FootballFanCast

James Maddison’s injury in Tottenham Hotspur’s most recent pre-season friendly will undoubtedly provide cause for concern, with the England international suffering yet another setback.

He entered a challenge during the clash against Newcastle United, before hobbling and eventually requiring treatment before being stretchered off the field.

It’s thought that it is the same knee the 28-year-old injured at the back end of last season, leading to Thomas Frank claiming he thinks it may be a serious injury.

Should the worst be confirmed, it would be a lengthy lay-off for the England international, once again disrupting his progress during his spell in North London.

As a result, it would be a surprise to no one that the hierarchy are subsequently targeting added reinforcements in the middle of the park in an area that was already being subject to investment this summer.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

An attacking midfielder has been firmly on Spurs’ radar over recent weeks, as seen by their attempts to land Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White earlier this window.

The likes of Harvey Elliott, James McAtee and Jack Grealish have all been targeted since, but no deals have yet been agreed for any of the English talents this window.

However, moves have been made to land another talent this summer, with Atlético Madrid star Conor Gallagher once again in their sights this summer, according to one Spanish outlet.

The report claims that the Lilywhites are preparing a €50m (£43m) bid for the 25-year-old, who only moved to the LaLiga giants from Chelsea during last summer’s window.

It also states that he could be open to the possibility of a return to the Premier League, with his current employers open to negotiations over a move to offload the central midfielder.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be the perfect Maddison replacement

When he’s been fit, Maddison has often been the go-to choice to operate in a more attacking role within Spurs’ midfield - which usually operates in a three-man system.

The Englishman registered 12 goals and 10 assists across all competitions last season, helping the club win the Europa League, ending their 17-year wait for any form of silverware.

However, his injury record has massively plagued his spell in North London, suffering three separate injuries during his two-year spell at the club after his £40m move from Leicester City in 2023.

Their ambitions of landing other attacking midfielders before his latest setback are understandable, but they could now be on the back burner for the time being.

The hierarchy are evidently planning a move for Gallagher, which could allow for a change in shape within the three-man midfield, which could utilise new signing Joao Palhinha in his deep-lying role in the front of the backline.

The Portuguese international would be able to feature at the base of the side with two central midfielders ahead of him, which could include the Atlético star should he make the move.

He has all the tools to be a perfect box-to-box option, potentially being a key component in Frank’s system, which demands real quality in the middle of the park.

Gallagher, who’s been labelled “sensational” by journalist John Cross, starred in LaLiga last season, producing some incredible underlying stats within his 32 league appearances.

He achieved an 85% pass completion rate, whilst completing 2.6 passes into the final third per 90, having the creative ability despite his deep-lying midfield role.

The former Chelsea star also thrived out of possession, making 2.5 tackles per 90, along with 1.2 interceptions made, offering the Dane the perfect box-to-box option in his quest for success.

At 25, Gallagher is entering the prime years of his professional career, potentially making his £43m transfer fee an excellent piece of business for the Lilywhites hierarchy during this window.

Whilst he’s not a direct replacement for Maddison, he could help a needed transition take place at the heart of the side, which could offer a new dimension for the new boss ahead of 2025/26.

Tottenham have now waved goodbye to the legendary Son Heung-min, who played his last game for the club against Newcastle in front of an adoring crowd of his native supporters in Seoul on Sunday.

After coming to Spurs as a relatively unknown 23-year-old from Bayer Leverkusen, 10 years, 454 appearances, 173 goals and 101 assists later, Son departs for Los Angeles FC as both an heroic Lilywhites figure and their most influential player of the last decade alongside Harry Kane.

Almost immediately after Son donned the Tottenham jersey for a final time against Newcastle, Fabrizio Romano gave his trademark 'here we go' to the winger's MLS switch.

Son didn't even bother travelling back to the UK with Thomas Frank's squad and instead parted ways in Korea, with the 33-year-old due to travel stateside for his LAFC medical ahead of an MLS record-breaking near-£20 million move (ESPN).

"I didn't think I was going to cry at first," Son said in an emotional final interview.

