Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that Wilson Odobert has suffered a ruptured ACL and will undergo surgery, raising the prospect of a high-profile free agent signing.

The French attacker suffered a nasty twist to his left knee in Tuesday's 2-1 Premier League loss to Newcastle United and stayed down for several minutes receiving treatment.

Odobert was at least able to walk off unaided as he was replaced by Mathys Tel, so there was some optimism that the former Burnley man had avoided a potential season-ending issue.

However, reports emerged on Wednesday stating that the winger had indeed torn his ACL, thus bringing his 2025-26 campaign to a close and also eliminating any slim hopes of a World Cup 2026 call-up.

Releasing an injury update on their social media channels, Spurs confirmed that Odobert will see a specialist next week before going under the knife and beginning his long road to rehabilitation.

"We can confirm that Wilson Odobert has sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Wilson will see a specialist next week before undergoing surgery, and will then commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff," Spurs said in a statement.

How Spurs can replace Wilson Odobert as ACL injury confirmed

Odobert's 2025-26 campaign comes to a premature end with the 21-year-old boasting two goals and five assists from 33 appearances in all competitions, including 10 starts in the Premier League.

The managerless Lilywhites will have to cope without the France Under-21 international for remaining Premier League matches against the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, as well as the remainder of their Champions League campaign - the last-16 draw takes place on February 27.

Thankfully for whoever replaces Thomas Frank, Tottenham already have two fit, ready-made replacements for the stricken Odobert in Tel and Randal Kolo Muani, the latter of whom can do a job out wide if necessary.

Richarlison may return from a thigh problem relatively soon too, or the new head coach could switch to a wing-back system, stationing Xavi Simons behind two strikers and having two of Djed Spence, Archie Gray, Souza and Pedro Porro - when he is fit again - out wide.

However, Odobert's long-term issue adds to a perpetual injury crisis for Tottenham, who are still missing James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ben Davies, Kevin Danso and the suspended Cristian Romero.

Could Tottenham sign any free agents after Wilson Odobert injury?

None of Maddison, Kulusevski or Kudus will be back in action anytime soon, so Tottenham's only alternatives aside from Tel and Kolo Muani are academy prospects or free agents.

However, there is one extremely high-profile and free agent raring to go in the form of Raheem Sterling, who would be a like-for-like replacement for Odobert and would also have the chance to stay in London.

Tottenham were previously linked with a move for the ex-Chelsea and Arsenal winger during the January transfer window, and while a move did not materialise then, Odobert's injury could very well change their plans.

Tottenham Hotspur have picked up just 10 points from their 13 home games in the Premier League this season, the worst return amongst big six teams.

Spurs suffered yet another defeat, losing 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Tuesday against Newcastle United.

The Toon were deserving winners, with the visitors creating numerous chances, while the hosts only truly threatened in the latter stages of the match when they were already trailing.

Thomas Frank has now overseen 13 league matches at home, with the team losing seven, drawing four and winning two games at the ground.

The 10 points his side have collected at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium ranks last amongst big six clubs, with Arsenal (32), Manchester City (29), Manchester United (27), Liverpool (24) and Chelsea (22) having picked up more than double Spurs' total on home soil.

Will Tottenham be relegated from the Premier League?

The loss against Toon left the club in 16th place, and their points tally of 29 is only five more than 18th-placed West Ham United.

Tottenham's next league clash comes at home against Arsenal on February 22, whereas West Ham have a more favourable fixture against Bournemouth on February 21.

Frank's side have failed to win any of their last eight league outings, suffering defeat on four occasions, while the Hammers have won three, drawn one and lost just one of their past five in the top flight.

Though Spurs' squad possesses a number of stars, it would be foolish for the players or management staff to think that they are too talented to be relegated.

Is Thomas Frank overseeing a transition season?

With many clubs in the Premier League such as Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United having also experienced turmoil this season, there have been claims that a number of sides are simply going through transition phases.

Some of Frank's supporters have also argued that the Londoners are experiencing a period of transition, but with the team undoubtedly in the relegation battle, it is hard to see how fans can take any positives from the current situation.

