Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur prodigy Mikey Moore has been offered a new contract by the Lilywhites, and active discussions are ongoing to close the deal, according to a report.

The England Under-19 international penned his first professional deal with the North London giants upon turning 17 last year, and he is about to enter the final two seasons of that agreement.

As 17-year-olds cannot sign professional contracts over three years in length, Spurs could only tie Moore down until the end of the 2026-27 campaign, but his 18th birthday is fast approaching.

After earning his maiden first-team minutes in the 2023-24 season, Moore became a more prominent part of the Tottenham ranks in 2024-25, playing 19 games in all tournaments and registering one goal and two assists.

Moore struck his first goal for the North London giants in a 3-0 Europa League win over Elfsborg en route to the trophy, and he was also named in three Premier League starting lineups by Ange Postecoglou.

Tottenham 'negotiating final deal' with Moore after contract offer

The 17-year-old's campaign was blighted by a serious illness, which laid him low throughout most of the window, but the most recent season was nevertheless one of major progression for the attacker.

Keen to tie down their academy talent for the long term, Tottenham have now formally made the teenager an offer of a new contract, football.london has claimed.

The two parties are apparently in negotiations over a 'final deal' for Moore, who became Spurs' youngest Premier League player when he made his debut against Manchester City in May 2024.

There are seemingly few concerns about the prospect of Moore looking for a move away from Tottenham, whom he has represented since Under-9s level and has now played 21 times for in all tournaments.

What next for Moore following new Spurs contract?

Assuming Moore puts pen to paper on his new Tottenham contract as expected, Spurs boss Thomas Frank must decide whether there is a place for him in his first-team squad during the 2025-26 campaign.

The Englishman could earn regular minutes if captain Son Heung-min is sold, although the Europa League winners have already strengthened their wide ranks with the permanent signing of Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich.

As a result, a loan exit could prove useful for Moore's personal development, and it has been claimed that two Championship sides have taken an interest in a temporary transfer.

Other clubs in Europe - including Juventus - are reported to be monitoring the situation too and could even try to negotiate a permanent deal for the 2007-born talent if he does not make the grade at Tottenham.

However, Moore's home-grown status makes him a useful asset in Premier League and Champions League squads, so it is currently anybody's guess as to where he will be plying his trade in 2025-26.

Bournemouth 'increasingly believe' Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur target Antoine Semenyo will stay at the club this summer, according to a report.

The Ghana international lit up the Vitality Stadium with a sequence of stellar displays last season, registering 11 goals and six assists in 37 appearances in the Premier League.

Semenyo's 17 direct contributions played a major part in the Cherries achieving their best-ever points total in the competition and also making a play for the European spots before falling away towards the season's end.

The 25-year-old has naturally been linked with a switch to one of the Premier League's traditional 'Big Six' this summer, with Spurs and Man United said to have shown the keenest interest.

Newcastle United are also thought to have identified Semenyo as a potential target for the summer window, but the Cherries are under no pressure to sell given that his contract does not expire for another four years.

Man United, Spurs 'chased off' in Semenyo pursuit

Now, the i Paper claims that all interested parties have been 'chased off' by Bournemouth, and there is growing optimism on the South Coast that Semenyo will stay at the club for the upcoming campaign.

The former Bristol City and Sunderland man is apparently valued at £70m by the Cherries, who have been in consistent contact with Spurs following an initial enquiry from the Lilywhites.

However, Bournemouth are not fearing the prospect of Semenyo jumping ship for the Europa League winners, while Newcastle appear to have withdrawn from the race completely.

Semenyo only signed a new contract at the Vitality Stadium last year and has now come up with 22 goals and 10 assists in 89 games for Bournemouth since joining from Bristol City midway through the 2022-23 campaign.

How are Man Utd, Spurs progressing with Semenyo alternatives?

Man United appeared to resign themselves to defeat in the Semenyo race some time ago, as the Red Devils are making a concerted effort to strike a deal for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo.

Ruben Amorim's side are yet to agree a fee with the Bees, who have reportedly rejected two offers from the 20-time English champions as they hold out for a £63.5m figure.

