ESPN.co.uk

King Charles III will visit Tottenham Hotspur's stadium on Wednesday to promote local charity work from the club and the NFL.

The King will meet the club's men's and women's captains, Son Heung-Min and Beth England, as well as Washington Commanders defensive end Efe Obada and NFL global flag ambassador Phoebe Schecter.

He will also be presented with an American football from Super Bowl LIX, which ended in a 40-22 victory for the Philadelphia Eagles over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Both the club and the NFL support numerous charitable programs in the UK. The King's visit is intended to help promote the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham (a sixth-form college supported by the club), a sports program called the Huddle Project.

He will also meet young people supported by the The King's Trust.

Fiorentina striker Moise Kean has emerged as a transfer target for north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, while Atlético Madrid are looking to replace Antoine Griezmann with Jean-Philippe Mateta. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors, and gossip from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

- In-form Fiorentina striker Moise Kean could be set for a return to the Premier League, with both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur reported to be weighing up moves. Kean, 24, previously had an unsuccessful spell at Everton, scoring only two goals in 32 Premier League appearances. But since moving to Fiorentina from Juventus last summer he has been rejuvenated, netting 15 Serie A goals -- only Mateo Retegui of Atalanta has scored more (20). Tuttosport reports that Kean has a release clause of just €52 million, which makes him a very attractive option in today's transfer market.

- Juventus are planning a double move for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who is on loan at Galatasaray, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. Juve sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli is reported to have already begun work on the deals, with Tonali, 24, a "dream" option. The Bianconeri are also preparing talks with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis over a move for Osimhen, who has a release clause worth in the region of €80 million for clubs outside of the Serie A. The 26-year-old Nigeria international has scored 22 goals in 22 appearances.

- Atlético Madrid are interested in a move for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, reports TeamTalk. The Spanish club have identified the 27-year-old as a potential replacement for Antoine Griezmann, who is set to enter the final year of his contract at the Wanda Metropolitano. The Eagles are expected to consider offers for Mateta if he doesn't sign a new deal, with "several" teams keeping close tabs on his situation amid promising recent form, during a spell in which he has contributed to 11 goals in 24 Premier League matches. The Sun, meanwhile, claims John Textor wants Mateta to join Lyon -- Textor is a major shareholder in both Lyon and Palace.

- Talks are ongoing between Barcelona and the representatives of winger Ansu Fati over a potential exit in the summer, according to Sport. The Blaugrana do "not understand" why the 22-year-old didn't accept a move away from Camp Nou in January, despite struggling to garner regular starts under manager Hansi Flick. Ansu wasn't named in Barca's squad on Sunday as they enjoyed a 4-1 victory over Sevilla.

- Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic will be moved on to make room for the permanent signing of on-loan Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani, according to Calciomercato. The 25-year-old Serbia star is set to be offloaded imminently as the Bianconeri look to evolve their squad. Kolo Muani continued his impressive start to life in the Serie A on Friday with a brace in the 2-1 league win over Como, making it five goals from his first three matches.

OTHER RUMORS

- A deal has been agreed between Santos and Benfica for forward Benjamín Rollheiser. The 24-year-old is set to join the Brasileirao club for €11m plus a clause that entitles Benfica to 15% of any future transfer fee. (UOL)

- Everton's summer rebuild be based around young, British stars, spearheaded by new boss David Moyes. (Football Insider)

- AS Roma will try again to sign Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi in the summer. A January deal did not materialise despite the Rome-born player wanting to return to Roma. (Sport Mediaset)

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has described external criticism of his team as "irrelevant" following their 4-1 aggregate defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semifinals.

Spurs took a slender advantage into the second leg at Anfield thanks to Lucas Bergvall's late winner in north London last month. However, they were comprehensively beaten by Arne Slot's side on Merseyside thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk.

The manner of the defeat will only heighten the pressure on Postecoglou as his team's dismal campaign continues, with Sky Sports pundit and former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp condemning his former club's performance at Anfield.

"I cannot remember a team in my lifetime go down with less of a fight with what Spurs did today," Redknapp said.

Reflecting on those comments, Postecoglou said: "People are on TV to give opinions. That's their job. My job is to manage this football club. What other people think or don't think is kind of irrelevant. It doesn't place any kind of emphasis on who we are or what we're trying to do. At the end of the day, everyone is allowed to have an opinion and express that opinion."

