TEAMtalk

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma will reportedly be allowed to leave the club this summer amid interest from Crystal Palace and Ligue 1 sides.

The star swapped Brighton for Tottenham for around £25m (€30.3m, $31.7m) in the summer of 2022 but injuries, suspensions, and inconsistent form have, arguably, overshadowed his time there.

Bissouma, whose contract runs until 2026, has made 32 appearances in all competitions this season but 20 of those have been starts as questions over his long-term future at the club grow.

On the face of it, Spurs won’t want to let the Mali international leave for free in the summer of 2026 so trying to recoup some of their original outlay may be a shrewd move.

Now, GIVEMESPORT claims there are no indications the north London team will offer him a new contract and may entertain bids for him after the season ends.

The report adds that Palace are monitoring the situation closely but the player is said to be open to heading back to Ligue 1.

Bissouma, who was signed by Brighton from Lille in 2018, is reportedly a target for Marseille and Nice but a Premier League move is not out of the question.

DON’T MISS: The FOUR Tottenham players out of contract in 2026: Keep or Sell?

Tottenham urged to sell Bissouma

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson believes Tottenham need to ditch Bissouma and midfield team-mate Pape Matar Sarr as they are not good enough for the club.

He said last month: “Daniel Levy must look to invest in midfield for Tottenham. Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr have been very inconsistent and that’s where the main problem lies for them.”

Indeed, after Spurs’ 4-0 Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg loss to Liverpool at Anfield, ex-England defender Jamie Carragher tore into Bissouma and team-mate Rodrigo Bentancur.

“When I look at those three midfield players I thought they were a disgrace. No matter who your manager is you’re playing the semi-final. Talk about them getting on the ball,” he said.

“We all come into this game and if you’re a Tottenham man you know first 15 minutes, half an hour, Liverpool will be on the ball, you’ve gotta put them under pressure, get after them, be aggressive. It was still so easy for them.

“We’ve criticised Ange Postecoglou. Let’s not forget we’ve called him naive at times, putting full-backs into midfield and leaving themselves open. That looked like a team that was picked before the game saying, ‘We’re gonna try and make it difficult for Liverpool’. I thought that was a team to try and stop Liverpool and nullify Liverpool but those midfield players they didn’t put a challenge in.”

Tottenham transfer roundup: £138m raid planned, Camara transfer target

Spurs are reportedly eyeing summer moves for Palace duo Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, with the pair said to be valued at a combined £138m (€167m, $175m).

But whether or not they are able to sign the two in-demand England internationals is another matter entirely.

Tottenham have been linked with a move for highly-rated Monaco star Lamine Camara, who has been credited with interest from Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea.

The 21-year-old talent is considered by many to be Senegal’s best prospect since Sadio Mane and could be on the move soon, despite only signing from FC Metz last summer.

Finally, Fabrizio Romano says it is very unlikely that the north London team will trigger their loan-to-buy option for Timo Werner.

Bissouma among Spurs players fighting for future

As a Tottenham fan, this one is particularly galling to write up as Bissouma could and should have been the mainstay of Spurs’ engine room for years to come.

However, the former Brighton man – bar Postecoglou’s first 10 games in charge last season – has looked a complete shadow of the player who excelled down on the south coast at Brighton.

Indeed, that fact was compounded by his latest mistake in possession that cost Tottenham their first goal in the 4-0 mauling at Liverpool and opened the floodgates for the eventual rout.

The frustrating part is that Bissouma was often the best player on the pitch when playing for the Seagulls in clashes against Tottenham and got fans from the white half of north London understandably excited when he arrived in the summer of 2022.

However, Bissouma has never really been able to establish himself as a regular starter. Add in the fact that Gray will eventually get a shot at playing in the front of the back four, along with the agreement that is in place to sign Real Betis star Johnny Cardoso early in the summer, and Bissouma’s days could well be numbered.

A fresh report claims Tottenham are ready to make a huge double splash in the summer transfer window, as they look to raid a Premier League rival for two £138million-rated England internationals.