Nevertheless, Man United remain optimistic that they will get a deal over the line, so much so that they have allegedly provisionally booked in a medical for the Cameroonian attacker.

Meanwhile, Tottenham were believed to have been pursuing Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze as their number one attacking target, having learned that Mbeumo was favouring a move to Old Trafford.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly taken a step back in their pursuit of Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze, potentially opening the door for Arsenal to make a move.

New Lilywhites boss Thomas Frank is keen to reinforce his side's wide options ahead of the 2025-26 season, but a reunion with Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo is believed to be off the cards.

The Cameroon international is believed to have given his word to Manchester United, who recently saw a second bid rejected but remain in dialogue with Brentford in the hope of striking an imminent deal.

Palace wing wizard Eze is thought to have emerged as an ideal alternative to Mbeumo, and Tottenham are said to have received encouragement in their attempts to sign the England international earlier this week.

Spurs supposedly have reason to believe that Eze would be open to joining the club in the summer transfer window, where he can be signed for a reasonable £68m thanks to a release clause in his Selhurst Park contract.

Tottenham 'back off' in Eze transfer chase

However, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, Spurs have now cooled their interest in the former Queens Park Rangers youngster, although he nevertheless remains on their shortlist.

"My understanding is that Tottenham have actually backed off in the last few hours, and although the interest is genuine, it is nothing more than that," The Spurs Web quotes Jacobs as saying.

It is not clear why Tottenham have taken a step back in their pursuit of Eze, but the Lilywhites have already bolstered their attacking ranks this summer with the permanent signing of Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich.

The Frenchman can provide an alternative option on the left-hand side - as he did during the second half of last season - and may even succeed Son Heung-min if the Spurs skipper leaves this summer.

The South Korea international is only under contract for another 12 months, and new head coach Frank has apparently made a decision on whether he is prepared to sell his captain before the September 1 deadline.

Tottenham's loss, Arsenal's gain in Eze transfer race?

Tottenham are unsurprisingly not the only club heavily linked with a swoop for Eze in the summer market, as the 26-year-old is also believed to be of serious interest to North London rivals Arsenal.

The Gunners are searching for an upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the left-hand side this summer, but their reported top target - Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams - is bound for Barcelona.

However, with Tottenham reportedly cooling their pursuit of Eze, the door could swing open for Mikel Arteta to make his move for the attacker, who produced 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 matches during the 2024-25 campaign.

Eze's £68m release clause can supposedly be paid in three instalments, which will prove no problem for Arsenal, who remain fully compliant with Financial Fair Play and Profit and Sustainability regulations.

Manchester United have had a second bid rejected for Byran Mbeumo, but the winger has indicated that his preference is to join the Red Devils rather than Tottenham Hotspur.

After bringing in Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, United boss Ruben Amorim will hope to be able to further transform his side's attack.

The club ranked as the division's fifth worst offensive side last term having scored just 44 goals in the league, leading to calls for an offensive revolution.

Strikers such as Viktor Gyokeres have been linked, as have other forward players such as Brentford attacker Mbeumo.

Sky Sports News claim that United have had a second bid for the Cameroonian worth £62.5m rejected, but the report also says that while he is intrigued by Tottenham's project under former boss Thomas Frank, he still prefers a move to Old Trafford.

The merits of United

It remains to be seen if United will be able to afford the addition of a striker alongside Mbeumo given their financial difficulties, but he proved in 2024-25 that he can excel without the presence of a traditional nine.

The prospect of playing alongside creative talents such as Bruno Fernandes and Cunha may be appealing to the 25-year-old, and he could be part of a dynamic front three.

However, joining the Red Devils would be risky considering they will arguably have to sign a number of other players in order to get back to competing for European football.

If Amorim is afforded the funds he needs to bring in a new goalkeeper, reinforcements in midfield and up front, perhaps the opportunity to lead the team's forward line would be too appealing to turn down.

The merits of Tottenham

Joining Tottenham would offer Mbeumo the chance to play in the Champions League, a competition that he may not be able to participate in for a number of seasons at United.

Additionally, considering Frank managed to get the best out of the winger during his time as Brentford boss, the Danish coach may be able to platform him at Spurs and put him in a position to excel.

