TBR Football

Thomas Frank is set to make sweeping changes at Tottenham Hotspur this summer, and one key tactic has just been spotted.

Tottenham Hotspur have been hard at work attempting to make big changes to the squad in N17 in the transfer window.

Mohammed Kudus has been signed; meanwhile, a deal for Morgan Gibbs-White to join Tottenham remains in the works, despite some slight issues.

But now the Danish coach looks ready to add a tactical detail which could take this Spurs team to the next level, something which they’ve been missing out on under previous regimes.

Destiny Udogie reveals Thomas Frank’s long throw plans for Tottenham

Snapchat footage filmed by Destiny Udogie has revealed Thomas Frank’s plans to implement long throw-in tactics at Tottenham.

The Italian defender was filming the great vibes going on in the dressing room at Hotspur Way, only to let slip the plans for training.

‘Long throw audition’ is one of the training drills listed on the board, which suggests that the Danish coach is attempting to find all the marginal gains at Spurs.

The North London club have rarely given much attention to detail when it comes to set-pieces, so this will have excited many supporters.

Tottenham will get their first chance to show what they’ve learned under Frank in five days when they travel away to Reading.

Arsenal have shown the importance of making set-piece situations count, and now Spurs look set to try and follow suit.

Thomas Frank can improve Tottenham at set pieces

Frank’s Brentford team were often so impressive from set-piece situations, and the Dane could really help to improve Spurs in this area.

Only four teams scored more goals than them, but when it came to defending them, the Bees were the best in the league, as they let in just two.

For Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, this was a major concern, and when speaking about set-pieces back in 2024, the Australian manager told Sky Sports: “I don’t see it as an issue.”

Tottenham’s defending at set-pieces became an issue, with Guglielmo Vicario struggling with defending balls being hurled into the penalty area.

Teams began to target the Lilywhites in this area of the game, but hopefully, under their new manager, this could quickly change.

TBR Football understands that Morgan Gibbs-White has made it clear to Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis that he wants to join Tottenham Hotspur.

Gibbs-White returned to Forest training this morning with his move to Spurs currently being stalled by the Midlands club’s dispute over the player’s release clause.

Tottenham triggered Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause, although Forest claim this was confidential information and want to find out how Spurs knew.

Marinakis was furious that Gibbs-White’s release clause became known to the Lilywhites, as TBR Football revealed, and his legal action will seek to determine how that came about.

Exclusive: Morgan Gibbs-White tells Nottingham Forest he wants Tottenham move

Morgan Gibbs-White has made it clear to Nottingham Forest that he wants to join Tottenham Hotspur, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey can confirm.

As it stands, Tottenham remain confident that a deal will get done, and TBR Football can confirm that the 25-year-old has informed Evangelos Marinakis he wants to leave.

First, Marinakis wants answers as to how the North London club found out about his £60m release clause, which he is furious about.

However, TBR Football has been told that, given it exists and both the player and Spurs want to activate it, there is little that can be done.

So whilst the midfielder has returned for pre-season training, he has made it clear to Forest that he wants to join Tottenham.

This is part of Marinakis’ anger; he is annoyed that a club the size of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City or even Bayern Munich didn’t come in for him.

City were keen on Gibbs-White, however, Pep Guardiola’s side never formulated their interest in signing the former Wolves player.

The England international is reportedly keen to play under Thomas Frank and also in the Champions League.

Morgan Gibbs-White could be the perfect James Maddison alternative

James Maddison will love that one of his close friends could be joining him at Spurs, however, the 25-year-old could take his place in the team.

Frank might want a player to fill the number ten role in his team who is likely to have a more reliable injury history.

The 28-year-old has missed 24 matches since signing for the North London club back in the summer of 2023 from Leicester City.

The vice captain missed the Europa League final with a knee injury, which left Ange Postecoglou short in terms of a creator.

Mohammed Kudus has been announced as a player of Tottenham Hotspur following a £55m deal from West Ham United.

TBR Football understands Tottenham had three bids for Kudus rejected until they finally convinced West Ham United to sell the forward.

Tottenham agreed a £55m deal for Kudus, and the player completed his medical last Friday before being announced.

The 24-year-old will have the chance to make his debut for the Lilywhites next Saturday away at Reading, but before that, the Hammers’ fans will not like what he said during his medical.

