TBR Football

Tottenham Hotspur’s pre-season plans received a blow on Thursday evening, with the Premier League side beaten 4-0 by German giants Bayern Munich in Bavaria.

The game gave Spurs fans a glimpse of former hero Harry Kane, who scored against his boyhood club and missed a penalty in the one-sided clash.

While Tottenham fans would love to see Kane back in their colours, the former Spurs striker knows a number of the current side well given they have moved to N17 from Bayern.

After the game at the Allianz Arena, Kane picked out a new Spurs player for special praise.

Kane talks up Palhinha signing

Tottenham signed Joao Palhinha from Bayern earlier in the summer, with the Portugal international moving to North London on a season-long loan deal.

The former Fulham man is being tipped to add quality and energy to the Spurs midfield this season and will increase manager Thomas Frank’s options in the heart of his team.

Kane played alongside Palhinha last season as Bayern lifted the Bundesliga title and said the Portuguese battler would bring plenty of qualities to Tottenham.

“He’s tough, he tackles hard, he’s good on the ball, he knows the Premier League well from his time at Fulham and he’s a guy that will give everything for you,” Kane told Tottenham’s official website.

“I know he’s going to a good place and he’ll hopefully get some more game time and show what he can do.”

Palhinha brings quality and industry to Tottenham

Tottenham struggled for consistency in the centre of the pitch last season, with either Yves Bissouma or Rodrigo Bentancur selected as the deepest player in a midfield trio.

While Bissouma is technically gifted on the ball, his lapses in concentration and propensity to give away possession in dangerous areas cost Spurs.

Bentancur is a gifted and smart footballer, but following a spate of recent injuries has lacked the physical intensity he showed when he first joined Tottenham in January 2022.

In Palhinha, Spurs have signed someone who can dictate the pace of the game in possession and a player with a ferocious appetite to win the ball back when his team don’t have it.

Tottenham lacked protection in front of their defence last season, with Bissouma or Bentancur regularly caught out of position or overrun.

If Frank can get Palhinha fit and make him the fulcrum of the team, Spurs’ midfield balance will surely be much improved in 2025-26.

New Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank is assessing his squad ahead of the new 2025-26 Premier League season, with a number of players potentially set to be frustrated with a lack of game time.

The Spurs head coach replaced Ange Postecoglou at Spurs over the summer, with the Dane promising a different style of football at the Premier League club to his predecessor.

Tottenham operated in a very specific way under Postecoglou, who wanted his team to play out from the back and dominate possession in games.

As such, Tottenham signed Antonin Kinsky during the Australian’s tenure, with the Czech Republic international possessing all the footballing and technical skills to play in Postecoglou’s system.

However, with Guglielmo Vicario seemingly set to be Spurs’ number one choice in goal again this season, it remains to be seen how much football the former Slavia Prague stopper will get in North London.

As such, it appears there is a decision for Tottenham to make, with L’Equipe reporting there is interest in Kinsky from French side Lille.

Loan approach for Kinsky, but Spurs being ‘very greedy’

The French newspaper claim Lille have made a loan move for Kinsky as they look to replace current goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who appears set to join Paris Saint-Germain.

The report states the Tottenham goalkeeper is ‘motivated’ by the possible loan move, but Spurs are being ‘very greedy’ in relation to a potential fee to make the temporary deal happen.

For Tottenham, having strength in depth will be important in the upcoming season as they look to compete on four fronts, including in the Champions League.

Kinsky is a prodigious talent who has already played European football and been called up to the Czech Republic senior squad, despite only being 22.

For the Prague-born keeper, regular football would be a key element in his progression and allow him to challenge Vicario for the number one spot at Tottenham.

Tottenham can’t really afford to lose a keeper

However, with Fraser Forster leaving Spurs at the end of last season, the London club could be left short of back-up options in goal if they allow Kinsky to depart for France.

Brandon Austin is also in the first-team squad at N17, but the 26-year-old has only made one senior Tottenham appearance despite being at the club his entire career.

For Spurs, permitting Kinsky to go out on loan could be a big boost to the Czech goalkeeper’s progression but may leave them light on options should Vicario become unavailable or get injured.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that a player Tottenham Hotspur reportedly bid for a few weeks ago is now set to join Paris Saint-Germain.

Tottenham have had a decent enough transfer window so far, making a number of signings including Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha and Mathys Tel.

However, Spurs could certainly do with some more reinforcements, particularly at centre-back and in central midfield.

