TBR Football

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on the signing of Mohammed Kudus.

Spurs have already signed Mathys Tel on a permanent deal in this window, while Kota Takai has also been brought in from Japan.

Neither of those arrivals really raised the excitement level around the club, but that changed when it was reported that Tottenham have agreed a £55 million deal with West Ham for Kudus.

There’s every reason for Spurs fans to be excited about signing Kudus, but Jamie O’Hara has one serious concern about the Ghanaian.

Jamie O’Hara reveals the worry he has about Tottenham-bound Mohammed Kudus

Mohammed Kudus is a fantastic talent.

The 24-year-old was brilliant in the Netherlands when he was at Ajax, and he has shown flashes of his quality in West Ham’s colours as well.

Kudus was due a big move away from the London Stadium, and it looks like Daniel Levy has struck a deal with David Sullivan after personally speaking to him.

The Ghana international is due for a medical this week, and he is expected to go on tour with his new teammates later this month.

Most Tottenham fans are delighted with the news, and O’Hara is happy too because Kudus is a very good player. But, he has one concern.

When Jason Cundy said that Kudus goes ‘missing’ at times, O’Hara replies on talkSPORT: “That’s my concern with him. He’s a really good player, he’s got a huge amount of talent, he can play pretty much across the front three. He can play everywhere. I just worry…

“I think Thomas Frank is a good manager for him because I think he will get the best out of him, and he will push him. He is at a big club with Champions League football. I just hope he doesn’t become one of these players who’s got a bit of a mentality (issue).”

After highlighting Kudus’ red card against Spurs last season, O’Hara added: “I just hope he doesn’t become a player who’s got an issue like that. He’s got to come in and be a leader; he’s got to come in and hit the ground running.”

Mohammed Kudus showed off his bad side against Tottenham

Kudus’ talent on the pitch is unquestionable.

The 24-year-old can play in almost every attacking position, is fantastic on the ball and has the ability to create and score goals.

However, the West Ham star lost his head in a game against Tottenham Hotspur last season. Kudus kicked out at Micky van de Ven before having a go at Pape Matar Sarr as well.

That, however, is one isolated incident — that is the only time in his entire career that Kudus received a straight red card.

The Ghanaian would’ve surely learnt from that, and although meeting Van de Ven and Sarr after joining Spurs will be a bit awkward, we’re sure they will get along well.

Tottenham Hotspur have started to take the transfer market by storm.

Just as Spurs are preparing to announce the £55m signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham, talk of a swoop to sign Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest emerged from the blue.

Surprisingly, the deal accelerated in rapid fashion.

Gibbs-White is now set for a medical at Tottenham on Friday, after Spurs swiftly triggered a £60m release clause in the England international’s contract.

Now, a story from The Times shares what Tottenham plan to do next in the transfer window.

Tottenham targeting a new central midfielder and young player

Tom Allnutt and Charlotte Duncker now state that Spurs want to add a new centre-midfielder to the squad for Thomas Frank after wrapping up deals for Kudus and Gibbs-White.

The latter is more of a No.10 who plays in an attacking midfield role, as opposed to a more traditional central midfielder such as Rodrigo Bentancur, for example.

The Times add that Spurs are also keen to sign another young talent like Kota Takai, who arrived from Kawasaki Frontale in a £5m deal earlier this week.

Excitingly for Tottenham fans, it is also written that further additions are “to come” – so supporters should keep an eye out for more news once Kudus and Gibbs-White are signed.

Which central midfielder could Tottenham target?

There have already been several central midfielders linked with a move to N17 this summer.

The Sun have claimed that Hayden Hackney of Middlesbrough is a £20m target for Tottenham, who would actually tick both boxes of being a central midfielder and also a young talent, at the age of just 22.

In what would be a more difficult deal to complete, Football Transfers state that Spurs have internally discussed a move for Crystal Palace No.20 Adam Wharton.

However, the England international could cost as much as £70m.

Having said that, few people expected Tottenham to splash £60m to sign Gibbs-White, so anything is possible this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur are embarking on a new era under Thomas Frank, and pre-season is now underway.

Tottenham’s players have reported back to Hotspur Way, and this is a fresh chance for many of these players to make a good impression.

Manor Solomon is back in Tottenham training after spending last year on loan at Leeds, while Pedro Porro returned early to training and would likely have made a good impression in doing so.

Thomas Frank hasn’t wasted any time in putting his players through their paces, and one of his first drills was quite gruelling.

Indeed, Frank put his team through a 1km sprinting drill, and after the drill, a few of Tottenham’s players looked absolutely drained.

