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Mason Melia may not have been the name on the radar for football fans this transfer deadline day, but his £1.6m signing for Tottenham on Tuesday has definitely got people talking.

Though an unknown in England, the fee that Spurs will pay to sign the teenager from St Patrick's Athletic is already a record for a League of Ireland player, and could even rise to £3.2m in add-ons.

After making his debut as a 15-year-old, Melia has featured more than 50 times in senior football in the Republic of Ireland and scored 10 goals already, courting interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs with the north London giants getting the deal over the line.

Fans will have to wait until January 2026 to see the 17-year-old in their jersey, but his talent in Ireland is already widely known and footballing pedigree runs in the family.

His father Martin was a renowned footballer locally in their native Wicklow while former Republic of Ireland international Clive Clarke, who played more than 200 league games for Stoke City, is his uncle and agent.

Melia, the next footballer to come from the family's production line, caught the eye of coaches and scouts from a young age, scoring "four of five goals" per game growing up in Wicklow.

"I saw at an early age that Mason would go straight to the top through his sheer love of football," Hughie Nolan, one of his first coaches at Newtown Juniors who also worked with Clarke and Melia senior, told BBC Sport.

"I knew he would be good, people always talk about the next Roy Keane or Robbie Keane and usually I don't see it, but I knew he would be good - but maybe not this good.

"Every time he has stepped up a level, he has taken it in his stride and nothing has fazed him."

The deal that takes Melia to the Premier League is a record transfer for a player leaving the Ireland of Ireland, but it's not only his current club St Pat's that will benefit from the potential multi-million pound deal.

Second-tier Bray Wanderers, for whom he played between Under-12s and Under-14s level, will receive 5% of the transfer fee - worth £80,000 - and St Joseph's, who had him for a single season, will receive 2% of the fee worth £32,000.

"This fee sets the standard for Irish players now," his former coach at Wanderers Conor Canavan explained.

"The industry in Ireland still needs to develop and is in its infancy. This little injection, whatever the percentage, will be huge for us."

On Melia the footballer, Canavan remembers his arrival at the club just after the Covid pandemic looking "sharper than ever" and that "defenders couldn't cope with him" despite his tender age of 13.

"Around the box, he is just a natural finisher, and any type of finish was really good. There was one game against UCD where he scored a hat-trick in the first half and the goals were all quite different," Canavan told BBC Sport.

"When he made his debut for St Pat's, he put senior centre-backs under serious pressure while only 15 years old. His energy levels are unbelievable and his work off the ball was nearly better than what he did on the ball."

The Wicklow native's arrival in senior football with south Dublin side St Pat's attracted early attention from clubs across Europe.

After helping his side win the FAI Cup in 2023, he featured in Champions League qualifiers last summer as well as being named Young Footballer of the Year in Ireland - the youngest ever recipient of that award at 17.

Sources with knowledge of the negotiations explained to BBC Sport that Everton were in pole position to sign Melia for many months, but the slow pace of the discussions and rival interest saw costs rise.

Interest in the 6'2" striker grew and those factors allowed St Pat's to gradually increase his price tag, while Everton, undergoing an ownership change and battling relegation, are said to have switched focus elsewhere.

Competition for his signature saw Chelsea, Manchester City, Celtic, Genk, Bologna and Eintracht Frankfurt all battle with Spurs to seal the deal.

German side Frankfurt even offered Melia a chance to replace Omar Marmoush in January as he left for Manchester City, taking advantage of EU regulations which allow players from the Republic of Ireland to move before their 18th birthday.

However, it was a conversation with Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou and a chance to play in the Premier League - like his uncle and agent Clive Clarke - that saw Melia choose North London.

Unfortunately, the one Irish club in Melia's journey that won't benefit are his first and local club Newtown Juniors.

"He was with us for six years so I never can understand why smaller clubs are not recognised - the system needs to be looked at," Nolan explained to BBC Sport

"I am happy for Mason and his family, they deserve the success. I've seen the work they've put in, his mother has been on the road day and night driving between Wicklow and both Bray and Dublin, they all deserve it."

Melia now focuses on pre-season ahead of the 2025 season in the League of Ireland before joining Spurs on a five-year deal from 1 January 2026.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has denied reports that Mathys Tel initially rejected the club before his deadline day move to north London.

Last week, reports emerged that the 19-year-old forward refused to move to Spurs even after meeting chairman Daniel Levy in Germany.