With the team quickly plummeting towards the bottom three, it may be in the best interest of Tottenham to dismiss the Dane before the club's plight becomes irrecoverable.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank has insisted he has no issue with fans singing about former manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Frank has seen his position come under considerable scrutiny following a seven-game winless run in the Premier League.

Spurs fell to a 2-0 defeat in their most recent outing against Manchester United on Saturday, leaving them in 15th place and six points above the drop zone ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Newcastle United.

Having been left disappointed with results under Frank, Tottenham fans have chanted about Pochettino in recent weeks, making it clear that they would welcome the Argentine back with open arms if the opportunity arises in the future.

The USA head coach only added to the speculation when he talked about the "special" connection he has with Tottenham in a recent appearance on the High Performance Podcast.

Frank responds to Pochettino chant question

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's clash with Newcastle, Frank was asked about Pochettino's comments and the chants about the former Spurs boss.

“I met Mauricio a few times. Great guy, a great coach. I think he’s a legend [here],” Frank told reporters on Monday.

“I don’t think he won a trophy, but he was part of transforming the club, from where it was at that stage to where it ended being in terms of being close to winning the Premier League title and getting into the Champions League final.

“If you are close, then you are very close to winning it. Sometimes it’s football, it’s margins. Pochettino did a top job here and is a true legend, so if the fans sing his name, it’s well deserved.”

How likely is a Tottenham return for Pochettino?

Frank may be currently fighting for his job, but Pochettino will not be an immediate option if Spurs decide to part ways with their current head coach in the near future.

That is because Pochettino has a contract with the USA national team until after the World Cup, so his current focus will be on the tournament taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

With that said, the 53-year-old's recent comments suggest he is itching to get back into club management for the first time since leaving Chelsea at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Pochettino spent over five years during his time as Tottenham boss, notably leading the club to the 2018-19 Champions League final.

However, he was sacked in November 2019 without winning a trophy, suggesting that he has unfinished business with the North London club.

A return to Spurs could be possible if the club decide to move on from Frank and show a willingness to wait until after the 2026 World Cup.

Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United collide at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League on Tuesday night, both in increasing need of a long-awaited victory.

The Lilywhites went down 2-0 to Manchester United on Saturday, suffering their 10th top-flight loss of the season, a fate that the Magpies shared when they were bested 3-2 by Brentford at home.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs ahead of the fixture.

TOTTENHAM vs. NEWCASTLE

TOTTENHAM

Out: Cristian Romero (suspended), Destiny Udogie (thigh), James Maddison (knee), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Mohammed Kudus (thigh), Rodrigo Bentancur (thigh), Ben Davies (ankle), Lucas Bergvall (ankle), Richarlison (thigh), Pedro Porro (thigh), Kevin Danso (toe)

Doubtful: Djed Spence (calf)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Vicario; Gray, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Spence; Sarr, Palhinha, Gallagher; Simons, Solanke, Kolo Muani

NEWCASTLE

Out: Joelinton (groin), Emil Krafth (knee), Tino Livramento (thigh), Fabian Schar (ankle)

Doubtful: Anthony Gordon (thigh), Lewis Miley (knee)

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly moved close to parting ways with head coach Thomas Frank after a woeful campaign so far.

The Europa League winners were looking to move away from the lower reaches of the Premier League following a 17th-placed finish in 2024-25, however another term of struggle has arrived in North London.

Under the stewardship of Frank after a 2-0 loss at Manchester United on Saturday afternoon, Spurs have won just one of their last 10 matches and only two of their past 16, leaving them a lowly 15th in the top-flight rankings.

Such awful form from Tottenham combined with a mini-resurgence from West Ham United means that Spurs are sitting just six points above the dreaded drop zone, clearly embroiled in a scrap for survival.

Former Brentford hero Frank is the villain at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium currently, victorious in just 13 of his 37 competitive matches since the beginning of the season in North London.

Tottenham at 'breaking point' with under-pressure Frank

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham are preparing to wield the managerial axe on head coach Frank, who will lead his side out for a Premier League home clash with Newcastle United on Tuesday night.

