FootballFanCast

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has been dealt a recruitment blow, following news about a key attacking target.

Spurs are already no stranger to transfer mishaps this summer, and supporters will remember their famously botched move for Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White all too well.

The 25-year-old, at one stage, was all set to undergo his medical at Hotspur Way ahead of a £60 million move, but Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis put a grinding halt to the transfer after believing Spurs made an illegal approach.

What followed was weeks of back and forth, an alleged second bid over his £60m release clause and repeated reassurances that Gibbs-White was still keen on a move to north London - only for the England international to pull an out-of-nowhere U-turn (Alasdair Gold).

Gibbs-White penned a club-record £150,000-per-week new deal at the City Ground, announcing the contract on Forest's media channels with Marinakis looming over his shoulder - ending all hope of Tottenham signing the ex-Wolves star.

Despite how advanced the move was, it shows just how quickly things can change in any moment, and no deal is done until contracts are signed on the dotted line.

Losing out on Gibbs-White was made all the more heartbreaking when James Maddison collapsed to the turf in pre-season with an ACL rupture, with the England international expected to miss a large portion of this season as a result.

Spurs once planned to head into the new season with both Gibbs-White and Maddison at Frank's disposal, but considering neither are available for the Dane, Tottenham have since intensified talks to sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.

Reliable reports suggest that Daniel Levy has reached a verbal agreement for Eze as Palace actively scour the market for a replacement, which may be crucial before Oliver Glasner's side give their final green light to the deal.

This is somewhat backed up by big-name outlets, like Sky Germany, who report that talks are very advanced.

With Eze on the verge of a move to N17, it is worth noting that Tottenham have also been in talks to sign Man City winger Savinho in a separate deal (Fabrizio Romano).

Tottenham dealt Savinho transfer blow after Man City decision

The 21-year-old, valued at around £60 million, would come in as a direct replacement for club legend Son Heung-min, but according to BBC Sport columnist and La Liga expert Guillem Balague, Tottenham may need to start looking elsewhere.

That is because Man City have now decided that Savinho is set to stay, despite his talks with Tottenham, and other reports suggest that Levy is already weighing up alternatives, like Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche.

Pep Guardiola may well be thrilled by this decision from Sky Blue officials, as the Spaniard is on record calling the Brazil winger an "extraordinary" player, whilst hoping that he remains at the Etihad Stadium for many years.

This season marks a new era for Tottenham Hotspur football club, as Thomas Frank leads the side into the 2025/26 campaign after his appointment from Brentford.

It’s already been the perfect start for the Dane, picking up three points in the Premier League opener against Burnley - with a Richarlison double and a strike from Brennan Johnson securing the win.

However, if the side are to continue their charge this campaign, the hierarchy will need to once again back the manager to make the changes he craves to his side.

Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha have made moves from West Ham United and Bayern Munich, respectively, whilst Mathys Tel also made his loan move permanent from the latter.

However, despite the £85m already splashed during this window, the Lilywhites could’ve forked out a much bigger sum, had they managed to complete a deal for another big-money talent.

Spurs’ failed move for Gibbs-White this summer

Earlier this summer, Spurs made a surprise move for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White, with a deal for his signature seemingly progressing rapidly at the time.

The Lilywhites had gone from being interested in a move for the 25-year-old, to agreeing a deal, and the player himself set for a medical with the North London outfit.

However, the deal wasn’t plain sailing, with the club’s decision to trigger his £60m release clause one that caused controversy with Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis.

The Greek businessman put a halt to the move, after claiming Frank’s side had made an illegal approach for his signature, subsequently threatening legal action against the club.

A deal for Gibbs-White’s signature subsequently fell apart, leading to the England international signing a new three-year contract at the City Ground - becoming their highest paid player in their history.

After missing out on his signature, other options have been considered by the Lilywhites' hierarchy, leading to numerous other options being considered in recent weeks.

Spurs’ hunt for a Gibbs-White alternative this summer

Eberechi Eze has been the biggest target for Spurs in recent weeks, with the Crystal Palace star seemingly set for a departure from Selhurst Park between now and the end of the window.