"But after hearing a few words from my teammates, leaving the club I've spent so much time with felt really tough. I felt really, really happy playing this match. Thanks to my fans, my teammates and also my opponents, I've had an unforgettable day.

"My career is not over yet, and I want to continue to bring (the fans) joy. I know I have more things I want to accomplish as a football player."

Son rejected lucrative proposals from Saudi Arabia in favour of a move to America, and it is no coincidence that LA has the largest Korean population of any city outside of South Korea itself.

LA will act as a 'home away from home' for Son, with the attacker ultimately choosing that over the riches on offer in Saudi - which in itself speaks volumes of the man.

Back at Tottenham, attention turns to who could possibly do their best to replicate both Son's leadership behind-the-scenes and his quality on the pitch.

Tottenham identify Ademola Lookman as alternative to Rodrygo

In the last fortnight, Spurs have been linked with an audacious swoop for Real Madrid star Rodrygo to fill Son's shoes on the left, but they do have a 'plan B' option.

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham have identified wantaway Atalanta star Ademola Lookman as another target to replace Son.

The Nigerian famously dazzled with one of the most exceptional cup final performances ever witnessed last year, scoring a hat-trick against the previously unbeatable Bayer Leverkusen to both end their undefeated streak and win Atalanta the 2024 Europa League title.

Despite his star player status, things haven't exactly been smooth between the 27-year-old and Atalanta, with Lookman now submitting a transfer request for this summer as he looks to push through an exit from the Serie A side.

TT reiterate news of the transfer request and write that Tottenham are plotting a potential move for Lookman to take advantage of the situation, coming after another impressive campaign where he bagged 20 goals and seven assists in all competitions.

Atalanta are demanding around £44 million to sell the player, which comes as a far cheaper deal than Rodrygo would be, but Spurs are now in desperate need of a new number 10 after James Maddison's serious injury against Newcastle.

Despite only just signing Joao Palhinha, Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly back in the market for a midfielder and in pole position to sign a La Liga star this summer.

Frank "surprised" by Palhinha deal

After securing a loan deal with an option to buy worth around £26m, Spurs may have just landed an underrated bargain by signing Palhinha. The Bayern Munich midfielder may have endured a tough year in Germany, but it was only two seasons ago that he thrived under Marco Silva at Fulham. And now, he could be the perfect fit for Thomas Frank.

Instantly full of praise for his new arrival, Frank admitted his surprise over Bayern's decision to open the door for Palhinha's exit just one year after securing his signature.

The Spurs boss told reporters: "Yeah, I was a bit surprised. Bayern went hard for him for two years and for whatever reason, which I actually don’t care about because we can get him, it was an opportunity for us.

"Sometimes everything goes a little bit in circles. Sometimes it is impossible to get a number nine. Sometimes it is impossible to get a number six. Sometimes it is impossible to get a right-back. At this moment in time, there are not many clear number sixes in the market so we are quite lucky to get him."

"I think he is a top player. He impressed everyone in the Premier League in the two years he was with Fulham. He is a regular for Portugal. Whatever the reason [Bayern let him go maybe] is the coach, the culture, the club, himself. Sometimes it is difficult to say. My concern is that he wanted to come and we wanted him to come."

That said, the Lilywhites may not be done there with midfield additions. Alongside Palhinha, reports are now suggesting that they could welcome a second familiar face back to the Premier League.

Tottenham willing to submit Gallagher offer

According to reports in Spain, Tottenham are now willing to submit an offer worth €50m (£44m) to sign Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid this summer. The England international is reportedly free to leave the Spanish club this summer and it is those in North London who are in pole position to secure his signature.

Unlike Palhinha in his first season away from the Premier League, Gallagher received ample game time at Atletico last season. But even after with that game time, he is seemingly destined to suffer the same exit fate as the Portuguese midfielder.

Tottenham Hotspur have completed a shrewd signing indeed with Bayern Munich's Joao Palhinha, who joins Thomas Frank's side on a season-long loan deal with a buy option inserted for £26m.

