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A French club have reportedly reignited their interest in signing a Tottenham stalwart after they were unable to sign him in the summer as he was given a new deal.

Spurs have lost some of their longest-serving players in recent years. The trio of Son Heung-min, Hugo Lloris and Harry Kane all played over 400 Tottenham games prior to their exits, while Eric Dier played 365 times.

Son was the last of those to leave, which left Ben Davies as the player with the most appearances still playing at Tottenham.

The defender has been at Spurs for almost 11 and a half years, with only five Premier League players having served their clubs longer. Davies was due to be out of contract in the summer, but was given an extension.

Reports suggest that Nice were interested in him, and L’Equipe reports the Ligue 1 club have ‘considered the signing’ of Davies again, as his current deal is up in the summer and he has hardly been playing this term.

Indeed, they are exploring the possibility of landing the Welshman to fill gaps in their defence, presumably on a free transfer when his current deal ends.

However, the report states a deal is ‘far from straightforward’ given the wage Davies earns, and the fact it’s said he wants a long-term contract.

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While he is 32, the Tottenham man seemingly feels he can continue to play for a while yet. He has only played twice this season, and hasn’t featured in more than 17 Premier League games in any of the last three seasons, he recently brought up his 100th Wales cap, after a string of 14 games in a row.

What wage Nice would be able to offer Davies isn’t clear. However, he is currently reported to earn £80,000 per week at Spurs, a figure which only two Nice players earn above.

That Davies could finally leave Spurs in the summer is a definitive possibility, as the defender suggested when his contract was ending last season that he was ready to move on.

Whether it is Nice who lands him, or another club, remains to be seen.

Crystal Palace have ‘reached an agreement’ to buy Brennan Johnson from Tottenham but the player must decide if he wants to move, according to reports.

The Eagles are looking to improve their attack in the winter with Oliver Glasner’s side dropping down the table in recent weeks after three consecutive Premier League defeats.

Johnson, who scored the winning goal for Tottenham as they won the Europa League final last season, is their top target with the Wales international out of favour under Thomas Frank.

The winger has featured 22 times in all competitions but only ten of those appearances have been from the start with Frank preferring other players.

Amid speculation that the former Nottingham Forest star could leave in January, Frank told reporters recently: “Yeah, I think Brennan is very important for us.

“Maybe he didn’t get many minutes, but unfortunately we can only play 11 players. We spoke about it before with Mo, he’s coming in and put his stamp on that right winger position. Then the left, we tried different solutions. He’s still started quite a few games. I think Brennan is an important player for us.”

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But Johnson has an opportunity to leave, if he wants, with The Athletic‘s David Ornstein revealing that Crystal Palace ‘have reached an agreement’ with Tottenham for the Welshman.

Ornstein added: ‘A fee approaching £35million (€40m; $47m) is in place between the clubs for Johnson, who also has interest from other suitors over a move in the January market.

‘If the 24-year-old Wales international approves the potential switch, it would strengthen Palace manager Oliver Glasner’s attacking options as they contest domestic and European commitments.’

The Tottenham winger, who was Spurs’ top goalscorer last season, is ‘still to decide’ on a move to Selhurst Park with a sale representing the fourth-highest sale in the north London club’s history.

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Another player who could leave is Romania international Radu Dragusin with the Tottenham defender playing just five minutes in all competitions this season because of injury.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said earlier this week that an exit to Italy could be “unlocked” over the coming weeks as Dragusin could leave.

Romano said on his YouTube channel: “A name to keep an eye on certainly during the winter market is that of Radu Dragusin, central defender of Tottenham, who is returning from an injury and who could return to Italy.

“In this case, we must be patient with Tottenham, because as of today, Tottenham have not given the okay for the player, but it is expected that this matter could be unlocked in the coming weeks.

“Two clubs that have started, as far as I understand, to think about it are Roma and Fiorentina.”

Bayern Munich have made an ‘informal enquiry’ for Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic after his impressive displays out on loan, according to reports.

The 18-year-old centre-back has been in good form while out on loan at Hamburger SV this season with Vuskovic scoring two goals in 15 appearances in all competitions.

His form has led to call-ups for the Croatia national team with the youngster winning his first two senior caps while out on loan in Germany.

Vuskovic’s father is certain that his son will remain at HSV until the end of the season and then they will hold a meeting with Tottenham to see how he progresses from there.

He told Sportske Novosti: “Until June, he is definitely at HSV, and after that we will sit down with Tottenham and see what’s best. I am extremely satisfied with how he lives and trains.

