for a player of his quality would be a steal.

Tottenham need to accelerate transfer plans

Several players have been linked, but as of yet, nothing of note appears to be imminent, and that will be a concern.

Spurs have a lot of work to do this summer before their new campaign gets underway, and Frank needs the tools to succeed.

Of course, there is still plenty of time remaining for Tottenham to address the deficiencies within their squad, and they can’t afford to waste any more time.

Tottenham are yet to ignite in the transfer window, but there is plenty of time for that to change.

Spurs have turned Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel’s loans into permanent deals, while they have also signed Japanese centre-back Kota Takai.

However, Tottenham are looking increasingly likely to sign West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, who is set on a move to North London.

Elsewhere, the Lilywhites have been linked with Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku, and he will be available for a cut-price deal.

Chelsea prepared to cut their losses on Nkunku

Tottenham were linked with a loan-to-buy deal for Nkunku earlier in the window, with a £38million price tag mooted.

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The forward joined Chelsea for £52million two years ago, but suffered a knee injury that kept him out for several months.

Nkunku has struggled to nail down a place at Stamford Bridge and was utilised in Enzo Maresca’s Europa Conference League side last season.

While the Frenchman did make 27 Premier League appearances last term, only nine of those came as starts.

Now, Manchester United have been informed of a £35million price tag to secure Nkunku, according to the Daily Express (6 July).

The outlet reports that the Red Devils have identified the 27-year-old as a potential addition, with Chelsea willing to cut their losses.

With the forward available for a relatively low fee, Tottenham must now seize the opportunity to formalise their interest in Nkunku with a bid.

Tottenham must pounce on chance to sign Nkunku

While it is easy to look at Nkunku’s time at Chelsea, it must be noted how well her performed before his move to the Premier League.

During his time with RB Leipzig, the French international was in blistering form, notching 57 goal contributions in his last two Bundesliga seasons.

In 2022, he was voted Germany’s Footballer of the Year, earning more votes than, at the time, Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski.

Yes, his time in West London has not gone to plan, but in fairness, he has been up against a host of players in Chelsea’s bloated squad.

At 27, Nkunku still has several seasons ahead of him to play at the very top, and at £35million, he would be an absolute steal for Tottenham.

Mohammed Kudus could become the statement signing of the summer at Tottenham.

Daniel Levy has been on the hunt for his marquee signing to kickstart the Thomas Frank era, and Kudus could be that signing.

The Ghanaian has shown that he is an exemplary talent with a knack for goals, which Spurs will hope he demonstrates at Hotspur Way.

And the latest comparison to Liverpool star Mohammed Salah will surely excite Tottenham supporters.

Kudus says ‘yes’ to Tottenham project

As reported by Fabrizio Romano via X (July 6), Kudus wants to move to Tottenham and is not talking to other clubs at this stage.

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The forward has said yes to Spurs’ project, and club-to-club talks with West Ham are expected to continue soon.

Levy has made clear his ambition to win the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, and Kudus could be the man who helps to make the 63-year-old’s dreams a reality.

Therefore, like Salah is for Liverpool, Kudus could become Tottenham’s main talisman and Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes he has the individual ability to thrive in North London.

“Kudus is a great individual player,” Wenham said.

“His dribbling ability is only bettered by Salah in the Premier League, in terms of that ability to pick up the ball and drive at defenders with pace and power.

“He can score a lot of goals, and he was outstanding in his first season in the Premier League.”

Tottenham need to bring Kudus to Hotspur Way

When a player like Kudus comes knocking, it is imperative to leave the door wide open.

The Lilywhites not only have the opportunity to sign him this summer, but the 24-year-old has made clear his intention to arrive at Hotspur Way.

Despite this, the biggest challenge will be to convince West Ham to agree a deal. The Hammers and Tottenham have not conducted business since Scott Parker moved to North London in 2011, and it will be difficult to agree on a fair price for Kudus.

However, the summer transfer window is still open, and Spurs have everything in their locker to make this transfer a reality.

Thomas Frank could be just hours away from securing a long-awaited transfer at Tottenham.

Frank has had to be very patient this summer, as he has quickly become accustomed to Daniel Levy’s inefficient approach to the transfer market.

Levy is up to his old tricks of not fully committing to top targets as he looks for the perfect deal before they inevitably become unavailable.

However, after Frank confirmed new additions to his coaching staff, the 51-year-old could be about to secure a fresh addition to his squad.

Kōta Takai posts picture of himself at airport ahead of Spurs move

After flirting with a multitude of Premier League forward options, it looked like Mohammed Kudus could become Spurs’ statement signing this summer.

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However, that deal still has a long way to go after West Ham rejected Tottenham’s initial bid worth £50million for the Ghanaian.

Negotiations are expected to continue, although there is a risk that the complex relationship between the two rival clubs could result in the deal being called off at any point.

However, for now, it looks as though Frank can at least welcome Kōta Takai to Tottenham after the Japan international reposted an image via his Instagram of himself at the airport (6 July) ahead of his proposed move to Spurs.

The centre-back bid farewell to Kawasaki Frontale in style, helping his side beat Kashima Antlers 2-1 on Saturday (5 July) following his club’s announcement of his departure to “an overseas club”.

With the £5m deal reportedly agreed over a week ago, Takai is expected to arrive in N17 simply to complete formalities, meaning Tottenham could announce his signing within hours.