Tottenham recently tried their luck with an offer for a particularly impressive Premier League defender, but sadly he had already made his decision over his next career move.

Ilya Zabarnyi snubs Tottenham in favour of Paris Saint-Germain move

The player in question is Bournemouth and Ukraine defender Ilya Zabarnyi, who Tottenham reportedly bid for in mid-July.

Duncan Castles told The Transfer Podcasts at the time: “Guidance from Bournemouth is that Tottenham have offered €70million (£60.5million) for the player, which is owner Bill Foley’s asking price.”

However, Zabarnyi only ever had eyes for Paris Saint-Germain and, according to Fabrizio Romano, PSG head coach Luis Enrique is set to get his man for £58million.

Romano wrote on X: “Ilya Zabarnyi to Paris Saint-Germain, here we go!

“New centre-back for Luis Enrique, set to sign five-year deal after fee package worth €67m verbally agreed with Bournemouth.

“Zabarnyi will travel ahead of UEFA Super Cup for medical.”

How Tottenham could be made to rue Ilya Zabarnyi missed opportunity in just a few days’ time

Tottenham were linked with Zabarnyi – a player who Philip Billing deemed “unbelievable” – back in 2022 when Antonio Conte was in charge of the club.

Zabarnyi was playing for Dynamo Kyiv at the time, so it would have been the perfect opportunity for Spurs to sign him when he was still relatively unknown.

However, Tottenham’s approach this year has come after Zabarnyi proved himself in the Premier League, prompting interest from the newly-crowned Champions League winners.

Worse still for Spurs, they will be up against PSG in the UEFA Super Cup in a few days, so there’s a good chance Zabarnyi will be in contention to go up against them in such a key game.

Tottenham have begun a new era after club legend and adored captain Son Heung-min completed his move to LAFC, bringing an end to ten brilliant years in the Premier League.

Son joined LAFC for around £20m after bidding an emotional farewell to Spurs, and was unveiled at his new club on Thursday. Son joins former Tottenham teammate Hugo Lloris in Los Angeles, and will take a considerable personal fanbase with him to the MLS.

Tottenham are weighing up a move for a replacement in the transfer market, with Thomas Frank telling reporters this week that he is happy with his current options but is open to a new forward if the right player is available.

And that stance is underlined by their reluctance to lose Son, even if they did not stand in his way when he asked to leave.

Tottenham were reluctant to lose Son Heung-min but granted the winger his wish

Speaking to his club’s Black and Gold Insider Podcast, LAFC co-president John Thorrington couldn’t hide his delight this week at securing Son’s transfer.

Thorrington explained how LAFC had beaten off considerable interest in Son, while Spurs also fought to keep him. However, once Son was convinced by the LAFC project, Thorrington says Spurs then accepted their captain could leave.

“You have a club that loves him. Sonny is an absolute legend at Spurs,” Thorrington began. “For that reason, it does take a lot of work and a really appealing proposition to attract the player.

“We were all hands on deck, nothing disingenuous but explaining who we are, and also then finding a club [Spurs] that ended up being reasonable about where things stood and understanding this was what Sonny wanted to do with the next step of his career.

“It took a lot of hard work. Sonny was not short of options. We were always hopeful, I always felt we connected well. You sensed that he really got it. He really understood LAFC, there was an opportunity for him to meet our owners as well.”

Hugo Lloris helped convince Son Heung-min to join LAFC from Tottenham

Thorrington also revealed how Hugo Lloris acted as a salesman for LAFC as he helped convince his old teammate to join the MLS outfit.

Lloris left Spurs in 2023 after 11 seasons, and has made 76 appearances for the Black and Gold, winning the 2024 US Open Cup.

“Just as an aside, this Tottenham legend to LAFC [comparison] wasn’t intentional,” Thorrington said. “But in this case was helpful because we have Hugo [Lloris].”

For the first time since the 2014/15 campaign, Tottenham will play a Premier League season without Son Heung-min.

Son completed his move to LAFC shortly after announcing his desire to end his 10-year stay in North London.

Despite having just a year left on his contract, and past his peak at 33 years of age, Thomas Frank’s side were still able to command a sizeable fee of £20million for their captain.

That can be attributed to the strong negotiating skills of those in the Tottenham boardroom, of which their counterparts at LAFC have shed some light on.

Tottenham were ‘great’ in negotiations over Son Heung-min, according to LAFC co-president

John Thorrington, LAFC co-president, sat next to Son at his unveiling and was a key factor in persuading the forward to join the MLS franchise.