Mohammed Kudus reveals Tottenham love during medical

Mohammed Kudus joked that Tottenham are in his heart during his medical ahead of his move to the North London club.

As TBR Football revealed, Kudus really wanted to join Tottenham, and he finally got his wish as they agreed a £55m deal to sign him.

TBR Football also exclusively reported that Kudus shunned interest from Bayern Munich, as he wanted to remain in the Premier League.

The official announcement video included Kudus claiming he ‘only wanted Spurs’, something which didn’t go down well with West Ham’s supporters.

Now, during his medical, the club’s doctor told him that he was going to listen to his heart, to which Kudus replied: “You’ll find Spurs there!”

West Ham needed to sell Kudus to help fund their own moves in the transfer window, TBR Football reported back in June.

The 24-year-old had an £84m release clause, but the East London club were aware that no club would be willing to pay that sort of money.

David Sullivan initially wanted £65m for Kudus, however, Spurs were one of the only clubs showing a proper interest, so his hand was forced.

West Ham want Liverpool’s Harvey Elliot to replace Mohammed Kudus

West Ham want to sign Harvey Elliott from Liverpool to replace Kudus, according to reports.

Elliott has admitted he could leave Liverpool this summer, revealing he will discuss with his team the next steps for his career.

The 22-year-old played a key role in helping England U-21 to win the European Championships in Slovakia over the summer.

The Liverpool attacker netted five times in six matches for the young Three Lions team, and now he is subject to strong interest from Premier League clubs.

The Morgan Gibbs-White to Tottenham Hotspur saga has just taken another twist this morning as the North London club attempts to push the deal through.

Tottenham paid Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause, however, Nottingham Forest think the clause should have been confidential and are disputing how Spurs found out.

Gibbs-White is confident he’ll join Tottenham, as exclusively revealed by TBR Football, but it’s not just a waiting game for him as the two clubs look for a resolution.

The midfielder has now done something during the saga which has Spurs supporters talking, and most are quite pleased with his latest move.

Morgan Gibbs-White returns to Nottingham Forest training

Morgan Gibbs-White has returned to Nottingham Forest training this morning, despite being in the middle of a potential transfer to Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham are confident they’ve done nothing wrong and believe that Nottingham Forest are now just delaying the inevitable of a transfer to North London.

But, in the meantime, Forest have ordered Spurs to cut off all contact with their captain, who is now back in the Midlands and ready to train with the club.

The 25-year-old was given additional time off following his involvement with England during the international matches in June.

Despite the slightly concerning sign of Gibbs-White being back in training, Tottenham fans are pleased he is showing professionalism amid the saga.

Viktor Gyokeres refused to report for Sporting training as he looked to push through his move to the Gunners, but Gibbs-White has opted to take a different approach.

One fan said: “Nothing to worry about, he seems like a top professional deal will be done this week.”

Another supporter was in agreement and wrote: “Agreed, this seems like a green flag. Top professional, gonna be a great addition.”

One fan admitted he was not concerned by Gibbs-White’s latest move: “Professional reports into his current employers. Outside of it all being very tense and awkward, nothing really to report until the deal is done.”

Finally, another fan added: “I’m pleased that he is showing professionalism.”

Nottingham Forest launch Morgan Gibbs-White legal complaint

Nottingham Forest have launched their legal complaint over Tottenham’s approach for Gibbs-White, according to Tom Barclay.

The Premier League and FA must now decide whether Spurs wrongly found out about the player’s release clause, which Forest claim shouldn’t have been public knowledge.

Tottenham have been told they could sign Gibbs-White by paying over his £60m, which could satisfy Forest.

Fabrizio Romano claims that Tottenham want to proceed with the Gibbs-White deal and insist they have done nothing wrong in the transfer.

“Romano told his YouTube channel: “Tottenham maintain their position. They are convinced about their behaviour.

“They want to proceed with the deal, they want to sign the player. Nottingham Forest are prepared to fight. So, let’s see what’s going to happen there.”

Tottenham Hotspur remain patiently waiting in their bid to complete a deal to sign Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White.

Tottenham triggered Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause, although Forest believe the clause should have been confidential and want to know how Spurs found out.

As exclusively revealed by TBR Football, Gibbs-White is confident he’ll join Tottenham, but he’s now having to wait for the issue to be resolved between the two clubs.