Asked whether he feels the criticism being levelled at him is fair considering Tottenham's lengthy injury list, Postecoglou added: "I don't worry about being judged or who's judging me. Ultimately my responsibility is to try and get the players I have to the best of my ability.

"It was disappointing tonight because we had an opportunity to get to a final and they don't come around too often."

Spurs' Carabao Cup disappointment comes on the back of their disappointing Premier League campaign -- they sit 14th in the table and have lost 13 of their 23 games so far this season.

Despite the damaging defeat at Anfield, Postecoglou and Spurs still have the opportunity to end the season with silverware if they find success in the Europa League or FA Cup.

Ange Postecoglou has said that he is totally convinced that new signing Mathys Tel wants to be at Tottenham Hotspur after the forward initially stalled over a move to the club before agreeing to join them in a dramatic U-turn on deadline day.

Tel, 19, is in line to make his Spurs debut in the team's Carabao Cup semifinal clash against Liverpool on Thursday after he joined the club in a loan deal that contains an option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season.

Sources have told ESPN that Tel had rejected a move to Postecoglou's injury-hit team after they had a €60 million ($62.5m) accepted by Bayern Munich before a conversation with the Australian prompted him to make the move to north London after all.

Asked whether he is "100%" convinced Tel wants to be at Spurs, Postecoglou said: "100%. More than 100. Because he took so much time and was so diligent about finding out everything. When he made the decision it was us, and he obviously had options, that gave me even more confidence we were getting the right kind of mentality and player.

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

The highly rated France under-21 international is Bayern's youngest-ever goalscorer (17 years and 126 days old) but struggled for game time under head coach Vincent Kompany this season.

Sources have told ESPN that Tel was pursued by several clubs including Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea during the January transfer window after he told Bayern he was keen to explore a move away from the club.

"It's a simplistic way of looking at it [whether he had to convince Tel to join Spurs]," Postecoglou said. "People need to understand that you are talking about a 19-year-old player who has to make a major decision about his career. It's not so much that he rejected us or anyone else.

"Rightly so, he was getting as much information as possible. More than anything I think he just wanted to be comfortable with the decision. The sense I get was he didn't want to be pushed in a certain direction. I think it is credit to him that he took his time and spoke to the right people.

"I had a conversation with him and mine was purely about football. I think he will find a really great place for him in terms of where he is in his career. He obviously wants to play and we have already shown that irrespective of age you will get an opportunity here. And I think the way we play would suit him and certainly with what we have in the next few months and more importantly what we are building beyond I thought it would be a perfect fit for his next step. At the same time I think it was right to take as long as he did and he was totally comfortable with it.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven is set to miss the team's Carabao Cup semifinal clash against Liverpool on Thursday after head coach Ange Postecoglou said he needed to be "conservative" with the player's recovery from a long-term hamstring injury.

Van de Ven made his return in Spurs' victory over Elfsborg on Jan. 30, playing 45 minutes before being taken off in a planned substitution at halftime. Spurs have been hit by an injury crisis this season and that was exacerbated when Van de Ven's replacement against Elfsborg, Radu Dragusin, suffered an ACL injury in the 66th minute of the game and is set to miss the rest of the season as a result.

Dragusin's injury has seen him join key first-team players Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke on the sidelines in north London.

Spurs go to Anfield with a 1-0 aggregate lead thanks to Lucas Bergvall's winner in the first leg on Feb. 8.

Postecoglou said that Van de Ven had not suffered a recurrance of the injury that has prevented him from making a Premier League appearance since Spurs' 4-3 defeat to Chelsea on Dec. 8, but expressed a desire to be cautious over the defender's rehabilitation into the team.

With Micky, and [Cristian] Romero to a certain extent, I kind of feel we have to be conservative with them," Postecoglou said. "Micky got through the game [against Elfsborg] alright but I don't think he feels ready for the step up in intensity to the Premier League.

"After losing Radu, and this is my view, I don't want to risk losing them. The other guys are inching closer as well."

Postcoglou confirmed that new signings Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel are eligible for the trip to Merseyside.

Pushed to elaborate on Van de Ven's absence, Postecoglou added: "We had a look at the figures in terms of the physical output. He does a lot more in training and got through it OK. The Premier League is a whole different beast.

"We have a big week ahead of us. We have afforded ourselves a couple of midweeks without fixtures. After that, Europe kicks in which is massive for us. I don't see the sense right now in risking that. Having Kevin in is a massive bonus for us. [Van de Ven] hasn't reinjured the injury. I think we feel and he feels we need to get more into him."

