FootballFanCast

Over the last couple of days, Tottenham Hotspur have been splashing the cash in the transfer market in an attempt to build on their recent Europa League success.

Mohammed Kudus joined the club in a £55m deal from West Ham United earlier this week, looking to provide new boss Thomas Frank with the tools for success in his maiden year at the helm.

It’s likely that investment has been provided and injected into the Lilywhites, with more additions expected before the end of the current transfer window.

Numerous areas of the pitch have been subject to interest, including the midfield department, which could also see numerous players depart North London during the off-season.

Any funds that are generated could be massive in their hunt for new additions, potentially handing Frank the best chance of success in his maiden year at the club.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new signings this window

Morgan Gibbs-White has been the main target as of late, with a deal looking likely to be completed at one point after triggering the £60m release clause in his deal at Nottingham Forest.

However, his move to join the Lilywhites has stalled after the Reds threatened legal action against the side after allegedly making an illegal approach for his services this summer.

It remains to be seen if a deal can still be completed, but moves have been made elsewhere, including a deal to land Bayern Munich’s Joao Palhinha, according to GIVEMESPORT.

They claim that Frank’s side have made an approach for the Portuguese international’s signature, after the holding midfielder only made six league starts last campaign.

It also states that he could well be allowed to depart the Bundesliga side this window, as they look to cash in on his services after paying £47.4m for his signature from Fulham last summer.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be more important than Gibbs-White

The situation around a move for Gibbs-White during this window is one that could drag on over a period of time, especially given Forest’s threat of taking legal action.

It’s evident that the Reds have made a huge mistake with his release clause, potentially making such a scene around his departure given the lowly figure he’s available for.

The 25-year-old played a huge role in their ability to reach Europe for the first time in three decades, registering seven goals and eight assists under former Spurs boss Nuno Espírito Santo.

However, given how quickly the move progressed before the Forest hierarchy stepped in, it’s likely the player himself wants to complete a move to play Champions League football for the Lilywhites.

There’s no denying that he would be a sensational addition, but given James Maddison already operates in such a role, along with the need for a deep-lying option, it could make Palhinha a more attractive proposition.

The 30-year-old, who’s been labelled “world-class” by compatriot Ivan Cavaleiro, averaged 1.7 tackles per 90 in the Bundesliga last campaign, winning 70% of the tackles he entered - showcasing his ability to regain possession.

His talents have also been reflected in his tally of 7.1 duels won per 90, 2.7 of which have been aerially, demonstrating the commanding presence he possesses - able to operate as a real ball-winner at the heart of Frank’s side.

However, he’d also completed 93% of the passes he attempted, making 4.7 progressive passes per 90, having the talent in possession to provide the players in front of him with the tools for success.

It remains to be seen if the player himself would be keen on a move to North London, but it’s evident that the hierarchy are targeting the top-level talent needed for future success.

The need for a ball-winning option in the Spurs side is vital this summer, with a deal for Palhinha arguably a more important one for the club than Gibbs-White during the current window.

Tottenham Hotspur could hijack Nottingham Forest's move for an "unbelievable" forward, amid the fall-out surrounding their pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White, according to a report.

Forest considering legal action after Spurs approach Gibbs-White

Spurs' pursuit of Gibbs-White has proven to be controversial, with Forest ceasing all communication after alleging that an illegal approach had been made for the midfielder, which means the deal has now stalled.

The Tricky Trees have reported Spurs to the Premier League, and it is currently unknown whether the transfer will be blocked entirely, although super agent Sky Andrew has suggested Daniel Levy may have to simply pay more to get a deal over the line.

Andrew said: "If it goes to arbitration, where it must go within the football rules and regulations, then Forest will have to prove that the club went directly to the player or to the agent. Most clubs know that it is very difficult to prove.

"So, this is a case now of how much will the buying club pay for the player. It won’t be £60 million, it will probably have to be more."