The report claims that Spurs' 26th league fixture of the campaign could be the Dane's last in charge if his men suffer defeat to Eddie Howe's struggling Magpies at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It is understood that the situation surrounding Frank in North London has reached 'breaking point', with Spurs last winning a Premier League contest at Crystal Palace before the turn of the year.

Should the 52-year-old be relieved of his duties after Tuesday night's match in the capital, it is believed that assistant coach Johnny Heitinga would take interim charge of the first team until the end of the campaign.

In an extraordinary twist, former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is supposedly the club's preferred option to regain the reins ahead of the 2026-27 season, with the Argentine 'giving the green light' for a sensational return after the World Cup in July.

Spurs playing the long game with Poch

Sitting 14 points away from the top five and likely Champions League qualification, Tottenham have little chance of making it back into UEFA's elite club competition next season unless they somehow win the current edition.

Given that relegation is an unthinkable and improbable prospect, Spurs have essentially written this domestic season off following a string of woeful results under Frank, meaning that they need to take a measured approach with their next managerial appointment.

Preparing to guide the United States into a home World Cup, Pochettino is immovable from his Stars and Stripes position at present, however the Argentine is said to be keen on a return to North London after football's biggest competition.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank has confirmed the length of time that Destiny Udogie will be sidelined with a hamstring injury for.

The Italian left-back was withdrawn in the first half of Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League, one of two early blows for Spurs following Cristian Romero's sending-off.

Frank could not give an immediate diagnosis on Udogie's injury straight after the game, but even the most minor hamstring injuries usually require a two-week layoff, so a spell in the treatment room was expected.

Speaking to the press ahead of Tuesday's top-flight showdown with Newcastle United, Frank delivered the latest on the injury-plagued defender, who is now set to miss around a month of football.

"Unfortunately, Destiny has a hamstring injury. So he’s out for the next 4-5 weeks. The squad from Saturday is available," Frank said, before also lifting the lid on the behind-the-scenes work for a player who has made just eight Premier League starts this term.

"It's of course an ongoing process, to keep building him more and more robust every day, so that's a long-term process. I think it's a combination of different things. One, teamwork, recovery, training, management, game load, all that," Frank added.

Which Tottenham games will Destiny Udogie miss through injury?

A four-to-five week layoff means that Udogie will likely be in the care of the doctors until the middle of March, and the former Udinese man is at risk of missing up to six games across all competitions.

Spurs will have to cope without Udogie against Newcastle and North London rivals Arsenal before the end of the month, as well as Fulham and Crystal Palace on March 1 and 5 respectively.

The Lilywhites will play the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on either March 10 or 11, and Udogie is also at risk of missing that encounter against Club Brugge, Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray or Juventus.

The Italian may have recovered in time for the clash with holders Liverpool on March 15, but there is no guarantee that will be the case, although he should be back in the ranks in time for Nottingham Forest on March 22.

One player Spurs will definitely have available again for Liverpool is Cristian Romero, who begins a four-game domestic ban for his red card at Old Trafford and joins a plethora of players on the Tottenham absentee list.

Thomas Frank delivers worrying update on Dejan Kulusevski

Frank at least confirmed that all other players from Saturday's game will be available once again on Tuesday, but the Dane delivered an alarming update on forgotten man Dejan Kulusevski.

The Swedish winger has not played a single game this season due to a troubling knee injury, and when asked whether he would play at all in 2025-26, Frank replied: "I don't know.

"Deki's got another appointment at the end of the week where we will know more but of course being out of the Champions League squad is a sign it is not tomorrow."

James Maddison, Kevin Danso, Pedro Porro, Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, Ben Davies and Richarlison are also out of the picture for Tottenham, but Frank at least confirmed that Djed Spence has recovered from a calf problem.

Tottenham will look to end their horrible run of form and move further away from the relegation zone when they welcome out of sorts Newcastle United to Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Tuesday night.

Thomas Frank's future at the club is in doubt with the north London side still searching for their first Premier League win in 2026.

Spurs have not been helped by the long list of absentees they have had to deal with throughout the campaign, a list that grew after Saturday's defeat.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Tottenham's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Eddie Howe's Newcastle United.