The north London outfit are expected to be particularly active in the next window after finding their squad stretched well beyond its limits, leading to struggles to cope with the demands of domestic and European football.

And, while players have started returning for Ange Postecoglou at the business end of the campaign, there’s no hiding from the fact that Tottenham‘s squad depth – when it comes to more experienced players – is short of where it needs to be.

All aspects of Postecoglou’s squad are being looked at – assuming the Australian keeps his job after a tough season – with another central defender and forward most definitely on Spurs’ radar.

Two players who have continually been linked with switches across London are impressive Crystal Palace duo Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi.

The latter was the subject of a significant late January window offer from Tottenham that was knocked back. However, Postecoglou remains a big fan of the player and a follow-up offer was always expected this summer, despite the addition of Kevin Danso on loan with an option to buy, that is expected to be taken up.

To that end, GiveMeSport reports that Tottenham are lining up a major move for both Guehi and Eze in what would be a spectacular double addition to Postecoglou’s first-team squad.

Both the players have helped Oliver Glasner in turning around the season for the Eagles after a poor start, although the duo are certain to have other suitors too.

Indeed, Newcastle have made several approaches to Palace over Guehi and are unlikely to have given up in their chase. Eze, meanwhile, has previously been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea as he continues to dazzle at Selhurst Park.

Tottenham ready to spend big

Neither player will come cheap though, with Palace determined not to sell Guehi for less than £70m, while the player hismelf is not actively pushing for an exit.

As for Eze, the England playmaker has an exit clause of £68m inserted in his contract which, if Palace stick to their guns, would mean an overall outlay of £138m (€167m / $173m).

That would almost certainly mean some outgoings in north London to go towards funding those deals, with several players tipped to leave Spurs this summer.

Yves Bissouma is the most obvious, having struggled to earn a regular starting spot, while the likes of Richarlison, Manor Solomon and Bryan Gil are also on that list.

Another player who is being tipped to earn a lucrative new contract at Tottenham but could still be offloaded is Argentine World Cup winner Cristian Romero.

Real Madrid continue to flirt with signing the centre-back, who has not featured for Postecoglou since early December after suffering from a nagging thigh injury.

Indeed, there is a feeling among many Tottenham fans that Guehi is being lined up to replace Romero, whose form has been much better at international level than with his club over the past two campaigns.

Latest Tottenham news: Midfield enforcer eyed / Son exit decision

🔵 Tottenham join trio of Prem rivals in race to sign destructive defensive midfield talent

🔵 Tottenham explode into race for €100m-rated striker eyed by Newcastle to replace Alexander Isak

🔵 Tottenham reach decision on selling Son Heung-min after retirement plan revealed

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly joined three Premier League rivals in the chase to sign a Ligue 1 midfielder who made a big impression in the Champions League this season.

It’s expected to be a busy summer in north London as Spurs give their full backing to Ange Postecoglou – assuming he remains in charge – after a difficult season domestically that has been riddled by injuries to key players.

Tottenham currently sit 13th in the Premier League table but do still have hope of securing their first silverware since 2008 as they prepare to face AZ in the Europa League last 16.

Daniel Levy and co. had been expected to be active in the winter window, due to the club’s injury crisis, but only ended up landing young goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky and the loan additions of Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel.

Danso has already made enough of an impression that his option to buy will also certainly be activated, although the jury remains out on Tel as the Bayern Munich talent continues to struggle to make his mark in English football. In fairness to the 19-year-old, he has been asked to play as a central striker due to injuries to Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, when he is arguably better utilised in Son Heung-min’s role off the left.

One area where Tottenham have particularly struggled to control games this season though is in midfield, despite it being the position where they have been least affected by injury issues.

Yves Bissouma has been unable to make the defensive midfield role his own and looks almost certain to be offloaded this summer, which could open the door for brilliant teenage talent Archie Gray – once he is no longer needed to fill in at centre-back or full-back.