Talks have been held between the two clubs over the last few days, leading to claims that an agreement has been reached to sign the 27-year-old, with a £60m fee currently being mooted.

However, he’s not the only player in their sights this window, leading to Roma talent Lorenzo Pellegrini being labelled as the latest target, according to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport.

They claim that Spurs have made an enquiry to land the Italian midfielder, who made 34 appearances for the Serie A outfit throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

It also states that his current employers will be looking to offload him this window, opening the door to a switch to North London with just one year remaining in his current deal at the Stadio Olimpico.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be their answer to Gibbs-White

After James Maddison’s ACL injury, it has left a huge hole in the number ten position at Spurs, highlighting the need for added reinforcements in such an area.

A move for Gibbs-White would’ve provided added competition for places in the side, but at present, Frank’s side don’t currently have a recognised attacking midfielder to fill the void.

However, after missing out on his signature earlier this window, the need for another talent in such an area is desperately needed before the window’s September 1st deadline.

Whilst Pellegrini won’t be many supporters’ first choice this window, at 29, he could be the perfect squad option, especially if Eze completes his own move to join the club.

To sweeten the deal for the Lilywhites faithful, he’s been labelled as a similar player to Gibbs-White by FBref, able to offer a cheaper alternative to the Englishman.

When delving into their respective stats from the 2024/25 season, the Italian managed to outperform him in numerous key areas, showcasing why he’d be a superb addition to the current squad.

Pellegrini, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri, managed to complete more of the passes he attempted, with more of which per 90 being defined as key passes.

Such figures highlight the quality he possesses with the ball at his feet, offering Frank’s side a more creative option to the Lilywhites within the final third.

He also completed more of the take-ons he attempted, whilst also completing more carries into the final third - subsequently being able to drive with the ball into dangerous areas, adding another dimension to the club’s attack.

The Italian has also completed more crosses per 90, whilst drawing more fouls per 90, showcasing the threat he carries when having the ball at his feet - with the opposition unable to contain his talents, as seen by the fouls drawn tally.

It’s unclear how much a deal for Pellegrini would cost this summer, but it’s evident that any move could be a shrewd piece of business that would aid the club in their hunt for success.

If he can match the levels produced by Gibbs-White in the Premier League, it would be an excellent deal, subsequently softening the blow of missing out on the Forest star.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly closing in on a deal for Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, following rounds of talks involving Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and his south London counterpart Steve Parish.

The two club chiefs held negotiations again on Tuesday, according to Fabrizio Romano, and the potential transfer is heading in a very positive direction.

Now, some credible media sources are even reporting that Tottenham have reached a 'verbal agreement' to sign Eze, with a deal in principle now reached between Spurs and Palace as the Lilywhites make real progress to secure the 27-year-old's signature (Ben Jacobs).

Insider, Paul O'Keefe, stresses that while this is a significant development, Thomas Frank isn't exactly certain to bring the England international to N17 just yet.

Spurs are still waiting for the "final green light" from Palace as Oliver Glasner's side scour the market for a replacement, with all the financial details agreed verbally but nothing signed on paper - meaning the transfer could still collapse.

As we've seen from the saga involving Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White already this summer, it is important for Tottenham not to count their chickens until Eze signs his contract.

Gibbs-White was on the verge of joining Spurs for £60 million and a medical was due to take place last month, before Forest unceremoniously blocked the move, threatened legal action and somehow got the 25-year-old to sign a new contract.

Now, Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol has shared what he knows about Eze and his potential move to Spurs.

The journalist has urged on-lookers not to get too ahead of themselves when it comes to the former QPR sensation, telling Sky that a deal isn't exactly all wrapped up just yet.

"The deal hasn't been agreed yet, but I think the direction of travel is that Eberechi Eze is likely to become a Tottenham player," said Solhekol.

"The deal is not going to be agreed until Palace get what they want from the deal.

"They also need to line up a replacement, because he's such an important player for them. The interesting thing, of course, is that Palace have got this important European play-off game on Thursday night against Frederikstad.

"Will he be involved in that game, or will the deal with Spurs be done so quickly that he may be involved with Spurs against Manchester City? I think we're getting a little bit ahead of ourselves.