The Lilywhites will no doubt have been left frustrated by the deal stalling, but they could now have an opportunity to get one-up on Forest, with a report from The Standard revealing they are in the race to sign one of their Premier League rivals' major targets.

Tottenham reportedly remain in the race for Brentford star Yoane Wissa, having submitted an enquiry earlier in the transfer window, at which point they were told that it would take an offer of £50m to tempt the Bees into a sale.

Forest have also set their sights on the forward, having recently had a £20m bid knocked back, indicating Spurs could hijack the deal if they are willing to put a higher offer on the table.

That said, Brentford have made it clear they are unwilling to sell both Bryan Mbeumo and Wissa in the same window unless they receive a huge bid, so it could be difficult to get a deal done.

"Unbelievable" Wissa emerged as Premier League star last season

The 28-year-old was one of the best-performing forwards in the Premier League in the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 19 goals, the sixth-highest tally in the top flight, while also providing five assists in 35 outings.

Courtesy of his performances last term, the DR Congo international was lauded for his "unbelievable" quality by former manager Thomas Frank, and it is an added bonus that the Spurs boss knows the forward very well.

West Ham United have now opened talks to sign a "phenomenal" Tottenham Hotspur target, who is tempted by a move to the London Stadium this summer, according to a report.

West Ham looking to get revenge for Kudus

It will, of course, be a huge disappointment that Mohammed Kudus decided to join one of West Ham's biggest rivals, and the forward has continued to make the headlines since sealing a move across the capital.

Upon arriving in north London, Kudus insisted he "only wanted Spurs" in his first interview, and there could be justified anger about the way in which he went about getting the move in the first place, having allegedly refused to return to pre-season training.

Losing a player of the winger's quality to one of their bitter rivals will be a bitter pill for Hammers fans to swallow, but there has now been a suggestion that they could get instant revenge by swooping in and signing one of Tottenham's transfer targets.

According to a report from Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), West Ham have now entered negotiations to sign Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz, and they are more determined to get a deal over the line than any other club in the race for his signature.

Luiz is also on Spurs' transfer shortlist, with reports suggesting the midfielder would be keen on a move to north London, however, it has now been revealed that he is tempted by a move to the London Stadium, with the Irons currently working to find an agreement.

A deal will not be cheap, with Juventus setting an asking price of €40m (£35m), but the Italian club are also open to more creative ways of getting the Brazilian off the books, with an expensive loan also on the table, including an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met.

"Phenomenal" Luiz could be statement signing for West Ham

Of course, it will be difficult to compete with Tottenham, given that Champions League football is on offer in north London next season, but the Juventus maestro could be a real statement signing if the Hammers are able to get a deal over the line.

Crucially, the former Aston Villa man is already proven in the Premier League, catching pundit Lee Hendrie's eye during his spell at Villa Park.

Hendrie said: "He continues to have an absolutely unbelievable season doesn’t he, scoring goals? But that’s his bread and butter, getting back, doing the horrible side of the game and having quality amongst that is absolutely phenomenal."

As pointed out by Hendrie, the 27-year-old is a very well-rounded midfielder, having particularly impressed going forward in his final season with Villa, regularly chipping in with goals and assists in all competitions.

Tottenham Hotspur have now made an approach to sign a "world-class" midfielder, who could be in line to join alongside Morgan Gibbs-White, according to a report.

Spurs' Gibbs-White pursuit takes twist

It appeared as though Tottenham were very close to getting a deal for Gibbs-White over the line, having triggered the £60m release clause in his contract, but the saga has recently taken a twist.

Nottingham Forest have now reported Spurs to the Premier League, with the Tricky Trees threatening legal action, as they believe an illegal approach was made for the midfielder, which means the deal has stalled.

However, Fabrizio Romano has since provided a positive update on the situation, with the transfer expert saying: "Tottenham maintain their position. They are convinced about their behaviour. They want to proceed with the deal, they want to sign the player. Nottingham Forest are prepared to fight. So, let’s see what’s going to happen there.

