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Romero back in the team: Predicted Tottenham Hotspur XI vs Newcastle United

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Tottenham Hotspur travel north today evening to take on Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on matchday 14 of the Premier League as they look to put an end to a three-game losing streak to win at one of the division’s toughest away venues.

Thomas Frank’s role as the Spurs coach could come under serious pressure if the team loses another game, so the Dane will have no room for rotations and is expected to field his strongest team for the game.

That said, here is how Tottenham could line-up for the clash.

Goalkeeper – Guglielmo Vicario has had a few poor games but is expected to retain his place in between the sticks for Spurs ahead of Antonin Kinsky.

Defenders – Cristian Romero is set to return from suspension, so he might be right back in the heart of Tottenham’s defence at Kevin Danso’s expense. The Argentine international may pair with Micky van de Ven. At right back, Pedro Porro is expected to continue but a change could be on the cards on the other side as Djed Spence might replace Destiny Udogie.

Sarr in midfield

Midfielders – Tottenham played a four-man midfield against Fulham and could do the same this time around in order to remain more stable on the transitions. Therefore, Joao Palhinha could remain in central midfield but Archie Gray might make way for Pape Mata Sarr, who could play next to the Portuguese.

Mohammed Kudus scored at the weekend and he could keep his place on the right side of Spurs’ midfield although he will have the license to drift into the final third and into the inner areas of the pitch, while the left may belong to Lucas Bergvall, who could act as a creative outlet for the team.

Forwards – Spurs might employ two forwards in Randal Kolo Muani and Richarlison, who have scored four out of the team’s last five goals in all competitions between themselves, as they look for more consistency and impact in the box.

Here is a look at their possible team on paper.

Tottenham ‘pushing hard’ to sign Anderlecht’s Nathan De Cat

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ‘pushing hard’ to sign Anderlecht midfielder Nathan De Cat, as per Caught Offside.

After rising through the Belgian giants’ youth system, the 17-year-old made his first team debut earlier this year before establishing himself as a key starter this campaign.

In 19 appearances across all competitions, he has made two goal contributions thus far and has been guiding his side to mount a title charge in the Pro League this season.

Now, Caught Offside claim that De Cat is regarded as one of the best young talents of Belgium and has been compared to Rodri for his deep-lying playmaking style.

After being impressed by the youngster’s recent eye-catching performances, Tottenham are actively pursuing him, and their sporting director, Johan Lange, is ‘pushing hard’ to lure him to North London.

De Cat has a contract until 2027 with Anderlecht, and they are prepared to let him leave next year for a fee of around £31m to avoid losing him for free.

However, purchasing the U19 Belgian international won’t be straightforward for the North London club as Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, and Brighton and Hove Albion are also plotting a swoop.

De Cat to Tottenham

The report say that Aston Villa see De Cat as a midfield partner for Boubacar Kamara and are preparing a formal proposal worth around £22m in guaranteed fee plus bonus. They are even open to including a 15% sell-on clause.

De Cat is 6ft 4in tall and likes to play in a double midfield pivot role. Moreover, he can provide cover in the No.6 position if needed. He is strong, efficient in defensive contributions, comfortable playing out from the back, and has an eye for long-range passing.

Tottenham like to buy talented young players and provide them with the platform to develop at the highest level. They have recently bought Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert, Mathys Tel, and Archie Gray.

Now, Spurs are seemingly planning to include De Cat in their talented young squad. Nevertheless, it is going to be interesting to see whether the North London club eventually manage to secure the Belgian’s service by defeating other clubs in this race.

Tottenham make Juventus centre-back Gleison Bremer ‘top target’ in January

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Tottenham have earmarked Juventus centre-back Gleison Bremer as a priority target in the January transfer window, according to Tuttojuve.

The 6ft 2in centre-back rose to prominence during his stint at Torino, where a series of outstanding displays for the Granata placed him firmly on the radar of multiple European clubs. He featured 110 times over four seasons after joining the Italian outfit in 2018 from Brazilian club Atlético Mineiro.

Although numerous teams expressed interest, he opted to stay in Turin by signing for Juventus in 2022, where he has remained an important presence.

However, his spell with the Bianconeri has been heavily disrupted by fitness setbacks, including a significant injury last season that restricted him to eight matches before ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign.

His injury concerns have persisted this season, with Luciano Spalletti’s team managing only five outings across all competitions, and he is currently two months out.