As the winger relayed after making the move to the United States: “If I’m honest, [LAFC] was not my first choice. But [from the] first call when I talked to John after the season finished, he just changed my mind.

“He changed my heart. He changed my brain. He showed me the destination where I should be. Right now, I’m here. I’m more than happy.”

Thorrington has since offered an insight into the transfer talks with Spurs that secured Son’s high-profile signing.

Speaking on the Black and Gold Insider podcast, the 45-year-old said: “Let me just say we’ve got to know each other really well over the last few weeks. When you’re negotiating, it’s not always the friendliest of conversations.

“But in all seriousness, they were great, we ended up finding the right solution for them and us. We always try to negotiate win-wins and I think we did in this case for us, for Tottenham, and for the player.”

Daniel Levy and Tottenham were tougher negotiators when it came to Harry Kane

The comments by Thorrington somewhat challenge the reputation that Levy is a tough negotiator, even if Spurs will be happy to recoup almost all of the fee they paid Bayer Leverkusen for Son in 2015.

Perhaps the most notorious example of Levy’s transfer stance was the 2021 saga over Harry Kane, who felt he had a gentleman’s agreement to leave Tottenham, according to the Guardian.

However, after Manchester City bid more than £100m for the England captain, Levy refused to entertain any offer under £150m.

Kane would later leave Spurs for Bayern Munich for an initial £86m in 2023, while City signed Erling Haaland a year later for £51m.

The Son deal shows that Tottenham took a different approach to their two club legends, likely because of their prospective destinations: had Kane joined Manchester City, he would have stayed in the Premier League and significantly improved a side Tottenham were hoping to compete against.

Tottenham Hotspur have had a decent enough transfer window so far, but Spurs fans aren’t happy with the latest move the club has made.

Tottenham have bought Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso and Kota Takai, while Luka Vuskovic has arrived at N17 after a deal was struck in 2023.

Spurs have also added Joao Palhinha to their ranks, signing the Bayern Munich midfielder on loan with an option to buy.

Palhinha’s arrival has allowed a different Tottenham midfielder to move elsewhere, but Spurs fans are not pleased over what has happened.

Tottenham fans unhappy over Alfie Devine loan move to Preston North End with option to buy

On Friday, Tottenham confirmed that Alfie Devine had signed a new contract before going out on loan to Preston North End.

This would suggest that Devine has a future with Tottenham, but Preston confirmed that the deal includes an option to buy.

Tottenham fans are disappointed that another top talent has left N17, with the real possibility that he could leave for good.

In addition, Spurs lack creativity at present due to the injury-enforced absence of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, and Devine is a No. 10 by trade.

“This club is cooked,” one fan wrote on X. “No one has a clue what to do. Reactive at every opportunity.”

Another said: “What a terrible job we’ve done with him.”

The criticism kept coming, with one fan writing: “Just watched Bayern kids score us, while we pursue ours away.”

Another supporter said: “Horrendous youth development.”

Another fan wrote: “If he was in the Chelsea academy, he would have had decent loans and would hold a decent value.

“Even if he didn’t make it, they would have got good money. Spurs will get £5-7million for him.”

What Tottenham need to learn from Liverpool on the youth front

Not only are Tottenham fans annoyed at the prospect of losing Devine, who could surely do a job in the squad, but at the prospect of him leaving for peanuts.

For instance, Jarell Quansah has joined Bayer Leverkusen in a £35million deal, while Tyler Morton has gone to Lyon for £15million.

In addition, Real Madrid actually gave Liverpool £10million to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold before the Club World Cup.

Neutral fans have been praising Liverpool for their transfer business, with one fan explaining why Morton has gone for so much.

“He has had two loans to the Championship and both times were one of the best midfielders in the league,” said the Reds supporter.

“Plus played plenty of minutes for us in cup games and Champions League.”

Thomas Frank will be under immense pressure to deliver immediate results in his debut campaign at Tottenham Hotspur.

Daniel Levy displayed his ruthless streak when he sacked Ange Postecoglou, despite the club’s Europa League trophy win following an abysmal 17th-placed Premier League finish.

Although Frank’s arrival in North London sparked plenty of excitement among the supporters, the squad that suffered throughout the entirety of last season has remained virtually intact.

Mohammed Kudus arrived from West Ham after Mathys Tel made his loan move from Bayern Munich permanent, but Spurs’ loan signing of Joao Palhinha ends the additions at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

And now Gabriel Agbonlahor has singled out one Spurs star who is “just not good enough” to represent the club ahead of their return to the Champions League this season.