“I would not like him to skip steps and go straight to the English Premier League, which I believe is the strongest in the world. There is still plenty of room for growth. As far as I’m concerned, it wouldn’t be bad if he stayed in Germany.”

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It could be a challenge to break up the Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven partnership on his return to Tottenham but if he keeps up his current form then Vuskovic has a chance.

And now Caught Offside claim that the Croatian youngster ‘has caught the eye with a series of composed and authoritative performances in Germany, prompting enquiries from the Bundesliga’s elite.’

The report adds: ‘Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig are believed to have gone a step further, making informal approaches to Tottenham Hotspur to explore the defender’s availability.

‘However, Spurs have been quick to shut down any suggestion of a sale.’

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Vuskovic has a contract at Spurs until the summer of 2030 but his form has ‘sparked internal discussions at Tottenham about whether to accelerate his integration’.

Another player who is attracting interest at Tottenham is Brennan Johnson with the Wales international struggling for opportunities under Thomas Frank this season.

And now the Daily Mail claim that Crystal Palace are ‘pushing to get a deal done early’ for Johnson ahead of the January transfer window.

It is understood that the Eagles are ‘discussing an offer of around £35m’ for Johnson but the 24-year-old – who scored the winning goal in the Europa League final last season – ‘is in no particular rush to leave’.

The report adds: ‘Bournemouth have also shown tentative interest in Johnson but have also discussed Leicester City’s Abdul Fatawu as they seek replacements for Antoine Semenyo.

‘The 24-year-old is also admired by the likes of Everton and Aston Villa but those clubs may not be ready to move until the summer.’

Transfer insider Florian Plettenberg has revealed that Tottenham are not working on a deal to sign Leon Goretzka, who is unlikely to leave Bayern Munich in January.

Spurs have been linked with some top players of late, amid their recent struggles. They succeeded in the early season, before dropping back into the bottom half of the Premier League table, as they currently find themselves 11th.

Big-club players like Omar Marmoush, Savinho and Goretzka have been linked with Tottenham moves recently.

While the Goretzka links have continued to crop up, transfer insider Plettenberg has poured cold water on them.

He stated that despite reports, Spurs are not working on a deal for the midfielder, with links ‘clearly denied.’

Further to that, Plettenber reports there are no indications that Goretzka will leave Bayern in January, as Vincent Kompany holds him in high regard and values his performances.

That is highlighted by Goretzka starting 12 of his 14 Bundesliga appearances this term.

Plettenberg’s report comes after it was stated the midfielder’s agent was in talks with Spurs for if Bayern were to let him leave.

That report came just over a week after it was stated there had been a ‘total break’ between Goretzka and his club, following his substitution in the 2-2 draw with Mainz.

The midfielder removes all traces of Bayern from his Instagram, though there is now one photo from his time at the club on there.

In any case, with his contract expiring in the summer, there seems a good chance he will decide to head elsewhere at the end of the season.

During this period, it has been suggested that Spurs are one of the best-placed sides to land the German, but with Plettenberg denying they are in talks for his signing, that might not actually be the case.

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Recent reports also suggested that Galatasaray could be an option, with the club looking for the sort of player that Goretzka is.

Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu said: “Domenico Tedesco doesn’t want a low-profile number eight. He’s looking for a strong, powerful, dominant, and high-profile name he can hand the starting shirt to.

“The candidates are clear, but there’s no definitive situation with any name. In terms of playing style, a player in the Goretzka mould is wanted.”

Whether that remains the case come the summer remains to be seen.

The father of Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic has revealed where he’d like for him to play next season, as he doesn’t want him to “skip steps.”

Spurs currently have six centre-backs at their disposal. Radu Dragusin has only just come back from injury, and Cristian Romero is suspended, but the latter is generally the favoured central defender alongside Micky van de Ven.

The options beyond them mean that summer signing Vuskovic had no role in the squad this term, and he was loaned out to Bundesliga side Hamburg.

The 18-year-old is having a great first season in a top-five league, playing 1,170 minutes and scoring twice from centre-back, as well as being part of a couple of clean sheets.

Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that Tottenham are constantly monitoring the central defender, and are very happy with his performances on loan.

Spurs see Vuskovic as part of their long-term plans, and they seemingly want to keep the defender out on his loan until the end of the season.

Whether or not he plays for Spurs next term or is sent out on another loan remains to be seen.

As per his father, it wouldn’t be a problem if he stayed with his current side, or another German club, given he’s thriving in the Bundesliga.

He told Sportske Novosti: “Until June, he is definitely at HSV, and after that we will sit down with Tottenham and see what’s best. I am extremely satisfied with how he lives and trains.

“I would not like him to skip steps and go straight to the English Premier League, which I believe is the strongest in the world. There is still plenty of room for growth. As far as I’m concerned, it wouldn’t be bad if he stayed in Germany.”

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Should Vuskovic continue to impress away in the Bundesliga, it would not be a surprise to see him playing at Tottenham next season.

Indeed, he’s impressing in a similar league and could challenge the partnership of Romero and Van de Ven.

Should Spurs see his best chance of doing so spending another season out on loan, then it doesn’t look as if that would do him any harm given how he’s played this season.

Tottenham are among the clubs said to be targeting Scott McTominay after suggestions that he could look to return to England from Serie A giants Napoli.

Spurs have a number of midfield options in their squad. This term, they have used six players in the midfield, while Dejan Kulusevki and potentially James Maddison could return from injury this season to add to those options.

But according to reports, Tottenham are looking for more midfielders to add to their squad.

Calciomercato reports that amid a suggestion that Napoli midfielder McTominay could look to return to England, Spurs are one of the clubs with him in their sights, along with Newcastle and Barcelona.

It is also said that the possibility of a return to the Premier League has ‘reignited’ discussion about a move back to Manchester United.

Indeed, it has been suggested that being in Italy has not been the best for the midfielder.

That comes from a report which stated: “Scott loves certain aspects of Italian life and has had a wonderful first season. But the passion of the fans can be a blessing but also cause difficulties. He’s treated like a god there, but that means he finds it difficult to do simple things when he’s not training. The attention can be suffocating.”

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But the potential of a return to England has had cold water poured on it by McTominay himself, who recently said: “The people of Naples are incredible, they’re so passionate, and everywhere you go, there are people who say ‘Forza Napoli’ and want to talk to you and have a conversation, and that inspires you every time you step onto the pitch because it’s important to them too.

“It’s different, it’s a totally different way of life—the way you eat, the way you live, and everything else. It gives you more mental strength. I’ve always lived very close to my mum, so I could go to her whenever I wanted.

“Now I live 1,500 miles away, so I can’t just go home and see my mum, my family, my sister, and my kids, so it’s different. In life, sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone, and I’ve always prided myself on that. I never want to be in my comfort zone, and if I can go anywhere and succeed and do well, why not? Who’s to stop me from doing that?”

Egypt boss Hossam Hassan feels “nothing will distract” one of his stars from the African Cup of Nations amid links to a move to Tottenham of late.

Egypt have made a strong start to AFCON. The North African nation beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in their opener and then turned over South Africa 1-0 in their next game.

Striker Omar Marmoush got himself into good form immediately by bagging his side’s first goal of the tournament.

He has not had huge opportunities for form in club football, being given only 206 minutes in the Premier League this season, with other Manchester City attackers preferred, and largely maintaining form.

Amid a struggle for minutes, Marmoush has been linked with a move to Tottenham, though Egypt boss Hassan doesn’t feel his focus will stray away from the national team.

He said: “Marmoush would be an asset for any team in the Premier League, and I hope he stays there. He has an agent who will discuss his future with him.

“Nothing will distract him from the national team during the tournament, especially after his brilliant performance in the first match.”

The interest from Tottenham in Marmoush may only be basic at this stage, with it reported earlier in December that they were ‘looking at’ the Egyptian forward.

However, given he’s not being given many minutes at City, while the likes of Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki are impressing, a move to Spurs could be good for him.

They have been crying out for a competent left-winger, while striker Richarlison has underwhelmed at periods this term, meaning there are two positions in which Marmoush could potentially play there.

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However, he first has progression in AFCON to focus on. After two wins in the first two games, Egypt have booked their place in the next round, and with both Marmoush and Mohamed Salah in form, there seems a good chance of progress.

Should they get all the way to the final, Marmoush and Co will be absent until January 18, when the AFCON final takes place.

What’s more, if Marmoush remains in form, both he and City could feel there is an immediate future for him at the Manchester club.

Tottenham insider John Wenham feels Richarlison could leave the club very soon, with no talk over an extension and his “purple patch” having faded.

Spurs have hauled themselves from 15th to 11th in the Premier League with victory over Crystal Palace. They broke a two-match losing streak – against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool – to begin to climb back up the table.

The only goal of the game was scored by Archie Gray. Striker Richarlison had the ball in the net twice, but was offside once and looked close for the other goal, though Lucas Bergvall was adjudged to be offside earlier in the move anyway.

That neither goal counted means, in the league, the striker has scored twice in the last six games, below what a big-six striker would expect of themselves.