The 25-year-old is just waiting for permission to return to London and finalise the transfer, and Spurs have been told what they could do to finally land the player.

Tottenham could pay over Morgan Gibbs-White’s clause to appease Nottingham Forest

Tottenham Hotspur have been told that they could pay over Morgan Gibbs-White’s release clause in a bid to appease Nottingham Forest, according to Ben Jacobs.

The North London club could make the situation go away by opening talks with the fellow Premier League club and reaching an agreement in excess of £60m.

At this moment in time, the midfielder is just waiting for permission to travel to North London to complete the move. He is keen to play for Thomas Frank and in the Champions League.

Jacobs told TalkSPORT: “Tottenham deny any wrongdoing, I still feel this deal can be done and will be done, but it’s on Forest now.

“Tottenham do not have permission to even engage with the player right now to attempt to formalise this, so the two clubs are either going to have to agree on something, and maybe it’s a case of something around the release clause.

“If Tottenham want this to all go away, they can, instead of waiting for Forest to either drop it or resolve it, just actually make another offer and see whether that’s good enough.

“But they would need to go higher than the release clause, or they can see if Forest actually understands that Gibbs-White wants the move, he wants to play for Thomas Frank, he wants Champions League football.”

Morgan Gibbs-White could be bad news for James Maddison

Gibbs-White’s arrival at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could be bad news for James Maddison, whose place in the team he could take.

The midfielder could fill several roles in Frank’s team, but his primary role is likely to be in the number ten spot, which is the same as the 28-year-old.

One of the key issues Maddison has had since his move to North London is his inability to stay fit, having suffered two different injuries last term.

The Danish manager could be looking to sign a more reliable option for his key creator and player who can fill the number ten position.

Tottenham Hotspur are hoping that Morgan Gibbs-White’s transfer will be allowed to go through despite Nottingham Forest’s protests.

Thomas Frank is believed to be a big admirer of the midfielder and is eager to bring him to N17 this summer.

The North London club are now working behind the scenes to ensure that his move to the capital gets completed despite a hiccup in proceedings.

Should Gibbs-White end up signing for the Lilywhites, there is one player he will be very excited to link up with next season.

Brennan Johnson and Morgan Gibbs-White’s connection

Brennan Johnson and Morgan Gibbs-White have previously spoken about the strong connection which they share on the pitch.

Johnson and Gibbs-White played together at Nottingham Forest for one season but formed a strong relationship on and off the pitch.

Forest had a tough first season back in the Premier League, but the duo played a key role in helping ensure they remained in the Premier League.

Johnson, who Tottenham signed for £45m, and Gibbs-White scored five and assisted nine times between them during the 2022/23 season, although they did combine on just two occasions.

Gibbs-White told Nottingham Forest’s YouTube channel: “We have a good relationship. I think it all started on the pitch, we built that connection, and it’s just followed off the pitch as well.

“You have to realise what each other’s strengths are and play to those, and I know Bren’s quick and loves running in behind, so I know my job is to get the ball and look for the space in behind to feed him through and put him in on goal.

“It’s just about learning about each other, learning about what we both like doing, and it’s worked so far.”

Tottenham Hotspur could now reunite the duo in North London, and with the duo having significantly grown since then as individuals, this could be a partnership which explodes next term.

The Tottenham forward netted 18 times last term, meanwhile the Forest captain managed ten assists in the Premier League.

Morgan Gibbs-White brings great leadership skills to Tottenham

Gibbs-White’s skillset as a player will add so much to this Tottenham team, but one key thing he will be able to add is his skills as a leader on the pitch.

Forest won’t just be gutted to have lost their talisman, but also their captain, something which makes him such a special addition for Spurs.

This Tottenham team needs personalities and people who will lead by example, and Gibbs-White’s performances for Forest last term showed he is willing to do that.

TBR Football exclusively revealed that Gibbs-White still expects to join Tottenham, despite Forest disputing that Spurs approached him illegally.

Tottenham paid Gibbs-White’s release clause, worth £60m, on Thursday, and the Midlands club want to know how Spurs knew about this secret clause.

The 25-year-old would be an outstanding signing for the Lilywhites, who now face an anxious wait to learn why he will be playing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next term.

TBR Football understands that one of Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer targets is considering a ‘very good’ contract offer from a club abroad.