However, Spurs continue to be linked with new recruits in their engine room and the latest name is highly-rated Monaco star Lamine Camara.

Tottenham firmly in the mix for Monaco standout

According to a report from TBR Football, Tottenham have joined the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea in the race for the Senegal international.

Camara joined Monaco from FC Metz in July 2024 and has enjoyed a fantastic debut season at the Principality, firmly cementing his place as a mainstay in the first XI.

Indeed, 21-year-old talent is considered by many to be Senegal’s best prospect since Sadio Mane and has scored twice and supplied six assists – despite playing the majority of his 31 games in all competitions in a more defensive midfield role.

The 23-cap Senegal international also made a big impression with his performances in the Champions League this season, although he could not help Monaco progress to the last 16.

TBR Football adds that a number of scouts from around Europe have been tracking Camara, who is viewed as one of the best African prospects in some time.

However, it’s also reported that Monaco are in no rush to sell Camara after just one season and will resist any approaches, although their resolve could be tested depending on the size of any concrete bids that are actually tabled.

Camara is being viewed as the ideal replacement for the hugely disappointing Bissouma and is arguably more versatile than the Mali star, given his ability to play further forward and create – as evidenced by his six assists this term.

Latest Tottenham news: Spurs exit already decided / Huge striker swoop eyed

🔵 Romano claims Tottenham decision ‘already made’ on summer exit of attacking star

🔵 Tottenham explode into race for €100m-rated striker eyed by Newcastle to replace Alexander Isak

🔵 Tottenham plan ‘substantial’ bid for midfield sensation who ‘understands the game perfectly’

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Tottenham have already come to a decision over the future of an attacking star who has failed to deliver in north London.

Spurs’ woeful season domestically continued on Wednesday night when they were beaten 1-0 at home by reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, to leave them sitting 13th in the table with 14 defeats from their 27 games.

Injuries have played a massive part in their struggles, especially at the back and in attack, although there has also been plenty of criticism heaped on a number of players for underperforming – including the likes of Timo Werner.

Tottenham signed the Germany winger for a second successive loan last summer, with the option to buy for a figure in the region of €10million (£8.5m; $10.9m).

However, the former Chelsea man has scored just three goals and added six assists in 41 games across his two campaigns in north London, leaving Spurs fans completely underwhelmed.

And Romano has been discussing what the future holds for the 28-year-old when speaking on Market Madness.

Romano was asked: “Fabrizio, if we stay with New York Red Bulls in particular, there’s been some suggestion that maybe Timo Werner is on their radar. Is there a possibility that he goes to MLS? And a bit broader, is your sense as of now, that it’s unlikely Spurs will trigger that option to buy?”

He responded: “Yeah, I think you’ve been nice with unlikely. I think it’s impossible. From my information, it’s something that they already decided internally.

“It was not a good season for Werner and for Spurs together. So I think it’s in the interest of both parties to try something different next season. So the expectation is for Werner to return to Leipzig and then to try a new experience.

“In terms of MLS and New York, what I was hearing in January when this rumour started for the January window is that there was nothing really concrete into it. Let’s see for the summer. In January was never really close, from what I heard.”

Werner days numbered after Ibrox horrorshow

The writing was clearly on the wall, in terms of Werner landing a permanent spot at Tottenham, when he was publically hammered by Ange Postecoglou for his display at Rangers in the Europa League back in December.

Werner was hauled off at half-time of that contest, with a livid Potsecoglou admitting at the time: “He wasn’t playing anywhere near the level he should.

“It’s not acceptable to me. I said that to Timo. He is a senior international, a German international, with the moment we’re in right now, it’s not like we’ve got many options, I need everyone to at least be going out there and trying to give the best of themselves.

“Yeah, his performance in the first half wasn’t acceptable.”

The German made his return from injury off the bench against City in midweek but made no real contribution as Spurs failed to find an equaliser.

And, with Tottenham pushing to sign the likes of Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze and Southampton sensation Tyler Dibling this summer, Werner’s days are clearly done.