Tottenham Hotspur have filed a lawsuit against Ineos, the multinational chemical company owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United. The legal dispute was filed on 13 June, and fresh details have now been revealed by The Telegraph.

Ineos, a British-based firm, initially partnered with Spurs in 2020 when they became the club's official hand sanitiser supplier during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The partnership was strengthened in 2022 with a new sponsorship deal focused on promoting the Ineos Grenadier, a 4x4 vehicle marketed as “the club’s 4x4” for a five-year period. According to The Telegraph, the deal was valued at £17.5m.

Spurs seek over £11m in lawsuit against Ineos

The relationship has since soured, with Ineos expressing a desire to exit the sponsorship arrangement by the end of 2024. Spurs responded by filing legal action, seeking £11m in damages for what they claim is a breach of the agreement.

The North London club allege Ineos failed to pay the latest annual instalment of over £5m, due in December 2023, as well as an additional £500,000 linked to inflation adjustments, which they say was owed in August.

Tottenham say they terminated the contract in March due to these outstanding payments, and they are now pursuing at least £5.2m in compensation, along with interest and other potential costs.

The original contract reportedly included annual payments starting at £2.1m, increasing to £4.6m by the fifth year.

Mounting problems for Ineos in the sports world

Ineos has denied wrongdoing, stating that the company has met all legal obligations. A spokesperson told The Telegraph: “Ineos Automotive has been a partner of Tottenham Hotspur since 2022, expanding a relationship established with the club in 2020.”

Ratcliffe’s group also claimed it is “perfectly normal to review partnerships” and decided the agreement with Spurs was no longer suitable. Tottenham have declined to comment publicly on the matter.

This is not the only high-profile sponsorship issue facing Ineos. In April, Ineos Britannia withdrew from the America’s Cup sailing competition following reported disagreements with sailor Sir Ben Ainslie regarding team ownership.

The New Zealand rugby union side, the All Blacks, are also reported to have launched legal action against Ineos for an alleged breach of their multi-year sponsorship deal, set to run until 2027.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly unwilling to compromise on their asking price for defender Cristian Romero amid interest from Atletico Madrid.

Spurs are preparing for Thomas Frank's first season in charge after the Dane was appointed as Ange Postecoglou's successor.Â

Frank will be keen to strengthen his squad ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, but he will also be determined to retain the services of key players like Romero.

However, Spurs appear to be facing a battle to keep hold of the centre-back after Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone recently admitted he was interested in signing his compatriot.

As for Romero, he has previously conceded that he would be open to a move to La Liga at some stage of his career.Â

Spurs unwilling to budge on Romero asking price

According to The Telegraph, Spurs have made it clear they will not be bullied into selling Romero by Atletico this summer.

The report suggests they will demand in excess of £60m to consider parting ways with the 2022 World Cup winner.

Tottenham will not entertain a cut-price fee and have their doubts about Atletico's ability to meet their valuation for the Argentine.Â

The North London club are under no immediate pressure to part ways with Romero, who still has two years left to run on his current contract.

Romero's importance to Spurs

Tottenham will be aware that it would be a significant sum to find a suitable replacement for a player of Romero's calibre, which is likely to be one factor behind their £60m asking price.

Ultimately, they will be keen to keep the 27-year-old at the club, especially as they need top-quality players to compete in the Champions League.

Romero is undoubtedly a key player in the Spurs squad, even though injuries restricted him to just 18 Premier League appearances.

The defender started the final six games of Tottenham's run to Europa League glory, helping the club record three clean sheets in that period.

Tottenham Hotspur academy product Damola Ajayi has signed for League One outfit Doncaster Rovers on loan for the 2025-26 season.

The 19-year-old made his first-team Lilywhites breakthrough under Ange Postecoglou last season, scoring on his debut in a 3-0 Europa League win over Elfsborg in January.

Ajayi did not make another appearance for the North London giants' senior team last season, although he was an unused substitute in the 1-0 EL final win over Manchester United.

With head coach Thomas Frank seeking to add more firepower to his attack this summer, Ajayi has dropped down two divisions in the hope of gaining more senior experience, as the 2005-born winger leaves on loan for the first time.