"We know that Tottenham want to sign the player, we know that Crystal Palace would potentially let him go for the right price. But as i said, we need to look at this from Palace's perspective, not necessarily Tottenham's."

Eze would be Tottenham's arguable best signing of the summer, and exactly what Frank is crying out for.

His 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season highlight just how devastatingly creative the player can be in the final third, with his versatility as both a central number 10 and left-winger coming as another major incentive for Levy to get this deal as soon as possible.

Frank needs a replacement for the injured James Maddison, and Eze fits the bill in all departments.

Tottenham Hotspur are attempting an ambitious end to the summer transfer window by backing Thomas Frank with multiple key additions.

Spurs have a few key areas of the first team to reinforce, especially following James Maddison's long-term ACL injury and club legend Son Heung-min's departure to MLS.

Dejan Kulusevski is also expected to remain out for a long time yet too, after injuring his knee towards the back end of last season, while defender Radu Dragusin's own ACL tear in January means he might not be back until December.

As Tottenham's injury nightmare continues into the Frank era, it is reliably believed that Spurs are targeting three major signings before deadline day on September 1 - a new centre-back, winger and attacking midfielder.

This is backed up by Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge in a Q&A from last week, with the Lilywhites since identifying Bayer Leverkusen star Piero Hincapie as their ideal central defensive target (Paul O'Keefe).

Before any move for the Ecuadorian, though, it is more likely that Tottenham will put pen to paper on a deal for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.

Eze has already agreed personal terms to join Spurs, according to reliable media sources, with Daniel Levy and Steve Parish holding fresh talks over the 27-year-old's transfer this week (Fabrizio Romano).

A move for the England international is on the verge of being completed, but final details remain before Spurs can fully seal an agreement for Eze, with Palace also on the hunt for a replacement, which could be Leicester City's Bilal El Khannouss.

Alongside Eze, Tottenham have been pursuing Man City winger Savinho in a separate deal (Fabrizio Romano).

The player's own agent, Frederico Moraes, told Jorge Nicola last week that City rejected a £42 million bid from Spurs for the Brazilian, with Pep Guardiola's side holding out for closer to the £67 million mark.

Savinho is currently out injured for weeks and missed City's opening day 4-0 win over Wolves at Molineux on Saturday, and Guardiola is personally keen for the 21-year-old to remain at Eastlands.

Savinho adamant he'd join Tottenham with Levy ready to spend over £60m

The former Girona star would be an absolutely excellent addition for Frank.

Savinho was a key member of the Girona side that shockingly competed for a La Liga title in 2023/2024, bagging 11 goals and 10 assists in all competitions that year, and he managed double digits for assists again last season at City.

He can play both on the right and left-hand sides too, as well as through the middle on occasion, so the South American would be an adept replacement for Son and cover for Kulusevski.

Despite Guardiola's stance, City's price tag and his injury, journalist Graeme Bailey has told TBR Football that Spurs have no intention of throwing the towel in when it comes to signing the player.

It is believed that Tottenham held fresh talks over a deal for Savinho on Sunday, and the forward is adamant behind-the-scenes that a move to Spurs is something he'd be open to.

As well as this, Levy is apparently ready to spend over £60 million on his potential signing, and any fee beyond that mark would come much closer to City's reported asking price.

This is definitely still one to watch in the coming days, as Savinho will want guaranteed game time ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The attacking department at Tottenham Hotspur has been subject to somewhat of an overhaul this summer, especially after the departure of fan favourite Heung-min Son.

The South Korean departed in a £20m move to join MLS outfit LAFC, ending his Lilywhites career on a high after claiming the Europa League title at the end of last season.

However, it was an emotional departure, bringing an end to his decade-long stint in North London - a period that saw him amass over 400 appearances and become the club’s fourth-highest goalscorer in their history.

At 33, it was undoubtedly the right call to allow him to move on to pastures new, but it’s left a void in the forward area - something which Thomas Frank will want to fill before the end of the summer window.

Whilst Mohammed Kudus has already been added to such a department, the new boss has made it abundantly clear that he wants added reinforcements to help him in his quest to rise up the Premier League table in 2025/26.