Tottenham insider Wenham feels that lack of consistency is one of the reasons he might be shown the door soon.

He told Tottenham News: “The thing is against Forest last week, he offered nothing, we don’t see that Richarlison enough [the one against Liverpool], if we did he would be at Real Madrid or something.

“The way he can wind up players of the quality of [Virgil] van Dijk, Alisson and others, who have seen it all in their career, he causes massive problems.

“If he could do it every week, he would be at Madrid, but he was basically unplayable for that sort of 15 minutes.

“The start of the season, he had a purple patch, outstanding against PSG in the Super Cup, we then play Burnley in the league and he scores two, including that fantastic acrobatic scissor kick, then he can go nine games without a goal, or have a mysterious injury.

“I still think there is a very decent chance he leaves Tottenham in January, I know he has 18 months left on his contract, there was serious interest in the summer, I expect MLS clubs to come back in for him.

“There is no sort of talk of an extension at Tottenham, so, I could still see Richarlison moving in the near future.”

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MLS club Orlando City were said to have been eyeing Richarlison in the summer, wanting to sign him to a long-term contract and see him become a leading figure for them prior to the 2026 World Cup.

Whether they’d now want to sign the Brazilian remains to be seen.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank described his side’s latest win as “very important” as he was happy with the performance of a side who had been struggling.

Spurs had been struggling in the Premier League of late. Prior to the visit of Crystal Palace, they had lost their last two games, against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

That had them 15th in the league, but a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace has pushed them up to 11th, just one point below Fulham in 10th, and also one below opponents Palace.

The winner came from Archie Gray, who scored his first career goal in his 112th game. Tottenham had the ball in the net twice more, but Richarlison’s goals were both ruled out through offside.

In any case, the victory should ease pressure on boss Thomas Frank, as his side had begun to slip after they had started the season far better than their position of late reflected.

The Spurs boss said on Sky Sports: “Very important win. Clearly a game where desire beats detail. I don’t think we did a top performance. I like how we dug in, worked very hard, disciplined.

“I think we also managed to create enough chances. To come here and win 1-0. Very impressed with the players when things is not perfect, we did so many things right.

“We’re missing quite a few of the offensive players, so with that in mind it’s even more impressive.”

On Gray, the manager said: “He got his match-winner moment, very happy for him, he’s growing a lot, doing more and more things right.

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Frank is also happy with how his side are performing given they’re playing in different competitions.

He said: “I think we are in that transition process. In a season when we play Champions League and want to compete in the Premier League. Positives in terms of resilience, tight, tricky game. We need to keep building small layers.

In January, Frank’s Spurs side will be on the hunt for transfer, but won’t push for moves they don’t need to make.

“We will be in the market, it needs to be something where we clearly think we can improve the team,” Frank said.

Paul Merson has backed Antoine Semenyo to head to Tottenham rather than Manchester City, amid a question over Pep Guardiola and the potential role the forward would play.

It has seemed for a while like a big battle for Semenyo has been brewing. The Bournemouth man has been one of the Premier League’s form players this term, with eight goals and three assists in 16 games.

But of late, City have pushed their way to the top of the pile for him. Fabrizio Romano revealed things were trending very much in the right direction for the transfer just before Christmas, and that seems to remain the case.

Liverpool are reportedly still alive in the race, though it’s felt Semenyo would rather head to City.

According to Merson, a different club entirely, Tottenham, could be where the winger lands.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he explained: “The one that you just said he wouldn’t go to, Tottenham.

“I look at Man United, I think he’d have to play at wing-back because they’ve got the two behind already and the way they play, unless he’s [Ruben Amorim] sort of trying that now to change it up to see if that’s going to be the way they’re going to play if they get Semenyo, like they did yesterday. That might be one of the reasons.

“Man City? We don’t know if Pep is going to be there next season. So for me, I think Tottenham.

“It’s really open, need a left-sided midfielder, there’s plenty of space and he’ll play every week. He plays every week at Bournemouth. Will he get used to being able to play two games, coming out for one or two, playing another two.

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“He might be one of them players that needs to play week in, week out. It’s hard. The foreign players can do it, they’ve been used to it. But for English players, and especially for someone like him who has been playing consistently all the time, he might not like that.

“So, it’s one for him to think about. He’s got the world at his feet, and all he’s got to do is make sure, thank God, he doesn’t get injured in the next 12 days or so.”

A move to Tottenham wouldn’t be the biggest step forward, with both Bournemouth and Spurs in the bottom half of the table, while the Manchester sides and Liverpool are all within the Premier League’s top six.