James Maddison

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: June 1

James Maddison has been out since pre-season after suffering a major knee injury that could force him to miss the entire year. Although he has returned to light training on the grass, a return is not expected soon.

Rodrigo Bentancur

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: 2 May

Picking up a hamstring injury at the start of the New Year, there is no time frame for when Spurs can expect to see Rodrigo Bentancur back in the side.

Mohammed Kudus

Status: Out

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: March/April

Like Bentancur, Kudus picked up a hamstring injury over the New Year period and is expected to remain on the sidelines for some time. He is expected to remain sidelined until after the March international break.

Ben Davies

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle/Foot

Possible return date: April/May

After being carried off on a stretcher against West Ham United back in January, Ben Davies has since undergone two major operations. It is likely he will miss the 2026 World Cup, should Wales qualify, and he may have even played his final game for Tottenham Hotspur.

Lucas Bergvall

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle/Foot

Possible return date: 11 April

The Sweden international suffered a high ankle sprain in the Champions League, which is now feared to be worse than first expected. Bergvall may return towards the end of the season.

Destiny Udogie

Status: Out

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: 15 March

Continuing the trend of a Tottenham player seemingly getting injured every game, Destiny Udogie became the latest absentee after being forced off against Manchester United with a thigh injury. It has since been confirmed he will be out for the next four to five weeks.

Richarlison

Status: Out

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: February 22 v Arsenal

The Brazilian forward was ruled out for up to seven weeks with a hamstring injury. It is possible he returns in time for the North London Derby.

Pedro Porro

Status: Out

Type of injury: Calf

Possible return date: February 22 v Arsenal

Pedro Porro suffered a hamstring injury in the first half of Tottenham's 2-2 draw with Burnley. Thomas Frank later revealed he will be out for at least four weeks with a return for the North London Derby potentially on the cards.

Djed Spence

Status: Available

Type of injury: Calf/Shin/Heel

Possible return date: February 10 v Newcastle United

Djed Spence is available for selection once again after a minor injury had kept him out of the previous two games. With the long list of absentees, Spence is likely to start.

Dejan Kulusevski

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Dejan Kulusevski has been missing since May due to a knee issue that has required multiple surgeries and various methods to help recover. While a return date is unknown, we do know it is not anytime soon.

Kevin Danso

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle/Foot

Possible return date: Unknown

Kevin Danso has been sidelined since Tottenham's Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Although a return is hoped for soon, Danso will miss Tuesday's game.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR'S SUSPENSION LIST

Mauricio Pochettino believes he and his backroom staff will win the Premier League at some stage in the future and has hinted that he would like to return to Tottenham Hotspur.

The 53-year-old was sacked as Spurs manager in 2019 less than six months after leading the club to their first-ever Champions League final, having previously steered the Lilywhites to three successive top-three finishes in the Premier League.

After more than five years in charge of Tottenham, Pochettino spent a season at both Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, before stepping into international management with the United States in September last year.

Pochettino is now focused on coaching the Stars and Stripes at the 2026 World Cup which will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico, but his contract with the national team expires at the end of the tournament this summer.

The Argentine has subsequently been linked with a return to club management ahead of next season, with Manchester United allegedly one team who may consider appointing him as their long-term successor to Ruben Amorim, who was replaced by interim boss Michael Carrick earlier this year.

Winning Europa League is “not enough” for Spurs, says Pochettino

An emotional return to Spurs has also been mooted for Pochettino, who has made is feelings clear on what needs to change on the white side of North London if they are to progress as a football club.

Tottenham are currently languishing in 15th place in the Premier League table under current boss Thomas Frank and many believe that the club now find themselves in a relegation battle, with just six points separating the Lilywhites from West Ham United in 18th spot.

Speaking on The High Performance Podcast alongside his trusted assistant coach Jesus Perez, Pochettino stated that Tottenham winning the Europa League last season was “not enough” and the club must be challenging for the Premier League and Champions League again.

"It's true Tottenham is a club that needs to think about winning the Premier League and the Champions League,” said Pochettino.

"The facilities are Champions League and, in the past, we didn't have that. The fans today appreciate we were challenging for Premier League and Champions League.