"I’m really pleased. This is a top club that has just had a great season and I’m ready to kick on," Ajayi told the official Doncaster Rovers website.

Ajayi leaves Spurs on loan following new contract signing

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"I feel like I can see what Rovers are trying to build and I feel like they’re heading in the right direction. It would be good to be a part of something big, with them having won the league last season."

Rovers head coach Grant McCann added: "Damola is a very exciting player that we are delighted has chosen us. He’s a player highly thought of at Spurs and can play off the sides in our front three or as an attacking 10.

"He makes good decisions has lovely balance and change of pace. Huge thanks to Spurs and the good relationship we have with them for helping us bring Damola to Doncaster Rovers."

Ajayi penned a new long-term Spurs contract in January, just a few weeks before his first match and first goal, and the teenager is tied down to the Europa League winners until the end of the 2027-28 season.

The versatile Englishman also managed three goals and one assist in 18 Under-21 Premier League games for Tottenham's youth team in 2024-25, and he is the first player to be loaned out by Spurs this summer.

How are Spurs progressing with their attacking targets?

While Ajayi will be hoping to make nets bulge in the third tier, Tottenham are still working to reinforce their offensive ranks with a creative and adaptable Premier League-proven player after turning Mathys Tel's loan move from Bayern Munich into a permanent deal.

The Lilywhites have seemingly been making a concerted effort to reunite Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo with Frank, but the Cameroonian is still understood to favour a move to Manchester United, who have now lodged a second bid after seeing a first offer rejected.

Instead, Tottenham may have better luck with Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze, as they have supposedly received encouragement in their pursuit of the England international, who has a £68m release clause in his contract.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly confident that Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze would be open to joining the club in the summer transfer window.

New Lilywhites boss Thomas Frank is on a mission to bolster his side's wide ranks, but the club appear to be falling behind in the race to sign Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo.

The Cameroon international is said to have earmarked Manchester United as his number one destination, and the Red Devils have now come forward with a second bid for the former Troyes attacker.

Even though Spurs can offer Mbeumo both Champions League football and the opportunity to continue working under Frank in the English capital, the winger appears to have been seduced by the pull of moving to Old Trafford.

There is still no guarantee that Man United will agree a fee with the Bees, but Tottenham are considering alternatives, and Eze appears to be at the top of their list in that regard.

Tottenham 'believe' Eze is open to summer transfer

Talk of the 26-year-old moving to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has gathered pace in recent weeks, and according to The Guardian, Spurs believe that Eze would be happy to link up with Frank next season.

Eze continued to go from strength to strength in the 2024-25 season, clinching an FA Cup winners' medal and coming up with 14 goals and 11 assists from 43 games across all competitions, including eight efforts and eight helpers in the Premier League.

The report adds that Tottenham and Eze's representatives share a close relationship, and the Lilywhites have internally discussed whether to make the England international Frank's first marquee signing in North London.

Eze is about to enter the final two years of his contract at Selhurst Park, and his terms are understood to include a £68m release clause, although Tottenham could try to negotiate a lower fee if it becomes clear that he will not renew his deal.

The 26-year-old has contributed a total of 40 goals and 28 assists in 167 appearances for the Eagles, who paid £15.2m to sign him from Queens Park Rangers in the summer of 2020.

Could Eze fill Son Heung-min's boots at Tottenham?

Spurs have already splashed out an eight-figure fee on one attacker this summer, signing former loanee Mathys Tel on a permanent deal from Bayern Munich in a deal worth up to £42.6m.

In Eze, however, Tottenham would be capturing a more experienced playmaker and one who has already proven himself in the Premier League, making him a natural fit to inherit Son Heung-min's throne.

The South Korean attacker is contracted to Tottenham for another year, having had an extension triggered a few months ago, but it is not clear whether a long-term renewal is a topic of discussion.

Regardless, Tottenham boss Frank is allegedly open to selling Son this summer if the right offer comes along, but fans should have complete confidence in Eze to make an immediate impact in place of their legendary skipper.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to reinforce their defensive ranks with the £5m capture of Kawasaki Frontale defender Kota Takai, according to a report.