Spurs preparing another big move after Eze

A deal for Eberechi Eze has been in the pipeline for numerous weeks now, but a deal seems to be edging closer to completion, after key moves were made by Daniel Levy.

It was reported that the Spurs owner held face-to-face talks with Steve Parish over a move for the Englishman, which has seen a verbal agreement of £55m plus £5m in add-ons be reached in recent days.

A deal for the 27-year-old could see the Lilywhites' pursuit of a new number ten finally come to an end, subsequently turning their attention to Monaco star Magnhes Akliouche in an attempt to further strengthen the squad.

According to The Independent, Frank’s men have identified the winger as the latest attacking target this window, potentially pursuing a move for the 23-year-old before the September 1st deadline.

Their report claims that the Frenchman is seen as an alternative to Manchester City’s Savinho after the lack of progress on a deal for the Brazilian, with Akliouche a cheaper option, currently available for around a bargain fee of £43.5m.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be perfect alongside Eze

As previously mentioned, a deal for Eze appears to finally be edging towards its completion, in a deal that would be yet another excellent deal for Spurs this window.

The attacking midfielder was one of the most potent number 10s in the division last year, managing to register 26 combined goals and assists - subsequently firing the Eagles to FA Cup glory.

If he can replicate such numbers across the capital in 2025/26, it would be a signing that would go a long way to improving the options at Frank’s disposal - making the side a force to be reckoned with across all competitions.

Such a deal would also allow the Lilywhites to get one over their bitter North London rivals Arsenal, with the Gunners also previously interested in a move for the England international.

However, the prospect of Eze operating in Frank’s side is scary enough, not to mention the potential partnership he could strike up with Akliouche, should he too make the move to join the club.

He may be an unknown quantity to many, but the 23-year-old enjoyed a season to remember in his homeland last campaign, notching seven goals and 12 assists in all competitions.

His underlying stats were just as impressive, adding another dimension to the Lilywhites squad, offering another huge attacking threat in the hierarchy’s quest for added success in the near future.

Akliouche, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, ranked in the 93rd percentile for touches in the opposition box and passes into the 18-yard box last campaign - highlighting his ability to create or be on the end of chances.

Such numbers would fit perfectly into the hands of Eze, who registered 12 assists last season, with the pair able to link up and improve their respective tallies in North London.

The Monaco youngster also ranked in the 94th percentile for carries into the final third, whilst posting a 49% take-on success rate, subsequently able to get the ball into dangerous areas at any given opportunity.

His talents are further reflected in his progressive passes per 90 rate, averaging 5.5 per 90, with such tools able to find Eze - who will be required to make third-man runs in behind the striker within Frank’s current system.

Whilst both players would set the club back over £100m, they are additions that need to be made if the club are to build on their recent European triumph in 2024/25.

Both players are extremely technical, having the talent to get out of tight spaces and create endless opportunities, with Akliouche in particular being an exciting addition for the immediate and long-term future in North London.

They might not have an awful lot to show for it, but Tottenham Hotspur have been blessed with an abundance of talented superstars over the years.

The two players who'll likely stand out in the minds of fans today are probably Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.

However, as talented as both of them are and for everything they did for Spurs, particularly in the case of the latter, we reckon the best player to have played for the club over the last two decades was Gareth Bale.

At his peak, the Welshman was utterly unplayable, and while he enjoyed most of his success away from the Premier League, he still managed to score 71 goals and provide 53 assists in 237 appearances for the Lilywhites.

Spurs could do with a player of his ability in their current squad, making reports linking them to someone who could develop into another Bale particularly exciting.

Spurs target their new Bale

There are still a few weeks until the transfer window slams shut, and while it's not been perfect, it would be fair to say Spurs haven't had a bad summer thus far.

They might've missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White, but Daniel Levy and Co completed the statement signing of Mohammed Kudus early on, and on top of making Mathys Tel's move permanent, added another exciting youngster into the mix in Kota Takai.

However, the North Londoners are not done yet, as they now appear to be going after a Premier League ace who could develop into their new Bale.

At least that's according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has reaffirmed that Spurs are very interested in Savinho.

The Italian journalist goes further than that, though, revealing that the Lilywhites have already made an offer of around €50m - £43m - for the Brazilian, although Manchester City quickly rejected it.

According to other reports, the Citizens would accept a fee of around £50m, and while that's undoubtedly a lot of money, Savinho could well end up being worth it in the long run, especially as he could be another Bale.

Why Savinho could be Spurs' new Bale

Okay, so before the pitchforks and torches come out, we are not for one second suggesting that Savinho is already at the level that Bale reached at his zenith at Spurs, not even close.

However, there is every chance that the Brazilian could end up having a similar career with the North Londoners, especially when you take into consideration the fact that the Welshman wasn't exactly a hit from the word go during his time with the club.

One of the key similarities between the players is that they're both left-footed wide players, and while the City gem spends plenty of time out on the right, he's also more than capable of playing on the left.

Another key overlap is in how their style, as during his time in North London, the multiple Champions League winner was known for his brilliant ability to beat opposition players with the ball at his feet, either through a burst of pace, or some trickery.

This is something the "unbelievable" 21-year-old, as dubbed by Pep Guardiola, is also capable of doing, and his underlying metrics prove it.

According to FBref, he sits in the 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe's top five leagues for total and progressive carrying distance, the top 4% for carries into the penalty area, the top 5% for shot-creating actions from take-ons, the top 6% for successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

These numbers make it abundantly clear that, like the Wales legend, the São Mateus-born ace is world-class at getting the ball into dangerous areas.

Moreover, while he might not have the goal-scoring numbers just yet, his strike against Juventus in the Club World Cup proves he is capable of producing a wondergoal.

Ultimately, Bale is one of the greatest players to have represented Spurs in the modern era, and while he won't be at that level right away, Savinho looks like he could become as crucial for Frank and Co.

It's been a roller coaster of a summer for Tottenham Hotspur this year.

The North Londoners started the transfer window in an understated manner, completing the permanent signing of Mathys Tel and bringing in the exciting but still young Kota Takai.

Then, Daniel Levy and Co completed the capture of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United before trying and ultimately failing to sign Morgan Gibbs-White.

However, unlike previous summers, the Europa League champions appear determined to bring in more potential game-changers before the window slams shut.

One of the players they've been heavily linked with in recent days has been Savinho, although if reports are to be believed, the club could now be plotting a move for someone who'd be an even better signing.

Spurs target Savinho upgrade

Reports of Spurs' interest in Savinho first began popping up towards the end of last week. However, it's been over the last day or so that the links have started heating up.

According to some sources, the North Londoners have already progressed from internal talks to making their first offer for the 21-year-old gem.

However, while the Brazilian would be a tremendously exciting addition to the Lilywhites' squad, it now looks like the club are also looking at another Premier League star, someone who'd be an even better signing.

At least that is according to a recent report from Spain, which has revealed that Spurs are still very interested in Eberechi Eze this summer.

In fact, the report goes much further than that, claiming that the Lilywhites are now preparing an offer for the Crystal Palace star, whose £68m release clause reportedly expires at the end of the week.

It could end up being a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but Eze has more than proven he'd be worth the effort and, for our money, he'd be a better signing than Savinho.

Why Eze would be a better signing than Savinho

Now, it should be said that Spurs would do well to sign either Savinho or Eze this summer, as both players are undeniably talented and would bring something fresh to Frank's attack.

Still, there are several reasons why the latter would be a better addition than the former.

The first is simply their output from last season, as in 48 appearances for Manchester City, totalling 3087 minutes, the Brazilian ace scored three goals and provided 13 assists.

That means he maintained a reasonably impressive average of a goal involvement every three games, or every 192.93 minutes, and while that's certainly not bad, it pales in comparison to the Palace star.

In his 43 appearances for the Eagles, totalling just 3303 minutes, the 27-year-old "superstar," as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists.

In other words, the Greenwich-born dynamo managed to maintain an average of a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes, for a team that finished in mid-table.

The second reason the Englishman would be a better signing for the Lilywhites is down to his versatility, as while the former Girona ace can play on either flank, he can play in the ten as well as off the left.

This ability to play in the middle of the park is now even more important for the North Londoners as James Maddison is expected to miss almost the entire season due to his ACL injury.

Finally, on top of the output and positional versatility, the former QPR gem is simply more of a sure thing when it comes to the Premier League, as so far, he's made 146 appearances in the competition, in which he's scored 34 goals and provided 23 assists.

In contrast, the City ace has made just 29, in which he's scored one goal and provided ten assists, and therefore it's far harder to make a concrete prediction about how he'll fare in the coming seasons.

Ultimately, while Savinho is a very talented player and someone who could develop into a star, Spurs would be better off going out and signing someone who is already a superstar, such as Eze.

Tottenham Hotspur are now ready to meet a rival Premier League club's demands and sign an "outrageous" attacker, according to journalist Sebastien Vidal.

Tottenham ramping up attacking midfielder pursuit after Maddison blow

With the new Premier League season set to get underway this weekend, Tottenham fans are justified in feeling a little disappointed by their activity in the transfer window, having made very few major additions to the squad this summer.

Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso have completed permanent moves to north London after initial loan spells, but otherwise Spurs have been quiet, with Mohammed Kudus the only other high-profile addition.

Having secured Champions League qualification, it is frustrating that Daniel Levy & co haven't been able to strike while the iron is hot and bring in some top players, missing out on Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White last month.

Not only that, but the Lilywhites have now lost Son Heung-min and James Maddison, with the former joining LAFC and the latter set for a significant spell on the treatment table after suffering an ACL injury.

Consequently, there is an even more pressing need to bring in a new attacking midfielder, and Tottenham are now ramping up their interest in multiple players, with Leicester City's Bilal El Khannouss and Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze named as potential options.

Manchester City's James McAtee and Liverpool's Harvey Elliott are also of interest, and Spurs are now "ready" to meet the Reds' demands for the young Englishman, according to an update from Vidal on X.

The journalist states that Thomas Frank's side are looking to "boost their attacking creativity", and a move for Elliott could be on the cards, with the 22-year-old in line to receive regular game time if he moves to north London.

There is a feeling that Liverpool will sanction the England U21 international's departure this summer, and a £40m fee has been touted.

"Outrageous" Elliott could be ideal Eze alternative

There is certainly no shortage of exciting options on Tottenham's shortlist, with Eze perhaps chief amongst them, having outperformed the other targets in terms of attacking contributions in the Premier League last season.

However, the Crystal Palace star is also the most senior player at 27-years-old, meaning he received more game time, and it could be difficult for Spurs to win the race, given that Arsenal are thought to be closing in on a deal, having agreed a £55m fee.

Elliott could be the best option out of the remaining targets, given that he has been lauded as "outrageous" by scout Jacek Kulig in the past, while the Liverpool ace also has experience in the Champions League.

As such, it is exciting news that Tottenham are ready to meet Liverpool's demands, and a fee of around £40m seems reasonable.

Arsenal now "want to move very quickly" to sign a "special" Tottenham Hotspur target, and talks with his camp are currently ongoing, journalist Sebastien Vidal has revealed.

Gunners step up pursuit of new attacker after Lookman blow

Atalanta's Ademola Lookman handed in a transfer request earlier in the window, which could've paved the way for a move to the Emirates Stadium, but the Gunners have recently been dealt a blow in their pursuit of the London-born forward.

Consequently, Mikel Arteta's side will have to move on to alternative options, and they remain interested in signing Real Madrid star Rodrygo, with transfer expert Graeme Bailey revealing they are "waiting for a signal" from the Brazilian forward.

Tottenham are also in the race for the 24-year-old, with it recently being revealed that Thomas Frank has also approved a move for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, which could be a concern for Arsenal, who are also well-known to be interested.

In fact, the Gunners have now agreed a £55m fee with Crystal Palace, with the deal edging closer to completion, although there are still a few issues to sort out, such as the structure of the installments.

As such, the door could still be open for Spurs to make a late move, which is why Arteta's side "want to move very quickly" to sign Eze, according to a recent update from Vidal on X.

The journalist states that Arsenal representatives were sent to the Community Shield final against Liverpool, in order to "maintain contact" with the 27-year-old's camp and "avoid any setbacks".

Tottenham have also identified the Palace star as a "priority" target, but a deal may not be possible for either of the north London clubs until Crystal Palace secure a replacement.

"Special" Eze would surely favour move to Arsenal

While Spurs ultimately secured Champions League qualification via their Europa League triumph, they finished 17th in the Premier League last season, which is likely to be in the back of the attacking midfielder's mind.

Arsenal, on the other hand, have been knocking on the door for the past three seasons, and having finally signed a top striker in the form of Viktor Gyokeres, this could be the year they end their long wait to win the Premier League title.

As such, the England international would surely favour a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer, and barring any late hitches, it looks like the Gunners will get a deal done, which is exciting news, off the back of a very impressive 2024-25 campaign.

While they certainly didn't help themselves, the biggest problem for Tottenham Hotspur last season was injuries.

Ange Postecoglou had to make do with a cobbled-together squad for much of the campaign, and when he did have his players back, they won the Europa League.

Arguably, the biggest miss for the Lilywhites was Cristian Romero, who missed 27 games before playing a pivotal role in the club's first trophy triumph in 17 years.

The World Cup winner will undoubtedly be one of Thomas Frank's most important players this season, and so fans should be delighted about reports linking the club to an international who has been compared to him, as well as Gabriel Magalhães.

Spurs target Romero and Gabriel hybrid

It's been an interesting summer for Spurs so far regarding transfers, as while their pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White hasn't borne any fruit, they've bought in several other potential game-changers.

For example, while he wasn't cheap, Mohammed Kudus could help turn the Lilywhites into a far more dangerous side, while Joao Palhinha has the ability to make them a far tougher side to break down.

Moreover, the North Londoners appear keen on adding at least one more player to their ranks before the window slams shut, a player who has been compared to Romero and Gabriel.

At least that's according to a recent report from Sebastien Vidal, who claims that Spurs are very interested in Ronald Araujo, who is valued at £43m.

In fact, the journalist goes further, revealing that the Lilywhites are "expected" to make their first official approach for the Barcelona star as soon as "next week."

It could be a complicated and relatively costly transfer to get done, but Araujo has proven he'd be worth it, especially as he's been compared to Romero and Gabriel.

How Araujo compares to Romero & Gabriel

Now, there are several quite surface-level similarities you can point to between Araujo, Gabriel and Romero, such as them all being South American defenders who play for their nations, the fact they all play for top sides in one of Europe's top five leagues, or that none of them are the kind of defender who gets bullied off the ball easily.

However, thanks to FBref, we know that there are also some undeniable statistical similarities between them as they looked at all centre-backs across the top five leagues and, over the last 365 days, the Arsenal star comes in as the third most similar to the Barça ace, while the Spurs titan ranks as the ninth most similar.

You can gain a better understanding of how these comparisons were made by examining the underlying numbers in which the Uruguayan ranked closely to the two Premier League monsters.

Interestingly, when it comes to the Gunners' ace, the Rivera-born star doesn't actually rank all that closely in the defensive metrics, and instead shares plenty of the Brazilian's offensive qualities, from non-penalty expected goals to key passes and goal-creating actions, all per 90.

However, when it comes to the Lilywhites ace, the metrics include offensive and defensive statistics, such as interceptions, percentage of aerial duels won, tackles in the middle third, key passes and more, all per 90.

With all that said, while comparisons to two of the best defenders in the world's toughest league are certainly encouraging, there are other arguments for why the North Londoners should be all over a deal for the former Boston River star, such as his experience.

For example, despite still being just 26 years old, and therefore a year out from hitting his peak, according to research from The Athletic, the "athletic monster," as dubbed by analyst Raj Chohan, has made 175 appearances for Barcelona, of which 141 have been starts, and he's racked up a pretty good tally of ten goals and seven assists in those games.

On top of that, he has also helped the Spanish giants win two La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and two Super Cups, which makes it easy to understand why legendary centre-back Carles Puyol once described him as "one of the best defenders in the world."

Ultimately, even though it could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, Spurs should be doing what they can to secure Araujo's services, especially as he's something of a hybrid between Romero and Gabriel.