Another prolonged absence for Van de Ven would come as a particular blow to Postecoglou with his beleagured squad struggling in the Premier League and relying on a cup success to turn the season into a success.

Van de Ven has suffered repeated injuries since arriving at Spurs in August 2023.

Tottenham Hotspur's prospective deal to sign Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel on loan includes an option to make the transfer permanent, sources have told ESPN.

The move was initially expected to be a straight loan but in the final hours of the window, Spurs successfully negotiated with Bayern to insert a clause to potentially make the deal permanent at the end of the season.

Tel is set to perform a dramatic deadline day U-turn by agreeing to join Spurs after stalling over a move to the club last week, sources have told ESPN.

Spurs had agreed a €60 million ($62m) deal for Tel on Friday but he was unsure over making a permanent move. Talks then switched to a loan so Spurs could get their man, and Tel could review his options in the summer.

But Tel has now decided to join Spurs until at least the end of the season after conversations with head coach Ange Postecoglou and is in London for medical tests ahead of signing a short-term contract ahead of the transfer deadline at 11 p.m. GMT.

Tel's decision to express a desire to leave Bayern Munich over a lack of game time -- having joined the club for around €28 million ($29m) from Rennes in 2022 -- sparked interest from a number of clubs including Manchester United and Arsenal, but Spurs appear to have won the race to sign the highly rated France under-21 international.

Meanwhile, Spurs had an offer for England defender Marc Guéhi rejected by Crystal Palace last weekend, a source has told ESPN.

Spurs made an offer for the 24-year-old which was dismissed and the north London club have not returned with an improved bid ahead of tonight's deadline.

Postecoglou has been keen to add players to his squad after a combination of injuries and poor form have left the club languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table.

However, Spurs have experienced more success in cup competitions and take a 1-0 aggregate lead into their semifinal second-leg clash against Liverpool at Anfield on Thursday.

Information from ESPN's Julien Laurens contributed to this story

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou said his team's rearguard action in a 2-0 win at Brentford on Sunday was simply because injuries have left him with a threadbare squad, rather than a sudden outburst of pragmatism.

The Australian coach has been battling an injury crisis, which has forced him to play 18-year-old midfielder Archie Gray at centre back, with Micky van de Ven rested after playing 45 minutes on his return in the Europa League in midweek.

Spurs' European campaign -- which continues after Thursday's victory over Elfsborg confirmed their round-of-16 place -- has given Postecoglou's remaining fit players little chance for recovery as their league form has slumped.

But Spurs are still fighting for silverware on three fronts, the metric by which they will ultimately measure this season and which may keep Postecoglou in his job.

Postecoglou has repeatedly cited his squad's mounting injury list in the face of poor results, growing increasingly exasperated at reporters' questions about Spurs' performances.

And he let out a rueful laugh when asked if his side's defensive resilience and low block during large parts of their 2-0 win over Brentford on Sunday were a tactical shift away from his usual attacking "Angeball."

"How do I say this without sort of repeating myself and not sounding like an excuse? It's very difficult for a group of players to play Thursday and Sunday and maintain energy and levels," Postecoglou told reporters.

"What they're doing is giving maximum effort and maximum effort in a game like today means that you can't be sharp and really dynamic with and without the ball, it's just impossible.

"They're human beings and not robots. People want to dismiss it, they want to talk about excuses, but that's the reality, I know the reality.

"These guys are giving everything. We knew today wasn't going to be a game where we could go out there and dominate, because Brentford had a week to prepare for this.

"We had 50-something hours [after the Elfsborg game] with the same group of players. So I think, with that context, I think the performance was outstanding."

Postecoglou also welcomed the loan signing of defender Kevin Danso, though he warned that the injury centre-back Radu Dragusin suffered in midweek "doesn't look good."

He said the club were considering further additions to the squad, but added: "We don't want to bring just anyone in and sometimes that takes a bit longer."

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a €25 million ($25.9m) deal to sign centre-back Kevin Danso from Ligue 1 side Lens, sources have told ESPN.

The 26-year-old was on the verge of joining Wolverhampton Wanderers but Spurs' interest has seen the Austria international opt to sign a 5½-year deal with the north London club.

Danso's prospective arrival comes amid Spurs' ongoing injury crisis that has prompted them to scour the transfer market for opportunities to add to their beleaguered squad.