He joins Mohammed Kudus down at N17, and it's starting to feel like the new era is shaping up, even with skipper Heung-min Son leaving for LAFC in a deal worth £20m.

Spurs considering James Maddison replacements

Tottenham's fruitless bid to sign Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White last month emphasises Frank's desire to shore up his Tottenham midfield with a new playmaker.

That need has only been aggravated by Maddison's agonising setback, having endured such torrid luck on the injury front since leaving Leicester City and joining Tottenham for £40m in 2023.

Expect the Lilywhites to take action, moving for a midfielder who could add some creativity and flair.

And the man potentially arriving might be Manchester City's Jack Grealish, with Sports Mole revealing that an immediate enquiry was posted to the Etihad Stadium following Maddison's injury. Antonio Conte's Napoli are also in the race, although the report suggests that the Serie A side are 'no longer frontrunners'.

Grealish is expected to leave Man City this summer after falling out of favour, and he's previously been transfer-listed at £40m, some way below the then British-record £100m fee the Citizens paid Aston Villa for his services in 2021.

Why Spurs should sign Jack Grealish

On a personal level, Grealish has fallen by the wayside at Manchester City.

But the Three Lions man remains a "magician" of a player, as he has been called by former Premier League star Ashley Cole, and he might even prove to be an upgrade on Maddison, should he rediscover his finest form away from City.

Grealish has won the gamut in sky blue, but he's only scored 17 goals and laid on 23 assists across 157 matches for the club. Never billed as a prolific wide player, he has still struggled for purchase too often in recent years, limited to just 17 Premier League starts across that period.

The 2024/25 campaign was hardly one of success for either midfielder on an individual basis, but Maddison thrived during his debut year with Tottenham (albeit he was still blighted by injuries), while Grealish operated at an absurd level with Villa, attracting City's attention.

There are some intriguing similarities between the Englishmen, but, as you can see above, Grealish is capable of more impressive and complete displays when on his A-game.

Even though Grealish has endured some difficulties in Pep Guardiola's squad over the past couple of years, he remains a hardy and fleet-footed player. A maverick, he's unplayable when at his best.

As per FBref, the 29-year-old ranked among the top 1% of positional peers in the Premier League last season for progressive carries, the top 2% for shot-creating actions, the top 3% for pass completion and the top 5% for progressive passes per 90, highlighting his deep-seated elite quality.

Shot-creating actions are pieces of play that lead to a shot. These include moments such as a pass, take-on or foul being drawn.

Frank could rekindle his fire and allow him to bounce back toward that once remarkable level. Tottenham, for sure, could hit the jackpot by signing Grealish for a cut-price fee.

It's a new era at Tottenham Hotspur, and the imminent departure of iconic captain Heung-min Son perhaps best encapsulates the changing of the guard.

After winning the Europa League in May, Daniel Levy decided to dismiss Ange Postecoglou and bring in Brentford boss Thomas Frank, who has done such good work in west London.

Ange left a hero, but it was probably the correct decision, for Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League and looked so susceptible defensively.

But he made a promise, and he kept that promise.

It's a new era, but Tottenham's pre-season preparations with Frank at the helm haven't been without their disruptions. Son is set to play his football away from N17, and James Maddison faces a lengthy return to the infirmary.

Pre-season blows at Spurs

Son, having won silverware in his final competitive month at Tottenham, has established legendary status at the club. However, he will leave having restored title-winning success, closing in on a move to LAFC in the United States.

This has been coming, but the departure of a key attacking talent has been exacerbated by the cruel injury suffered by Maddison in pre-season last weekend, stretchered off against Newcastle United with a suspected knee injury.

Following the Morgan Gibbs White debacle, failing in their pursuit of the Nottingham Forest playmaker after being accused of an illegal approach, this is a bleak setback for Frank's project in its infancy.

And Son's exit too highlights the need for reinforcements, with the new Premier League season less than two weeks away.

All in all, though, banking £20m for a player who is on the decline, no matter how influential, is decent business for the Lilywhites, but they will need to sign a replacement, even having landed West Ham United's Mohammed Kudus for a £55m fee.

