TBR Football

Things are not going to plan for Tottenham Hotspur – on and off the pitch.

Ange Postecoglou is working really hard to bring success to Spurs, but the Australian has had all sorts of problems over the last few months.

Mathys Tel became the latest player to reject Tottenham, while getting their injured players back to full fitness is proving to be a difficult task as well.

Now, there could be more bad news for Spurs.

Tottenham feel Radu Dragusin’s injury ‘could be serious’

Injuries have been really cruel to Tottenham this season.

The North Londoners have missed the likes of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven for large parts of the campaign, while Destiny Udogie has also been unavailable recently.

The last thing Postecoglou wanted was another injury in his backline, but unfortunately for him, there’s some bad news coming his way.

Radu Dragusin was forced off the pitch due to an injury against Elfsborg on Thursday, and there are big fears about him now.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that people inside Spurs think that Dragusin’s injury could be serious, and that could force Tottenham’s hand in the transfer market.

The journalist tweeted very late on Friday night: “Tottenham internally feel that Radu Dragusin’s knee injury could be serious, at least one and eventually two centre back will be joining in the final days.

“Negotiations ongoing for Fikayo Tomori and more options in the shortlist.”

Seven injured Tottenham players could return very soon

Tottenham are currently 15th in the Premier League table, and the biggest reason behind their bad results is the injuries they have faced.

Every team in the world would struggle if half of their regular starters were out injured, so Postecoglou does deserve some sympathy on that front.

Dragusin’s injury now is a big blow, but Postecoglou has confirmed that six players could return over the next week to 10 days, with another one – Dominic Solanke – set to come back a week later (The Times).

Tottenham Hotspur faced disappointment in their pursuit of Mathys Tel.

Spurs have had a torrid January. Things have not gone their way – neither on the pitch in the Premier League nor in the transfer market.

After Randal Kolo Muani turned them down, Tel rejected Tottenham too on Friday even though the North Londoners had verbally agreed a deal with Bayern Munich to sign him.

Now, there’s an update on the reason behind the French attacker’s decision to snub Spurs.

The real reason why Mathys Tel rejected Tottenham

Tel became a big target to several clubs over the last few days, including Tottenham.

Spurs are in need of a new attacker after Dominic Solanke suffered an injury, and the Bayern Munich man became their top target.

Daniel Levy even flew to Munich to hold talks with Tel and convince him to move to Tottenham, but that trip turned out to be unsuccessful.

Sky Sports Germany have now revealed what happened.

The report confirms that Tel was in concrete talks with Spurs but he decided to end negotiations on Friday because ‘the project did not convince him – regardless of the Spurs offer. He didn’t feel like switching there was the right step for him.’

It has further been revealed that after Tel held talks with Spurs, he turned to Bayern and told them that if the only two options on the table were a move to Tottenham and staying in Munich, he would choose the latter.

This should act as a big reality check for Levy at Tottenham as Tel becomes the second big player to reject Spurs in the same window after Kolo Muani.

Tottenham are closing in on signing another player

Tel rejecting Tottenham dominated the headlines on Friday, but there was some good news for Spurs.

A new attacker isn’t the only signing Ange Postecoglou is pushing to make in the final days of the transfer window – the Spurs boss wants another defender too.

Reports in Italy claimed that Tottenham’s move for Fikayo Tomori is in the final stages after the North Londoners tabled a £25 million bid to sign him.

That is good news, but personal terms haven’t been agreed with the England defender yet, so it’s not a done deal even though the two clubs are nearing an agreement.

It remains to be seen if Spurs can get this deal over the line after missing out on two key targets already in this window.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are both looking at more signings in order to help them kick on for the remainder of the season.

Although Arsenal haven’t had a bad campaign, they’re still lagging behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are languishing in the lower reaches of the table and need reinforcements to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.

Arsenal’s £60million bid for Ollie Watkins a few days ago showed that their priority at present is a striker.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are now looking to sign AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori and negotiations are said to be going well.

However, Paul Merson has now urged Arsenal to hijack Spurs’ move for Tomori, and explained why the Gunners should bring the £25million-rated man to N5.

Arsenal told Fikayo Tomori would be great back-up for William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes

Merson, speaking on the Sky Sports Transfer Show, acknowledged that Arsenal have two great centre-backs in William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

However, the Highbury legend warned that things can “change quickly” in case of injury, suspension or fatigue, and having another top defender is crucial.