But Tel was pictured flying to London on Monday before completing a transfer deadline-day move from Bayern Munich, joining initially on loan but with Spurs holding a £47.5m option to buy in the summer.

When asked about whether Tel rejected Spurs, Postecoglou said: "I think people need to understand that you are talking about a 19-year-old who has to make a major decision for his career and it's not that he rejected us or rejected anyone else.

"I think he just wanted to be comfortable with his decision. I don't think he wanted to be pushed in a certain direction and it's credit to him.

"I had a conversation with him and it was purely around the football and I think he'll find a really good place for him here."

Postecoglou has previously said he only wants to sign players committed to the club's project, despite them currently sitting 14th in the Premier League table.

When asked if he felt Tel was committed to Spurs, Postecoglou said: "Yes, 100%. I am more than 100% sure because he took so much time, was so diligent about finding out everything. He had other options so it gave me more confidence that we are getting the right kind of mentality, the right kind of player.

"He is very ambitious. He has a great self-belief and confidence. He feels he can reach the top of the game and he has chosen us which is great vindication of what we are doing."

Tel could make his debut as Spurs defend a 1-0 lead against Liverpool at Anfield on Thursday night in the second leg of the Carabao Cup.

Postecoglou confirmed Tel and new defensive signing Kevin Danso will be available but key defensive duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero remain out.

Liverpool and Tottenham go head to head on Thursday in their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg - with both managers aiming for a first final in English football.

Spurs - who last won a trophy 17 years ago with a League Cup triumph - edged the first leg 1-0 at home four weeks ago through Lucas Bergvall's late strike.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is under pressure, with his injury-hit club in the bottom half of the Premier League.

Holders Liverpool, on the other hand, are flying under manager Arne Slot, sitting six points clear at the top of the table and cruising through to the Champions League last 16.

There will be full commentary of the game on BBC Radio 5 Live, with build-up starting from 19:00 GMT.

The winner of this tie face Newcastle or Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday, 16 March.

Liverpool manager Slot says right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the game.

The England international was substituted after 70 minutes in the Premier League win at Bournemouth on Saturday with what appeared to be a thigh injury.

The Reds' next game is against Championship side Plymouth in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

"We have to see whether he is able to play on Sunday, but what we do know is that he is not available for tomorrow," said Slot.

"He left the pitch with a bit of pain in his leg but he's already on the [training] pitch, not with the team but with the rehab coach, so let's see how long it is going to take."

Conor Bradley, who replaced Alexander-Arnold against Bournemouth, started the first leg at Tottenham on 8 January and looks set to do the same for the return tie.

Joe Gomez is also an option following his return from a hamstring injury.

Tottenham have two new loan signings available to make their potential debuts - Lens centre-back Kevin Danso and Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel.

"In terms of availability from last week, everyone is fine and got through OK - so no issues there," said boss Postecoglou.

"Kevin and Mathys are both available. They have trained and are cleared to play so they are all good."

Postecoglou added Danso will definitely play in the game - whether from the start or from the bench - due to the club's defensive problems.

Radu Dragusin's season is over with a knee injury, with Micky van de Ven still finding fitness after an injury and Cristian Romero having not played since December.

"With Micky and Romero to a certain extent, I feel we have to be a bit more conservative with them," added Postecoglou.

"Micky got through the [Europa League] game alright but I don't think he feels ready for that step up to the Premier League, the intensity of it. Same with Romero.

"I made the decision that I don't want to risk losing these guys."

Tottenham come into the game on the back of wins over Elfsborg and Brentford, having only won three of the previous 10 games.

And they are bidding to win their first trophy since the 2008 League Cup when they beat Chelsea 2-1. That is their only silverware since Daniel Levy took over the club in 2001.

"It is a big occasion for us, the club and the fans," said Postecoglou. "I don't think Liverpool will be any less anxious than us for the fixture of a semi-final, a second leg. It is tight and a big game for both clubs.

"You recognise that, embrace that, but ultimately if you want to be successful then these are the games you want to be involved in.

"There is no point in having trepidation about it because the alternative is you will be watching two other teams on the TV and you would be sitting on the couch wishing you were there. We are going to be there and we've got a chance and we will go for it."

Australian Postecoglou pointed out in September "I always win things in my second year" at a club.

He did so with South Melbourne, Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F Marinos, the Australia national team and Celtic.

The only times he failed to win a trophy were with teams he did not stay for two years at - Panachaiki, Whittlesea Zebras and Melbourne Victory.

BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella said: "Back-to-back wins and clean sheets over Elfsborg and Brentford have eased the pressure generally on Ange Postecoglou.

"But Spurs remain 14th in the Premier League table and success in the cup competitions has helped keep a frustrated atmosphere among supporters from getting any worse.

"That fan anger is more directed at the ownership and chairman Daniel Levy than the manager - as they have won just one trophy in his 24 years.

"Chants of 'Levy out' have continued despite back-to-back wins and the only way to satisfy supporters is to finally win a trophy.

"That's why, although navigating a trip to Anfield is not easy for any club, there remains pressure on this match for all involved and in this project built around Postecoglou's attacking style of football."

Liverpool's first season since Jurgen Klopp left and former Feyenoord boss Slot took over could not have gone much better.

The Reds are still in the running for all four trophies - and have only lost three times in this campaign, including the first leg of this tie.

This would be seen as the least important of those four trophies - although it was the only one the Reds managed to pick up last season.

Slot admitted they would have had a benefit if the second leg had been played the following week instead of 30 days later.

"Not that it matters a lot, but if you play one week later you face exactly the same team and with all the injuries Tottenham had last time it would have been a bit more in our advantage - although we lost against the ones that were fit that time," he added.

"If you reach the semi-final against Tottenham you know it is going to be a difficult one - but I think we will be better than the last time."

Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin is set to miss the rest of the season after injuring the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

The 23-year-old suffered the injury during Tottenham's defeat of Elfsborg in the Europa League last week and has to have surgery.

He is expected to be out for at least six months and some ACL injuries can keep players out of action for up to a year.

Tottenham said Dragusin "will be assessed by our medical team to determine when he can return to training".

Dragusin started 21 of Tottenham's past 23 games.

Mathys Tel has been one of the most talked-about names of the transfer window.

The 19-year-old France under-21 forward has been linked with various clubs but, despite reportedly turning them down initially, has now joined Tottenham with the London club having the option to make the move permanent in the summer for £50m.

Manchester United and Chelsea showed an interest in him earlier this window, while Arsenal have also been linked with him this month.

Tel was described by then Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic as "one of the biggest talents in Europe" when the Bundesliga giants signed him from Rennes for around £23m in 2022.

But, two-and-a-half seasons on, and with just nine Bayern starts to his name, he has yet to fulfill that potential.

Tel joins a Spurs side who go into Thursday's League Cup semi-final second leg at Anfield with a 1-0 lead, still in the Europa League and FA Cup, but under pressure in the Premier League, sitting 14th.

What Tottenham fans can expect is an energetic and sometimes wild attacking player, who is great at tricking defenders with some real moments of skill.

His first touch is among his greatest strengths, while his decision-making and defensive awareness leave room for improvement.

He can create magic with the ball at his feet but he can also be out of position at inopportune moments.

If Tottenham decide to use him as a winger, they might field him mostly on the left side, as the right-footed Tel can drive into the middle of the field from there.

He is also keen on sprinting down the wing, but his ball control at a high tempo might not be crisp enough to avoid turnovers against talented full-backs.

Postecoglou could be tempted to try Tel as a striker but he would need a sturdier targetman alongside him, so he can pick up rebounds and occupy spaces that open up while his partner keeps the centre-backs busy.

It is still hard to tell how high Tel's ceiling really is.

When he played regularly last season, his performances were inconsistent, though that was not surprising given his tender age and limited experience at the highest level.

Considering the finances that have been discussed in recent days, Tel still has it all to prove.

Tottenham's technical director Johan Lange travelled to Munich to watch Tel play 62 minutes for Bayern in their Champions League game against Slovan Bratislava last Wednesday.

On Friday, it was reported Tel had rejected a move to Spurs after Bayern Munich and Tottenham agreed a £50m transfer. He was left out of the squad for the Bundesliga game against Holstein Kiel on Saturday due to the ongoing rumours.

As early negotiations between Bayern and Manchester United then broke down and, following a conversation between Tel and Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, the teenager decided he wanted to join Spurs.

In his first Bundesliga season, he was eased into senior football, registering five goals from one start and 21 substitute appearances.

He then caught fire at the start of his second season, scoring three goals and recording an assist in his first five Bundesliga games - all off the bench.

But, he still struggled to break into Bayern's star-studded starting XI. He only made six starts, the first not until March 2024, and three of them coming in the final three games of the campaign with Bayern's title defence already over.

This season he has made just two Bundesliga starts and has been left as an unused substitute on nine occasions. He has yet to score in a competitive game this campaign.