Tottenham Hotspur have just had a crazy week in the transfer window, with Mohammed Kudus signing and a deal for Morgan Gibbs-White coming close.

As exclusively revealed by TBR Football, Gibbs-White still expects to join Tottenham, despite Nottingham Forest being unhappy at the situation.

However, a player whom they’d opened talks to sign is now considering an offer from elsewhere, in what could be a slight blow to their transfer plans.

Sources: Kyle Walker-Peters has ‘very good offer’ from Besiktas

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey can confirm that Kyle Walker-Peters has received a ‘very good offer’ from Besiktas.

The defender is now considering the contract offer, which is believed to be better than anything from England. Walker-Peters left Southampton after his contract expired and is a free agent.

The Lilywhites sold the defender to the Saints back in 2020 in a deal worth around £12 million, and he went on to make over 200 appearances for them.

As TBR Football reported, Tottenham had talks with Walker-Peters about a return move to North London, but these talks did not progress.

Spurs added the 28-year-old to their transfer plans with the need for cover at full-back, and also with him counting as club-trained in the Champions League.

The North London club are going to face possible issues with registering everyone they’d want in their squad for Europe next season. Walker-Peters, who was called ‘extraordinary’, is now looking less likely to happen with a move to Turkey on the cards.

Sources: Dennis Cirkin could be Tottenham’s alternative option

TBR Football revealed earlier this month that Tottenham were also in talks to sign Dennis Cirkin, who was being considered as an option for the full-back area.

The 23-year-old has had several impressive seasons with Sunderland in the Championship, and he is finally set to become a Premier League player.

But, it might not be for the Black Cats with Spurs thinking about bringing him back to N17, four years on from selling him.

Jose Mourinho praised Cirkin back in 2019, when he called the Tottenham academy star a ‘quality’ young player and expressed his excitement to work with him at some stage.

Mourinho told the media: “I couldn’t be at the game, but I watched on video our youth team playing in the [UEFA Youth League], and we also have [Dennis Cirkin].

“OK, he’s 17, but he’s a kid with a lot of quality, and I look forward to bringing him to train with us, and to help his development.”

Tottenham Hotspur are currently hoping to sign Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest.

Morgan Gibbs-White was brilliant for Nottingham Forest last term, a key part of Nuno Espirito Santo’s side who were able to qualify for European football.

However, if Gibbs-White gets his wish, he’ll be swapping the Europa League for a campaign in Europe’s top competition with Tottenham.

It’s an ambitious move by Spurs, and although Forest are furious about the Gibbs-White situation, there is seemingly sufficient confidence around Tottenham that a deal can be done.

And although the move might be delayed, Thomas Frank should have another exceptional midfield talent to work with in N17 next season.

James Maddison shouldn’t be happy with Tottenham’s Morgan Gibbs-White bid

That being said, Spurs do already have a wealth of talented attacking midfielders, and although James Maddison might be delighted to see Gibbs-White arrive on a personal level, he should be seriously worried when it comes to his own minutes.

As Gibbs-White proved at Forest last season, he’s able to operate in both a number eight and number 10 role effectively.

But the England international is undoubtedly best as a 10 when he’s playing in behind the striker — the exact role Maddison wants to claim as his own.

Ahead of the World Cup next summer, Maddison will want to play every minute he can for Spurs, he’ll be expecting to be a key player under Frank.

However, the arrival of Gibbs-White doesn’t bode well for the £40m midfielder at all.

And whilst Maddison and Gibbs-White might be good friends off the pitch, the former might soon become somewhat frustrated by the latter’s arrival.

Both can play in the same team, but considering how highly Frank reportedly rates Gibbs-White, it would seem unlikely for the 25-year-old to make the majority of his appearances out of position.

James Maddison could star at a club like Newcastle

Back in 2022 before Tottenham signed Maddison, Newcastle made more than one bid for the then Leicester City maverick.

Unfortunately for Eddie Howe, those attempts were ultimately unsuccessful, but it’s interesting to consider that Maddison would still be a key player at Newcastle today.

Newcastle were much better than Spurs domestically last season, and yet Maddison would still walk into Howe’s team, even if the same can’t be said at Tottenham.

That point highlights just how much attacking talent Frank will have at his disposal next season.

And considering that Spurs have also bought Kudus this summer as mentioned, it perhaps also demonstrates how unbalanced Frank’s squad is right now.