Richarlison is holding back Tottenham and Dominic Solanke

Richarlison has failed to live up to the high expectations set when he completed a £60 million move from Everton in 2022.

Everton and Leeds United have been linked with Richarlison throughout the summer as his future in North London remains a subject of debate.

However, Agbonlahor believes Richarlison is not good enough for Tottenham, adding the Brazilian is actually holding back Dominic Solanke when speaking on talkSPORT.

“They need a lot, because you need a striker in there who can push Solanke – even take his place – and help him get better. Because it’s not Richarlison, is it?

“Richarlison might as well come and work with us, mate. For me, he’s just not good enough – and that’s being truthful. Spurs fans will agree.

“Yeah, he might run around, shoulder barge someone, pop up with the odd goal… but he wasn’t at the level Spurs needed last season. And he’s definitely not at the level this squad wants to get to now.

“So Richarlison’s got to be left. He’s not good enough. You need a top striker. Someone who can challenge Solanke. You’re playing Champions League football now.

“I do like Brennan Johnson – I think he’ll get better with more games off that right-hand side. Off the left, Tel didn’t look outstanding during his loan last season, but if he can improve, maybe.

“But you’re going into the big boy league now – the Champions League, man.”

Richarlison expected to start the season at Tottenham

In an ideal world, Tottenham would capitalise on their participation in the Champions League this season and acquire another attacker to challenge Solanke for a starting berth.

However, the England international has been nursing an injury throughout pre-season, leaving Frank with little choice but to select Richarlison to lead the line.

The Brazilian has failed to find the back of the net in any of his outings and looked like a fish out of water during the 4-0 loss against Bayern Munich on Thursday.

This does not bode well for Frank, who will soon face European champions PSG in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, and as things stand, Solanke remains out of contention for the clash.

Fortunately, Spurs will host newly promoted Burnley in the Premier League curtain raiser, but questions must be seriously asked of Richarlison, particularly if a market opportunity arises to upgrade in the position before the end of the transfer window.

TBR Football can reveal the extent of Thomas Frank’s transfer demands to Daniel Levy before accepting his offer to join Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham Hotspur have had a relatively slow window so far, with Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha and Kota Takai the only new additions.

Kudus for £55m looks excellent business from Spurs and Palhinha will bring great experience to the squad, but supporters will be eager for more to get done.

Time is running out, though, in the summer transfer window as there are now just 25 days until the September 1 deadline.

Thomas Frank requested three to four signings before joining Tottenham

Thomas Frank is believed to have requested just three to four signings before joining Tottenham, sources have told Graeme Bailey, Chief Correspondent at TBR Football.

The Dane made it clear to Spurs’ hierarchy that he did not feel the squad required a dramatic overhaul and just a handful of new additions would suffice.

TBR Football understands that Frank made it clear to Daniel Levy he wanted a number six, an attacking midfielder and another forward option.

Bailey told TBR Football: “When Frank was speaking to Levy, he made it clear: ‘Give me two, three, maybe four players, and we can really challenge’.

“He wasn’t coming in demanding a complete overhaul; he wasn’t saying, ‘I need two centre-backs, a full-back, two wingers, a striker…’ Nothing like that.

“And Levy isn’t going to appoint someone who’s asking for a full rebuild; that’s not how he operates. Frank was very clear about needing a genuine holding midfielder.

“He’s been clear about that need. He wanted a proper number six. And before Maddison’s injury, he also wanted another central attacking midfielder. Even now, that’s something he’s still keen on. I think he’d also like another forward. We’ve seen Tottenham linked with Randal Kolo Muani again; he’d fit in well.”

The 51-year-old’s ability to improve players and get the best from them at Brentford will have stood out to Spurs when deciding who will replace Ange Postecoglou.

Now, Frank will be tasked with getting the most from the players in Spurs’ current squad, which feels like a daunting task after last season’s 17th-place finish.

Three big winners from Thomas Frank’s arrival at Tottenham

Archie Gray will be one of the big beneficiaries of Frank’s arrival, particularly because the Dane was eager to sign him at Brentford. Gray had a medical at Brentford before instead opting to join Spurs.

The 18-year-old should also get minutes in midfield, and against Newcastle United in pre-season, he played and impressed in that role.

Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel could also win big from Frank’s arrival, given his strong work with attacking players in the past.

The Danish coach has helped improve the likes of Ivan Toney, Yoane Wissa, Ollie Watkins and Bryan Mbeumo.

