Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly close to finalising the appointment of Brentford's Thomas Frank as their new head coach.

The 51-year-old has quickly emerged as Spurs’ top candidate to succeed Ange Postecoglou, who was relieved of his duties by chairman Daniel Levy last week.

Despite leading Tottenham to Europa League glory - their first major trophy in 17 years - and a place in the Champions League, Postecoglou was sacked after presiding over the club’s worst-ever Premier League season.

The North Londoners ended the campaign in 17th place after suffering a club-record 22 top-flight defeats - the most one team has ever lost in a Premier League season without being relegated.

Following reports last weekend that Frank had expressed his desire to join Tottenham, it has since been claimed that Spurs have made contact with Brentford and are hopeful of sealing an agreement in the coming days.

Tottenham set to name Frank as new head coach

Now, journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Brentford are set to release Frank for a fee in the region of £10m, as the Dane has reached an agreement with Spurs to become their new head coach.

An agreement regarding Frank’s contract and his backroom staff is said to be ‘done’ and confirmation of his appointment as Spurs boss is thought to be imminent.

Frank is currently the third longest-serving manager in English football having spent almost seven years at Brentford, where he has won 132 of his 317 games in charge (41.6%).

He led the Bees to promotion to the Premier League in 2022 via the Championship playoffs and has since cemented their place in the top flight ever since, securing a top-10 finish last season for the second time in three years.

Frank ‘unlikely’ to raid Brentford for Mbeumo, Wissa

There has been speculation over the possibility of Spurs hijacking Manchester United’s pursuit of Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, who has established himself as a star attacker under Frank and scored 20 Premier League goals last season.

Yoane Wissa is another who is believed to have caught the eye of some Premier League clubs after scoring 19 goals in 35 top-flight appearances in 2024-25.

Football Insider claims that Frank admires several Brentford stars, including in-demand duo Mbeumo and Wissa, but he is unlikely to raid his former club as Spurs boss this summer.

As things stand, it appears more likely that Mbeumo will leave Brentford ahead of next season, with Man United pushing to strike an agreement with the Bees after seeing an opening offer of £55m turned down.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly stepped up their interest in signing Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo amid competition from Liverpool and Manchester United.

Spurs are currently focusing on their efforts to appoint a new manager after taking the decision to relieve Ange Postecoglou of his duties.Â

Brentford boss Thomas Frank is the clear frontrunner to replace Postecoglou, with Spurs hoping to complete an agreement for the Dane's appointment in the next couple of days.Â

While the manager situation may be their priority, Tottenham are already working on potential deals to give the new coach the best squad possible for the 2025-26 campaign.

Spurs step up Semenyo pursuit

There has been speculation suggesting Spurs could look to bolster their attacking options with the addition of Semenyo.

According to Sky Sports News, Spurs have already stepped up their interest in the Bournemouth winger, who is likely to depart the Vitality Stadium this summer.

Tottenham's clear interest comes at a time when Son Heung-min is being linked with a possible move away from the North London club.

The report claims that Tottenham could face competition from Liverpool and Man United in the race to secure Semenyo's signature.

Semenyo is believed to be keen to play Champions League football, potentially boosting Tottenham and Liverpool's hopes of signing the 25-year-old.Â

Why is Semenyo attracting significant interest?

Semenyo has scored 22 goals and provided 10 assists in 89 competitive appearances since he joined Bournemouth from Bristol City in January 2023.

The Ghana international, who can play on either flank, enjoyed a successful 2024-25 campaign with Andoni Iraola's side, scoring 13 goals and contributing seven assists in 42 matches across all competitions.

As per FBref, Semenyo finished the campaign in the top seven for shot-creating actions, while he was in third spot for successful take-ons, highlighting the quality he possesses when he has the ball at his feet.

Having proven he can excel in the Premier League, Semenyo is seemingly ready to take the next steps in his career despite having four years left to run on his Bournemouth contract.

The Cherries will struggle to keep hold of the winger, especially if a club offers Semenyo the chance to play European football next season.Â

Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo has allegedly decided which club will get his priority this summer.

The 25-year-old has just enjoyed the best season of his career, contributing 20 goals and seven assists from 38 Premier League appearances.

As such, the Cameroon international is one of the most sought-after players in the transfer market, particularly from an English top-flight perspective.