Djed Spence looks drained after Thomas Frank pre-season test

Thomas Frank had his players go through a difficult running drill in their first pre-season session.

Stat Sports were there to record the session, and in the video shared on TikTok, it has to be said that a few Spurs players looked exhausted.

Dominic Solanke notably looked tired after this test, while Djed Spence also looked like he’d found things difficult as he was taking deep breaths and shaking his head.

Interestingly, George Abbott was clocked as the fastest player at Tottenham during this drill, and that won’t have harmed his chances of being given a first-team shot next season.

Tottenham’s upcoming pre-season plans

These sessions at Hotspur Way are going to be vitally important in terms of building fitness ahead of the new season.

Indeed, while Thomas Frank will want to do as much work as possible with his players, his preparations will be slightly disrupted in a few weeks’ time.

Tottenham head to Asia for a pre-season tour later this month, and that will provide its own challenges in terms of travel, fatigue and media/ambassadorial duties.

After a few quiet weeks following the arrival of Thomas Frank, Tottenham are now stepping up their summer recruitment.

Spurs have agreed a £55m deal to sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham, while Tottenham are also moving for Yoane Wissa – who scored 19 Premier League goals for Brentford last season.

Not only that, but Tottenham are now targeting Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest too, according to The Athletic.

Thomas Frank is said to be a long-term admirer of the England international.

If a move for Morgan Gibbs-White does materialise for Tottenham this summer, Tim Sherwood may feel rather smug.

Tim Sherwood highlighted Morgan Gibbs-White as a future Tottenham player back in 2023

Speaking live on Premier League Productions (via TBR Football) back in December 2023, the man who made 117 appearances for Tottenham as a player – and also oversaw 28 games as manager – tipped the Nottingham Forest No.10 to become a Spurs player one day.

Sherwood – who admires Dejan Kulusevski – said: “If there’s one player in the Forest team who can play in Tottenham’s team, I believe Morgan Gibbs-White can play for Tottenham.

“I can see him playing from next year if Forest are in the Championship, which I don’t think they will be.”

Sherwood was a little wide of the mark with the timing of his prediction, admittedly – Nottingham Forest survived that 2023/24 campaign, and actually ended up qualifying for the UEFA Conference League by finishing seventh last season.

However, the point still stands.

Sherwood quite rightly labelled Gibbs-White as a player capable of playing for Tottenham one day.

After a 2024/25 campaign where the 25-year-old scored seven goals and provided ten assists in 34 Premier League appearances, Daniel Levy and Frank seem to agree.

Morgan Gibbs-White arrival could annoy Mohammed Kudus

Signing Kudus, Wissa and Gibbs-White along with hiring a proven Premier League manager in Frank would surely excite Tottenham fans, but we are starting to wonder where all these players would fit.

There could be a real problem in particular when it comes to the Ghana international.

Kudus has already told Frank he wants to play No.10 in a central role, but the Dane commonly uses a 4-2-3-1 formation with just one central attacking midfielder.

James Maddison and Kulusevski are already options for that position, which is where Gibbs-White plays as well, so if the Nottingham Forest talisman does move to north London, Kudus may not be too pleased.

Following an agreement to sign Mohamed Kudus from West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur are now also in talks with Brentford regarding Yoane Wissa.

Yoane Wissa thrived under Thomas Frank in west London and after Tottenham’s interest in Christian Norgaard, who has now joined rivals Arsenal, it seems as if they will still try to recruit from Brentford.

If he does eventually arrive in N17, Tottenham want to use Wissa as a striker, someone who would come in to compete with Dominic Solanke.

As things stand, it’s only the likes of Alejo Veliz, Dane Scarlett or even Richarlison or Mathys Tel in a central role who would be on hand to challenge Solanke.

And that explains why Daniel Levy is keen to recruit another number nine for Frank.

Tottenham are preparing a bid for Evann Guessand

That being said, Africa Foot are now reporting that Tottenham are preparing a bid for OGC Nice striker Evann Guessand.

It makes sense that Spurs will have more than one striker on their radar right now, even if they are keen to recruit Wissa.

And according to the report, Spurs are readying a €25m (£22m) offer for the 24-year-old striker, who has a growing reputation in Ligue 1.

In 33 Ligue 1 matches last season, Guessand scored 13 goals and provided nine assists, explaining why Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce have also been in negotiations.

Fenerbahce were said to be ‘close to an agreement’ for Guessand, but talks stalled owing to an insufficient salary offer.

Of course, if Tottenham did make a move, they would surely have the finances available to table a more competitive bid to the player, especially considering that Champions League football will soon return to N17.

Yoane Wissa is still the right signing for Spurs

Described as a very ‘complete’ striker, Guessand has now earned 10 caps for Ivory Coast, scoring once in the process.

