tottenhamhotspurnews.com

Thomas Frank is looking to offload players this summer to make space for new arrivals.

Tottenham officially have 31 senior players on their books, excluding younger members such as Mikey Moore and Luka Vušković.

Part of Frank’s remit is to identify which players he wishes to sell this summer to significantly slim down the squad ahead of bringing in new players to Hotspur Way.

While the Dane is yet to meet the whole squad as they slowly return from their breaks, he has identified one striker that he is willing to sell.

Rosario Central are pushing for Alejo Véliz to return

Alejo Veliz has struggled to make inroads at Tottenham, making just eight appearances for the Lilywhites in his debut season before being sent out on loan halfway through the campaign.

MORE SPURS STORIES

The striker first went to Seville for six months before spending last season at Espanyol, but unfortunately, his fortunes did not improve in Spain.

Spurs are now prepared to take the hit and offload the 21-year-old they spent £13million on less than two years ago.

As reported by TycSports (5 July), Véliz’s former club Rosario Central are pushing for his return and have submitted a formal proposal to acquire 50 per cent of the striker’s contract.

To finalize the deal, the Argentinian club’s president and vice president have travelled to England to negotiate with Spurs’ directors.

Both parties would benefit from the deal, with Tottenham’s needs arguably greater as they can’t afford to keep out-of-favour players at the club, both financially and for morale, as they enter a new era.

Véliz a timely reminder of the change in Tottenham’s strategy

It could be argued that Véliz has all the necessary attributes to succeed at Spurs and just wasn’t given enough time to develop in North London.

The 21-year-old boasts the necessary physique to compete against Premier League opposition and possesses an accurate and powerful shot.

However, the step up to the English top flight was too high and can serve as a timely reminder to Spurs that their newfound focus on proven Premier League players is the right approach, regardless of the associated costs.

Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand has emerged as a target for Tottenham this summer.

Thomas Frank will be growing frustrated at the lack of transfer activity at Tottenham, despite links to countless players around Europe.

Many of those linked operate in midfield, and with Yves Bissouma potentially leaving, the need for reinforcements will only be amplified.

With that in mind, Spurs are said to be keeping an eye on Danish and Sporting midfielder Hjulmand, with an update emerging on his future.

Sporting aware of Hjulmand interest as Tottenham circle

Hjulmand’s reputation in European football has only grown in the last few years, with sensational performances for club and country.

MORE SPURS STORIES

His ability has attracted interest this summer, with Tottenham one of the sides said to be interested in a deal, according to a report from the print edition of A BOLA (4 July, pg12).

Juventus and Inter are also keen on the midfielder, who is believed to have a release clause worth around £69million.

However, Sporting are said to be ready to offer him a new contract later in the season to reward his contributions and fend off any transfer interest.

Daniel Levy needs to get the chequebook out at Tottenham

There are some incredible players that Spurs have been linked with this summer, but Daniel Levy’s reluctance to spend big has Tottenham right at the back of the queue for their signature.

If Spurs are to start progressing, that needs to change, though it is looking as though player sales will be the way that they generate funds for the summer.

Tottenham have a massive few weeks ahead of them, and they need to be active in the market if they are to find success under Frank next season, with a Champions League campaign to attend to.

Tottenham are exploring potential fullback options and have been linked with Antonee Robinson.

Daniel Levy has been on the hunt for defensive reinforcements since the summer transfer window opened.

Destiny Udogie has been one of the best left-backs in the Premier League over the past two seasons, but injury issues have made it difficult to rely on the Italian. Meanwhile, Pedro Porro has been linked with a departure, and Djed Spence cannot hold the fort down alone.

As a result, Spurs are in the market for a fullback, and Robinson has emerged as an option.

Tottenham will hesitate to sign Robinson this summer

As reported by Paul O’Keefe, via The Inside Foreword (2 July), Robinson is a player on Tottenham’s radar.

MORE SPURS STORIES

But the defender will not come cheap, and it has been suggested that Spurs will have to pay up to £50million to secure his services.