"But, for sure, the Gibbs-White deal now has an issue to be solved between the two clubs. That’s going to be one to watch in the coming days and hours, with Tottenham still hopeful and confident to get the player."

Not only are the Lilywhites vying to sign a new attacking midfielder, but they are also keen on a more defensive option, and a report from GiveMeSport has revealed Spurs have also made an approach to sign Bayern Munich's Joao Palhinha.

Tottenham have made initial contact over a deal for Palhinha, who joined the German club from Fulham in a deal worth around £47m last summer, and Daniel Levy is prepared to launch a bid if it becomes apparent the Portuguese midfielder is available.

It may take a sizeable bid to tempt Bayern into a sale, however, and the 30-year-old's wage demands are likely to be high, considering he rakes in £200k-a-week at the Allianz Arena when bonuses are triggered.

"World-class" Palhinha could be ideal Spurs signing

Tottenham struggled defensively for large parts of the 2024-25 campaign, shipping 65 goals in the Premier League, and the Portugal international could provide some stability in midfield, given that he is exceptional at winning back possession.

During the 2023-24 Premier League season, no player won more tackles than the former Fulham man, and he has continued to catch the eye at times for Bayern over the past year.

Tottenham could bare witness to the departures of some high-profile names this summer, and not everyone will be along for the ride of Thomas Frank's first full campaign in charge of the Lilywhites.

After the signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham, which was confirmed earlier this week, Spurs now have around 24 non-locally trained men in their squad, which means they may be forced to sell at least one overseas player to comply with UEFA's 25-man Champions League squad rules (The Telegraph).

The north Londoners have a host of options to choose from in their bid to balance the books, including the likes of Son Heung-min, Bryan Gil, Manor Solomon, Richarlison, Cristian Romero and Yves Bisssouma - who've all been linked with exits this summer.

Gil and Solomon are surely nailed on to leave Tottenham after spending 2024/2025 on loan at Girona and Leeds United respectively, and the latter's sale would also count as pure profit in the eyes of PSR given the Israeli signed as a free agent in 2023.

Richarlison is also said to be attracting serious interest from Vasco de Gama after an injury-ridden season, with their president, Pedrinho, alleged to have personally phoned the Brazilian to gauge his current situation (Leonardo Lacerda).

The most unfortunate potential departures by a country mile would be those of Son and Romero.

Daniel Levy may be forced into the tough business decision of selling Son, amid interest from Saudi Arabia, the MLS and Turkey, given he's now entered the final 12 months of his contract.

Meanwhile, Romero is rumoured to be keen on a move to Atlético Madrid, who equally want the Argentine themselves, so Tottenham could have to entertain a suitable bid from the La Liga side, if one indeed arrives.

As well as the aforementioned trio of senior first-teamers, another facing an uncertain future comes in the form of £100,000-per-week midfielder Yves Bissouma.

Fenerbahce chief travels to London for talks with Yves Bissouma

Bissouma is rumoured to be a realistic high-profile departure, with The Telegraph reporting that he's "expected" to leave N17 this summer.

José Mourinho has also earmarked the Mali international as a top target for Fenerbahçe, according to Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, who's now shared another update on the Süper Lig side's serious interest.

Sabuncuoğlu, taking to X, now states that a Fenerbahçe representative has travelled to London for talks with Bissouma, so this transfer is now starting to gain traction.

The 28-year-old, like Son, has just one year left on his contract at Spurs, so now absolutely could be the time to sell him.

Bissouma put in some impressive performances during Tottenham's run to the Europa League final last season, and displayed real flashes of brilliance overall since his £25 million move from Brighton in 2022. However, there have always been concerns surrounding his consistency, even if he has a reputation for being an "underrated" ball carrier.

“Yves is a guy I appreciate a lot," said teammate Pape Sarr to The Telegraph last year.

"We’ve both come over from Africa, and he gives me lots of advice. He behaves a lot like my big brother. He has such an important role within the team and the club. I always listen to what he’s got to say."

Tottenham Hotspur made a big splash in the market on Thursday night when they officially confirmed the signing of Mohammed Kudus from Premier League rivals West Ham United.

The Ghana international has put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Lilywhites and will be hoping to shine on the Champions League stage next season.

Thomas Frank and Daniel Levy are not done there, though, as they are also looking to bring Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White to North London.

The Guardian reports that his expected £60m transfer to the club has been delayed by Forest's complaint that Spurs did not have permission to speak with the player, and their complaint around the confidentiality of the £60m release clause in his contract.

It states that the Tricky Trees consider the deal to be off, but the feeling is that their protestations are likely to delay a transfer, rather than derail it.

However, it now remains to be seen exactly how this transfer saga is going to play out, as Spurs hope that they will be able to add him to their squad before long.

What Morgan Gibbs-White could bring to Spurs

The 25-year-old ace could add to Frank's depth in the attacking midfield department as a player who has already proven his quality in the Premier League with Forest.

However, although it should not be completely ruled out, Spurs supporters should not be expecting a generational talent to arrive at the club in the form of Gibbs-White.

In fact, there is no guarantee that he will come in as a significant upgrade on Tottenham's current number ten James Maddison, if they are even competing for the same place in Frank's system.

Their respective performances in the Premier League during the 2024/25 campaign, despite Forest finishing higher in the Premier League, suggest that he may not be an upgrade on Maddison at all.

As you can see in the table above, the former Norwich man's output - goals and xA - was more impressive than Gibbs-White's, despite playing fewer games and giving the ball away fewer times per game.

These statistics suggest that they are, in fact, fairly similar in what they offer at the top end of the pitch and could provide healthy competition for each other, rather than Gibbs-White, who has only been capped four times by England, coming in as an immediate upgrade.

Meanwhile, Spurs are reportedly interested in signing another English midfielder who is an even bigger talent than the Nottingham Forest attacker.

Spurs eyeing move for English midfielder

According to GIVEMESPORT, Frank has pinpointed Crystal Palace central midfielder Adam Wharton as a 'leading target' for the summer transfer window.

The report claims that it will be a difficult deal for the Europa League champions to pull off, but Daniel Levy has been given the 'green light' to make more big-money signings to bolster the squad.

It adds that Wharton is now 'firmly' in Frank's sights as the Danish head coach wants to beef up his options in the middle of the park ahead of next season.

The outlet states that the English maestro is an 'ambitious' target for the Lilywhites, who are now weighing up whether or not to make a formal approach for the former Blackburn star.

GIVEMESPORT reveals that Palace are set to demand a fee of at least £80m for the left-footed defensive midfielder, and it remains to be seen whether or not Tottenham are willing to spend that much on him this summer.

Why Spurs should sign Adam Wharton

Tottenham should, if they have the funds, splash the cash to bring the Eagles sensation to North London in the weeks to come because he is an even bigger talent than Gibbs-White who is worth paying the extra £20m for.

The 21-year-old is four years younger than the Forest star, yet has already been capped by England and is currently valued at £20m more than him, at £80m.

Wharton, despite his young age, has emerged as one of the hottest midfield properties in the division because of the immense quality that he provides on the pitch at both ends of the pitch.

The left-footed star is a rare talent who combines physicality, athleticism, intelligence, technical ability, and determination. In short, he has everything that you could wish to ask for from a deep-lying midfielder.

Wharton, who was highly praised by Declan Rice last year, averaged 2.7 tackles and interceptions and 5.1 ball recoveries per game in the Premier League last term, without making a single mistake that led to a shot or a goal for the opposition.

To go along with the defensive qualities that the English youngster offers in the middle of the park, the Palace star would be an upgrade on what Frank currently has in midfield from an in-possession perspective.

As you can see in the table above, Wharton is significantly better at progressing play with his passes and knitting together moves that result in shots for his side than the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma are, based on his form last term.

This proves that the £80m-rated metronome, who has been called “world-class” by journalist Luke Weaser-Seychell, is a midfielder who combines defensive work with exceptional play on the ball.

Therefore, Wharton could arrive at Spurs this summer as an upgrade on what they currently have at their disposal, which is why they should be pushing to bring him in.

It is also further evidence that he would be an even bigger talent for the club than Gibbs-White, as a more expensive signing who could walk straight into the XI, whilst the attacking midfielder may not find it easy to take Maddison's place.

Tottenham Hotspur are making surprising strides in the transfer market this month in a bid to improve Thomas Frank's squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The Lilywhites officially completed the signing of Ghana international Mohammed Kudus from Premier League and London rivals West Ham United on Thursday night.

Kudus will be hoping to improve on his haul of five goals and three assists in 32 appearances in the top-flight for the Hammers last season, as he aims to provide a threat at the top end of the pitch for Frank.

The 24-year-old star could be joined by another attacking midfielder before long. Morgan Gibbs-White is expected to complete a move to Spurs, despite Nottingham Forest's attempts to challenge the legality of their approach.

Whilst Spurs will be looking at players who can step in to immediately improve the team, Daniel Levy could also pursue players with a view to them being future replacements, as well as providing depth in the short-term.

Signing a player to replace Cristian Romero, for example, could be a shrewd move by the Europa League winners, given the speculation over his future and his availability record.

Why Spurs need a replacement for Cristian Romero

In terms of his future at Spurs, Fabrizio Romano claims that it has all gone quiet between Atletico Madrid and the club over a potential deal for the Argentina international.

The Italian reporter adds that the central defender is now expected to remain at Tottenham beyond the end of the summer transfer window, in what appears to be a boost for Frank.

However, the 27-year-old star's contract at the club is due to expire in the summer of 2027 and it remains to be seen where his long-term future will be, which is why sourcing a longer-term replacement for him would make a lot of sense.

Even if Romero, as reported by Romano, remains at Spurs this summer, signing a player who can step in to replace him in the starting XI when needed would be incredibly useful for Frank.

As you can see in the table above, the World Cup winner has not been a reliable option for Tottenham in his four seasons at the club, missing 73 matches through either suspension or injury since the start of the 2021/22 campaign.

These statistics suggest that Spurs are in need of another high-quality centre-back option to play when Romero, who scored one goal in 18 Premier League games last season, is unavailable.

This may be why Tottenham are now being linked with an interest in a new central defensive option to come in and add to their options in that area of the pitch.

Spurs eyeing move for Premier League defender

According to The Boy Hotspur, Spurs are interested in a swoop to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi to come in and compete for a spot in the team.

The report claims that the club have made 'fresh contact' with the England international's camp to discuss a potential transfer to North London this summer.

It states that the Eagles are prepared to negotiate a fee within the region of £39m for their captain because his current contract at Selhurst Park is set to expire at the end of next season, which means that they would risk losing him for nothing next year if they do not cash in on him before the end of this window.

The outlet adds that Chelsea, Arsenal, and Bournemouth are also keeping tabs on his situation, but the Gunners are not able to offer him enough guarantees of regular football because they already have William Saliba and Gabriel.

It is now down to Spurs to strike an agreement with Palace to bring the English titan to the club this summer, because he could be a dream replacement for Romero.

Why Guehi would be a dream Romero replacement

Guehi would be a dream signing for Tottenham to come in as a centre-back who can replace Romero when he is unavailable next season, whilst also having the potential to be a long-term replacement if the Argentine ace moves on in the future.

At the age of 24, he is still a young defender and could be a star at the back for Spurs for many years to come, which is one of the reasons why he would be a brilliant signing.

Another reason why Guehi would be a fantastic addition for the club is that he has a great fitness record. Since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, the English gem has only missed 13 games through injury, compared to Romero's 67 matches missed through injury since that season.

This suggests that the Palace star, who was dubbed a "monster" by reporter Bobby Manzi, is more likely to be available week-in-week-out to start at the heart of the defence for Spurs in the Premier League, making him a very reliable option to have.

As you can see in the table above, Guehi and Romero produced similar statistics in a host of defensive metrics in the Premier League last season, which suggests that there may not be a big difference in quality between them.

This is yet another reason why the England international would be a dream signing to step in for the Argentine star next season, and potentially as his long-term replacement as a regular starter.

Guehi, who was described as the "ultimate" centre-back by Jamie Redknapp last season, appears to make a lot of sense for Spurs as a signing to make an immediate impact, as well as being a signing for the future, which is why the club should push to get a deal over the line.

It's been an absolutely frantic last 48 hours at Tottenham, and that isn't just concerning their dramatic move for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White after confirming the arrival of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham.

Spurs announced Kudus' signing in a deal worth £55 million on Thursday evening, with the versatile Ghanaian becoming the first player to swap West Ham for the Lilywhites since Scott Parker in 2011.

The 24-year-old has already promised to excite supporters on the field when speaking in his first interview as a Tottenham player, and there was a real expectation that Gibbs-White would immediately follow Kudus to N17.

Tottenham talks for the England international accelerated rapidly on Thursday, with reliable media sources reporting that the 25-year-old was all set to join Thomas Frank's side and a medical had been scheduled for Friday (Fabrizio Romano).

However, in an absolutely stunning turn of events, Forest put a stop to the deal and are considering legal action against Spurs, over what they perceive to be an illegal approach for their star forward.

While Gibbs-White's move could still happen, with the expectation being that Forest can't completely block it, this transfer will at the very least be delayed, as first reported by Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett.

With Tottenham now braced for a legal saga surrounding their potential deal for Gibbs-White, the club do remain in the market for other transfer targets, and they still maintain a serious interest in Brentford striker Yoane Wissa.

Yoane Wissa pushing to leave Brentford amid Tottenham interest

Reports earlier this week claimed that Tottenham have made contact with Wissa's representatives, with talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook now sharing an update on the situation.

Crook states that Wissa is keen to reunite with Frank at Spurs, and the Congolese centre-forward is now "pushing" for an exit from the Gtech Community Stadium as he seeks a high-profile move.

The 28-year-old is currently in his prime and in the form of his life, having netted 20 goals in all competitions last season, and this has motivated Brentford chiefs to slap a £50 million price tag on his head.

Brentford have already lost a few key men this summer, including Frank, with Christian Norgaard joining Arsenal and Man United still locked in talks over a deal for Bryan Mbeumo.

Whilst Morgan Gibbs-White’s proposed £60m transfer to join Tottenham Hotspur appeared to be heading in the right direction, his move now appears to be in serious doubt.

The Nottingham Forest star had his release clause triggered by Thomas Frank’s side, but Evangelos Marinakis has raised concerns over the Lilywhites’ move for the attacking midfielder.

It’s been reported that the deal is currently off at present, with the Reds considering legal action over a proposed illegal approach between Spurs and the player’s agent.

His release clause was seen as part of a non-disclosure agreement, something which has been broken, with the deal now seemingly up in the air between the parties.

It’s unclear whether Frank’s side will continue to pursue a move for the England international, but many supporters will hope a deal can be completed to allow him to thrive with another player in North London.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Despite moving for Gibbs-White, other deals have been explored, including a move for Brentford talisman Yoane Wissa, who managed to score 19 times in the Premier League last season.

However, it could prove to be another expensive addition, with the Bees demanding £50m to part ways with him despite having just one year left on his current contract.

He’s not the only other player in England’s top flight on their radar, with Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton being closely monitored, according to GB News.

The report claims that Frank’s side are preparing a £60m bid for the 21-year-old as part of the investment that’s been seen so far during the summer window.

It also states that the Eagles could be demanding a fee in the region of £75m for the England international, but the Lilywhites are prepared to spend big to land his signature this summer.

Why Spurs’ £60m target would be perfect alongside Gibbs-White

There is no doubt that Gibbs-White would be a top-level addition for Spurs this window, having the ability to transform the club’s fortunes in attacking areas.

The 25-year-old managed to register seven goals and eight assists in the Premier League last season, helping the Reds secure European football for the first time in three decades.

However, the latest news around his move to North London will undoubtedly delay the process, but given Frank’s admiration, it’s understandable if the hierarchy will wait to complete a deal for his signature.

The £60m release clause that has been mooted for his services would be an excellent price, allowing him to nail his place down as a creative star in behind the striker.

However, he will need defensive reinforcements behind him to allow him to thrive within attacking areas, something which Wharton would undoubtedly offer his compatriot.

The Palace star’s figures from last season showcase why he’d be perfect for Gibbs-White, subsequently being able to break up play and hand him the tools to thrive.

Wharton, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by creator HLTCO, managed to complete 7.3 progressive passes and 5.3 passes into the final third per 90 last season, having the tools to give the ball to Gibbs-White, who can create carnage in attacking areas.

However, out of possession, the youngster was just as impressive, winning 2.3 tackles per 90 and making 1.4 interceptions per 90 - handing Frank the superb ball-winning option he requires at the heart of his side.

He’s also made 6.9 recoveries and 1.8 clearances per 90 in the league throughout 2024/25, highlighting the talent he possesses as a deep-lying option, arguably being the final piece in the Lilywhites’ midfield puzzle.

£60m may be a huge bid for such a young talent, but he’s already showcased his quality early on in his professional career, only getting better in the years ahead.

If he can replicate his talents across the capital in Frank’s side, he will solve such an issue for many years to come, potentially forming a deadly partnership with Gibbs-White if a deal can be resurrected.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is publicly on the hunt for a new manager to replace Ange Postecoglou following the controversial decision to sack him, which was officially confirmed on Friday afternoon.

Ange Postecoglou sacked after two years at Tottenham

Exactly two years to the day since Levy announced their decision to replace Antonio Conte with the Australian, Tottenham released a statement that Postecoglou would not be at the helm next term, despite having ended their 17-year wait for a piece of major silverware.

A lot of fierce debate has since surrounded the 59-year-old's departure, with Spurs in a very healthy position after winning the Europa League and booking their place in next season's Champions League draw.

On the flipside, Postecoglou led them to a record-breaking 22 Premier League defeats, finishing just one place above the relegation zone. The club suggested in their announcement that the whole picture must be considered, and Spurs cannot operate on raw emotion after a triumphant night in Bilbao against Man United.

"We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the Club," read the official statement on Postecoglou's sacking.

"Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw.

"However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season.

"At times there were extenuating circumstances - injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the Club’s greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph."

Postecoglou was a charismatic and popular figure among the players in particular. Since his dismissal, credible media sources have reported that members of the Spurs squad are infuriated by Levy's decision to part company, just over two weeks they won the Europa League final (Matt Law).

Whoever steps into Postecoglou's shoes will be inheriting a difficult atmosphere, with £4.5 million-per-year Brentford boss Thomas Frank currently one of the lead contenders.

Daniel Levy "impressed" by Thomas Frank during Tottenham talks

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, the "class" tactician has already personally spoken to Levy about becoming the Lilywhites' new head coach.

What's more, Levy is said to be "impressed" by Frank after holding Tottenham managerial talks, with all signs pointing towards the Dane entering pole position to succeed Postecoglou.

"I can confirm that talks have been ongoing with potential replacements for weeks," said Bailey.

“And our information is that Brentford’s Thomas Frank has emerged as the leading contender in the last couple of weeks. Daniel Levy has been impressed with Frank during conversations.”

The 51-year-old Dane can operate on both a shoe-string budget and work within a data-driven model of recruitment like Tottenham's, as he's displayed through years of excellent squad management at Brentford.

He could be tailor-made for Spurs, but Levy must take time and weigh up their next move carefully.