Yet one thing has never shifted — whenever he returns, his intensity and drive are immediately obvious. That competitive edge explains why, once he is fit again, he usually goes straight back into the side.

Now, according to Tuttojuve, Tottenham have set their sights on Bremer as a potential option to bolster Thomas Frank’s backline amid injuries and the hectic festive fixtures.

The report adds that the North London club has earmarked the five-cap Brazil international as a ‘top target’ in the January transfer window, viewing him as a good fit for Thomas Franks’ three-man backline structure.

‘Top target’

However, they face stern competition for Bremer’s signature, as the Italian outlet claims that several European clubs remain keen on signing him, while Juventus are reluctant to sell him, especially in the January transfer window.

Although his injury record may raise some doubts about a potential move, it’s worth noting that Thomas Frank already has Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Kevin Danso as his centre-back options.

Therefore, adding Bremer would give Frank four strong choices and allow him to rotate based on the formation or game plan.

It would also mean more rest and managed minutes for Bremer compared to Juventus, where he starts almost every time he is available.

Tottenham join Man Utd in race to sign Carlos Baleba

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Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race to sign Brighton and Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba, as per Caught Offside.

Following Moisés Caicedo’s departure, the Seagulls decided to sign the Cameroonian to replace the Ecuadorian a couple of years ago. The 21-year-old initially took time to settle in the Premier League before displaying impressive performances last campaign.

After being impressed by the African, Man Utd registered a firm interest in signing him last summer and even made a formal move. However, Fabian Hurzeler’s side refused to let him leave.

This season, Baleba has struggled to replicate last season’s form thus far. Still, Caught Offside claim that Man Utd remain keen on purchasing him and could make a concrete approach next year.

However, the youngster isn’t the only name on United’s wishlist to bolster the engine room, as Joao Gomes and Elliot are on their radar as well.

The report claim that Tottenham have now expressed their interest in signing Baleba and are looking to trump the Red Devils in this race if they make a move to other targets.

Brighton have no intention of letting the player leave in a cut-price deal despite his recent struggles. So, they want around £88m with his existing deal set to run until 2028.

Battle

Ruben Amorim needs dynamic midfielders to implement his high-pressure style of football. However, Casemiro has lost his athleticism and has failed to showcase consistency this season.

On the other hand, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo have found themselves on the periphery. So, it would be the right decision for United to sign a new midfielder next year.

Tottenham have also struggled with the midfield department thus far this season, as João Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur haven’t been able to complement each other.

Baleba is a highly talented player and is technically sound. The midfielder is strong, quick across the ground and excellent in defensive contributions.

Moreover, he possesses the potential to become a world-class midfielder in the future, so he would be a great coup for Man Utd or Tottenham should either club eventually manage to secure his service in January or next summer.

Man Utd battling with Arsenal & Tottenham to sign Jacquet

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Manchester United are reportedly battling with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur over a deal to sign Stade Rennais centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, as per Caught Offside.

The Red Devils currently have Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martínez and Ayden Heaven as the specialist centre-back options. However, Maguire has struggled with fitness problems in recent years and has entered the final few months of his current contract.

On the other hand, Martínez has also had several injury issues and has been sidelined with a serious knee injury since the start of this year.

Heaven is young and needs time to develop. So, Amorim has used Luke Shaw in the LCB position. But the Red Devils have struggled with defensive frailties thus far this season, conceding 21 goals in 13 matches across all tournaments.

Now, Caught Offside claim that Man Utd have earmarked Jacquet as a serious option to strengthen the defensive department, having been impressed by his performances in Ligue 1.

The 20-year-old still has three and a half years left in his current contract, but Rennes understand that they can’t keep hold of a top-class talent like him and are ready to let him leave for a fee up to £35m.

Battle

However, the youngster’s recent eye-catching displays haven’t just attracted United’s attention as Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea and Crystal Palace are also keen on securing his service.

Tottenham enjoyed a solid start to this season, but have been in a downward spiral in recent weeks. They even showcased defensive frailties in the last two games against Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, leaking nine goals.

Jacquet, standing at 6ft 2in tall, is quick, strong, good in the air, comfortable playing out from the back, efficient in defensive contributions and also reads the game well.

He is a highly talented player and possesses the necessary attributes to flourish in the Premier League. So, he would be a great coup for Arsenal, Man Utd, or Tottenham should any of those clubs purchase him.

However, considering Arsenal already have a very strong defensive department, the youngster might be better off joining Man Utd or Spurs over the Gunners to play regularly and develop his career.

Tottenham exploring move to sign Juventus centre-back Gleison Bremer in January

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Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a swoop to sign Juventus centre-back Gleison Bremer, according to Tuttojuve.

The 28-year-old came to the limelight during his spell with Torino, where his remarkable performances for the Granata caught the attention of several clubs across Europe. He made 110 appearances across four seasons for the club since arriving in 2018 from Brazilian side Atlético Mineiro.

Amid interest from several clubs, he decided to remain in Turin, joining Juventus in 2022, where he has remained a key figure.

However, his time at the club has been severely hampered by injuries, including a lengthy layoff last season, during which he played only eight games before being sidelined for the rest of the campaign.

This season, his injury concerns have persisted, with just five appearances in all competitions for Luciano Spalletti’s side, which has ruled him out for the last two months.

Despite his incessant injury concerns, one thing has remained constant, which is his high-level competitiveness on the pitch, and it’s no surprise he’s always among the first on the teamsheet anytime he’s available.

It appears several clubs share in the sentiment and are now looking to sign him ahead of the 2026 transfer window.

One of the clubs keen on Bremer is Tottenham, according to Tuttojuve, who claims that the North London club have earmarked the 6ft 2in centre-back as a possible option to bolster their backline.

Bremer to Tottenham

The report adds that Spurs are now closely monitoring the Brazilian international and are exploring a swoop for him as early as the January transfer window.

Bremer still has four years left on his contract with the 36-time Italian champions, who will be keen on retaining him.

According to the Italian outlet, Juventus are reluctant to sanction his departure but have placed a £35m valuation on his head amid interest from Tottenham.

One of the biggest concerns for the Spurs’ team, particularly their backline, is the impact of key players’ unavailability on results and performances.

They tend to struggle when club captain Cristian Romero is injured, and the same has been the case whenever Micky van de Ven is sidelined.

Hence, adding another injury-prone player like Bremer does not seem like the best decision at this point; instead, they should move for a more reliable option that could become a mainstay in Thomas Frank’s backline.

Tottenham interested in signing Porto striker Samu Aghehowa to bolster attack

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Tottenham Hotspur have struggled for a consistent source of goals for the last several months as Dominic Solanke has battled fitness issues, while Richarlison has not only struggled to be injury-free but has also been very inconsistent as far as form goes.

Mathys Tel and Randal Kolo Muani have also failed to deliver for the Lilywhites when used as number nines, so the most logical solution for the club is to dive into the transfer market, very possibly as early as in the January window.

According to Mark Brus, Tottenham Hotspur are pondering over a swoop for Porto marksman Samu Aghehowa, who with nine goals and one assist in all competitions this season, remains continuously on the radar of numerous English clubs.

Chelsea are among those interested in him, as are Arsenal, but with both of Spurs’ local rivals investing heavily on strikers just a few months ago in the summer, it would come as a surprise if they were seriously considering Aghehowa’s purchase in the winter.

Spurs must sign Aghehowa as soon as possible

Samu Aghehowa’s stock will continue to rise as he racks up numbers with Porto, but if Tottenham Hotspur are indeed looking into his capture, they need to act as soon as they possibly can, more so before their rivals enter the picture.

It is believed that the forward would cost approximately £79 million, a fee Spurs can afford to pay, but if they allow Chelsea or Arsenal to get into the fray, they might get outbid by the Blues or convinced into joining a winner project like the Gunners’.

With that said, both the clubs are likely to give their summer signings at least a full year before looking into the transfer market again, which is why January would be the best time for Spurs to materialise their interest in Aghehowa.

Porto might be happy to let the player go in January if their demands are met as they are already in pole position to win Liga NOS, as per the source, so it is now up to Spurs to decide whether they want to make a big investment mid-season.

Tottenham eye move to sign Porto star Samu Aghehowa

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing FC Porto star Samu Aghehowa, as per a recent report.

The Lilywhites enjoyed a promising start this season under Thomas Frank’s guidance, winning the first two games. They even defeated Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the second game.

However, they endured a woeful defeat against AFC Bournemouth at home in the third game, creating only 0.19 XG and attempting only one on target. This result raised questions about whether Frank would be the right man for Spurs in the long run.