Latest Tottenham news: Spurs join lethal striker race / Midfield sensation eyed

🔵 Tottenham explode into race for €100m-rated striker eyed by Newcastle to replace Alexander Isak

🔵 Tottenham plan ‘substantial’ bid for midfield sensation who ‘understands the game perfectly’

🔵 Tottenham reach decision on selling Son Heung-min after retirement plan revealed

Tottenham are reportedly considering a summer move for Porto striker Samu Aghehowa, who has also been identified as a target by Newcastle in case they lose Alexander Isak.

Spurs have had a very disappointing season and currently sit 13th in the Premier League table, with pressure mounting on under-fire manager Ange Postecoglou.

Tottenham are planning for a big summer transfer window regardless of Postecoglou’s future and they remain in a strong PSR (Profitability and Sustainability Rules) position.

According to CaughtOffside, Tottenham are looking to bring in a new striker this summer and in-form Porto ace Samu figures highly on their shortlist.

The 20-year-old joined Porto from Atletico Madrid last summer and has got off to a fantastic start, with 19 goals in 31 appearances for the Portuguese giants so far.

The report claims that alongside Tottenham, Newcastle have a ‘growing appreciation’ of Samu and could swoop for the youngster as they ‘prepare for an Isak departure’, even if they don’t want to lose the Sweden international.

Bayern Munich are also said to be admirers of Samu. He is under contract with Porto until 2029 and the deal includes a €100m (£82.5m, $104m) release clause, so they are in a strong position to demand a big fee for his signature.

Tottenham keen to bring in a new striker this summer

Tottenham’s injury problems have undoubtedly had a huge impact on their season. Striker Dominic Solanke is one of the sufferers, having missed eight Premier League games so far due to injury.

Spurs’ backup striker, Richarlison, has meanwhile made just nine league appearances this term due to injuries, so it’s clear to see why the London side want more options up front.

As for Newcastle, we have consistently reported that they want to keep hold of Isak for the long term, which is no surprise given his incredible form this term.

The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool are big admirers of Isak but Newcastle are in an extremely strong position as he’s under contract until 2028.

Sources state that if Newcastle qualify for the Champions League – which is very possible – then Isak will be impossible to sign this summer. If they don’t get UCL football, then it will still cost around £150m to lure him from St James’ Park.

With this in mind, Tottenham and Bayern Munich could be left to battle it out for Porto star Samu. Newcastle, however, may look to sign a new back-up striker this summer, as Callum Wilson is likely to leave on a free transfer.

Tottenham round-up: Serie A star wanted, Son stance revealed

Meanwhile, reports suggest that Tottenham are planning a ‘substantial’ bid for Como attacking midfielder Nico Paz,

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has established himself as one of the first names on Cesc Fabregas’s teamsheet since his move from Real Madrid, scoring six goals and laying on five assists in 24 matches in all competitions.

Reports from Spain refer to Tottenham’s interest in Paz and that they plan to “make a substantial offer” to bring him to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.

In other news, The Times have reported that Tottenham have no intention of selling Son Heung-min in the summer, even if he will have just one year remaining on his contract.

The 32-year-old South Korean international has confirmed interest from the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad both reportedly keen.

The report stated: ‘The club want Son to retire at Spurs although they have been unable to persuade him to extend his contract, which will have one year left in July.’

DON’T MISS: The FOUR Tottenham players out of contract in 2026: Keep or Sell?

Tottenham are expected to be major players in the summer transfer market after their young squad was stretched way beyond its limits this season, but there are four senior players who could be sold at the end of the current campaign before their contracts expire in 2026.

The north London outfit have switched their focus to landing top young talents in recent windows, while sporadically adding the odd experienced performer to balance out their squad.

For every Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray, it’s important that they continue adding players like Dominic Solanke and Kevin Danso to keep that balance from becoming one-sided and end up leaving the club woefully short on experience – as has happened this term.

However, three of Tottenham‘s biggest names will be out of contract in the summer of 2026, leaving the club in a predicament as to whether they stick or twist going forward – especially if they continue with Ange Postecoglou and the focus remains largely on building with youth.

To that end, TEAMtalk takes a look at the quartet in north London who can walk away for nothing in 2026 and what the future might hold for them…

Son Heung-min

The Tottenham skipper extended his deal by a further year at the start of the January transfer window, but there’s no hiding behind the fact that the South Korean is no longer the force he once was.

The 32-year-old no longer has that searing pace and is certainly not as clinical with his finishing, but there is still some value in keeping him around.

Realistically, Tottenham are not going to recoup a significant amount if they opt to sell this summer, especially with Son turning 33 in July and his overall form trending in a downward direction.

He remains extremely popular in the changing room and, as a rotational figure in the Spurs attack, could still do a good job for Ange Postecoglou – assuming the Australian is still in charge.

Son would, however, have to relinquish the captaincy as Tottenham need better on-field leadership going forward – given their tendency to fall apart in games if things don’t go to plan.

To that end, the club should allow the former Bayer Leverkusen man to walk away as a free agent in the summer of 2026 and earn a handsome signing-on fee at his next club. Indeed, 172 goals and 94 assists in 444 Tottenham games (with more to come) very much earns him that right.

Verdict: KEEP (for now)

DON’T MISS ➡️ Tottenham reach decision on selling Son Heung-min after retirement plan revealed

Yves Bissouma

As a Tottenham fan, this one is an easy decision but also an incredibly frustrating one when it comes to what might have been for Bissouma in north London.

When he signed in a bargain £25million deal from Brighton in the summer of 2022, there was so much buzz around Spurs landing the Mali star for a bargain fee considering what he had done on the south coast.

Make no bones about it, Bissouma emerged as one the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League while he was with the Seagulls but that form has NOT transformed to the capital.

He mostly struggled to find his feet under Antonio Conte, a manager he should have been perfect for given the Italian’s more pragmatic approach.

There was an uplift when Postecoglou walked through the door, with Bissouma forming an excellent partnership with Pape Sarr as Tottenham went 10 games unbeaten to start the 2023/24 campaign before the wheels came off dramatically.

The 28-year-old has never been able to recapture that form and has been in out of the Spurs side ever since, with injuries and fitness issues playing a part.

There is no doubt that Tottenham need to cash in on the player this summer, while they can still recoup a decent fee, with an upgrade definitely needed in that No.6 role.

However, many Spurs fans will probably then be watching closely to see if Bissouma annoyingly hits those Brighton heights again elsewhere.

Verdict: SELL

Rodrigo Bentancur

Up until a few weeks ago, this was looking like a ‘cash in while you still can’ scenario but the Uruguayan has shown in recent games that he is starting to find his best form again.

Bentancur was arguably at the peak of his powers before suffering an horrific ACL injury at Leicester back in February 2023, an issue that kept him on the sidelines until November that year.

Making his first start back, he was looking imperious until a terrible Matty Cash challenge against Aston Villa saw him suffer ankle ligament damage that ruled him out for a further three months – and the road back to his best form has been a very bumpy one since.

At his best, the 27-year-old is one the top box-to-box midfielders in English football. Indeed, be could even be better if Postecoglou paired him with a player who is more capable of protecting an often-exposed backline due to the Tottenham manager’s cavalier style of play.

In the recent clashes with Ipswich and Manchester City, Bentancur was the driving force of the Spurs midfield again and his hard work and perseverance is fully deserving of an extended stay in north London.

Indeed, it’s been reported that talks are already underway to extend Bentancur’s contract, with Postecoglou a huge fan of the former Juventus man’s talents.

Verdict: KEEP

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Bryan Gil

Successive managers have packed the talented Spanish winger off on loan, which probably tells you all you need to know about Gil’s long-term future in north London.

Signed from Sevilla in part-exchange deal for Erik Lamela in the summer of 2021, Gil has played just 43 times for Tottenham since then without scoring a single goal and laying on two assists.