Spurs lining up deal for CL superstar

According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Real Madrid's Rodrygo, 24, withis set for face-to-face talks with president Florentino Perez as his future continues to be a talking point amid Tottenham interest.

Despite interest from Arsenal and Liverpool this summer, it's beginning to look like Spurs are the most likely destination for the Brazil international, should he jump ship this summer.

Son's departure opens up a window of opportunity for the outfit, who are now expected to formally pursue a deal and secure Frank a marquee man at the beginning of his tenure.

Why Spurs must push for Rodrygo

Kudus is a fantastic winger who will add some electric athleticism to Tottenham's senior set-up, but he's not yet proven himself to be a goalscoring presence in the vein of Son.

Rodrygo, however, is "terrifyingly good" in front of goal, so says Sky Sports reporter Sam Tighe, having scored 50 goals across the past three campaigns with Real Madrid despite having routinely played out of position on the right flank.

Because of this, Rodrygo's natural aptitude for making the net bulge suggests that he could fit right into life at Tottenham as Son's successor, for he actually clinched six goals and six assists apiece over just 12 games as a left-sided forward in 2024/25, limited in his natural position due to Vincius Junior's presence.

The South Korean has been recorded to have been the statistical best finisher in football since 2014, one year before his Tottenham career commenced, and is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous Premier League wingers of his generation.

Big boots to fill, but that's why Rodrygo is perfect. The Brazilian is accustomed to pressure, having played out the lion's share of his senior years at the biggest club in the world, and is dynamic enough that his goalscoring ability, described as "unstoppable" by Madrid columist Kiyan Sobhani when at its slickest, is built atop a wide-ranging skill set.

As you can see below, the two forwards actually rank up rather similarly over the past year, so he could dovetail right in, especially with Frank being something of an expert at raising the level of his wide forwards.

However, Rodrygo's tactical dynamism and propensity for success across a range of positions have also seen him likened to Maddison by data-powered site FBref, along with Son.

Maddison, 28, faces the unknown once again, and the potential loss of his creativity and passing for a large chunk of the upcoming term is a concerning thought indeed.

However, Rodrygo has the skill set to add some sparkle to the playmaking side of the Tottenham system, averaging just north of a key pass per game across the entirety of his Real Madrid career, as per WhoScored.

Let's not forget, Maddison blew the Premier League away upon signing for Tottenham, picking up the division's Player of the Month award for August 2023 as he served as the fulcrum of Postecoglou's staggering start to life at the helm.

The Real Madrid man's 85.7% pass completion average further bespeaks his ability to promote fluency and control through deeper build-up phases of play, something Frank will undoubtedly look to capture and direct as he implements a slower, more controlled style of football than that of his predecessor.

Ultimately, Tottenham have suffered a setback through the injury to Maddison. It's not what was needed as Son prepared for his poignant send-off.

However, there remains almost a month of the market being open for business, and if Levy can pull off a deal for Rodrygo, there's no question that this football club will be primed for success on an even grander stage than the 2024/25 season.

With less than two weeks to go until they get their Premier League campaign underway, Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly in pole position to jump ahead of Juventus and sign an attacking star.

Frank pays tribute to "fantastic" Son Heung-min

It's been a mixed first summer for Thomas Frank in North London. Whilst he hasn't seen Daniel Levy hand him a major overhaul at Tottenham, he has still welcomed some key reinforcements.

Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha have been the most impressive arrivals on that front, whilst Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel have also turned their loan moves permanent to take Spurs' list of incomings to four for the summer.

After Heung-min Son announced his decision to depart this summer, though, the Lilywhites must turn back towards the transfer market to replace an irreplaceable Tottenham icon.

The South Korean leaves as one of the greatest Premier League players to ever play for Spurs and an undeniable club legend.

Whilst he didn't get the chance to enjoy Son's magic beyond this summer in the early days of his tenure, Frank had nothing but praise for his departing captain - telling reporters: “For me, personally, I would have loved to have worked with this fantastic person and player.

"He is a true Spurs legend in every aspect, one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League. It is never easy to find the perfect timing and me coming in from the side, it makes it a bit easier to end on a high.”