Just last week, Bayern's hierarchy were praising Tel for his potential.

"Mathys is an unbelievably sought-after player. That's why the transfer [from Rennes] was the right decision for Bayern," Max Eberl, the club's director of sport, said last Friday.

For quite some time neither Bayern nor Tel were willing to part ways, hoping the Frenchman would be able to break through at the club he joined with great hopes from Rennes in 2022.

However, his playing time was declining following the managerial change from Thomas Tuchel to Vincent Kompany during the summer.

Eberl said in the summer that Tel would feature more this campaign, but he has found himself in the role of a bit player. Kompany never delivered a clear-cut explanation for Tel's limited role.

"It is just the case that there is always competition at Bayern," Kompany said in December. "There are top players for every position. [Tel] actually does a very, very good job. This is a player we all love."

One issue for the undoubtedly-talented Frenchman has been the fact that he is generally viewed as a winger.

Bayern possess several top-level wingers with international experience in Michael Olise, Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane, and Serge Gnabry, making it difficult for Tel to claim a place in Kompany's line-up.

At the same time, Tel has been rarely considered for the striker position, despite making a few brief appearances in that role.

Even when Harry Kane went down with a thigh injury in the German "Klassiker" between Bayern and Dortmund in late November, Tel did not fill the vacant striker role. Instead, Kompany used veteran Thomas Muller or even Jamal Musiala, a traditional number 10, up front.

While his playing time was alarmingly low until December, Tel remained determined to stay at Bayern despite growing interest from Premier League clubs and the German club were reluctant to sell.

But, after a late change of mind from both parties, Tel will now hope he gets more regular football in the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal to sign France Under-21s forward Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich.

The structure of the transfer is yet to be confirmed - and it is unclear if it will be a permanent or loan deal.

The 19-year-old reportedly rejected Spurs earlier this month but is now expected to move to north London.

A picture was posted by his agent Gadiri Camara on Monday appearing to show them both on board a private jet.

Tottenham beat Brentford 2-0 on Sunday at Gtech Community Stadium for their first league win in eight Premier League matches.

Ange Postecoglou's side sit 14th in the table but are in the last 16 of the Europa League and the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

On Thursday, Tottenham play the second leg of their semi-final at Liverpool after Spurs won the first leg 1-0.

If the Tel deal is completed, it would be the club's second in two days after they announced the signing of Austria defender Kevin Danso on loan from Ligue 1 club Lens on Sunday.

Tel had been linked with a move to Manchester United, but European football expert Julien Laurens said Postecoglou urged the striker to opt for Spurs instead.

"Ange Postecoglou spoke with Mathys Tel at length earlier today and convinced him to come to Tottenham," said Laurens.

"Huge role played by the Spurs manager to get one of the most coveted youngsters in Europe."

Crystal Palace have rejected a bid from Tottenham for defender Marc Guehi thought to be about £70m.

The England international, who attracted interest from Newcastle in the summer, has 18 months left on his contract with Palace.

He has made 23 appearances and scored three goals in the Premier League this season as Palace find themselves 12th - three points above Tottenham in 14th.

Spurs are not expected to increase their bid for the 24-year-old in this window.

Palace turned down four bids from Newcastle for Guehi in the summer, with the final offer worth up to £65m.

Chelsea are also understood to have Guehi on a list of defensive targets, despite selling him to Palace for £18m in 2021.

Palace have just three fit centre-backs after Trevoh Chalobah was recalled from his loan spell by Chelsea and Chadi Riad sustained a long-term knee injury.

The club looked into signing Portugal's Tiago Djalo, but they needed Juventus to recall the 24-year-old from his loan spell at Porto before he could join the Eagles.

Meanwhile, injury-hit Spurs are in the search of defensive reinforcements despite pipping Wolves to the loan signing of Lens defender Kevin Danso on Sunday.

Romanian centre-back Radu Dragusin sustained a knee injury in their Europa League win over Elfsborg on Thursday to join Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie on the injury list.

There are reports Spurs have looked at other central defenders, including Chelsea's Axel Disasi and AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori.

Tottenham have been approached for comment.

The ability to grind out a win while showing defensive strength has not been a regular part of Tottenham's season so far.

But, in a week that could define their campaign and the future of boss Ange Postecoglou, Spurs showed spirit and character to win 2-0 at Brentford and bring their four-game losing league run to a halt.

Under-pressure Postecoglou could not have been happier.

