football-talk.co.uk

Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are reportedly ‘crazy’ about signing Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, as per Italian outlet FCInterNews.it.

Although the Lilywhites won the Europa League trophy under Ange Postecoglou’s guidance last term, they endured a dire Premier League campaign, finishing just one place above the relegation zone.

As a result, they decided to part ways with the Australian and appoint Thomas Frank as the new manager ahead of this campaign. Spurs showed glimpses of improvement under the Dane at the beginning of this term.

However, they have been on a downward spiral in recent weeks, languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table with 22 points from 16 matches.

Tottenham have struggled with defensive frailties thus far this season, conceding two or more goals in the last five out of six league matches.

Now, FcInterNews.it report that Spurs are planning to reinforce the defensive department by signing Bastoni, with their sporting director, Fabio Paratici, ‘crazy’ about his compatriot. The Lilywhites have even made a move to sign him.

However, Chelsea are in this race as well, with Enzo Maresca ‘crazy’ about the Italian international. Like Spurs, they have also made an approach to seal the deal.

Battle

Moreover, Saudi Arabian clubs are interested in him, with Simone Inzaghi keen on reuniting his former colleague at Al-Hilal. Barcelona are even showing a strong interest in him.

However, the player loves Inter and is settled at Milan, so he has no intention of leaving and has already rejected the opportunity to join Tottenham or Chelsea.

Chelsea have issues at the left side of the centre-back position as Levi Colwill’s season is all but over, having sustained a serious knee injury. On the other hand, Benoit Badiashile has failed to find his feet in the Premier League. So, perhaps, Maresca is keen on reinforcing the defensive department.

Bastoni is considered one of the best defenders in Serie A and has established himself as an undisputed starter in the Italy national team’s starting line-up.

He has won two Serie A titles at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium and has been guiding his side to mount another title charge this season, sitting at the top of the table.

In 19 appearances across all competitions, Bastoni has made five goal contributions thus far this season and has kept seven clean sheets.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank is under considerable pressure after his side were beaten 3-0 last weekend by Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. The result means they have won only one out of their last five league fixtures.

And while the board plans to give the Dane more time to implement his tactics, they are keeping tabs on a few replacements in case results don’t improve and they are compelled to show the manager the door sooner rather than later.

Caught Offside has reported that Tottenham Hotspur have three prospective replacements on their radar with US head coach Mauricio Pochettino leading the shortlist alongside Fulham boss Marco Silva and Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner.

All three candidates likely to join next summer

If Thomas Frank is relieved of his duties by Tottenham Hotspur in the next few weeks, they will likely have to turn to an interim solution if they are serious about pursuing one of the candidates who make up their wish-list.

Marco Silva and Oliver Glasner remain committed to their respective clubs, at least for this season, whereas Mauricio Pochettino will lead the US national team into the World Cup next year, so any appointment seems likely before 2026/27 kicks off.

Pochettino’s appointment would be welcomed by the fans considering he was valued by them during his initial tenure at the club with many believing he was also undeservedly sacked just months after leading them to the Champions League final in 2019.

He knows Spurs well and having managed Paris Saint-Germain as well as the USMNT thereafter, he might be open to returning to London where he might feel he has some unfinished business, especially as Daniel Levy is no longer at the club.

Glasner and Silva also would be fantastic candidates, but like Thomas Frank, they come with the risk of not having managed a bigger outfit in Europe before, which means the Spurs job could be too big a proposition for them.

Tottenham Hotspur were beaten 3-0 by Nottingham Forest on Sunday in the Premier League as they fell into the bottom half of the table at 11th place, with only one win to their name in their previous five outings in the English top flight.

Spurs, however, are doing a decent job in the Champions League and continental form is one of the reasons why they haven’t shown Thomas Frank the door yet. That said, a significant squad revamp is already being planned.

Guglielmo Vicario’s form has been concerning this season and with Antonin Kinsky not having too many opportunities under Frank, Football Insider has reported that Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford has emerged as a target for Tottenham.

He joined Man City from Burnley this summer for £31 million but with the Sky Blues shortly following up on his purchase with Gianluigi Donnarumma’s from Paris Saint-Germain, the 23-year-old has struggled for minutes as a secondary option at the club.

Trafford a significant upgrade from Vicario

James Trafford promises to be a significant upgrade over Guglielmo Vicario. He was the best player for Burnley in last year’s Championship season and was instrumental in helping them secure promotion to the Premier League.

His ball-playing ability, reflexes and proactiveness in set-piece situations make the Englishman a great option for Tottenham Hotspur but he might not come for cheap for a number of different factors.

Firstly, Manchester City have no back-up goalkeeper if they get rid of him. Given that Gianluigi Donnarumma has had his minor fitness worries in the past, Pep Guardiola would not want to alter his side’s depth while strengthening a domestic rival.

Moreover, having spent £31 million on his signing just months ago and tying their academy graduate down to a five-year down, City will look to make a decent profit if they are to sell him even though Transfermarkt values Trafford at just £22 million.

It will be interesting to see what the goalkeeper himself has in mind as far as his future is concerned, because having joined Manchester City, he might not prefer a swoop to Tottenham, especially if they miss out on Champions League football next year.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke, as per transfer expert Mike Brown.

The Lilywhites enjoyed a bright start under Thomas Frank this season, but have failed to continue the momentum. Following a 3-0 thrashing against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest on Sunday, they have slipped into the bottom half of the Premier League table with 22 points from 16 matches.

Spurs have won only one out of the last seven league matches, losing four. However, they have had a solid Champions League campaign thus far, sitting only one point behind eighth-placed Atletico Madrid.

Question marks have already started to be raised over whether Frank is the right man to take the club forward. However, the Dane has called for patience and believes he can turn the situation around in the future.

In the meantime, Tottenham’s recruitment team have seemingly continued exploring the market to reinforce the squad next year. On Football Insider, Brown says Tottenham are planning to add depth in the centre-back position and have identified Van Hecke as a serious option.

Having already got Cristian Romero, Micky Van de Ven, and Kevin Danso, Tottenham aren’t prioritising signing a new defender in January, but could look to bolster the backline next summer.

Van Hecke to Tottenham

Brighton usually play hardball to sell their star man and don’t want to part ways with him in mid-season. However, considering his existing deal will expire at the end of next season, the Seagulls might be ready to let him leave next summer to avoid losing him for free.

The 25-year-old, valued at around £31m by Transfermarkt, is a technically gifted centre-back. He is comfortable playing out from the back, good in the air, efficient in defensive contributions, and can also chip in with some important goals.

The Dutchman is a Premier League-proven player, and having displayed impressive performances at AMEX Stadium, he has secured his place in Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands national team.

He is currently at the prime stage of his career and would be a shrewd acquisition for Tottenham should they eventually manage to purchase him in a cut-price deal.

According to Caught Offside, Tottenham Hotspur are showing serious interest in signing Brentford striker Igor Thiago ahead of the winter transfer window.

The north London giants have had a dismal Premier League campaign and they are presently lying 11th in the standings with 22 points after a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on the road.

Manager Thomas Frank is under immense pressure with Spurs misfiring upfront, and Caught Offside claim that the hierarchy could strengthen their frontline when the transfer window reopens.

Brentford’s Thiago has emerged as a top transfer target for Spurs, and they are showing ‘serious’ interest in pursuing his signature.

The Bees could hold out for at least £61 million for the 24-year-old, who has already netted 12 goals from 17 games this season.

Unlikely deal

Thiago was originally signed as a replacement for Ivan Toney at Brentford in the summer of 2024. He played just 169 minutes over the course of his debut campaign after suffering a serious knee injury.

After the departures of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa last summer, Thiago was trusted to lead the line under new Bees manager Keith Andrews and the decision has paid dividends with him scoring plenty of goals.

He has netted 11 times in 16 league matches with another goal in the Carabao Cup. The 24-year-old has exceeded expectations with his goalscoring after a lengthy injury setback and could secure a big-club move soon.

Still, a mid-season departure may not happen. Brentford are currently 7 points ahead of the relegation zone, but they have been steadily dropping down the table, having failed to win 4 of the previous 5 league matches.

Thiago has been instrumental in keeping them away from the drop zone, and selling him this winter could drag them into the bottom three if they cannot find goals from elsewhere. Hence, a mid-season move appears unlikely.

Spurs would obviously benefit from an in-form striker leading the line for them. Richarlison, Mathys Tels and Randal Kolo Muani have been inconsistent, while Dominic Solanke has been on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Thiago would be a perfect profile with his strong physical presence and young age, but Spurs may have to pursue an alternative in January or wait until next summer to purchase the highly-rated Brazilian marksman.

Tottenham Hotspur have submitted a formal offer to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios, according to Fichajes.