Radu Dragusin is the latest member of Ange Postecoglou's team to be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after the Romania international suffered a worrying-looking knee injury in Spurs' Europa League win over Elfsborg on Thursday.

Danso played in the Premier League for Southampton, on loan from Augsburg, in 2019-20. Following another loan spell at Fortuna Düsseldorf the following season, he joined Lens. Danso has made 128 appearances for the French club and was named in the Ligue 1 team of the year in 2022-23.

Sources have told ESPN that Spurs are interested in signing players to cover a number of positions during the last days of the transfer window. The club had agreed a deal with Bayern Munich so sign highly-rated 19-year-old Mathys Tel, only for the forward to reject the chance to join them on Friday.

Spurs have won one of their last 11 Premier League matches and are languishing in 16th place in the table.

Postecoglou, who has seen his position as head coach come under increasing pressure in recent weeks, confirmed on Friday that Guglielmo Vicario, Brennan Johnson, Destiny Udogie, Wilson Odobert, Timo Werner and James Maddison are all in line to return to action in the next 10 days.

Spurs travel to face Brentford in their next Premier League fixture on Sunday.

Information from ESPN's James Olley contributed to this report

Arne Slot has said he "would be surprised" if Trent Alexander-Arnold is able to play in Liverpool's Carabao Cup semifinal second leg clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday after the right-back limped off in the 70th minute of the team's win over Bournemouth on Saturday.

Alexander-Arnold was forced off with 20 minutes to go at the Vitality Stadium after pulling up with an apparent issue with his thigh.

"The situation was that he said to me: 'You have to take me off' and he sat on the floor and we took him off," Slot told a news conference.

"He felt something, I can't tell you exactly what and how bad it is of course because we are one hour after the game, but it is never a good sign if a player is asking for a substitution.

"This is not a fact but I would be surprised if he plays on Thursday, but let's hope he is back with us as soon as possible."

If Alexander-Arnold is unable to recover in time for the visit of Ange Postecoglou's struggling Spurs side, Connor Bradley would likely take his place on the right of the back four. Spurs hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg thanks to Lucas Bergvall's late goal.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah continued his fine form this season as his brace inspired Liverpool to victory over an in-form Bournemouth side.

Salah's goals saw him leapfrog Chelsea legend Frank Lampard into sixth place the Premier League's all-time goalscoring charts. The Egypt international netted his 178th goal with a fine curling effort that sealed the points at the Vitality Stadium and left him six behind former Manchester City forward Sergio Agüero (184).

Asked about Salah's devastating consistency in front of goal, Slot told the BBC: "Yeah -- especially the second goal of course. First one, the penalty, big moment so then you have to step up as well. But the second one, that was maybe the difference between the two teams because they were in those positions once in a while as well, and the way Mo finishes that ball it pure pure pure quality."

Tottenham Hotspur have joined the race for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, while Chelsea's Joao Felix is attracting interest from AC Milan and Aston Villa. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.

Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men's January grades | Women's January grades

TOP STORIES

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TRENDING RUMORS

- Manchester United have received an enquiry from Tottenham Hotspur regarding winger Alejandro Garnacho, reports Daily Mail. Spurs are believed to be keen on a loan for the 20-year-old, with talks expected to continue between both clubs over a potential deal. Chelsea and Napoli have been linked with interest in a permanent move for Garnacho, who the Red Devils would reportedly let go for an offer in the region of £60 million.

- The representative of Chelsea forward João Félix is exploring a potential move to AC Milan, reports Nicolo Schira. Agent Jorge Mendes is said to be in Italy discussing a loan move to the San Siro for the 25-year-old, who according to Sky Sports Deutschland, is also on the radar of Aston Villa as a potential replacement for Jhon Durán. Felix has made just three starts for the Blues in the Premier League this season.

- An approach for Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez has been made by Manchester City, says Fabrizio Romano. Negotiations are reported to be underway between both clubs, and while the Liga Portugal side would prefer to keep the 23-year-old, he could be signed if Man City activate the €60 million release clause in his current deal. Gonzalez joined the Dragoes from Barcelona, who are in line to receive 40% of any future transfer fee.

- Manchester United are interested in a move for on-loan VfB Stuttgart striker El Bilal Toure, according to Foot Mercato. The Red Devils are reported to have "accelerated" in their pursuit of the 23-year-old who is on loan from Atalanta, and it is said that there could be a three-way deal situation emerging in which the Bundesliga club would make his loan become permanent for €18 million before moving him on to Old Trafford.