"To win a Europa League is good because when you celebrate a trophy, that is good. But it's not enough. It's not enough for a club like Tottenham. It's not enough to challenge for the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup, the Europa League or the Conference League.

"The fans, what they expect is to be in the Champions League, fighting, believing you can win the Champions League and also fighting for the Premier League and believing you can win the Premier League."

Pochettino believes he can win PL title, but could it really be with Spurs?

When asked which of his former clubs still holds a special place in his heart, Pochettino said: “It is very simple: Tottenham.

“Still, the people on the street, the fans of Tottenham, really show the love and the appreciation, and I think that is why it’s so special.”

Pochettino went on to express his desire to win the Champions League, while also claiming that he will eventually win a Premier League title, whether that is with Spurs or another club, in the future.

"Yes (I believe I will win the Premier League),” he added. "It's really important. If you don't believe, if you don't have belief, that hunger and passion and fight, it's difficult to achieve.

"The Champions League is amazing because it's a dream, too, like the World Cup, but we really love English football; football was born here. We were so lucky to spend a lot of time at Wembley, which is an icon for us. It's an amazing stadium.

"We are going to try. Unfortunately, in which club, I don't know! Now, we are in our best moment as a coaching staff because we are still young, we have energy.

"I think I can be better because you can improve, but today I think we have the capacity and the knowledge, the balance to provide to any single club good things."

Pochettino came closest to winning a Premier League title in the 2016-17 campaign when his Spurs side notched up 86 points and finished second in the table behind champions Chelsea (93 points).

Cristian Romero has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons of late, with his latest episode coming in Tottenham Hotspur’s visit to Manchester United on Saturday, where a red card saw him reach an unwanted disciplinary milestone.

Just days after stirring controversy with public criticism of the Spurs hierarchy’s transfer strategy, the club captain’s on-field rashness saw him dismissed by referee Michael Oliver at Old Trafford following a late challenge on Casemiro.

While his sending-off proved costly for Spurs, who eventually lost 2–0, it also marked the Argentine’s sixth red card in all competitions across his five-year stay in North London — a tally no other Premier League player has matched in that period.

At the time of writing, the World Cup winner has also collected the most red cards in the ongoing top-flight campaign (2), having previously received his marching orders for kicking Ibrahima Konate in the chest during Tottenham’s defeat to Liverpool on December 20, 2025.

As a result, Romero now finds himself edging towards an unenviable slice of history and could even threaten an over 30-year-old mark for most dismissals in a single campaign, with no player having exceeded three.

With that in mind, Sports Mole takes a look at the players with the highest number of red cards in a single Premier League season, as well as where Romero ranks among Tottenham’s most-sent-off players in the competition.

Players with the most red cards in a single Premier League season

Vinnie Jones (Wimbledon, 1995–96)

Vinnie Jones was synonymous with disciplinary trouble during his time in the English top flight, from picking up a caution just three minutes into a match against Sheffield United in 1992 to ranking among the most-sent-off players in Premier League history.

Just one behind joint all-time holders Patrick Vieira, Duncan Ferguson and Richard Dunne, Jones was dismissed seven times in his Premier League career across spells with Wimbledon and Chelsea.

However, the combative midfielder recorded his highest single-season tally in the 1995–96 campaign, receiving three red cards in 33 appearances — two for double bookings against Nottingham Forest and Chelsea, and a straight dismissal versus Liverpool.

David Batty (Newcastle United, 1997–98)

Not as notoriously ill-disciplined as Jones but still guilty of a feisty edge, Batty was sent off five times across 268 Premier League appearances with Newcastle United, Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers.

Three of those red cards came during the 1997–98 season in 32 matches for the Magpies, with the midfielder receiving two second yellows against Liverpool and Derby County before a straight red on the final day versus Blackburn, leaving him joint-highest for dismissals that campaign.

Slaven Bilic (Everton, 1997–98)

Joining Batty that year was Slaven Bilic, who made 76 Premier League appearances across spells with West Ham United and Everton.