Frank is excited to work with Tel and will have signed off on him being signed permanently for £30m, meaning he is likely to get plenty of support.

Destiny Udogie could be the final winner from the arrival of the former Brentford boss, with less demand for Spurs’ full-backs to invert.

The Italian defender is at his best when he’s allowed to maraud down the touchline, and under Frank, he will be given plenty of chances to do so.

One former Tottenham Hotspur man has given a detailed explanation as to why Daniel Levy is the best chairman in the Premier League.

Despite success in Europe, Spurs struggled in the Premier League, and Daniel Levy made the decision to sack Ange Postecoglou and appoint Thomas Frank.

Levy has commented on sacking Postecoglou recently, explaining it was a collective decision, but he had the final say.

Tottenham fans were left unimpressed with their chairman earlier in the summer, but one ex-player has now showered the club chief in praise.

Andros Townsend praises Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy

Andros Townsend began his senior career with Tottenham under Harry Redknapp.

He played 50 games for Spurs before eventually securing a permanent exit to Newcastle United in 2016.

Now, the 34-year-old has been discussing his ex-club and their chairman during an interview with talkSPORT.

Townsend was asked if Levy gets enough credit and went on to label him the best in the Premier League.

He said: “I’ve said it before and I’m not afraid to say it. I’ll get some stick, but I think he’s the best chairman in the Premier League by far.

“Where he’s taking Spurs from to where they are today, it’s chalk and cheese.

“I remember 10 years ago, Spurs were a mid-table club playing in front of 25,000, not generating enough funds to be able to compete at the top level.

“Brand new training ground, brand new stadium, and now season in, season out they’re competing at the top level, they’re in the Champions League, they won the Europa League, and they’re considered a big six side, whereas before Spurs, it was the big four.

And now, Spurs have broken into that, not because of their achievements on the pitch, but [because] what Daniel Levy has created, the brand he’s created off the pitch.”

Daniel Levy’s transfer message to Tottenham boss Thomas Frank

So far this summer, Spurs have completed six signings, the latest being Joao Palhinha.

Levy has sent a message to Thomas Frank this month, confirming he will support the former Brentford manager in the market.

He said: “We will support him to the best of our ability. If you look at transfer fees, we’ve been in the top four since the stadium opened. I think we’ve spent close to £700m net on new players.

“This isn’t just about money, this is about some luck, having the right balance in the team, having the right coach – there are a lot of things that have to come together.

“So I very much hope that Thomas will bring all the right ingredients and bring this team to where it belongs, which is right at the top.”

Tottenham are now looking to Nico Paz after the extent of an injury to James Maddison was discovered.

It is bad news for the England international, who has now been confirmed to have torn his anterior cruciate ligament during a friendly against Newcastle in South Korea last week.

Tottenham were looking for a new No.10 anyway after trying to sign Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest, so Thomas Frank now has an even greater need for an attacking midfielder.

A €40m (£35m) bid for Nico Paz has now been rejected – according to Gianluca Di Marzio – but who is he?

Spurs are pursuing a genuine wonderkid in Nico Paz

Di Marzio believes Como are demanding €70m (£61m) to sell the 20-year-old, and you can see why the Serie A side value him so highly.

Paz is already a full Argentina international with three appearances to his name, and can also already boast a goal for Real Madrid – where he made eight senior outings before a €6m (£5.2m) move to Como in August 2024.

Real Madrid have not – however – given up on the South American, and inserted an €8m (£6.9m) buyback clause in the agreement due to the Argentine’s vast potential.

Paz was used primarily as a No.10 in a central attacking midfield role by Cesc Fabregas at Como last season – the first full senior campaign of his career – and impressed, scoring six goals while also providing nine assists in 35 Serie A appearances.

Nico Paz is statistically similar to Bruno Fernandes

Tottenham famously came close to signing Bruno Fernandes back in the summer of 2019 before his £47m move to Manchester United in January 2020.

Now – however – Spurs could land a clone of the Portugal international.

Data site FBREF have Fernandes down as the most similar player to Paz, with the pair both ranking highly when it comes to shots per game and chances created.

Paz registers 3.65 shots every 90 minutes on average, and performs a shot-creating action for teammates 4.82 times per game.

FBREF interestingly also have the likes of Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze – who Tottenham looked at earlier this summer – and Dominik Szoboszlai on the list of players similar to the Como No.79 at the moment, which reflects very well on his ability.

It will undoubtedly be a tough deal to negotiate given the fact Real Madrid have a buyback clause, although Tottenham clearly feel a move is possible after submitting an opening bid.