The 28-year-old has become a staple at Fulham over the years, and the Cottagers will not want to part with him after an encouraging season in the Premier League.

However, Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes Spurs will not advance for Robinson.

“Robinson is an extremely talented player,” Wenham said.

“I’ve said multiple times that we need to stop worrying as a fanbase about where this player fits in, or what does this mean for that player?

“All the top clubs have multiple high-level players in every position. He would get plenty of game time. You only need to look at the injuries last season and the number of games we have next year.

“However, do I see it happening? Sadly not. I don’t think Tottenham will spend big money on a 28-year-old left-back when they already have Udogie. Manchester City would do it, Liverpool would do it, but I don’t think Tottenham will, as that’s now how they operate.”

Tottenham may not be able to rely on Udogie

Udogie is everything a manager would want in a fullback. He is defensively solid and will commit to a duel, but is comfortable carrying the ball forward.

However, the Italian has been plagued by injuries and has been injured for around 246 days since signing for Tottenham.

There is little point in having one of the best fullbacks in the league if he is mostly unavailable. Therefore, it would be worth recruiting a backup for the time being.

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min and former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli could potentially link up this transfer window.

Daniel Levy wants to keep the forward at Spurs at least until the pre-season tour in Asia, but his future after that remains uncertain.

Son’s contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was extended by another season, but he may soon link up with Balotelli.

Los Angeles FC want Son and Balotelli transfer this summer

Los Angeles FC are eyeing Tottenham’s son and free agent Balotelli this summer, according to talkSPORT.

The news outlet reports (5 July) that the South Korea international is a potential target for the MLS outfit amid a realistic chance that the 32-year-old will leave North London.

MORE SPURS STORIES

It’s been claimed that while the forward’s exit isn’t guaranteed, there’s a chance it could happen later in the ongoing transfer window.

LAFC are exploring several options after Olivier Giroud’s exit, with Balotelli one of them, and they could potentially get Son and the former Man City striker in the same team.

The 34-year-old Italian national most recently played for Genoa in Serie A but is now without a club.

Thomas Frank should demand Son replacement before Tottenham exit

Son has the right to make a decision on his Tottenham future after a decade of loyal service from him.

The South Korean forward cemented his legacy at the North London outfit when he won the Europa League title, ending the 17-year wait for a trophy in N17.

While the 32-year-old hasn’t been at his best in recent months, he still had an influence at Spurs, scoring 11 goals and providing 12 assists in all competitions last season.

Tottenham will need to replace Son adequately before deciding to sell him in the coming weeks, as the veteran forward has been the only reliable outlet up front for the North Londoners over the years.

Spurs struggled in the final third as Ange Postecoglou’s second campaign in charge didn’t go to plan in the Premier League.

Antoine Semenyo is on the North London outfit’s radar, but his recent contract extension at Bournemouth may indicate he won’t leave the Cherries for now.

Thomas Frank also looked to bring Bryan Mbeumo to Tottenham, but it looks like his heart is set on Manchester United.

Son’s situation in N17 will be one to keep an eye on, and it will be interesting to see who Spurs will replace him with if he were to leave.

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

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

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

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

Archie Baptiste signs for Middlesbrough after leaving Spurs

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

MORE SPURS STORIES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rashford wages are no problem for Spurs

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

MORE SPURS STORIES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tottenham face Barcelona obstacle for Rashford

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MORE SPURS STORIES

Barcelona ruled out signing Rashford

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

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

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

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

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

Rashford could thrive at Tottenham

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tottenham favourites to sign Kudus despite deal still being far off

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

MORE SPURS STORIES

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

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

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

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

Frank’s front line is still a mystery

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tottenham confirm return of the Bill Nicholson Gates

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

MORE SPURS STORIES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Levy’s legacy at stake this summer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Luca Williams-Barnett signs scholarship deal at Tottenham

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

MORE SPURS STORIES

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

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

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

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

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

Tottenham must make several summer signings

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

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

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

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