Takai’s immediate future unclear at Spurs

Takai will arrive in North London with plenty of promise as a well-rounded centre-back who has proven himself to be very competent in the J1 League and the AFC Champions League Elite.

However, the step-up to the Premier League will be huge, and he will join a growing number of young Tottenham defenders, all returning from last season’s loan spells, vying to break into Frank’s squad.

Whether Frank opts to keep the 20-year-old among the first team or send Takai on loan this summer will likely be assessed after the pre-season tour, which commences in just 12 days as Spurs are set to face Reading.

Cristian Romero’s uncertain future has dominated the discourse at Tottenham so far this summer.

Romero has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid for several months.

The Argentine has previously expressed his desire to play in Spain at some point in his career, while Diego Simeone has made his admiration for Romero clear.

However, Atletico fans will have to hold back on the celebrations with Romero now expected to remain at Tottenham this summer.

Daniel Levy to demand big money for Romero

It has been suggested that Tottenham want to extend Romero’s contract, but there are concerns over the defender’s willingness to put pen to paper on fresh terms in North London.

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As a result, Spurs have been linked with several centre-backs, with the print edition of Mundo Deportivo (6 July, page 21) reporting that Spurs had decided on Genoa’s Koni De Winter as a replacement for Romero in a deal that could cost £20.7million.

However, Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that the fee for Romero will convince Atletico to end their pursuit.

“I wouldn’t concern myself too much with the reports from Spain,” Wenham said.

“We know the Spanish media are heavily influenced by the big clubs in Spain. Until we see Romero come out and state he wants to leave, I’d take this all with a pinch of salt, to be honest. I still think he will stay at Tottenham.

“I don’t see any club being willing to pay what Romero is worth. As I’ve said, I think Levy will want £80m. We spent £40m on him, and since then, he’s become a World Cup winner.”

Tottenham should still recruit De Winter

De Winter is too good a market opportunity for Tottenham to pass up, even if Romero remains.

Indeed, the Lilywhites have one of the best defences in the Premier League on paper. Romero and Micky van de Ven are a devastating duo, while Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro are excellent out wide.

However, fitness has become a huge issue at Hospur Way over the past couple of years. As a result, Spurs should still advance for the Belgian, and a reported price of around £20m is an absolute bargain.

Tottenham are reportedly keen on signing Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig this summer to add creativity in the final third.

Dr Rajpal Brar, an injury expert, has delivered his verdict on a serious ankle setback he sustained last season.

The 22-year-old left PSG for the German side and has been a first-team regular for them.

Simons’ ankle injury may cause some pre-transfer issues

Spurs may take a closer look at the RB Leipzig attacking midfielder’s ankle injury, according to Dr Brar.

Tottenham have been handed a boost to sign Simons as he fancies moving to the Premier League. (Give Me Sport, 6 July)

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

“The club may take a closer look at his recent significant ankle injury to see if there is anything outside normal variance when it comes to his healing,” he said.

“He missed a decent chunk of last season, so that’s always a concern.

“It’ll be up to the club to see if they’re satisfied with his recovery post the setback.”

Tottenham must look to sign Simons this summer

Tottenham can do with flair players in the final third, explaining the links with Simons.

Frank will have a fixed style he plans to impose on his Spurs players and the Dutchman’s acquisition would certainly help things.

If the Dane wants a designated number 10, he has James Maddison but the Englishman could be moved to a deeper midfield role or even a wide role with Simons playing behind the main striker.

The 22-year-old has proven at Leipzig why he’s a force to be reckoned with and he would undoubtedly adapt to the Premier League’s pace and physicality.

It remains to be seen if the North London outfit actually end up making a move for the Barcelona academy product.

Tottenham need to strengthen several areas of their squad this summer, and signing proven quality is a must.

Thomas Frank is looking for reinforcements who can make an instant impact as he attempts to revive their league form after a dismal domestic campaign.

Spurs will return to the Champions League next season, and will need to inject a lot more quality into their squad if they are to compete.

They could now add a Premier League-proven option to their midfield in Douglas Luiz, with the Brazil star set to leave Juventus.

Tottenham and Manchester United interested in Luiz

Tottenham appear to have lost a transfer battle with Manchester United for Bryan Mbeumo, but could now usurp the beaten Europa League finalists to Luiz.

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TBR Football (July 6) have now reported that both sides are interested in Luiz, who is keen to return to the Premier League as a priority.

The former Aston Villa star struggled for minutes at Juventus after his high-profile exit from Villa Park, and both Spurs and United are interested in him.

While Juventus would prefer a permanent sale, it is reported that they could be willing to accept a loan deal, and this move is simply a no-brainer for Tottenham.

Spurs can land bargain Luiz deal

Spurs look likely to part ways with Yves Bissouma this summer, and Luiz could be the perfect upgrade, as a proven midfielder who can offer a lot in both attack and defence.

The 27-year-old enjoyed an outstanding final campaign in England two years ago as he recorded 10 goals and 10 assists from deep midfield in all competitions.

Now coming into his prime years, the midfielder can offer legs to a Spurs midfield which was routinely exposed defensively last season, while also providing another source of creativity and output.

With Juventus willing to let Luiz go cheaply, Spurs cannot miss this opportunity to add immediate quality to their squad, and add experience to an otherwise young midfield roster.

Luiz would arrive with 175 Premier League appearances to his name, and he would also bring continental and international experience to a squad lacking in it.