“I would go for Fikayo Tomori,” said Merson. “They need a centre-half. If you’re looking at the all-round package over the next few years, you’re looking at a very good player.

“He has played at a top club for AC Milan and Chelsea, he’s played under pressure. That’s what you need at a top club like Arsenal.

“He might be a back-up. But that can change quickly. But Arsenal need back-up and someone who is going to come in like-for-like.

“As soon as William Saliba or Gabriel come out the team, whoever steps into that defensive line weakens the team.

“That’s no disrespect to them, because the other two are so good.”

Earlier on in the show, Merson also said: “I think there will be a lot of teams after Tomori.

“Man United could do with him and Arsenal could as well. Arsenal have two centre halves but you always say if one of them get injured, they’re right up against it.

“Tomori could get in a lot of teams and will be well, well wanted by a lot of teams.”

Tomori was linked with Arsenal a year ago, with reports claiming the Gunners were monitoring his progress in Italy.

What Tomori could bring to Arsenal or Tottenham

Tomori is a superb defender in his prime who has experience in the Premier League, Serie A, Champions League and internationally for England.

The 27-year-old has made 161 appearances for Milan and has won a Serie A title and an Italian Supercup with the Rossoneri.

Prior to his move to Milan, Tomori made 27 appearances for Chelsea, and he has also won five caps for the Three Lions.

Milan legend Mauro Tassotti is quoted by i as saying: “Tomori is good at winning the ball back, his speed is impressive. He anticipates a lot and he’s always aggressive.”

Meanwhile, fellow Rossoneri icon Alessandro Nesta said Tomori and Kalulu are “two modern centre-backs who put pressure high up the pitch and leave a lot of space behind.

“That allows the team to stay high, which is fundamental nowadays.”

And Fabio Capello described Tomori and Kalulu as “the future of Milan”.

There’s finally some good news coming Tottenham Hotspur’s way.

Spurs are going through a terrible season on and off the pitch. They are 15th in the Premier League table right now and are yet to sign a single outfield player.

Randal Kolo Muani rejected Tottenham earlier in the window, and reports claimed on Friday that Mathys Tel has turned down Spurs too.

January really has been a terrible month for Tottenham, but there’s finally some positive news heading towards Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Fikayo Tomori to Tottenham is in the ‘final stages’

Tottenahm’s priority in this window has been a new striker.

The need for a new forward increased more than ever after Dominic Solanke suffered an injury that’s set to keep him out for over a month.

Tottenham sealed a verbal agreement with Bayern to sign Tel, which seemed like a huge boost considering all the other clubs interested in him. Daniel Levy even flew to Munich to sign Tel.

However, Tel rejected Tottenham even though he’s keen on a move to the Premier League.

Spurs have turned their attention to a defender now, and after reports claimed that Tottenham are interested in signing Fikayo Tomori, it looks like the deal is on the verge of completion.

Calciomercato have revealed that Tomori’s move to Tottenham is in the ‘final stages’ after the North Londoners tabled a £25.1 million (€30m) offer including bonuses.

The report claims that Spurs have beaten Aston Villa and Juventus in the race to sign the defender, who has been hailed as ‘outstanding’ by Joe Cole on TNT Sports.

Gianluca Di Marzio has also backed the above. It has been claimed that negotiations are at an ‘advanced’ stage and that ‘Tottenham could close the operation’ very soon.

Tottenham still need another signing

Tottenham’s defence has been a mess this season.

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have both missed a big chunk of the campaign, while Destiny Udogie has also been sidelined over the last few weeks. Radu Dragusin is now injured too.

Tomori solves a big problem at the back for Spurs, but after Tel rejected them, Postecoglou needs to find a striker who is ready to join them.

Going through the window without an addition up top would be really poor, but that looks like a serious possibility now.

It’s near impossible to exist in football’s financial ecosystem without some sort of link – formal or informal – to the state of Qatar and Tottenham chairman and co-owner Daniel Levy is no exception.

After plunging around £200bn into staging the 2022 World Cup, many commentators forecasted that the Gulf state would lose interest in football as a vehicle to embed themselves culturally on the world stage.

However, Qatar has done anything but, instead continuing to invest heavily in almost every corner of the sport from advertising to media rights.

