FourFourTwo

A Tottenham striker is in talks over a record transfer.

Thomas Frank is looking to mould the Spurs squad into his vision, and has already taken steps to do that, signing Mohammed Kudus from West Ham to add to his attacking armoury.

There have not yet been any major outgoings, despite Cristian Romero being heavily linked with a move away from north London, but one may be imminent and it could come at a record cost.

Tottenham striker in record transfer talks

Frank has inherited a squad that is in need of a major overhaul, despite winning the Europa League last season.

They are hoping to add Morgan Gibbs-White to it in the not too distant future, and they could be about to fund it with a major sale.

According to Matheus Filipe in the newspaper Terra, Club World Cup quarter-finalists Palmeiras are looking to sign Richarlison for a club record fee.

Club president Leila Pereira is said to be leading the negotiations, and according to the report has been in contact with Richarlison for the last two weeks.

Tottenham are said to be demanding a fee of £55 million, something the Brazilians believe they can get near following their recent prize money from the Club World Cup. It would smash the €25 million they spent on Vitor Roque in January.

Fluminense and Flamengo are said to be monitoring the situation of the 28-year-old who still has two years in his contract in north London. He is valued at just €20 million by Transfermarkt.

Part of the pitch to Richarlison is a high level of exposure to a domestic audience ahead of the World Cup next year, with a prominent place in the squad.

He managed just five goals in all competitions last season, and it may be the time to return back to Brazil after a tough spell at Tottenham where he has failed to nail down a starting space.

Morgan Gibbs-White is set to leave Nottingham Forest for an altogether different challenge.

Tottenham Hotspur are expected to sign the former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder, who made his England debut last year during an outstanding season in the Premier League.

Spurs met a hitherto unreported release clause of £60 million and, from that point on, Gibbs-White leaving the City Ground for the capital appeared to be a formality.

A well-trodden but treacherous road

It was reported on Friday that Forest were considering legal action over what they deemed an illegal approach from Spurs for Gibbs-White, but it seems unlikely to do anything but delay a move that, suddenly, feels inevitable.

Leaving aside the wisdom or otherwise of Forest limiting themselves to a relatively meagre profit on an exceptional player while the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules are so prominent a factor in the way clubs operate, it’s a transfer that’s not without its pitfalls for Spurs and the player.

For Spurs, it’s a financial risk. A £60 million fee and several years of wages can’t be taken lightly and there are no sure things in football. It’s a risk worth taking for a player of Gibbs-White’s ability, however, and there’s every chance they’d recoup a good chunk of their outlay even if it didn’t work out as planned.

But it’s a gamble for the 25-year-old, too. There’s an obvious logic built into the transfer market and a Champions League club making an offer for a competitive sportsperson who backs himself is almost always going to lead to a move.

Spurs finished in the lower reaches of the Premier League in their second season under manager Ange Postecoglou but are embracing their return to Europe’s top club competition and backing new boss Thomas Frank to the hilt.

With Mathys Tel’s loan converted to a permanent switch and a fee reported to be in the region of £55 million already spent on Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United, Gibbs-White is heading for north London at an exciting time.

Like Kudus, he will believe that he’s going to slot right in and be everything to Spurs that he was to Forest.

He definitely can. He probably will. But many highly rated young English players before him have taken their career-defining step up and found themselves stuck.

Home-grown player requirements are just one of the reasons behind Premier League clubs’ willingness to fork out mega money for English players.

Proven top-flight experience carries a premium and the ability to catch the eye at over-performing clubs is catnip to the drifting giants they displace.

Gibbs-White is the latest in a long line of upwardly mobile English players tempted to test themselves but he doesn’t have to look back as far as Steve Sidwell or Scott Parker or Jack Rodwell to heed the lessons of a spotty past.

No elite footballer is likely to look at the limbo of others and truly believe it will happen to them but the situations faced this summer by Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish serve as a harsh warning to players of Gibbs-White’s impressive ilk that the grass they know is sometimes greener.

Sancho is one of the five players openly cast out by Manchester United, unloved and unwanted and unsold thus far, and his career is in a stall until he finds the right move away from Old Trafford.

Grealish has won the Premier League three times as well as a treble since moving from Aston Villa to Manchester City and his transfer can hardly be described as a failure, but he too is on the outs with his club.

City don’t want him and his wage demands, inflated by his last move, must be slamming doors in his face left, right and centre this summer. Only he can say whether it was all worth it.

The intangible dynamic that confident players can’t afford to obsess over is that sometimes a club, a situation, is just the right fit. Ambition generally takes precedence but there’s no accounting for the performance potential of comfort.

Sancho suited Borussia Dortmund. Grealish suited Villa. Their clubs suited them too and not even a colossal transfer fee and the best laid recruitment plans of wealthy clubs can guarantee the same.

Gibbs-White’s unspoken hope will be that his perfect fit is the club he’s moving to, not the one he’s leaving.

Forest put themselves in a situation where they had no say over Gibbs-White’s departure but the player, if he takes the widely expected next step, will be issuing a vote of confidence in himself, in Frank, and in Spurs to be his perfect fit.

In FourFourTwo’s opinion, Gibbs-White has all the attributes to become an essential player for Frank’s new-look Spurs and avoid the pitfalls that some English players before him have encountered.

The word ‘journeyman’ in football is usually associated with middling players, who were never able to cement themselves at one particular club, forcing them to live out a nomadic career.

Christian Vieri is the exception that proves the rule, as the former Italy forward would move clubs 14 times after coming up through the ranks with Torino, but cannot be described as ‘middling’.

His 1999 move from Lazio to Inter Milan was for a world record £32million fee, while his total transfer fees during his 18-year career came in just shy of £100million. The majority of this career was spent in Italy, with short stints in La Liga and Ligue 1, but the cricket-loving, Australian-raised star never made it to the Premier League.

Christian Vieri on his England near-misses

Vieri’s physique, power and technique meant he had all the attributes to succeed in the Premier League, and the 51-year-old admits he did have offers.

“Yeah, I was close to Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea,” he tells FourFourTwo. “When Spurs were showing interest, I also had the option to go to Monaco and I decided to go there.

“Two years before, I could’ve gone to Chelsea, I think when Sven-Goran Eriksson was possibly going there. A guy called to ask me if I wanted to join Chelsea, but I said no. I wanted to stay at Inter at the time.”

Vieri’s first nine seasons as a professional were spent at nine different clubs, before he arrived at Inter Milan in 1999, where he spent six seasons. He now admits that if he had been a one-club man, he would have wanted it to have been there.

“Inter. I really enjoyed it there,” Vieri continues. “I loved playing with Ronaldo and playing for the fans in that stadium. I stayed there for six years, and they became my club.

“When I can, I go to see them in Milan. I remember days when 10,000 people were there just to watch training.

“But the fact that I spent the first years of my career at several different clubs was a coincidence. If I liked the proposal of a club, I went. As a footballer, you play for 15 to 20 years and you have to make the best decisions for yourself.

“It’s a job, so I went where I felt I could do a good job. That was my motivation. I had a lot of good times – it’s an amazing life as a professional footballer.”

Nottingham Forest have placed Morgan Gibbs-White’s move to Tottenham Hotspur on hold.

It was reported on Thursday evening by the Telegraph’s Mike McGrath that the England international was heading to north London for a medical after Spurs triggered his release clause.

But what seemed like a done deal now appears to be in jeopardy.

Nottingham Forest halt Gibbs-White move to launch Spurs complaint

It was revealed by McGrath that Spurs had triggered Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause, an element of his contract that had previously not been public knowledge.

That intricacy appears to form the basis of Forest’s argument.

It was reported by Sky Sports News the following day that Forest consider the move off for now as they take on legal advice about potential action against Spurs, cutting off all communication with their fellow Premier League side.

Per the Sky Sports News report, Forest claim that the north London side approached Gibbs-White without their permission, with suspicions raised by Spurs pitching their bid at exactly the same level as the previously under-wraps release clause.

It now remains to be seen whether Forest can block the transfer, but it is not expected to be as swift as once thought, with a complaints procedure now to follow.

Neither club commented on the development when contacted by Sky Sports News.

In FourFourTwo’s opinion, regardless of whether Forest’s claim is upheld or not, they may have been better served by banking the money and continuing their summer business.

Even in a scenario where their complaint is upheld, if this does call the move off they will surely only have the benefit of a heavily disgruntled player in their ranks.

If Forest are unsuccessful this will feel like a time-wasting distraction at a moment when key figures at the club could have been out procuring their Gibbs-White replacement. It feels like lose-lose territory for the East Midlands club.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly in talks to sign a star who won promotion to the Premier League last season.

Spurs are looking to bolster their squad after a difficult season that saw them finish just one place above the relegation zone.

They have already landed permanent deals for defenders Kota Takai, Luka Vuskovic and Kevin Danso, but feel there’s still room in their rearguard ranks.

Tottenham Hotspur in second attempt to land promoted star

Spurs are keen watchers of the league below, having landed the likes of Archie Gray and Djed Spence in recent years based on their performances in the Championship.

There has been a change in the dugout, with Thomas Frank replacing Ange Postecoglou, but their admiration of talent displayed in the second tier has not altered.

According to French outlet L’Equipe, Spurs are attempting to sign Burnley defender Maxime Esteve.

It’s the north London club’s second attempt at signing the France youth international, with L’Equipe also revealing that they offered around €24m for the player in the winter window.

Burnley rejected that offer and went on to win promotion to the Premier League, with Esteve, along with CJ Egan-Riley and goalkeeper James Trafford, the primary cast credited with the Claret’s incredible defensive record last term, conceding just 16 goals in 46 games.

The same report claims Burnley demanded €35m in the winter, but with promotion complete and Spurs able to offer Champions League football, Scott Parker’s side may struggle to stand too defiantly in Esteve’s way.

In FourFourTwo’s opinion, Esteve is clearly highly rated by the powerbrokers at Spurs, on account of the repeated attempts to sign him.

However, Spurs are already very well stocked in central defence, so his competition for minutes will not be easy.

That could be the only bargaining chip left in Parker’s arsenal; he’s already lost Egan-Riley to Marseille, and Trafford is being linked away, so holding Esteve could prove vital for the Clarets’ survival.

New Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has an almighty challenge on his hands in North London.

Despite winning the Europa League and therefore qualifying for the Champions League, the club experienced their worst Premier League finish this century, finishing 17th, 13 points above the drop.

Frank will be hoping to mould some of the squad into his own vision, which could see several outgoings occur in order to make way for his preferred players at Tottenham.

Price for Yves Bissouma's Tottenham Hotspur exit revealed, as side plot a move

Interest in several players has already been logged with captain Heung-min Son's future uncertain, as well as that of vice-captain Cristian Romero.

The latest player to be linked with a move away from north London is Yves Bissouma, who was an important member in Ange Postecoglou's team in the past two years.

According to Tuttomercato, Juventus are interested in his signature. The 28-year-old has just a year remaining on his current deal, and Spurs' asking price is reportedly between €20-30 million.

He started 16 Premier League games last season, making 12 appearances from the bench, scoring two goals.

Bissouma started the Europa League final as Tottenham beat Manchester United 1-0 to end their 17-year trophy drought.

Juventus' dream signing is Sandro Tonali, and they also hold an interest in Davide Fratessi from Inter Milan and Ederson from Atalanta, but all remain complicated deals so they have looked elsewhere.

In FourFourTwo's view, for Tottenham the deal may come at the perfect time. Losing Bissouma for a fee this summer is preferable to losing him for nothing next summer, allowing them to boost the funds available for new manager Frank.

For Bissouma, more guaranteed minutes may tempt him to leave England after seven years.

Tottenham are reported to have been given the 'go-ahead' to sign Conor Gallagher.

The former Chelsea midfielder made 50 appearances for Diego Simeone's side last season but links regarding an instant return back to the Premier League have already resurfaced.

Gallagher still has four years left on his current deal in the Spanish capital, but Thomas Frank is said to be preparing a mammoth proposal in order to secure his services for next season.

Former Chelsea man Conor Gallagher tipped for Premier League return - to Tottenham Hotspur

In an unlikely turn of events, Gallagher's rumoured move back to England would somewhat make sense given how poor Tottenham's midfielders performed across the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

Fichajes says Spurs would be happy to do business should Cristian Romero or Rodrigo Bentancur like to head in the opposite direction. Described as a 'pitbull' in midfield, the Three Lions international is a dogged-like enforcer who wins the ball back at an extremely high volume.

Recording 3.31 ball recoveries per 90 across all competitions last season, the 26-year-old is keen to keep a place in Thomas Tuchel's plans ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup and playing regular football would be a huge benefactor in any move.

"I’ll always work as hard as possible to get more playing time and more opportunities with England," said Gallagher in an interview with The FA back in November.

"But I have to say, I’m very happy with the opportunities I’ve been given by Gareth Southgate down the years. Of course, I want to push on, to improve and try and get more minutes. It’s no different now it’s another manager but it’s still the same focus and challenge."

A fee of £36m has been suggested as the required price Spurs may have to pay, but Transfermarkt values Gallagher at only €40m (£34.5m), so perhaps there is some wiggle room for the Lilywhites to work within.

In FourFourTwo's view, with a contract until 2029, we can't see Gallagher going anywhere anytime soon, so it would have to take a healthy proposition for them to lure the former Chelsea man to north London.

It is nice to see Spurs being linked with such a player, but given his performances in Spain last season, we can't see Atletico Madrid wanting to get rid of their 'pitbull' in a hurry.

Tottenham could be about to launch a devious transfer plan to may scupper Arsenal's hopes of signing Benjamin Sesko.

The Gunners are known to be long-term admirers of the 22-year-old forward, who is valued by the Bundesliga outfit at £70 million this summer. Arsenal chief Andrea Berta is said to be leading the case to sign Sesko.

But with Spurs also wishing to bolster their ranks under Thomas Frank in the next few weeks, a target has been identified at RB Leipzig, with the Lilywhites rumoured to be pushing ahead with their interest.

Tottenham have their sights firmly set on RB Leipzig star

Under Ange Postecoglou, Spurs broke their long-awaited trophy hoodoo by winning the Europa League in May, but that didn't stop the former Celtic boss from getting the boot just a few weeks later.

One thing Postecoglou constantly berated the Tottenham board for was January signings, with injured players dominating the conversations he held with Daniel Levy. The likes of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven enjoyed long spells on the sidelines last season, and it appears new manager Frank is keen to tighten up his backline to avoid a repeat scenario next season.

With RB Leipzig set to be without Champions League football, after finishing 7th last season, many clubs have begun to enquire about various stars within their ranks, none more so than with Sesko.

But FootMercato say defender Castello Lukeba could be on the move too, with Tottenham, Liverpool and Bayern Munich all keen on the France Under-21 international. Lukeba, who broke through at Lyon, has become one of the best young central defenders in Europe, and at only 22, presents value in the market.

The report says Lukeba is open to leaving the club, and does have a release clause set at €90m (£77.6m). Under contract until 2029, the German side are set to demand a sizeable fee for his services, but that could mean Arsenal may have trouble getting a deal for Sesko over the line.

Keeping him may now be seen as more of a priority given the haggling over his price, and with Lukeba keeping their funds afloat, it may now result in the Serbian staying at the club. In FourFourTwo's view, we think Sesko is likely to leave before the window closes.

"I'm always hungry to improve and play at the highest level," he said after France's Under-21 European Championship exit recently. "I know that requires strong performances at club level."

A key indicator or not, Lukeba will be desperate to impress France national team boss Didier Deschamps with the World Cup next summer approaching. That may mean a move could soon be on the cards.

New Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank is hoping to waste no time in bolstering the squad he inherited.

Winning the Europa League and breaking their 17-year trophy drought wasn't enough to cover for the fact that Spurs had finished 17th in the Premier League, their lowest position this century.

Evidently, there is quality in the squad, but the former Brentford boss will want to add some of his own vision to the existing squad of players.

Tottenham may break 'unofficial transfer embargo' to make record signing

The transfer being lined-up would certainly make a statement, as it would likely break Tottenham's current record transfer.

Richarlison's £60 million transfer currently stands as their record incoming, but Frank and co are willing to smash that ahead of the new season.

In the know transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed a report from The Telegraph that states Tottenham are preparing a move for Mohammed Kudus, 24, of West Ham.

The Ghanaian has a £85 million release clause in his contract, £20 million more than they paid for Solanke, but The Telegraph believe West Ham would be willing to do a deal at a cheaper rate in order to finance a summer rebuild under Graham Potter.

If Kudus was to move, and the indication is he is 'open' to talks, it would represent the end of an 'unofficial transfer embargo' between Tottenham and West Ham. Scott Parker was the last player to make the direct switch in 2011, and when Emmanuel Adebayor was blocked from leaving Spurs for West Ham four years later it spelled the end of their business for the last decade.

Kudus, who is valued at €45 million by Transfermarkt, may walk straight into the starting XI at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with club captain Heung-min Son being continuously linked with a move away this summer.

In FourFourTwo's opinion, it would represent a statement from Tottenham, should they shell out a significant fee for Kudus' signature.

He is extremely versatile, Transfermarkt have listed him as playing every position in the middle and final third of the pitch, bar defensive-midfield, and he consistently performs at a high level.

While Spurs do boast some high quality attacking talent, their depth is a worry, as was highlighted last season with their injury crisis, so adding quality from around the league will be invaluable.

Tottenham look like losing Cristian Romero to Atletico Madrid, with a deal said to be close.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone has stated his desire to add the Argentinian defender to his ranks and a move appears to be edging closer.

Romero has spent four years in north London and has earned plenty of plaudits for his aggressive defensive style, seen as a perfect fit at Simeone's team.

It was reported in June that Simeone was calling Romero every day to try and convince him to leave Tottenham by journalist Ruben Uria reporting for El Desmarque – and now it looks as if the club are going to follow through on their interest.

AS, via Sports Witness, are suggesting that it is a crucial week for the move as they 'intensify contacts' with the World Cup winner.

Argentine outlet DS Sports go one further and suggest the defender is 'one step away' from leaving Tottenham, but the English clubs stance remains firm. They are willing to let him leave but want to be compensated first, and that would require a fee in the region of €70 million.

Fichajes are suggesting the Spanish side are willing to match that, however the deal will be a €55 million fixed fee with performance related add ons up to €15 million, both related to the player and the club.

Transfermarkt value Romero at €50 million.

The Fichajes report states that Romero's close circle are not opposed to change and the fact that Rodrigo De Paul and Julian Alvarez both already play for the club is an appealing prospect.

In FourFourTwo's opinion, its a big loss for Tottenham and Thomas Frank, but perhaps gives both a chance to start from scratch. Micky van de Ven looks set to stay, and with the money brought in by the Romero sale, Tottenham should be able to find an adequate replacement.

For Romero, joining Atletico probably represents more stability. They are likely to play in the Champions League every year, and Simeone doesn't look likely to leave anytime soon.

They are often considered outsiders for the La Liga title, but strengthening with Romero may help them close the gap between themselves, Real Madrid and Barcelona.