Following a four-game winless streak in domestic competitions, those concerns have only intensified. Their performance against Chelsea just before the international break was as bad as it was vs the Cherries, while they were thrashed by Arsenal in the North London derby on Sunday.

Frank’s side couldn’t create any proper opportunities throughout the game. Now, they have slipped down to ninth place in the Premier League with 18 points from 12 matches.

In the meantime, the Tottenham hierarchy have seemingly started exploring options to strengthen the squad in January to help Frank turn the situation around next year.

Aghehowa to Tottenham

As per a recent report (via GiveMeSport), Tottenham are looking to reinforce the centre-forward position and have identified Aghehowa as an ‘ideal’ option.

The Spaniard is currently one of the ‘most followed attacking talents’ in Europe, and Tottenham could make a ‘concrete’ approach to seal the deal soon.

The 21-year-old is valued at around £44m by Transfermarkt and still has four years left in his current contract. Therefore, Porto are likely to demand a big fee if they are forced to cash-in on him next year.

Aghehowa has been showcasing his productivity in the Portuguese top flight in recent years. After making 28 goal contributions across all competitions last term, he has netted nine goals and registered a solitary assist thus far this season.

Although Tottenham already have Dominic Solanke, Richarlison, Randal Kolo Muani, and Mathys Tel as striker options, Solanke has been out injured since the start of this season.

On the other hand, Tel and Kolo Muani have failed to find their feet in the Premier League. So, purchasing a new striker would be the right decision for Tottenham, and Aghehowa might be a shrewd acquisition should they purchase him.

Martinelli and Mosquera start: Predicted Arsenal XI vs Tottenham Hotspur

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Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur in the first North London derby of the season tomorrow at 16:30 UK time on matchday 12 of the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium. Having been held to a draw by Sunderland before the international break, the Gunners will look to bounce back and getting their title charge back on track versus their crosstown rivals.

Here is a look at Arsenal’s potential starting line-up for the game.

Goalkeeper – David Raya has emerged as one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers and is likely to retain his place in between the sticks.

Defenders – Arsenal’s centre back pairing could see one enforced change as Gabriel Magalhaes was injured on duty with Brazil, so summer signing Cristhian Mosquera might replace him in the heart of the backline, partnering alongside William Saliba.

Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, meanwhile, are expected to keep their places at right and left back, respectively.

Martinelli to replace Trossard

Midfielders – Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are likely to partner each other in the double pivot for Arsenal once more, and with Martin Odegaard yet to gain 100% fitness after his injury, Eberechi Eze might be employed as the attacking midfielder against Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow.

Bukayo Saka could feature on the right wing, whereas Leandro Trossard might make way for Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank with the Brazilian forward enjoying a decent run of form.

Forward – Viktor Gyokeres might not be fit enough to make the team for the derby, so Mikel Merino could be picked to lead the line for Arsenal.

Here is a look at Arsenal’s possible eleven on paper.

Kudus back in the team: Predicted Tottenham Hotspur XI vs Arsenal

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Tottenham Hotspur are up against a top six Premier League side for a second straight game as they face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow at 16:30 UK time in their North London derby corresponding to matchday 12 of the campaign.

With only two wins in their last five outings in the English top flight, Spurs will look to pick up something against their in-form rivals and here is a look at the starting eleven Thomas Frank is expected to entrust for the task.

Goalkeeper – Guglielmo Vicario is likely to keep his place in between the sticks for Spurs.

Defenders – Pedro Porro is expected to continue at right back, whereas Djed Spence could also be employed at left back by his manager. Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven may be handed nods in the centre of defence, thereby rounding off an unchanged defence for Spurs from last time’s Manchester United game.

Kudus returns

Midfielders – Joao Palhinha has established himself as a key part of Thomas Frank’s plans and could play in the double pivot for Tottenham Hotspur, with Pape Mata Sarr likely to be picked over Rodrigo Bentancur to partner with the Portuguese. Xavi Simons is also in line to play as the team’s number 10.

Tottenham’s only change for the Arsenal clash is likely to come on the right flank with £55 million star Mohammed Kudus expected to return to the team. Richarlison, on the other hand, might stay on the left wing.

Forward – Randal Kolo Muani might play as the striker for Tottenham against Arsenal.

Here’s how the Lilywhites might look on paper.