Tottenham have five contract decisions to make over the coming months as they plot for the years ahead in north London. Now that we are in January, players in the final six months of their contract can speak to foreign clubs about a pre-contract agreement for the 2025/26 campaign.
Son Heung-min is the standout name on the list, although Tottenham do have the security of an extra year option that would tie the South Korean down until 2026. Fellow long-serving player Ben Davies is also in a similar position at present having last signed a deal in the summer of 2022.
Sergio Reguilon, Fraser Forster and Alfie Whiteman then complete the quintet out of contract come the end of June. As important as it is that Tottenham either offer new contracts to the players or decide to part with them come the summer, Ange Postecoglou's side may want to plan a little further ahead and make decisions on those who will be in the exact same position in 2026.
In an ideal world, Spurs do not want to lose players on the cheap or possibly even lose them on free transfers. Looking at those with 18 months left to run on their current Tottenham deals, Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma and Bryan Gil are the players in question.
Gil does not appear to have a long-term future at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and he is currently playing his football for Girona in his native Spain. Just not quite happening for him in the Premier League, the talented winger is now showcasing his talent in La Liga and has impressed for Girona after registering three goals and three assists in 22 games in all competitions.
According to Spanish publication AS, Gil has done so well that his current club are 'already seriously considering' the idea of activating the €15million (£12.4million) purchase clause in their loan agreement with Tottenham. Whereas it does appear that the youngster's future looks to be in homeland of Spain unless there is a remarkable turnaround for him at Tottenham, it remains to be seen what comes next for both Bentancur and Bissouma.
Tottenham have still to find the perfect solution to the No.6 role in midfield and it may result in the club looking to address the position ahead of next season. Real Betis ace Johnny Cardoso could potentially be the incoming player as Spurs do have an option to sign the United States international in a reported two-week window in the summer for €25million (£21million).
The north London club struck the agreement with Betis as part of Giovani Lo Celso's transfer and Spurs now have to decide if they are to activate it ahead of next season. That in turn could possibly have an impact on Bissouma's future as the midfielder has yet to replicate the levels he displayed at Brighton & Hove Albion on a weekly basis in a Tottenham shirt.
Bissouma was influential in the opening few months of Postecoglou's Tottenham tenure but since then his form has been incredibly mixed. Bentancur has also struggled to get back to his best after playing a pivotal role in Tottenham's Champions League qualification three years ago.
Always going to face a challenge in recapturing his outstanding form prior to his ACL injury, the ex-Juventus man has been in and out of the team at times this season with his seven-match domestic ban certainly not helping his cause. However, he has contributed some big displays in the heart of midfield and given fans a glimpse of the levels he produced prior to the long-term injury he suffered at Leicester City almost two years ago.
Postecoglou has praised his player on a number of occasions this season, including in November when he revealed that Bentancur is one of the players "whose football has gone up a level". Such a pivotal player for Tottenham when at the peak of his powers, the club may want to ensure that the 27-year-old remains in the capital for the foreseeable future.
As important as it is that Tottenham decide on those out of contract in 2025, it is also vital that they plan ahead when it comes to those who will be in the same boat 12 months down the line.
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