Barrios progressed through Real Madrid’s youth setup before transferring to rivals Atletico Madrid in 2017. Following his move to Los Rojiblancos, he swiftly advanced through the ranks and earned promotion to the senior squad at the beginning of 2023.

The Spaniard became a vital squad player last season, making 41 appearances across all competitions. This season, he has remained a mainstay in the middle of the park for Diego Simeone’s side, featuring in 16 of their 17 LaLiga games and all six Champions League games.

Having alternated between different positions due to already established players in the middle of the park, the youngster has now claimed a place in his favoured midfield role, with the other pivot being shared between club captain Koke, Conor Gallagher and Johnny Cardoso.

This season, Barrios has shown a high octane level of relentless work rate, efficient passing ability, creative qualities and intelligence to intercept and read dangers, which has drawn widespread plaudits and keen interest from several clubs.

One of the clubs looking to sign him is Tottenham, according to Fichajes, which claims that the North London club have earmarked him as a viable option to reinforce their midfield ranks.

Formal offer

It appears Spurs have made their interest concrete and are now accelerating efforts to sign him, with the Spanish outlet adding that the Europa League champions have submitted a formal £61m offer to Atletico for his possible transfer to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2026.

However, amid their firm offer, Atletico are keen on retaining the 22-year-old at the Wanda Metropolitano, as he’s a key part of the team and the club’s future, and have now set a £105m price tag on the Spaniard, according to the report.

Despite Atletico’s outrageous valuation of the four-cap Spain international, the report adds that Tottenham are not relenting in their efforts and believe their initial offer will pave the way for further negotiations with the Rojiblancos over Barrios’ transfer.

Tottenham have several midfield options, but inconsistent performances and a lack of technicality have left them struggling to withstand opponents of greater quality, as seen in their defeats to Chelsea and Arsenal.

Barrios would be a brilliant addition to Thomas Frank’s side to offer that youthful exuberance alongside Lucas Bergvall, while also potentially serving as an ideal replacement for Yves Bissouma when he departs the club.

Tottenham Hotspur are on a two-game winning streak after their success against Slavia Prague in the Champions League midweek, and will look to build on that as they return to Premier League action this weekend.

Nottingham Forest stand next in their way at The City Ground at 14:00 UK time in the fixture corresponding to matchday 16 of the English top flight. Here is a look at the team Thomas Frank could employ for the clash.

Goalkeeper – Guglielmo Vicario is expected to retain his place in between the sticks for Spurs.

Defenders – Pedro Porro is expected to continue at right back, whereas Djed Spence could also be in the side on his preferred left side in the back four.

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are likely to start at centre back, therefore rounding up an unchanged backline for the Lilywhites.

Kolo Muani expected to start

Midfielders – Archie Gray has been having more minutes in recent matches than he did earlier this season, so the 19-year-old might be used in the middle of the park once more with Joao Palhinha again expected to partner with him in the double pivot.

Meanwhile, Xavi Simons might play at number 10, a position he has excelled in over the left wing.

Mohammed Kudus might play on the right flank for Tottenham Hotspur, whereas Paris Saint-Germain loanee Randal Kolo Muani, who has two goals and two assists for the team this season, might replace Wilson Odobert on the left flank.

Forward – With no positive news over Dominic Solanke’s return to action yet, Richarlison is expected to lead the line for Tottenham against Nottingham Forest.

Here is a look at how the visitors could feature on paper.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly battling with Premier League rivals to sign Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, as per former Everton CEO Keith Wyness.

The Lilywhites decided to purchase Guglielmo Vicario as a potential long-term replacement for Hugo Lloris a couple of years ago. However, the Italian has struggled to showcase his best consistently enough in the Premier League, making a few costly errors already this season.

Now, speaking on Football Insider, Wyness says that Tottenham aren’t completely satisfied with their goalkeeping department and are willing to upgrade this position.

Trafford is on their radar and Thomas Frank’s side could make a concrete approach to lure him away from the Etihad Stadium in January or next summer.

The 23-year-old isn’t happy with his situation at Man City, as he hasn’t been able to play regularly thus far this season since Gianluigi Donnarumma’s arrival. So, he would be open to leaving.

However, purchasing the Englishman won’t be straightforward for the North London club as Aston Villa and Newcastle United are also plotting a swoop.

Trafford is valued at around £22m by Transfermarkt and still has four and a half years left in his current contract, having recently joined from Burnley. So, Man City are in a strong position to demand a big fee to let him leave.

Trafford to Tottenham

Trafford came into the spotlight having displayed impressive performances for Burnley last term, helping his side gain promotion. In 45 Championship appearances, he kept 29 clean sheets and conceded just 16 goals.

The youngster, standing at 6ft 6in tall, is a brilliant shot-stopper, comfortable playing out from the back, good in the air, and efficient in saving penalties.

He is a highly talented player and could be a great coup for Tottenham with a view to the long-term future, should they purchase him. However, it is going to be interesting to see whether the North London club eventually make a concrete approach to secure his services in January or next summer.

Tottenham Hotspur are ‘prepared’ to trump Manchester United and Liverpool in the race to sign AFC Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, as per TEAMtalk.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a stellar start this season, scoring six goals and registering three assists in the first seven Premier League appearances. However, he hasn’t been able to make any goal contributions in the last seven league matches.

Still, the Ghanaian’s potential suitors haven’t been put off by his lean patch as TEAMtalk claim that Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester City and Man Utd are all keen on securing his service in the upcoming winter transfer window.

The Citizens are currently the frontrunners in this race after reaching advanced talks over this deal. Pep Guardiola has been impressed by Semenyo’s recent eye-catching performances, and agreeing on personal terms with the player won’t be an issue for Man City.

Semenyo has a £65m release clause in his current contract, which will run until 2030, and the clause is only valid in January. That figure is set to decrease at the end of the season. Guardiola’s side are even ready to trigger his release clause to lure him to the Etihad Stadium next month.

However, Liverpool haven’t been deterred by the Citizens and are ready to match their every move to finalise the deal, as Arne Slot sees the forward as the perfect long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah.

Although Semenyo might prefer a move to Anfield, he wouldn’t oppose the chance of joining Man City and playing under Guardiola.

Battle

The report further state that Man Utd are interested in the Ghanaian as well, however, Tottenham are ‘prepared’ to break their wage structure to persuade the forward to join and beat other clubs in this race.

Spurs’ owners are ready to back Thomas Frank to help him compete with the big six teams, after recently injecting £100m equity into ENIC.

The Lilywhites and Man Utd were said to be keen on purchasing Semenyo last summer before signing other targets. However, it appears they haven’t given up on their hopes of sealing the deal.

Semenyo has been one of the most in-form players in the Premier League this season and would be a great coup should Man Utd, Liverpool or Tottenham eventually manage to secure his service in January.

Tottenham Hotspur have earmarked Real Madrid winger Rodrygo and Juventus versatile forward Kenan Yildiz as alternative options if they fail to land Atalanta star Ademola Lookman, as per TEAMtalk.

The North London club broke their 14-year transfer hiatus with West Ham United to sign Mohammed Kudus from their London rivals, which marked the first transfer between the two clubs since Scott Parker’s 2011 move to White Hart Lane following the Hammers’ relegation that season.

They also secured a big-money move for Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig on deadline day, while Randal Kolo Muani signed on loan alongside Mathys Tel, whose move was made permanent after spending the last six months on loan.

However, while Kudus has been the club’s best creator with six assists in the Premier League, none of the newly signed attacking trio have shown prolific form in front of goal, with the highest individual tally being two.

Hence, Thomas Frank is now looking to add a goalscoring forward to his attack, with the Lilywhites now eyeing several options.

One of the options the club are looking at is Lookman, according to TEAMtalk, which claims that Tottenham are keeping tabs on the Nigerian international over a possible January transfer, having shown ‘genuine interest’ in signing him on loan last summer.

However, their interest has cooled, and the club are now looking at other, more ambitious options they could sign in the next two transfer windows.

Ambitious targets

As a result, the report adds that Tottenham have now shortlisted Rodrygo and Yildiz, valued at £52m and £65m by Transfermarkt, as potential reinforcements for Frank’s attack.

For Rodrygo, Spurs have long held an interest in the Brazilian international and have now reignited their interest in the winger, who is also of keen interest to Arsenal and Liverpool, as per the report.

On the other hand, the Europa League winners will be boosted in their pursuit of Yildiz, as TEAMtalk claims that Arsenal have dropped their interest. However, they’ll still have to battle with Chelsea and Liverpool for the 20-year-old versatile forward, who is also in contractual negotiations with Juventus.

Either Rodrygo or Yildiz would be viable options to replicate the goalscoring and creative qualities that have been missing at the club since the departures of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, so it’ll be interesting to see which of the forwards the club will prioritise ahead of the next transfer window.