And whilst the 24-year-old is clearly showing signs of improvement, it would be difficult to disagree with any Spurs fans who preferred a move for Wissa.

Wissa is now in his prime at 28 years old and has already scored 45 Premier League goals in 137 matches.

And the DR Congo international would represent a true ‘win-now’ signing for Frank, who will be aware of the pressure to improve on the Ange Postecoglou era immediately.

Spurs don’t need to replace Solanke by any means, but it would clearly be more realistic for Tottenham to undergo a big improvement under Frank if there was sufficient cover for the Englishman.

Tottenham Hotspur are advancing quickly in pursuit of Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.

On Thursday afternoon, it was reported that Tottenham had set their sights on Gibbs-White – and things have been accelerating ever since.

Meanwhile, TBR Football revealed that Gibbs-White has told Forest he wants to explore the opportunities that have come his way.

TBR Football also confirmed that Gibbs-White has a release clause of over £60million, making him a fairly attainable target.

Now, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Tottenham have triggered Gibbs-White’s release clause.

In addition, Mike McGrath of The Telegraph has reported when Gibbs-White is expected to undergo his medical at Tottenham.

Morgan Gibbs-White’s Tottenham medical pencilled in for Friday

McGrath took to X on Thursday evening to report that Tottenham were going to trigger Gibbs-White’s release clause.

His medical is scheduled for Friday, added McGrath.

Just 11 minutes later, Romano declared “here we go” on Gibbs-White to Tottenham, with the Lilywhites having triggered his release clause.

The Italian said Tottenham were making “massive moves”, with Kudus also set for Spurs, and corroborated McGrath’s report of Gibbs-White having a medical in the next 24 hours.

The other clubs who were interested in Morgan Gibbs-White

TBR Football have been told that Manchester City are the other club who are actively interested in Gibbs-White.

We can also reveal that Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea all had some contact over the England star earlier this summer.

However, Tottenham appear to have won the race for Gibbs-White and, barring any dramatic late twists, it looks as though he’ll be N17-bound.

TBR Football can exclusively confirm the latest involving Morgan Gibbs-White amid talks between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur over his signature.

Earlier on Thursday, it was reported that Tottenham had set their sights on Gibbs-White – and things have been accelerating ever since.

Reports are now doing the rounds claiming that Tottenham and Forest are in formal talks over a move for the England international.

TBR Football can also confirm how Gibbs-White really feels about a move away from the City Ground and which other clubs have been interested in him this year.

Morgan Gibbs-White keen to explore arising opportunities

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey can confirm that multiple clubs have now made approaches to Forest about Morgan Gibbs-White.

We believe that owner Evangelos Marinakis is involved as well as newly appointed football chief Edu. As a club, Forest insist they do not want to sell.

Sources with knowledge of the situation have told TBR Football that a clause of over £60million is in place, meaning he is attainable at around that price.

We can also confirm that Gibbs-White’s representatives have made it clear to Forest that he would like to explore the opportunities that are arising.

The other clubs who have been interested in Morgan Gibbs-White

TBR Football are told that Manchester City are the other club who are actively interested in Gibbs-White.

We can also reveal that Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea all had some contact over the England star earlier this summer.

However, it is not known if any of those clubs are in conversations again at this point.

Tottenham Hotspur are starting to get moving in the summer transfer window.

Mohammed Kudus is set to join Spurs in the near future, while Tottenham are also eyeing another Premier League attacker to add to their ranks.

Bryan Mbeumo was linked to Tottenham at one point, but now, Spurs are keen on Yoane Wissa, his Brentford teammate.

Of course, Thomas Frank knows Wissa well from his time at Brentford, and this is a deal that would make a lot of sense.

Wissa has been valued at £40m, so this would be another sizeable transfer.

However, according to Dean Jones, writing on the Ranks FC Ultras Patreon Page, Keith Andrews is desperate to stop Wissa from joining Tottenham.

Keith Andrews is desperate to stop Yoane Wissa to Tottenham

Jones shared what he knows about Tottenham’s pursuit of Yoane Wissa.

According to the journalist, Tottenham are indeed exploring a move for Wissa, but Andrews is desperate to halt this transfer.

“Spurs are also still exploring a move for Yoane Wissa, which new Brentford boss Keith Andrews is desperate to stop,” Jones wrote.

“Between Bryan Mbeumo and Wissa, the Bees scored 39 goals last season. Losing both would leave them in danger of becoming early candidates for relegation, as Christian Norgaard also exits.”