The Lilywhites have technically already made two signings in the summer window, although those deals were simply converting Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel's loans into permanent stays.

As a result, head coach Thomas Frank is yet to bring in a proper new face since taking the reins from Ange Postecoglou, but Spurs' transfer chiefs have been working to rectify that.

According to a report from football.london, Tottenham have now struck a £5m deal to sign 2004-born defender Takai, who is expected to be a part of Frank's first-team squad in the 2025-26 season.

Kawasaki Frontale are currently in the middle of their J1 League campaign, but Takai will supposedly depart imminently in order to link up with Frank's squad in time for pre-season.

Who is soon-to-be Tottenham defender Takai?

Emerging from the Kawasaki Frontale youth system, Takai is a 6ft 3in centre-back who has already made 78 senior appearances for the Japanese club across all competitions.

The 20-year-old has registered four goals and one assist in that time, and he has won one Japanese Cup and one Japanese Super Cup during his time in his homeland.

Takai was also a stalwart of the Kawasaki starting XI that reached the final of the AFC Champions League earlier this year, playing the full 90 in a 3-2 semi-final win over Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr before a 2-0 loss to Al-Ahli in the final.

At international level, Takai made his senior debut for the Japan national team in September and has now won four caps for the Samurai Blue, prior to which he also represented his country at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Tottenham technical director Johan Lange and his team were reportedly the ones who unearthed the 20-year-old, and Frank has also given the thumbs-up to a deal for a player who is viewed as capable of taking the giant leap to Premier League football.

Frank to assess two teenage Tottenham defenders in pre-season

The report adds that as things stand, Takai is set to enjoy a debut season for Tottenham in the 2025-26 season and will not be immediately loaned out by the Lilywhites.

However, Frank will run the rule over the Japan international in pre-season, just as he will with Croatian protege Luka Vuskovic, whose arrival will soon be made official.

Tottenham announced back in 2023 that they had agreed a deal for Vuskovic to join from Hajduk Split when he turned 18 in 2025, and the goalscoring centre-back will also be given a chance to force his way into the first team this summer.

Vuskovic has impressed during two separate loan spells with Polish outfit Radomiak and Belgian side KVC Westerlo since his move to Tottenham was announced, and numerous clubs are said to be interested in another temporary deal for the teenager if he is not deemed ready for first-team football in North London.

Tottenham Hotspur have a 'mounting interest' in re-signing former defensive product Dennis Cirkin and are preparing a bid for the Sunderland man, according to a report.

The 23-year-old came through the youth system at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but never made a senior appearance for the club, who sold him to Sunderland in the summer of 2021.

Four years later, Cirkin is Premier League-bound and played a pivotal role in the Black Cats' rise to the top flight, managing three goals and two assists in the regular 2024-25 Championship season.

Cirkin also played the full 90 minutes in Sunderland's 2-1 playoff final win over Sheffield United, but his contract at the Stadium of Light expires next summer, putting the Black Cats in a tricky situation if he does not renew.

The left-back's exploits have apparently not gone unnoticed by former club Tottenham, as the Northern Echo claims that the Lilywhites are 'preparing' a bid to lure him away from the newly-promoted side this summer.

While Spurs are attracted to Cirkin's defensive and offensive qualities, they are also said to be keen on a deal due to the fact that he is a club-trained player, whom they need more of for their Champions League squad.

The Lilywhites inserted a buyback clause into Cirkin's Sunderland contract when the defender left the club in 2021, but the report adds that that option is no longer valid.

Sunderland's Cirkin stance 'revealed' amid Spurs interest

The Black Cats may not be in a position to turn down respectable bids if it becomes evident that Cirkin will not extend, but as things stand, the club are supposedly not considering that eventuality.

Sunderland transfer chiefs are reportedly determined to push through a new deal for the former England youth international at the earliest opportunity, even if Spurs' interest is complicating matters.

Regis Le Bris's side could supposedly bank a 'significant profit' by accepting Tottenham's imminent proposal, but the defender features prominently in the manager's plans for the new season.

Cirkin has scored eight goals and set up six more in 116 games for Sunderland in all competitions, and he previously represented England from Under-16 to Under-20 level.