Sports Mole

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.

Manchester United have followed Tottenham Hotspur's lead by cooling their interest in Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo, according to a report.

The 2024-25 Europa League finalists are believed to be the two clubs showing the greatest desire to sign the 25-year-old, who came up with 13 goals and seven assists in 42 matches in 2024-25.

Semenyo was supposedly the subject of a recent enquiry from Tottenham, although the Lilywhites did not take their interest any further due to his £70m price tag.

Semenyo's deal at the Vitality Stadium has another four seasons left to run, meaning that Bournemouth have no need to sell on the cheap this summer, but they are seemingly pricing him out of a marquee move.

Indeed, The Athletic reports that the Cherries' £70m demands have also put off Man United, who are not expected to formalise their interest in the Ghana international at his current price.

Man United 'take step back' in Semenyo transfer chase

Semenyo himself is thought to be prioritising a move to Tottenham over Man United, as the North London giants can offer him the chance to play in the Champions League thanks to their EL success over Ruben Amorim's men.

However, unless Bournemouth reduce their asking price in the coming weeks, the 25-year-old is set to remain at the Vitality Stadium, where he has plied his trade since midway through the 2022-23 season.

Semenyo has contributed 22 goals and 10 assists in 89 matches for the Cherries since his arrival two-and-a-half years ago, but he is not the only Premier League winger on Man United's radar.

The Red Devils are still believed to be optimistic of a deal for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo, whom they have reportedly made a fresh bid for after failing with a first offer worth up to £55m.

What is the latest with Man United's attacking exits?

Man United may not be so against shelling out £70m on Semenyo if they can negotiate a handful of attacking exits in the coming weeks, as no fewer than four wide men are likely to head elsewhere.

Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford are all on the chopping block, and the latter has now publicly opened the door to a summer move to Barcelona, albeit one that is unlikely to come off.

Meanwhile, Real Betis are said to be showing interest in signing Sancho on loan following Antony's unexpected success under Manuel Pellegrini, whom the Spanish club have backed to resurrect Sancho similarly.

Los Verdiblancos have not yet given up hope of keeping Antony either, but finances could prove to be a sticking point, so they have allegedly formulated an unusual co-ownership plan to try to strike a deal.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly giving consideration to a summer deal for former academy starlet Kyle Walker-Peters, who will be available on a free transfer in a couple of weeks' time.

The 28-year-old's contract with relegated Southampton expires at the end of the month, and he is confirmed to be departing St Mary's after five-and-a-half years of service.

Walker-Peters initially joined the Saints on loan from Spurs in January 2020 before his move was made permanent that same summer for £11.4m, and he has been a St Mary's stalwart ever since.

The versatile defender played over 200 times for the South Coast side, coming up with seven goals and 12 assists as he frequently alternated between the Premier League and Championship.

Walker-Peters is not expected to be short of suitors for a summer transfer, and according to Tottenham journalist Alasdair Gold, Spurs have shown an interest in bringing him back to North London.

Walker-Peters would 'love' Tottenham return on free transfer

"The one I do believe they have considered for this summer is Kyle Walker-Peters," Gold said on the Gold and Guest Tottenham Podcast. "On one side, the full-back spots are pretty busy right now, there are a lot of full-backs there.

"But as the window goes on, if he’s not been snapped up yet, I can see it as a clever solution, he’s club-trained, he can play on both sides, and from my understanding I think he would love to come back to Spurs as well, they’re his boyhood club."

Walker-Peters spent seven years in the Tottenham ranks between 2013 and 2020 and turned out 24 times for the senior Lilywhites team, managing one goal and five assists before heading south.

The two-cap England international could function on either side of the backline for Thomas Frank's Tottenham, who faced some uncertainty over Pedro Porro's future earlier this term.

However, thanks to their qualification for the 2025-26 Champions League, Spurs are expected to resist interest in the Spaniard, who was linked with a move back to Manchester City as Kyle Walker's successor.

First Kyle Walker-Peters, what about Kyle Walker?

One of those once-in-a-blue-moon coincidences, Walker-Peters's namesake - in both name and position - is also set to seek pastures new when the summer transfer window opens for business.

City veteran Walker is now surplus to requirements at the Etihad Stadium, although it would be a shock to see the 35-year-old taken on for a second spell at Tottenham amid his defensive decline.