In recent weeks, the suggestion has been that Manchester United is Mbeumo's preferred destination should they be able to negotiate a deal with Brentford.

However, the potential move of Thomas Frank from the Bees to Tottenham Hotspur has threatened to complicate matters for the Red Devils.

Has Mbeumo changed his mind?

Frank's impact has taken Mbeumo's game to a new level and the expectation is that the Dane would want to reunite with the playmaker at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Nevertheless, as per transfer Fabrizio Romano, who was speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Mbeumo remains committed to signing for Man United.

Romano said: "Mbeumo is waiting for Man United as a priority.

"Thomas Frank is close to Spurs so we will see what happens if he joins; but Mbeumo at the moment is waiting to see what happens with United."

Is Man United transfer a foregone conclusion?

While Man United certainly appear to be the frontrunners for Mbeumo, a deal has someway to go before becoming a reality.

United have allegedly indicated that they are prepared to pay £55m for the versatile playmaker, the assumption being that a portion of that would come in instalments like it will with Matheus Cunha.

However, Brentford are yet to accept a proposal from their United counterparts, even though there is an understanding that Mbeumo is likely to depart the club.

Interest from elsewhere seems unlikely to come to fruition. The aforementioned report suggests that United are willing to pay Mbeumo £200,000 per week, a figure other clubs may not be prepared to pay.

Tottenham Hotspur must be prepared to pay a fee in excess of £10m to pry Thomas Frank away from Brentford, the latest reports have claimed.

Following news of Ange Postecoglou’s dismissal on Friday as Spurs boss, fans are speculating as to who could take over from the Australian.

Former boss Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with the vacant managerial post, though Tottenham would have to pay a substantial compensation package to take him from the US men’s national team.

However, the club have seemingly settled on Brentford boss Frank as their preferred candidate to take over this summer.

The Mirror report that Spurs would have to pay the Bees a fee of more than £10m to bring Frank to the team due to the release clause in the contract that he signed in 2022.

Is Frank worth the money?

One of the main criticisms that Postecoglou faced from pundits such as Jamie Carragher was that he was seemingly reluctant to adapt his style of play, leading to issues at the back when his preferred starting XI was not available.

Frank has a track record of adapting his playing style to suit the players at his disposal, with the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa excelling in attack in the absence of striker Ivan Toney.

The fact that the Brentford boss was able to maximise the duo’s output – they scored 20 and 19 Premier League goals respectively in 2024-25 – bodes well when considering whether he has the ability to adapt at Tottenham.

Frank has shown that he can develop younger talents, with the Dane improving the performances of stars such as Kevin Schade, Nathan Collins and Mikkel Damsgaard.

It should also be noted that the 51-year-old is not averse to asking his side to defend in deeper blocks in order to maintain a lead, and his willingness to be pragmatic could help Spurs climb the table.

Additionally, Frank has never been fortunate enough to be provided with sizeable transfer budgets as Brentford head coach, so perhaps he would benefit from having access to more funds with Tottenham.

Tottenham Hotspur must be prepared to pay a fee in excess of £10m to pry Thomas Frank away from Brentford, the latest reports have claimed.

Following news of Ange Postecoglou’s dismissal on Friday as Spurs boss, fans are speculating as to who could take over from the Australian.

Former boss Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with the vacant managerial post, though Tottenham would have to pay a substantial compensation package to take him from the US men’s national team.

However, the club have seemingly settled on Brentford boss Thomas Frank as their preferred candidate to take over this summer.

The Mirror report that Spurs would have to pay the Bees a fee of more than £10m to bring Frank to the team due to the release clause in the contract that he signed in 2022.

Is Frank worth the money?

One of the main criticisms that Postecoglou faced from pundits such as Jamie Carragher was that he was seemingly reluctant to adapt his style of play, leading to issues at the back when his preferred starting XI was not available.

Frank has a track record of adapting his playing style to suit the players at his disposal, with the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa excelling in attack in the absence of striker Ivan Toney.

The fact that the Brentford boss was able to maximise the duo’s output – they scored 20 and 19 Premier League goals respectively in 2024-25 – bodes well when considering whether he has the ability to adapt at Tottenham.

Frank has shown that he can develop younger talents, with the Dane improving the performances of stars such as Kevin Schade, Nathan Collins and Mikkel Damsgaard.