The 24-year-old has been loaned out three times – all back to LaLiga – and is currently at Girona, where he has notched four goals and added three assists in 30 games in all competitions. Six of those outings have come in the Champions League, where he started every time.

When you consider what he’s achieved back in Spain, Tottenham have either mis-evaluated Gil’s abilities completely or he is just not suited to the style of football in England.

At 5ft 9in and with a slight build, Gil was often pushed around in his rare outings for Tottenham, despite clearly having plenty of talent and quality on the ball – suggesting that the latter argument above is the right one.

It’s been reported that Spurs added a €15m (£12m) option to buy in the loan deal with Girona and, at that price, there is every chance that a permanent switch will happen.

Verdict: SELL

Tottenham Hotspur are reported to be scouting Nico Paz, with the Spanish media also revealing that the north London club are planning to make a bid, as Spurs’ interest in a Southampton central defender comes to light.

Paz has been a revelation in Serie A this season after joining Como from Real Madrid in the summer of 2024. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has established himself as one of the first names on Cesc Fabregas’s teamsheet and has scored six goals and given five assists in 24 matches in all competitions.

The youngster has already made his senior international debut for Argentina and has impressed the legendary Lionel Messi, who noted in Goal in October 2024 that Paz has “a lot of quality” and “understands the game perfectly”.

Arsenal, Manchester City and Inter Milan have been closely following Paz, and now Tottenham have joined the race for the former Madrid prospect.

According to TBR, Tottenham were aware of Paz when he was at Real Madrid Castilla and have been scouting him at Como this season.

The north London club’s scouts have been impressed with the Argentine attacking midfielder.

Fichajes in Spain, too, has reported Tottenham’s interest in Paz and has gone on to claim that they plan to “make a substantial offer” to bring him to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.

It seems that having earlier let Paz slip through their fingers when he was coming through at Madrid, Tottenham are now ready to rectify that mistake this summer with an offer to Como.

The report in Fichajes has noted that Madrid have a buy-back clause in Paz’s contract, adding that the playmaker himself “dreams” of returning to the Santiago Bernabeu.

This is substantially by TBR, which has reported that Paz is “keen” to go back to Madrid but given that the defending Spanish and European champions have a lot of midfielders on their books, it is going to be hard for the Argentine to get into Carlo Ancelotti’s team.

Tottenham Hotspur eye Taylor Harwood-Bellis

Another young player that Tottenham are interested in signing this summer is Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

With Southampton doomed for relegation to the Championship, it is likely that Harwood-Bellis will leave.

According to TBR, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Everton, Brighton and Hove Albion and West Ham United are also interested in the 23-year-old England international centre-back.

The youngster is ready to leave Southampton, who have picked up just nine points from 27 Premier League matches this season.

Latest Tottenham news: Son Heung-min future, Yves Bissouma exit

Son Heung-min has been on the books of Tottenham since 2015 and is regarded as a legend of the club by the fans.

The 32-year-old is one of the best and most important players for the north London outfit.

There has been speculation that clubs in the Saudi Pro League are interested in signing the South Korea international forward in the summer transfer window.

However, the Times have claimed that Tottenham do not plan to sell Son this summer.

The Premier League club hope that the forward will sign a new deal and retire at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

One player who could leave Tottenham this summer is Yves Bissouma.

Bissouma is in his final 18 months at the north London club, and there are no indications that Spurs are planning to hand him a new deal.

With Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou growing frustrated with his fitness issues and inconsistent performances, the club could sell the midfielder at the end of the season.

Tottenham, though, have no plans whatsoever to offload Rodrigo Bentancur anytime soon.

It has been reported that Spurs are hoping to agree on a new deal with Bentancur and extend his stay at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Pep Guardiola has revealed what he told Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence after Manchester City’s 1-0 win in north London on Wednesday evening, with suggestions that even gave the defender a cheeky slap in the face.

City ground out a hard-fought victory at Spurs to avenge their 4-0 hammering at the hands of Ange Postecoglou’s men in Manchester earlier in the campaign, with Erling Haaland netting the only goal of a game in which the home side squandered late chances to grab an equaliser.