The Croatian endured a turbulent 1997–98 campaign, collecting three red cards in just 24 matches — a double booking against Newcastle followed by straight dismissals versus Chelsea and Southampton — the only sending-offs of his English top-flight career.

Craig Short (Blackburn Rovers, 2001–02)

Craig Short spent eight seasons in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers and Everton, making 181 appearances and receiving four red cards overall.

Three of those came in 2001–02 across 22 games for Blackburn, with a second yellow against Manchester United followed by straight reds versus Sunderland and Fulham.

Franck Queudrue (Middlesbrough, 2002–03)

Queudrue featured in the Premier League for eight seasons with Middlesbrough, Fulham and Birmingham City, making over 200 appearances and receiving six red cards in total.

Half of those dismissals arrived in the 2002–03 campaign with Middlesbrough, including straight reds against Birmingham City and Arsenal, alongside a double-yellow sending-off against Birmingham.

Wes Brown (Sunderland, 2013–14)

Brown spent the majority of his career at Manchester United but also featured prominently for Sunderland, amassing over 300 Premier League appearances across both clubs in 17 seasons.

The defender was dismissed five times in the competition, with his highest tally coming in 2013–14, when he received three straight red cards in 25 outings against Stoke City, Norwich City and Hull City.

Victor Wanyama (Southampton, 2015–16)

Across seven Premier League seasons with Southampton and Tottenham, Wanyama made 154 appearances and collected three red cards.

All three came in the 2015–16 campaign, with the Kenyan midfielder receiving second yellows against Bournemouth and Norwich City before a straight dismissal versus West Ham United.

Where does Romero rank among Tottenham’s most-sent-off Premier League players?

Following his red card against Manchester United, Romero moved clear of the likes of Son Heung-min, Michael Dawson and Mauricio Taricco, all of whom were sent off three times in the competition for Spurs.

The Argentine now sits on four Premier League red cards, level with former French centre-back Younes Kaboul, who had two spells at the club between 2007–08 and 2010–15.

Putting the figures into context, Romero has reached that tally in 121 league appearances for Tottenham, while Kaboul accumulated his four dismissals in 110 matches.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly learned how much it will take to prise a Guglielmo Vicario replacement away from his current club this summer.

The Lilywhites appear to be at increasing risk of losing their current number one, who has apparently been identified by Inter Milan as an ideal successor to Yann Sommer.

Furthermore, Vicario is said to be open to a return to his homeland amid Tottenham's plight, which continued in a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Spurs' 10th top-flight loss of the season left them just six points clear of the relegation zone in the Premier League table, although they did earn a direct ticket to the last 16 of the Champions League.

However, Thomas Frank's troops are not viewed as one of the favourites to win the competition, and they are facing the prospect of a campaign without European football in 2026-27.

Tottenham told to pay £50m for Guglielmo Vicario replacement?

Vicario could therefore be tempted to compete for titles at San Siro, and Tottenham are thought to have identified Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs as an ideal replacement for the Italian.

However, if they are to prise the Dutchman away from the Stadium of Light, Football Insider claims that the Black Cats would expect bids of at least £50m for their number one this summer.

Sunderland added to their goalkeeping department in January with the capture of Melker Ellborg from Malmo, and the report adds that his arrival was due to the club anticipating offers for Roefs this summer.

The 23-year-old has excelled for Regis Le Bris's men during their unexpectedly strong start to life back in the Premier League, registering a respectable eight clean sheets in 25 top-flight appearances.

Roefs has kept the joint second-most clean sheets of any non-Big Six goalkeeper this season, level with Crystal Palace's Dean Henderson and just one behind Jordan Pickford's nine for Everton.

Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool are also believed to be keeping close tabs on the Dutchman, who only joined Sunderland from NEC last summer and is under contract for another four-and-a-half years.

Where would Robin Roefs rank among most expensive goalkeepers of all time?

If Tottenham were to bow to Sunderland's demands and agree a £50m deal for Roefs, the Dutchman would become the third-most expensive goalkeeper in the history of the sport.

Arsenal number two Kepa Arrizabalaga still holds the record with his £72m switch to Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, while Alisson Becker's £62.9m move from Roma to Liverpool is second on the list.