It should also be noted that the 51-year-old is not adverse to asking his side to defend in deeper blocks in order to maintain a lead, and his willingness to be pragmatic could help Spurs climb the table.

Additionally, Frank has never been fortunate enough to be provided with sizeable transfer budgets as Brentford head coach, so perhaps he would benefit from having access to more funds with Tottenham.

Inter Milan have appointed Parma manager Cristian Chivu as a replacement for the departed Simone Inzaghi, who left to join Al-Hilal.

The Italian giants endured a difficult end of the season, losing out on the Serie A title to Napoli by a point, before suffering a 5-0 defeat in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 31.

Inter boss Inzaghi had been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League for some time, and after the move was confirmed, the Serie A side moved to appoint Chivu.

Cesc Fabregas was seen as the favourite for the vacant managerial position, but Como reportedly rejected an approach from Nerazzurri, forcing the club to pivot to other candidates.

Chivu has experience within Inter's setup having coached different age groups at their academy before Parma gave the 44-year-old his first role as manager of a senior side.

The boss also spent seven years as a player with Inter and was part of the team that won the treble under Jose Mourinho in 2010, and he has signed a two-year-deal with the club to become their next manager.

Tottenham Hotspur manager boost

Reports have claimed that Brentford have started preparing a formal approach for Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, as current boss Thomas Frank continues to be touted as an option for Tottenham Hotspur.

Ange Postecoglou was sacked as Spurs head coach on Friday following an internal review into the club's disastrous 2024-25 domestic season.

A number of candidates have been linked with the Londoners this weekend, with names ranging from Marco Silva to Inzaghi, though the latter has joined Al-Hilal.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has emerged as an early frontrunner for the position, and his history of getting the most out of his squad despite being given relatively few resources makes him an appealing candidates.

Football Insider claim that the Bees have begun preparing an official approach to Ipswich for McKenna, a move that could indicate a willingness to move on from Frank.

Manchester City midfield exits

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips is a target for his former club Leeds United this summer transfer window, the latest reports have claimed.

The Englishman was on loan at Ipswich Town this past Premier League season, though his spell at Portman Road was not successful, with the club relegated to the Championship.

Phillips was also sent out on loan in the 2023-24 season to West Ham, but he failed to impress with the Hammers, who did not attempt to sign him permanently.

Pep Guardiola has only started the midfielder two times since the Englishman was brought to the Etihad in the summer of 2022 from Leeds.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has apparently learned how much it would cost to sack Europa League-winning head coach Ange Postecoglou.

While the first summer transfer window is now open, all of the talk coming out of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has unsurprisingly been about the future of Postecoglou.

The former Celtic boss fulfilled his second-season trophy prophecy in the Europa League, but at the same time, his side suffered their worst-ever Premier League finish.

The Lilywhites only finished above relegated trio Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town, and they also set a new record for the most Premier League games lost in a season without being relegated (22).

Nevertheless, ending Tottenham's 17-year trophy drought may be enough to see him avoid the chop in the eyes of some, although Spurs' disastrous Premier League campaign could see Levy think differently.

Spurs 'must pay £4m' to sack Postecoglou

The Spurs chairman committed to a long-term project with the Australian when he hired him from Celtic in 2023, handing him a four-year contract running until the summer of 2027.

With two seasons left to go on that deal, Postecoglou would therefore be in line for a hefty compensation package if Tottenham decided to terminate the agreement halfway through.

According to The Telegraph, Levy would have to stump up £4m to give Postecoglou his P45, on top of the £2m bonus that the Australian pocketed for his Europa League triumph.

The Tottenham boss jetted off on a family holiday after leading Spurs to continental glory, but the report adds that he is now back in the UK and will not be in the dark about his future for much longer.

The 59-year-old has overseen 47 wins, 14 draws and 40 losses from his 101 matches in charge of Spurs, who have already lost one of their main coaches this summer.

Postecoglou's former right-hand man Ryan Mason - who also enjoyed two stints as interim Spurs manager in 2021 and 2023 - recently left the club to take on the position of West Bromwich Albion head coach.

Who are Spurs' leading contenders to replace Postecoglou?

Tottenham chairman Levy appears to be sticking close to home to find the perfect Postecoglou replacement, and Brentford's Thomas Frank is said to be at the top of his list.

The Bees boss has masterminded his team's rise from a Championship side to a top-half Premier League outfit, but like Postecoglou, the 51-year-old is also contracted to Brentford until 2027.

As a result, Tottenham will have to pay to sever Frank from his Gtech Community Stadium deal, meaning that the total cost of firing Postecoglou and hiring his replacement could hit the £10m mark.

Tottenham Hotspur are said to be determined to sign Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite now that they have secured Champions League football.

Despite finishing in 17th place with just 38 points in the 2024-25 Premier League season, Spurs' victory against Manchester United in the Europa League final in May means they have the opportunity to reset having cemented their place in Europe's top club competition.

Tottenham's reset may include parting company with boss Ange Postecoglou, who could be replaced by Brentford manager Thomas Frank if rumours are to be believed.

Regardless of who is in the dugout next term, Spurs will be an attractive destination given they can offer players the opportunity to play in the Champions League.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the Londoners are keen on trying to bring Everton centre-back Branthwaite to the club, with the report also suggesting they are willing to battle Chelsea for his services.

What would Branthwaite offer?

One of Branthwaite's biggest strengths is his ability to aggressively combat opposition forwards, with his 6ft 5 inch frame helping him win duels.

In fact, the 22-year-old won 69% of his ground duels in the league last term, whereas Virgil van Dijk only won 62% of his ground duels with Liverpool.

His ground duel win percentage is also better than Cristian Romero (64%) and Micky van de Ven (48%), and his arrival would be welcome considering Spurs have struggled at the back for some time.

Tottenham conceded 65 goals in the Premier League in 2024-25, a return that made them the division's fifth worst defensive side, so it is no surprise that the Londoners would be interested in making additions in defence.

Can Spurs win the race?

If Spurs are to win the race for Branthwaite's signature, they will need to have clarity about the future of Postecoglou sooner rather than later, especially as other interested parties could quickly make a move.

Chelsea have spent significant sums on transfers in the past seasons under the direction of Todd Boehly, and the Blues could take advantage if Tottenham fail to resolve their managerial situation.

Failure to reinforce the team's defence could prove costly, and the Spurs hierarchy must make sure that the squad are in a position where they are able to compete.

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that assistant manager Ryan Mason has left the club to take on the role of head coach at West Bromwich Albion.

The 33-year-old's exit brings the curtain down on a seven-year spell as a Tottenham coach, having returned to coach the Lilywhites' youngsters in 2018 after his premature retirement as a player.

Mason worked his way up the coaching ladder and was appointed caretaker manager of Spurs in the 2020-21 season following Jose Mourinho's exit; his second game was a 1-0 loss to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final.

The Englishman stayed on as part of Antonio Conte's backroom staff, and when the Italian and his right-hand man Cristian Stellini left the club, he subsequently took the reins again on an interim basis in the closing stages of the 2022-23 season.

Postecoglou's arrival saw Mason once again drop back down to the role of assistant manager, helping the Australian end Spurs' 17-year trophy drought with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the 2024-25 Europa League final.

Daniel Levy speaks out on Mason's Tottenham exit

Now seeking to launch his own head coach career, Mason has departed Spurs to become West Brom's new first-team manager, and Daniel Levy expressed his gratitude to Mason upon confirmation of his exit.

"Ryan has been an integral part of Tottenham Hotspur for a number of years, both as a player and a coach," Levy told the official Spurs website. "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Ryan for all his dedication and hard work over the years, and we wish him every success for the future."

Mason has agreed a three-year contract with West Brom, who had four different managers in the 2024-25 season; Carlos Corberan, Tony Mowbray, Chris Brunt and James Morrison, the latter two of whom worked on an interim basis.

Speaking to wba.co.uk for the first time after his arrival, Mason said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to have been appointed Head Coach of West Bromwich Albion. This is a huge club with a fantastic infrastructure and an incredible fan base and I am excited about what we can achieve together.

"Having spoken at length to the board and those at the club I am convinced that Albion is the perfect place for me to be and I can't wait to get started. I will bring with me a huge amount of enthusiasm, dedication and ambition and look forward to a positive future together at such a fantastic club."

The Baggies finished ninth in the Championship table last season, missing out on a spot in the playoffs by just four points after drawing the second-most games out of all teams (19).

What about Postecoglou's future?

Few would have batted an eyelid if they were told a Tottenham first-team coach would go this summer, but while Mason has moved on to pastures new, Postecoglou is still employed.

The ex-Celtic boss is anxiously awaiting to learn whether Levy will stick or twist, although it has been claimed that the Tottenham chairman has decided to sack the manager.

However, other outlets have reported that Levy is yet to make a final decision, and as far as Postecoglou is concerned, he is simply trying to enjoy his family holiday and will plan for next season as if he will be in charge unless he hears otherwise.

The Australian still has two years left to run on his Tottenham contract, meaning that he would be in line for a sizeable compensation package if he is fired this summer.

The first summer transfer window of 2025 has now opened, but Tottenham Hotspur fans would be forgiven for not knowing, as all the talk coming out of Hotspur Way has been about the future of head coach Ange Postecoglou.

However, once Daniel Levy has decided to stick or twist with the Europa League winner, attention will immediately turn to squad improvements for 2025-26, and lord knows they are needed.

Tottenham may have conquered the continent in the secondary term in 2024-25, but if they are to be taken seriously in the Champions League and finish higher than 17th in the Premier League table, additions must be made across the park.

Here, Sports Mole takes a deeper dive into Spurs' 2025 summer transfer window, including their top targets, budget, most likely signings and priority positions.

Tottenham's top targets for 2025 summer transfer window

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Despite making unwanted history last season - setting a new record for the most defeats in one Premier League season without being relegated - Spurs' Champions League participation is a huge box ticked when it comes to seducing transfer targets.

The Lilywhites appear to be looking relatively close to home at the moment, as Crystal Palace's £60m-rated playmaker Eberechi Eze is understood to be a prime target, albeit one that they will no doubt face intense competition for.

At the other end of the Selhurst Park pitch, Spurs have apparently been monitoring England international defender Marc Guehi for some time, while Monaco's Vanderson and Genoa's Koni de Winter have also been name-checked.

Southampton's relegation from the Premier League could also trigger a tense transfer tussle for Tyler Dibling, another attacker thought to be on Tottenham's radar and one whom they could potentially sign for around £55m if they can fend off the competition.

An audacious free transfer for Bayern Munich's Leroy Sane has also been mooted, but the German's agent recently suggested that contract talks with the Bundesliga champions are heading in the right direction.

Tottenham budget for 2025 summer transfer window

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Spurs did their transfer kitty no favours by only finishing above the three relegated teams in the Premier League table, but Europa League glory brought with it huge financial benefits.

As well as £5m for beating Manchester United in the final, Tottenham also pocketed £16m for qualifying for the Champions League, and they were able to spend close to £150m last year without making it to Europe's top table.

While Levy has always been perceived as a frugal overseer who fails to back his managers properly, the Tottenham chairman should sanction another spending spree of around £100m or £150m, although those plans are on ice until the final verdict on Postecoglou is delivered.

Spurs cannot sell a Harry Kane for £90m to raise funds this summer, but the possible departures of Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Bryan Gil and Manor Solomon - alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's permanent switch to Marseille - will boost their coffers even more.

Tottenham's most likely signings for 2025 summer transfer window

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Tottenham have already opened their chequebook once in the current window, confirming that Kevin Danso's loan from Lens has been converted into a permanent deal for £21m.

Top target Eze is by no means out of reach for Spurs thanks to their Europa League victory, meaning that can compete with other UCL-competing clubs, and a deal for Dibling is realistic too; the teenager may very well the Lilywhites as the next perfect step in his development.

However, if neither of those two work out, Spurs are already well-positioned to sign Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich, as they can still activate their option to buy the young Frenchman and could even try to negotiate a lower fee with their German counterparts.

Tottenham's priority positions for 2025 summer transfer window

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Danso's arrival has helped to reinforce an injury-hit defence, but Tottenham may find themselves needing another centre-back if Cristian Romero cannot resist the pull of Atletico Madrid, as Radu Dragusin will still be out for a few more months with his ACL problem.

Further forward, Bissouma's exit and uncertainty over Rodrigo Bentancur's contract situation could necessitate the signing of a new deep-lying midfielder; Bentancur's deal expires in 2026, but talks over an extension have reportedly been opened.

The Lilywhites have already triggered a 12-month option in Son Heung-min's deal, but the South Korean turns 33 next month, and whether he will be kept around beyond the end of next season remains unclear.