The nation’s flag carrier airline Qatar Airways secured the principle sponsorship rights for last summer’s Euros in Germany and will continue as UEFA’s biggest commercial partner through to 2030.

In the event that Tottenham return to the Champions League any time soon – which looks unlikely on current form – they’ll see Qatar Airways signage everywhere they look as part of that deal.

The company has also had sponsorship deals with Barcelona, Roma and has been linked with deals with Spurs’ Premier League rivals in Chelsea and Everton.

Qatar have more links to the Premier League too through BeIN Sports, who paid £550m for the right to broadcast the competition in the Middle East and North Africa two years ago.

Sovereign wealth fund Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) meanwhile continues to fund Paris Saint-Germain and owns a stake in Portuguese side Braga.

QSI’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, is also the president of the European Club Association and a member of UEFA’s top board and is widely considered one of the most powerful people in football finance.

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani failed in his takeover bid for Man United in 2023 but, although the Qatari royal has been linked with Spurs, he still only has eyes for the Red Devils.

The tiny country is also competing with a regional rival in Saudi Arabia, who are pumping billions into the Saudi Pro League, Newcastle United, sponsorship, media rights, and the international game.

Now, with Daniel Levy looking for fresh investment in Spurs, could a Qatari state-backed bid create a new battleground between the two Gulf nations in the Premier League?

Qatar Emirati Sheikh Tamin open to PSG sale, opening door for Spurs deal

In April last year, Daniel Levy confirmed that Spurs were seeking new capital, although he stopped short of confirming whether that is in the form of a full or partial takeover.

The chairman has since hinted that the latter is the more likely of the two options, but TBR Football that ENIC have always been open to offers for a controlling stake if the price is right right, with the owners valuing the club at around £3.5bn.

Back in 2023, it was widely reported that the state of Qatar was considering investing in a Premier League team and that Spurs were on their radar.

Around the same time, Levy met for talks with Al-Khelaifi, although the club denied that those discussions had anything to do with investment.

The rumours persisted, however, and the fact that Qatar Sports Investment were said to be losing faith in their investment in Paris Saint-Germain only added fuel to the fire.

Under UEFA’s conflict of interest rules, two clubs under the same ownership umbrella are unable to compete in the same European competition.

That means that, if QSI were to buy a stake in Spurs, they would not be able to play in the Champions or Europa League simultaneously.

However, respected French outlet L’Equippe reported in late December that the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani, would consider offers for PSG at the right price.

A full sale would theoretically open the door for investment in Spurs.

But there have been somewhat mixed signals coming from Paris in this regard.

Earlier this week, PSG renewed their £60m-a-year front-of-shirt sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways until 2028.

That is being perceived as a continued show of faith in the football project at Parc de Princes.

Amanda Staveley, who is reportedly interested in investing in Spurs, has an almost peerless reputation as a broker in the Middle East and Qatar particularly.

The former Newcastle supremo is said to have courted investment from private individuals in Qatar as part of her efforts to raise £500m for a new football project.

She also helped engineer a landmark bailout deal between Barclays bank and Qatar during the 2008 financial crisis.

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to get a deal over the line for Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel in the last few days of the January transfer window.

Ange Postecoglou is eager to strengthen Tottenham’s attacking ranks in a bid to turn the team’s fortunes around amid their struggles this season.

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Tottenham and Bayern have verbally agreed a £60million deal for Tel.

However, the deal is not done, as Tel has not made a decision yet over which club he wants to join.

Now, Fabrizio Romano has shared a significant development in Tottenham’s pursuit of Tel.

Daniel Levy in Munich for talks with Mathys Tel and agent

Romano has taken to X to claim that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is now in Munich in order to accelerate talks for Tel.

The transfer insider reiterated that Spurs already have an agreement with Tel, but now Levy will enter face-to-face talks with the player and his agent.

Spurs are pushing for Tel as they’re aware of competition from other Premier League clubs, added Romano.

Which other Premier League clubs want to sign Tel

TBR Football recently revealed that Tottenham are so eager to sign Tel that they’re willing to do a permanent deal with Bayern.

However, the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Aston Villa have joined Spurs in holding talks over Tel in the last few days.

In a boost to the above clubs, Tel seems likely to make a move to the Premier League this month.

Sources have confirmed to TBR Football that the player is “excited” by the prospect of moving to England.

“He knows the Premier League well and is flattered by all the interest,” said the source.

“But he does not want to continue on the bench like at Bayern Munich, so he will chose his next club carefully.”

Chelsea were the first team to show interest some weeks ago when Bayern spoke to the Blues about Christopher Nkunku.

However, Chelsea now accept that they are unlikely to be able to give him the guarantees they want in terms of game time.

Tottenham Hotspur are now looking to sign a centre-back in the latter stages of the January transfer window in wake of Radu Dragusin’s injury.

The Spurs defender was forced to come off in Thursday night’s Europa League win over Elfsborg with a knee injury.

Tottenham fans called for the club to switch their attentions to a new centre-back and it looks like Spurs are doing just that.

Now, a report from Italy has provided a significant update with regards to Tottenham’s pursuit of a Champions League defender.

Tottenham pushing to sign Fikayo Tomori

Tottenham have been pushing to sign AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori in the last few hours, according to Gianluca Di Marzio’s website.

The report says Tomori is very popular in England and, as things stand, Spurs are frontrunners after overtaking Aston Villa in the two-horse race.

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey previously confirmed that Tottenham are big fans of Tomori, while Villa also keen.

Newcastle and Brighton are also keeping a close eye on the situation, while Brentford and West Ham are also admirers of Tomori.

What Tomori could bring to Tottenham

Tottenham are in dire need of strengthening their defensive ranks amid injuries to many of their key defenders over the past few months.

Tomori would be a very solid option for Spurs from the off should they manage to sign him over the next few days.

He is a defender in his prime with experience at the highest levels and, crucially, knows the Premier League very well.

Tomori has made 161 appearances for Milan and has won a Serie A title and an Italian Supercup with the Rossoneri.

He has also won five caps for England and will be eager to give Thomas Tuchel food for thought ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Tomori is a confident, fast and imposing defender who’s comfortable in possession, can play with both feet, and weighs in with strong tackles.

He’s also an accurate passer, boasting a pass completion of 92.4 percent, putting him among the top eight percent of defenders in that metric.

Tottenham have been trying to sign a new striker for weeks at this point.

Tottenham wanted Randal Kolo Muani before his move to Juventus, and now, they’ve turned their attention to Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel.

Tottenham want Tel signed up as soon as possible, and Spurs have apparently agreed a fee with Bayern Munich via a verbal agreement.

However, as of yet, a deal isn’t done, and according to Ben Jacobs, the player himself is holding up the move.

Indeed, speaking on the mufcMPB YouTube channel, the journalist says that Tel is now telling Tottenham to wait and be patient as he assesses all of his options.

What Mathys Tel has told Tottenham

According to Jacobs, Tel has told Tottenham to wait as he has several options on the table at the moment.

The striker is now assessing all of his options, and he’s put Tottenham on hold as he tries to figure out what his best move is.

Arsenal have been linked with Tel recently, while Jacobs notes that Manchester United and Aston Villa are also in this race.

“It becomes a bit misleading when you get to a point where a club like Tottenham have agreed a fee verbally. That leads you to think that this close to deadline day they have some kind of buy-in, but the player is basically saying ‘wait, I have several options and formulas as well.’ We can’t discount Manchester United, Aston Villa are looking as well.

“The Premier League is looking the most likely destination at this stage. The honest truth is that if the player doesn’t know, how would any journalist know? We’re in a bit of limbo because each suitor is giving their best offer to Bayern.”

Tottenham’s recent transfer war victories

Tottenham are, once again, in a position where they’re going head-to-head with some key rivals over a transfer target.

Spurs have been here before many times, and, in recent transfer windows, Spurs have, largely, been able to convince their targets to join Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Indeed, Tottenham have managed to pinch some players from big clubs in recent times.

Brentford were set to sign Archie Gray before Spurs swooped in, Lucas Bergvall looked set for Barcelona before Tottenham pounced, while Radu Dragusin could’ve joined Bayern Munich, but he chose Spurs instead.

Meanwhile, Liverpool could’ve signed Micky van de Ven, while Tottenham beat Newcastle to Antonin Kinsky.

One way or another, Tottenham have done a good job at convincing their transfer targets, and they will be hoping to do the same with Tel here.

So many teams in the Premier League are in the market for a new striker.

Indeed, most of the big six clubs are looking at signing a new centre-forward at the moment.

Arsenal bid for Ollie Watkins this week, while Tottenham are keen on Mathys Tel.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have been linked with almost every striker on the planet at this point.

Liam Delap has been linked with Chelsea recently, while Tottenham are also keen on Delap.

Speaking on Last Word on Spurs, Ben Jacobs has shared what he knows about Delap’s situation, claiming that the player is quite keen on a move to a London club.

Liam Delap keen on move to London club

Jacobs shared what he knows about Liam Delap and his situation.

The journalist says that Delap is keen on a move to London, and both Chelsea and Spurs are options.

“And then obviously the knock on effect would be that Chelsea may be more inclined to go for Delap. Chelsea might even say right now, and it’s very early I know, they ranked Delap above Sesko in their list of possibilities. But I think Tottenham will be in that conversation for Liam Delap as well.

I think the player is quite keen on moving to a London club. I don’t think, because he’s playing at Ipswich at the moment, he minds about the now. So again, it’s about where’s the best development, where’s the best package, where’s the best training facilities, where’s the best manager.

It’s not about who’s got Champions League football right now. So if Spurs didn’t get Europe, I don’t think it would put them at a significant disadvantage compared to, say, Chelsea. It would be more about who can convince the player he’s going to play regularly and thrive under a manager and in that system.”

Liam Delap record vs London clubs

Delap is keen to move to London, and while there are probably personal reasons behind that, there may also be footballing reasons at play here.

Indeed, Delap has a brilliant record against a number of London clubs, especially this season.

Delap loves scoring goals against teams in London, so it makes sense for him to want to move to the capital.

Delap has actually scored against both Tottenham and Chelsea already this season, so both teams have seen first-hand what the young striker can do.

The £20m forward was one of the signings of the season by Ipswich, but, sadly, the Tractor Boys may not be able to keep hold of their star man for much longer.

Enzo Maresca knows Delap well from his time at Manchester City, and it may not be long before the pair are reunited in west London.

Tottenham Hotspur may have had their fair share of issues this season but Thursday night shone a light on the bright future in store at N17.

Spurs ran out 3-0 winners over Elfsborg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to secure a place in the last 16 of the Europa League.

Better still, all three Tottenham scorers were academy graduates, with Dane Scarlett, Damola Ajayi and Mikey Moore getting on the scoresheet.

Scarlett opened the scoring when he headed home from Dejan Kulusevski’s cross in the 70th minute, just four minutes after coming off the bench.

Ajayi then doubled Tottenham’s lead with a superb debut goal on 84 minutes as he slotted home following a one-two with Scarlett.

Moore then rounded off the scoring four minutes into injury time as he drove forward, beat his man and slotted into the far corner.

Ben Davies, speaking after the game, spoke specifically about Scarlett after the youngster got Tottenham up and running in the match.

Ben Davies praises Dane Scarlett for his hard work at Tottenham over last few years

Davies, speaking to TNT Sports, said Scarlett was the game-changer for Tottenham, and spoke of how he has always seen him working hard at Tottenham.

“It was important to just get the job done tonight,” said the Spurs captain on the night.

“We know those games can be banana skins the longer they stay 0-0. You can feel the anxiety around the place and it just builds.

“Thankfully this guy [Scarlett] comes on and changes the game. A good win overall. He came on in a game that was quite tough at times and he changed it for us.

“Dane’s worked so hard over the last few years that I have been here with him. He’s had to go on loan, play limited minutes in lots of games too.

“But to come on and play the way he did in that game was amazing. Nothing short of what he deserves.”

Davies is not the only one impressed with Spurs’ top talents after the game.

Peter Crouch shared how a fan told him Tottenham should just use the academy stars rather than signing other players this month.

What Ange Postecoglou has said about Scarlett as new loan now out of the question

Scarlett spent the first half of the season on loan at Championship side Oxford United, making 22 appearances and scoring four.

He was recalled earlier this month and was named in the Tottenham matchday squad for the first time this season.

Players are only allowed to feature for two clubs across a single season, so Ange Postecoglou’s decision to bring Scarlett on means he can’t go out on loan again this term.

Postecoglou explained why he decided to keep hold of the 20-year-old forward for the remainder of the campaign.

“We had a look at his situation,” he told reporters after the game. “He has had a couple of disappointing loans.

“I think sending him out again without any sort of real prospect of him developing, we just felt let’s keep him training with us and give him an opportunity to train with us and play with us and see how it goes.”