Despite his side’s win, Guardiola was quick to praise his opponents after the final whistle and made a point of approaching Tottenham defender Spence on the pitch after the game.

The in-form full-back was surprisingly left out of Postecoglou’s starting XI against City – a move that irked Tottenham fans – but made an immediate impression when he replaced Destiny Udogie at left-back midway through the second half.

Guardiola approached Spence, with reports claiming he even playfully slapped him around the face, before revealing exactly what he said to the former Middlesbrough star.

Speaking to Hayters, Guardiola said: “Why do you run too much? You should be more calm. [Destiny] Udogie is quite similar. The pace of this team is difficult too…

“Maybe Liverpool, but they are unbelievable, unbearable, and every time they have the ball and run, they are unstoppable; Spence, Pedro Porro, Udogie, [Dejan] Kulusevski, [Heung-min] Son.

“It is an incredibly physical team with a clear idea. They play really good. They played without [Cristian] Romero and [Micky] van de Ven; two of the best central defenders in the league…”

In terms of the slap, journalist Jay Harris reported that Guardiola’s gesture did appear to be a playful one and that he also pointed to Spence’s chest in a clear indication that the 24-year-old had performed well in his cameo appearance on the night.

Postecoglou rues missed chances

Meanwhile, Postecoglou, speaking to Match of the Day after the game, felt his side deserved to get something from a contest in which they caused City plenty of problems in the second half.

The Australian said: “First half we had to hang in there, created a couple chances but we were wasteful with the ball.

“Second half we dominated in all areas but missed a goal to get something out of the game.

“We always knew we would finish strong, we always do, but in the first half we turned the ball over too many times, if you do that against city you allow them to get into a rhythm.

“Some cleaner final third entries we could have had some more chances.”

As to why skipper Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski and the outstanding Spence started on the bench, he added: “It was about trying to get our squad up and running again, guys like Destiny [Udogie], and Wilson [Odobert] needed game time.

“Sonny [Son] Djed and Kulusevski have played a lot of football, they came on and made an impact.”

Tottenham transfer round-up: Inter star targeted / Ange eyes another centre-back

➡️ Tottenham to bolster midfield with 25-cap Italy star available for cut-price fee

➡️ Tottenham to strike bargain Serie A centre-back deal despite latest Romero update

➡️ Tottenham increasingly likely to sell misfit midfielder as THREE replacement options lined up

Ange Postecoglou was hammered by Tottenham fans for a major selection error in Wednesday night’s Premier League defeat to Manchester City, a result that ended the club’s three-match winning run.

Spurs went down to a 1-0 loss as City struck early through Erling Haaland and clung on at the end as the home side piled on the pressure without being able to force what would arguably have been a deserved equaliser.

However, Postecoglou was heavily criticised for his decision to leave out Tottenham‘s best player in recent weeks, Djed Spence, with Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski also starting the game on the bench as the Australian rotated his squad against the reigning Premier League champions.

Pedro Porro started the game at right-back ahead of Spence and was given a tough time by City winger Jeremy Doku and that decision left Spurs fans scratching their heads and claiming that Postecoglou got his team selection all wrong.

Reddit user coldseam wrote: “Ange really watched Doku torment Trent on the weekend and said “yeah let’s bench our best full-back against him”

Rowario11 rather bluntly added: “Ange has really [swear word beginning with ‘f’] this one”

Goalnado stated: “I understand wanting to give Djed a rest, but playing Porro against Doku is a total nightmare. It makes even less sense considering we’ve got a break between now and the AZ game”

Minimum_Apricot_9658 added: “I’m really getting the sense Ange doesn’t understand the concept of momentum shifts within a match and how to influence them lol”

kjl8921 said: “Pedro is gonna have nightmares about this match for a while”, while soSpursy7 added “Porro is such a downgrade on Spence”

Finally, lordymosh stated: “All of us can tell Spence would have dealt better with Doku. Don’t really get the decision to start Porro with a good bit of rest coming up”

Tottenham fans rave over Spence again

While Porro came under fire for his struggles coping with Doku, Spence was once again picked out by Tottenham fans and replacing Destiny Udogie at left-back midway through the second-half.