A permanent move to loan outfit AC Milan is not expected to materialise for Walker, who was at one stage thought to have been of interest to Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

However. David Moyes's Everton are now believed to be leading the race to sign the Englishman, who still has a year left to run on his contract with Man City.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly enquired about Antoine Semenyo's availability, with the Bournemouth man seen as a potential Bryan Mbeumo alternative.

Following the appointment of Thomas Frank as boss, the Londoners have been linked with a number of players, including Brentford winger Mbeumo.

However, Spurs are set to face fierce competition from Manchester United for his signature, and they may have to look elsewhere for offensive reinforcements.

Tottenham have already signed Mathys Tel permanently from Bayern Munich, and he could be a key part of a Frank's summer revamp.

The Athletic claim that Bournemouth winger Semenyo could also play a key role in Spurs' future given they have made an enquiry to the Cherries, though the report adds that he could cost in the region of £70m, which is said to have deterred Tottenham from exploring the deal any further.

The future of Tottenham's attack

While Semenyo's asking price looks like it will prove prohibitively expensive, Tottenham's interest in the winger highlights the side's desire to revolutionise their attack.

Captain Son Heung-min will be 33 by the time the 2025-26 season begins, and he struggled to make much of an impact last term, leading to question marks about his future.

Tel may be earmarked as Son's successor given he prefers to operate on the left side of attack, and Spurs' reported admiration of Mbeumo and Semenyo could indicate their desire to move on from Brennan Johnson.

Johnson scored 11 goals in the Premier League in 2024-25, and though he ended the league campaign as the team's leading goalscorer, he has faced criticism for his performances since joining from Nottingham Forest in 2023.

Semenyo has played on both flanks for Bournemouth, while Mbeumo is undoubtedly at his best when positioned on the right side.

The Cherries attacker also netted 11 times in the top flight last season, but it remains to be seen if the 25-year-old would represent a significant upgrade on Frank's current wide options.

Tottenham Hotspur are reported to have entered the race to sign Manchester United target Bryan Mbeumo.

The Brentford forward enjoyed an excellent season with Brentford, scoring 20 Premier League goals, a tally only bettered by Erling Haaland (22), Alexander Isak (23) and Mohamed Salah (29).

His remarkable campaign has seen him linked with Manchester United, who were reported as being his preferred destination.

However, with Spurs having poached Brentford boss Thomas Frank and appointed him head coach, the Londoners are said to be keen on hijacking the deal.

Here, Sports Mole examines whether there could be a positive side to potentially missing out on Mbeumo.

The Bruno Fernandes problem

Should Mbeumo complete a transfer to United, he would undoubtedly bolster the club’s forward line.

His pace would be an asset to Amorim, who will not have a speedster in his squad should Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho depart as expected.

However, his arrival would almost certainly push captain Bruno Fernandes permanently into a deeper midfield role.

The 30-year-old is at his best when played as an attacking midfielder, and while he would be able to help progress play from deep, he may struggle when the Red Devils are out of possession.

Pushing Fernandes deeper into midfield may also be problematic considering the likes of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte have frequently been criticised, and they would be unlikely to make up for Fernandes's deficiencies.

Casemiro is already 33 and pairing him with Fernandes could cause Amorim’s side to experience significant defensive issues.

Though failing to sign Mbeumo would leave the club needing to sign someone with pace in attack, United’s captain would at least be able to play in his optimal position.

Funds for a striker

It should be noted that United are said to be in the market for a new number nine given the struggles of Rasmus Hojlund.

The 22-year-old scored just four goals in the Premier League last term, failing to build on his 2023-24 campaign when he netted 10 times in the top flight.

Amorim was reported to be keen on signing Liam Delap, but now that he has made the switch to Chelsea from Ipswich Town, the club will have to look for other targets.

Sporting Lisbon number nine Viktor Gyokeres and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike have been linked to Old Trafford, but both are likely to cost in excess of £60m.

Given that Amorim may be operating with a limited budget due to the club’s failure to qualify for Europe, it is not certain if they can afford to sign Mbeumo and a striker.

While it is difficult to definitively say that missing out on Mbeumo would be beneficial considering his quality, not parting ways with £60m could leave room for other reinforcements.