Premier League teams who were relegated after selling star players

As Jones says, if Brentford lose Wissa, Mbeumo and Norgaard in the same transfer window, they could be genuine relegation candidates.

We’ve seen this before where teams sell their star players the season before they are relegated, and Brentford are in danger of falling into a similar sort of trap here.

Leeds United suffered relegation the summer after selling both Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha, while Aston Villa went down just after letting both Fabian Delph and Christian Benteke leave.

Going further back, Newcastle went down after losing the likes of James Milner, Shay Given and Charles N’Zogbia in the same year.

Selling star players is risky business as a mid-table team, and if you get it wrong, you can quickly plummet down the table.

Brentford need to do all they can to keep hold of Wissa.

Tottenham Hotspur are fully up and running in the summer transfer window, but North London rivals Arsenal have also been busy on the transfer front of late.

Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso have joined Tottenham permanently, Kota Takai has just signed, Mohammed Kudus is closing in on a move, and talks are ongoing over Yoane Wissa.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have landed Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, while talks are continuing over Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres.

Now, David Ornstein has reported that Tottenham have turned their attentions towards another Premier League player who, as it happens, is also wanted by Arsenal.

Tottenham set sights on Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White

Ornstein has taken to X to report that Tottenham have set their sights on Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.

Just a few days ago, TBR Football relayed a report claiming Gibbs-White is among the players on Arsenal’s radar this summer.

Indeed, Gibbs-White is high on the recruitment lists of several leading clubs, but Spurs now hope to convince him to join them if a deal can be agreed with Forest.

Thomas Frank is said to be a long-term admirer of Gibbs-White, who would get the opportunity to play Champions League football whether he joins Tottenham or Arsenal.

The ‘exceptional’ midfielder with Pep Guardiola’s seal of approval

Gibbs-White has gone from strength to strength at Forest since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a £44.5million deal back in 2022.

He is now considered one of the Premier League’s best midfielders and he also made his England debut in 2024, with four caps now to his name.

Plenty of footballing figures, including Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, have spoken highly of Gibbs-White in recent months.

“Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga are exceptional players,” Guardiola said earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Peter Crouch said on TNT Sports after Forest’s 7-0 win over Brighton: “He’s a modern-day player. Back in our day, players with that ability were almost luxury players.

“But the amount of work he gets through and the pressing – if you want to play a high press he can do that, if you want to sit back he’s transitional and when you win the ball he carries it and invariably picks the right pass.

“[He does] a bit of everything and he does it really well; he can get goals, create goals, he’s very clever in the way he goes down for the penalty – he won’t thank me for saying this – but he accentuates the foul, very intelligent.”

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on a deal to sign Mohammed Kudus, and Rafael van der Vaart will love this move from his former club.

Van der Vaart will have closely followed the forward during his time at Ajax, and the Tottenham Hotspur legend has had plenty to say about him in the past.

Tottenham have agreed a £55m deal for Kudus, with the 24-year-old expected to undergo a medical at Hotspur Way on Thursday.

Gary Lineker has concerns about Kudus, but Van der Vaart’s comments from 2023 should reassure Spurs fans they’re signing a gem.

Rafael van der Vaart told Mohammed Kudus would become an £87m player

Speaking back in 2023, Rafael van der Vaart revealed that Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars told him Mohammed Kudus would become an £87m player in the future.

The former Tottenham player also explained how Overmars reckoned that the Ghanaian international was the best signing he’d ever made.

There was also the feeling that the attacker hadn’t quite shown his full potential at the time, but Van der Vaart claims he has all the attributes to become a top player.

Van der Vaart told Studio Voetbal via Voetbalzone: “I first saw Kudus during a friendly. He (Marc Overmars, Ajax’s sporting director) said: ‘Raf, honestly. This is my best signing ever. This is going to be worth a hundred million.’ He believed in him.

“He hasn’t shown it yet, of course, but he hasn’t really been deployed to his full potential. We only saw what he can do at the World Cup. He actually has everything a footballer needs in his position: strength, speed… He’s the very best player Ajax has.”

Ajax sold Kudus to West Ham for £40m in what was rather an impressive coup for the Hammers at the time.

Two years on, and the North London club have now paid £15m more to bring him across the capital to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Mohammed Kudus forced through Tottenham move

As TBR Football revealed, Kudus really wanted to join Tottenham and made a move to N17 his priority for the summer.

Bayern Munich expressed interest in Kudus, however, the player wanted to remain in the Premier League, with Chelsea and Arsenal having also shown an interest.

The Guardian now claim that Kudus handed in a transfer request, along with reporting for West Ham training late on two occasions this week.

The 24-year-old is now close to finally securing his wish of joining Spurs and the deal could be announced in the coming days.