Levy’s side are showing a lot of ambition on the transfer front, but they are still crying out for more defensive presence in the middle.

Tottenham looked all set to sign Morgan Gibbs-White on Friday, but a hiccup has since emerged.

TBR Football understand Evangelos Marinakis is furious after details of a £60m release clause in the England international’s contract were made public, with the Nottingham Forest owner even considering legal action against Spurs, believing an illegal approach was made.

Now, a story from Football London has shared what Tottenham think will happen as their pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White takes a twist.

Tottenham remain confident over Morgan Gibbs-White deal

Alasdair Gold now states that Spurs believe Nottingham Forest will only succeed in delaying their pursuit of the 25-year-old rather than managing to collapse the move completely.

It is said that Nottingham Forest had no intention of losing both Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga this summer, having recently sold the latter to Newcastle in a £55m deal.

That is largely why Marinakis is digging his heels in over the Nottingham Forest No.10 as Tottenham circle, but those at Hotspur Way remain confident despite the hiccup in this deal.

Why Morgan Gibbs-White was nowhere to be seen as Nottingham Forest drew 0-0 against Chesterfield

Some Tottenham fans might have thought this deal was back on track after Nuno Espirito Santo left the £60m man out of his squad for Nottingham Forest’s pre-season friendly against Chesterfield, which finished 0-0.

However, Gibbs-White, who admires Mousa Dembele, was simply absent having been granted extended leave for his involvement with England in the middle of June.

That is also the reason why Eberechi Eze – a target for Arsenal – was absent as Crystal Palace recorded a 1-0 win over Millwall in their first friendly of the summer.

Nottingham Forest seem set to cause the Gibbs-White saga to drag on, which will surely frustrate Thomas Frank ahead of Tottenham’s own upcoming friendlies against Reading and Luton, matches the Dane would ideally like the attacking midfielder involved in to help him acclimatise at Spurs.

While that will frustrate fans, there remains confidence this deal will get done, so patience is needed.

Morgan Gibbs-White could soon be a Tottenham Hotspur player, and he could soon emulate two players he once seriously admired.

Tottenham have triggered Gibbs-White’s release clause, however, there appears to have been a key hold-up in the deal.

Nottingham Forest have tried to block Gibbs-White’s move, as there is an understanding that the £60m clause should not have been public knowledge.

TBR Football has exclusively revealed that Gibbs-White’s camp still expects him to join Tottenham, but at this stage, the move has been delayed.

If the 25-year-old does eventually make the switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he could follow in the footsteps of some of his footballing icons.

Morgan Gibbs-White raves about Mousa Dembele and Adel Taarabt

Morgan Gibbs-White has previously raved about Mousa Dembele and Adel Taarabt, both formerly of Tottenham Hotspur.

The England international was asked to blind rank Premier League players based on their ‘streets won’t forget’ status, which means stars who were perhaps deemed underappreciated at the time.

The Belgian is often spoken very highly of by his fellow teammates, with Kieran Trippier calling Dembele ‘underrated’, but the list goes on.

When asked about Dembele, Gibbs-White told Sports Bible: “Oh my god, phwoar… Round of applause for him. Number two.”

Meanwhile, Ledley King once claimed Taarabt might’ve been more talented than Bale, showing just how highly rated the Moroccan was viewed by his teammates.

The former Queens Park Rangers star was renowned for exceptional flair on the pitch, although he struggled to make the grade at Tottenham.

The former AC Milan and Benfica star’s best form came during his time in the Championship, a period in which he was one of the most talented players the division had ever seen.

Gibbs-White is a big fan of Taarabt, claiming: “Ah, incredible, yeah. King of the Championship. Sweet player 100 percent.”

Morgan Gibbs-White could emulate Mousa Dembele at Tottenham

Thomas Frank could have a different plan for the Forest captain in his team than what everyone is expecting currently.

Gibbs-White was often deployed as a number ten under Nuno Espirito Santo at Forest, but also as a number eight at times.

The 25-year-old’s ability to carry forward across the pitch and his strength to hold opposition players off can somewhat resemble Dembele.

Forest were so dangerous last season in transition, and Gibbs-White was often at the heart of this, picking up the ball from deep and driving into the opposition’s half.

The midfielder is best as a number ten, but he is so good when operating from deep, and Frank might look to utilise this by playing him in a double pivot.