Reddit user TWest_1 said: “It’s honestly becoming comical how everything Djed Spence does is good and helpful”

Brennan_Superstar added: “I genuinely think Spence has 10x in value this season”

jackengle stated: “Not enough players in the squad with the physicality/skill combo that Djed has. I can’t believe how much better he is than the majority of our team”

jaytee158 added: “Spence is insanely good but he’s even better on the right. Whether he’s better than Udogie shouldn’t be the debate”

Latest Tottenham news: Spurs reach Son decision / Three options lined up amid midfielder exit talk

🔵 Tottenham reach decision on selling Son Heung-min after retirement plan revealed

🔵 Tottenham increasingly likely to sell misfit midfielder as THREE replacement options lined up

🔵 Tottenham ‘open talks’ over bumper new deal for midfield ace flirting with summer exit

Amid claims Tottenham Hotspur fear Son Heung-min is finished at elite level, a report has revealed the club’s decision on whether to sell, while a retirement plan is also understood to be in place.

Son is a bona fide Tottenham Hotspur legend and currently sits fifth in the club’s all-time top scorers list. With Martin Chivers (174) just two goals ahead, Son should take fourth spot over the coming months.

However, Son – now in his tenth season in north London – turns 33 in the summer and has looked a fading force at times this season.

A recent report from GiveMeSport claimed the club are ‘worried’ by what they’ve witnessed from Son in spells throughout the campaign.

As such, it was suggested Son may lose his undroppable status next year, with the captain forced to battle for a starting berth on the left wing instead of being an automatic pick.

A subsequent update from CaughtOffside claimed Spurs could be handed an even more agonising decision than whether to bench their captain.

Saudi Arabian pair, Al Ittihad and Al Hilal, are reportedly ‘both keen’ on signing Son in the upcoming summer. What’s more, the clubs are said to be ‘willing to pay as much as €50m for the South Korea international.’

But according to a fresh update from The Times, Spurs have no intention of selling Son despite the fact he’ll only have one year remaining on his contract come the summer.

Instead, Spurs actually hope Son will not only sign a contract extension, but go on to retire at the club, thus cementing his status as one of Tottenham’s all-time greats.

The report stated: ‘The club want Son to retire at Spurs although they have been unable to persuade him to extend his contract, which will have one year left in July.’

Ange Postecoglou stance on keeping Son Heung-min

Spurs have made a concerted effort to go younger since Postecoglou took charge, with the likes of Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Mathys Tel all arriving. The trio are all teenagers, though are being entrusted with regular minutes by their manager.

And ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Manchester City on Wednesday evening, Postecoglou suggested he’s very much on board with keeping his experienced skipper around.

“You never want to try to predict with players like Sonny how long he will go for, because those kinds of players I think always defy whatever odds there are because of the way they look after themselves and conduct themselves,” Postecoglou said.

“Even this year, as difficult as it has been for us I think his numbers still stack up.

“The end comes for everyone, we know that, but I’ve always found with the best ones, they dictate it themselves. They know themselves when the time is right.”

Latest Tottenham news – Bissouma upgrade, Bentancur talks

In other news, Spurs are reportedly willing to offload Yves Bissouma at season’s end ahead of signing an upgrade in the holding midfield position.

The likes of Johnny Cardoso, Angel Gomes, Hugo Larsson and Adam Wharton have been linked with taking Bissouma’s spot.

Spurs can sign Real Betis’ Cardoso via a clause agreed between the two clubs when negotiating Giovani Lo Celso’s transfer last summer.

Elsewhere, the Daily Mail revealed Spurs have opened talks with Rodrigo Bentancur regarding a contract extension.

The Uruguayan’s existing deal is due to expire at the end of next season (2025/26).