As irreplaceable as his moments to remember are, Spurs must attempt to find the heir to Son's throne this summer and that has reportedly seen them turn towards a Ligue 1 star.

Tottenham in pole position to sign Kolo Muani over Juventus

According to The Boot Room's Graeme Bailey, Tottenham are now in pole position to sign Randal Kolo Muani ahead of Juventus, who have so far failed to get their deal over the line for the Paris Saint-Germain forward.

The Frenchman spent the second half of last season on loan at the Serie A club and enjoyed a rejuvenated spell. So far, however, talks between those in Turin and PSG have not gone well and are not advancing - leaving the door ajar for Spurs to enter.

After scoring 10 goals in 22 appearances for Juventus, Kolo Muani sent a timely reminder of his quality last season and finally backed up the previous praise of fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappe.

"He is a striker who offers different game options to our team. He is very complete and has an impressive volume of play. We are happy with the game he played on Friday and I hope he scores tomorrow. Tomorrow we will try to get him to score a goal."

As the Premier League campaign draws near and they continue their summer business, reports are now claiming that Tottenham Hotspur have launched an approach to sign a Barcelona midfielder.

Palhinha reveals delight at Premier League return

After missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White, who opted to sign a new contract at Nottingham Forest instead of joining up with Thomas Frank's side, a new midfielder always seemed on the Tottenham agenda. And whilst Joao Palhinha is a different type of player to Gibbs-White, he will offer the Lilywhites the reinforcement that they've been craving.

“I’m really, really happy. It’s such an amazing feeling that I had when I arrived here at the training ground and I’m really motivated for the next steps, so I just want to enjoy it with my team-mates, start to work with the coach and start to win matches with this club.

“It’s an amazing feeling to return to the Premier League and to return to London as well. I really loved to live here before and I’m so happy to be here again and to enjoy the Premier League because in my opinion – as I’ve always said – it’s the best league in the world. It’s what me and my family wanted at this moment and I’m really happy for this.” (Palhinha)

Delighted to be back in the Premier League following a tough year at Bayern Munich, Palhinha - on paper - is the perfect midfielder for Frank's hard-working, combative midfield.

It wouldn't even be absurd to suggest that the ex-Fulham man could be the Dane's new version of Christian Norgaard, who thrived under his management at Brentford before leaving for Arsenal this summer.

That said, Palhinha isn't the only midfield name to find himself on Tottenham's radar following their Gibbs-White disappointment earlier in the summer transfer window.

Tottenham make first Casado approach

As reported by Sport in Spain, and relayed by Sport Witness, Tottenham made an approach to sign Marc Casado from Barcelona before they secured Palhinha's signature.

The 21-year-old is free to leave the La Liga giants for around €30m (£26m) this summer and, although he reportedly turned down the chance to complete a move the first time around, it will be interesting to see whether Spurs come calling with a second attempt to secure his arrival this month.

Praised for his "superb attitude" by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Barcelona's loss could quickly become Tottenham's gain if they managed to convince Casado into a move this summer. Whilst Palhinha's arrival does ease their desperation for another midfielder, the chance to sign a La Masia graduate is not one that the Lilywhites should turn down.

At just 21 years old, the Spaniard would be the long-term option that Palhinha - at 30 years old - can't guarantee Frank's side, especially given that they have no obligation to buy the latter after his loan spell next summer.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly submitted a blockbuster £80m+ offer to sign a new left winger after saying an emotional goodbye to Son Heung-min.

Son plays final Tottenham game

Having revealed the news that he wants to leave Spurs this summer and bring an end to an iconic 13-year run last week, Son has now played his final game for the North London club. Bidding his farewell, the winger bowed out in the Lilywhites' friendly draw against Premier League rivals Newcastle United in his home country, South Korea.

"It was a perfect moment. Sharing these beautiful moments are something that I will never forget, and I will always appreciate it - from the fans, the players and the gaffer.

"He understood my situation and was always on my side. He always listened to me and asked what I wanted to do. I have a huge respect and am very grateful.

"I wish them all the best. There are five competitions ahead and I hope they win all the five competitions. That's my wish.

"Spurs will always be in my heart and the boys will always be in my history books. It was incredible. They've gone so fast, the 10 years. I can only think about the beautiful moments, amazing moments." (Son on Spurs farewell)

Next up for the 33-year-old seems to be MLS side LAFC, who have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Son and with Spurs over a summer switch.

As for Spurs, their next task is to replace a player that some may deem irreplaceable. Already this summer, they've welcomed Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich, Mathys Tel in a permanent deal and Mohammed Kudus.

Now, however, they could be about to pull off their most impressive signing yet amid reports that Daniel Levy and co. have submitted a stunning opening offer.

Tottenham submit Rodrygo offer

According to Spanish media outlets, Tottenham have now submitted an opening offer to sign Rodrygo worth as much as €100m (£87m) this summer. The Real Madrid winger has been the subject of interest from both Arsenal and Liverpool in recent months, and even agreed personal terms with the Reds recently, but with their focus elsewhere, the Lilywhites are reportedly attempting to steal the headlines with a shock move.

Interestingly, Rodrygo's statistical profile matches up with another Liverpool signing - Florian Wirtz. Both players rank highly against their positional peers for non-penalty goals, shot-creating actions and succesful take-ons, as per FBRef.

Replacing Son is no easy task for all involved in North London, but Rodrygo is arguably the best candidate to do exactly that and more. The Brazilian is a serial winner who has played a pivotal part in Real Madrid's success in recent years. Now, he could yet become the star of the show under Thomas Frank in what would become Spurs' record signing by a considerable margin.

However, although Real Madrid have given them permission to speak to Rodrygo, convincing the 24-year-old to swap the Spanish giants for North London will reportedly be a tough task for Tottenham chiefs. And overcoming that obstacle is likely to be the turning point to any deal getting over the line this summer.

Heung-min Son’s decade at Tottenham Hotspur will be coming to an end in the coming days, after he confirmed he will be departing the club this summer.

The South Korean international has registered a staggering 454 appearances for the club, scoring on 173 occasions, after joining from Bayer Leverkusen back in 2015.

However, ultimately, the time has come for a new challenge for the 33-year-old, looking set to move to the MLS and link up with former teammate Hugo Lloris at LAFC.

It appears to be the perfect time to leave the Lilywhites for the forward, departing after helping the side end their 17-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League at the end of May.

There’s no denying that the winger will go down as one of the best players to ever wear the shirt, but his pending departure now leaves Thomas Frank with a huge task to replace him before the end of the window.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Attackers have been the priority for Frank already this summer, as seen by Spurs’ move to sign Mohammed Kudus in a £55m deal from West Ham United.

However, other options are still being considered, with Arnaud Kalimuendo and Matias Soule also being considered before the September 1st transfer deadline.

The pair are just one of multiple options currently in their sights, with Real Madrid star Rodrygo another player they’ve considered, according to AS via Sport Witness.

Their report claims that the Lilywhites have already made contact with the Spanish giants over a move for the Brazilian, who’s been allowed to depart the club this summer.

It also states that it would take a pretty penny to agree a move for the 24-year-old, with Xabi Alonso’s side currently wanting a fee of over £80m to part ways with the attacker this window.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be the dream Son replacement

Replacing a player of Son’s quality will be extremely difficult for Spurs this summer, with the board needing to back Frank to land a suitable replacement.

The 33-year-old has undoubtedly made himself a fan favourite during his decade in North London, producing countless moments of magic during his spell at the club.

From his superb solo effort against Burnley to his outrageous long-range strike against Arsenal in 2020/21, he’s managed to get the supporters off their seats on a consistent basis.

However, there’s no denying that age has taken its toll in recent months, scoring just seven league goals, which has led to his pending departure from the club this window.

Whilst losing him this summer will be a big loss, a move for Rodrygo would massively soften the blow, with the Brazilian able to fill the void left by the South Korean international.

When delving into his stats last season, he showcased he is capable of thriving at the top level, which could see him be the perfect addition for the Lilywhites this summer.

Rodrygo, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, managed to register 24 combined goals or assists across all competitions last season - a tally higher than that of Son from 2024/25.

He also managed to register 5.1 progressive passes and 5.3 progressive carries per 90, having the tools to constantly get the ball into forward areas and hand the side an added threat in the final third.

The Brazilian’s excellence within attacking areas is further highlighted by his tally of 2.3 successful take-ons per 90, with such numbers showcasing his ability to glide past the opposition - something which Son has demonstrated many times in North London.

Although Rodrygo would be an expensive signing this summer, it would be a deal that would allow Frank to fill the void vacated by the South Korean for many years to come.

It would be a phenomenal addition, especially considering his performance level at the pinnacle of European football, something which will be vital if the club are to be successful in the near future.

Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White will undoubtedly go down as one of the strangest moves during the summer transfer window.

The Lilywhites thought they had a deal agreed for the 25-year-old, after triggering the £60m release clause within his contract at the City Ground - well, so they thought anyway.

It emerged that Nuno Espírito Santo’s side claimed the approach for his signature was illegal, subsequently putting a move for the Englishman to North London on hold.

However, the attacking midfielder has since agreed a record-breaking contract to stay with the Reds, taking a release clause out of his deal, something which was spare headed by owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Missing out on such a top-level Premier League star will undoubtedly be a disappointment to Thomas Frank and the rest of the Lilywhites staff, but it appears as though they have already moved on to different targets before the end of the window.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

It’s been reported in recent days that Spurs are preparing a move for Manchester City star James McAtee, who’s free to leave the club this summer with just one year left on his contract.

They could be battling Forest for his signature, after they had a £25m bid rejected, with Pep Guardiola’s side demanding a fee in the region of £40m this summer.

However, a cheaper alternative appears to already have been identified, with the hierarchy interested in making a move for Stuttgart midfielder Enzo Millot, according to Estadio Deportivo.

The report claims the Lilywhites are trying to hijack a move for the 23-year-old, after he had already agreed personal terms over a deal to join Atlético Madrid this summer.

It also states the Frenchman currently has a €20m (£17m) release clause within his deal at the Bundesliga side, potentially seeing the North London side getting themselves a bargain.

Why Spurs’ £17m target is a bigger star than Gibbs-White

Gibbs-White would’ve been a sensational signing for the club, especially after Frank made his intentions to land the England international given his admiration for his talents.

The 25-year-old played a key role in Forest’s success last season, notching 15 combined goals and assists in the top-flight, helping them achieve a European finish for the first time in 30 years.

£60m would’ve been one of the most expensive additions in the club’s history, but such a fee would’ve been excellent business, as seen by the Reds’ reluctance to allow him to depart.

Never before has a situation like this been seen over a transfer, but it’s no surprise when dealing with Mr Marinakis, who’s evidently a tricky person to do business with.

However, whilst many supporters must wish a deal for his signature was completed, it may prove to be a blessing in disguise if they can secure a move for Millot in the coming weeks.

The youngster has showcased in the Bundesliga over recent times that he’s a huge talent, worth way more than his current release clause, with the Lilywhites needing to take full advantage this summer.

He produced countless stats better than those of Gibbs-White last campaign, highlighting why he’d be a bigger talent than the England international ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Millot, who’s been labelled “remarkable” by Stuttgart sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth, managed to register five goal contributions in his eight Champions League outings last season, showcasing his ability to thrive at the top-level.

His underlying stats were just as impressive, notching a higher shot on target accuracy rate, subsequently handing Frank’s side a bigger threat in front of goal.

The Frenchman’s dominance is further reflected in his higher tallies of passes into the final third, with more of which going into the opposition’s 18-yard box, offering a bigger creative threat to the Lilywhites should he join this summer.

There’s no denying that Gibbs-White would’ve been most supporters' number one choice this summer, but it’s evident that Millot would be a better addition for Frank’s side.

£17m would be a simply superb price for a player of his quality, arguably being one of the best additions made by any Premier League side if they can get it completed in the coming days.