"We defended as well as we have all season and we still had the quality to hurt them the other way. It was an outstanding effort by the players," said Postecoglou.

He had every reason to be delighted because Brentford, who have scored the most goals at home of any team in the Premier League this season, were routinely frustrated as Spurs kept their first clean sheet in the league in 2025.

"It's a difficult place to come and to win and difficult to keep them out," added Postecoglou.

"They throw it into the box and at set pieces, but I thought the lads handled that awfully well and we knew we would have to do that to nullify their threats. The lads were brilliant."

Postecoglou was full of praise for the returning Djed Spence and 18-year-old Archie Gray, who was booed by the home fans after he opted to move to Tottenham instead of Brentford when leaving Leeds last summer.

"We're still a bit thin defensively," said Postecoglou on a day when Tottenham bolstered their defensive ranks by signing 26-year-old Austria international Kevin Danso on loan from Ligue 1 side Lens with a commitment to buy in the summer.

"The job Archie Gray is doing is remarkable. Eighteen years old, never played centre back, and he is playing in Europe and playing every week. He's a fantastic player and we're very fortunate to have him."

Gray himself was pleased with the side's defensive efforts, adding: "At times this season, we have lost concentration just for five minutes. As soon as that [first] goal went in, we knew we couldn't make the same mistakes and we had to keep disciplined for the second half.

"It's credit to Ben [Davies] and Djed and Pedro [Porro] as well. We were shouting at each other the whole game. It was a really good clean sheet and hopefully we can keep it going."

For Tottenham, so often criticised for being weak defensively, this was the sort of performance Postecoglou would have gained a great deal of satisfaction from as he continues to battle a lengthy injury list that saw him without nine key players.

Tottenham had only picked up one point from seven league matches before this trip to the Gtech Community Stadium and were in danger of losing five successive top-flight games for the first time since 2004.

Spurs took a fortunate lead when Son Heung-min's superb inswinging corner bounced off the back of Brentford's Vitaly Janelt and into his own net, before the hosts piled on the pressure in the second half.

But Pape Matar Sarr sealed the win late on, running on to Son's through ball and flicking it into the net.

Former Tottenham defender Stephen Kelly, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, described it as "a huge win".

"Brentford will be bitterly disappointed with the amount of possession they had, final third entries, and they didn't make it count," he said.

"But Tottenham have been resilient, shown they can defend, not been gung-ho and not leaving themselves open. This is exactly what Ange Postecoglou needs and it eases a little bit of pressure on them."

Brentford boss Thomas Frank had praise for Tottenham's defensive performance, too. "The way they defended their box was some of the best I've seen all season," he said. "They were very clever and very good."

The three points took Spurs from 16th to 14th, with the supporters chanting "we are staying up", mocking those critics who suggested the club were in danger of being relegated.

"It's great for the supporters and the players," added Postecoglou. "They are all hurting, the players are hurting as well. It's not where we want to be and we have to rectify that.

"We're not in the league position we want, nowhere near it, but the players are giving everything and I'm super pleased they could share that with the supporters."

It has been a tough campaign for Tottenham, but one that could still end in glory.

Postecoglou is only two games away from becoming the first Spurs manager to win silverware since the club won the Carling Cup in 2008.

On Thursday, they will travel to Liverpool, holding a slim 1-0 advantage after the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

If they are to have any chance of getting to Wembley, Tottenham will need to replicate this performance and find a similar display of strength and character at Anfield.

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Tottenham have signed Lens defender Kevin Danso on loan with a commitment to buy after beating Wolves to the deal.

The 26-year-old opted to move to Spurs despite having had a medical lined up in the Midlands.

Danso's transfer incorporates the obligation to make it a permanent deal, which is reportedly worth £21m, with a five-year contract lined up in the summer.

Austria international Danso will take the no4 shirt and the move is subject to international clearance and a work permit being issued, which is expected to arrive before Thursday's Carabao Cup semi-final match at Liverpool.

Danso has played 10 games in English football during a loan spell with Southampton in the 2019-20 season - having also spent time in the academies of Reading and MK Dons.

His arrival follows Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou's repeated requests for help amid a 10-player injury crisis.

Spurs had been looking at signing attacking players but have switched to defensive targets after Radu Dragusin suffered a knee injury against Elfsborg on Thursday.

The Romanian centre-back joined Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie on the injury list, but Micky van de Ven has recently returned.

Multiple sources have explained that Spurs have looked at other central defenders, including Chelsea's Axel Disasi and AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori.