GIVEMESPORT

Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on in-demand Feyenoord centre-back David Hancko as speculation continues to grow over Ben Davies' future, according to TEAMTalk.

Davies' contract expires in the summer, and there's no word on whether the Welsh defender will extend his stay with the North Londoners. The 31-year-old has missed a large chunk of his side's season due to a hamstring injury, and Ange Postecoglou may feel he can't be relied upon.

Hancko is on the radar of several European clubs, including Spurs, amid a fine spell at De Kuip, where he's caught the eye with his versatility, moving out to left-back when required. There are similarities between the left-footed 27-year-old and Davies regarding their adaptability and ball-carrying abilities.

Tottenham Keen On Feyenoord's Hancko

Chelsea also in race for the Eredivisie star

Tottenham are one of four clubs who have set their sights on Hancko, and they'll have to fork out £42 million, with Feyenoord 'firm on their asking price.' He's a player Liverpool boss Arne Slot will know well, having coached him for two seasons before heading to Anfield, and reports suggest he's been on his former manager's shortlist.

Chelsea are also eyeing the Slovakian, and the Blues are willing to battle it out with the Spurs for his signature. But Atletico Madrid and Juventus have made contact regarding a potential deal, and the Old Lady are said to be enticing him. He has three years left on his contract in Rotterdam, where he has won the title of Eredivisie, the Dutch Cup, and the Dutch Super Cup.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: David Hancko started every game for Feyenoord since debuting on August 27, 2022, until January 18, 2025.

Hancko's stock has grown in recent years, and he was recently hailed as 'world-class' by Dutch journalist Dederik de Groot. He has also been injury-free this season, sitting out just one game due to illness, which would be a massive bonus for Ange Postecoglou, given his defence's injury toll.

All statistics courtesy of SofaScore - correct as of 08/03/2025.

Charlie Eccleshare has pointed out Tottenham Hotspur could sack Ange Postecoglou on the same day he wins an award. The Australian coach is feeling the heat again following Spurs' shock 1-0 defeat to Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Europa League.

Postecoglou had ridden out the storm of a difficult start to the year when his side lost five Premier League games on the bounce. A 4-1 win over Ipswich Town lifted the mood around the club, followed by a 1-0 victory over fellow strugglers Manchester United.

The Europa League is Tottenham's only chance of ending their 17-year trophy drought, but Lucas Bergvall's own goal means they'll have to turn things around on home soil next Thursday (March 13). Daniel Levy backed Postecoglou with three signings in January, including Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich, but the pressure is back on the 59-year-old after his side's stumble in the Netherlands.

Postecoglou Could Be Sacked But Win PL Award

The Spurs boss oversaw an impressive February

Postecoglou's Tottenham future may rest on the outcome of their second-leg encounter with AZ, and that could lead to his dismissal if they fail to advance to the Europa League's quarter-finals.

The Athletic's Eccleshare, who covered Spurs for years, highlighted that if Postecoglou were to be sacked the day after that game, this could coincide with him winning the Premier League's Manager of the Month award:

"It’s possible Ange could be sacked next Friday and win the Premier League manager of the month award on the same day."

Postecoglou has been nominated for February's Premier League Manager of the Month award. He joins Liverpool's Arne Slot, Everton's David Moyes, Fulham's Marco Silva and Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner.

The Lilywhites enjoyed a resurgence last month, with three wins and one defeat in four games. This quietened the noise regarding a potential relegation scrap, with Postecoglou's men now 13th but still encountering issues.

GIVEMESPORT Key Achievement: Ange Postecoglou is the only manager to win the Premier League Manager of the Month award in each of his first three months in the competition

If Levy were to sack Postecoglou and he were to win the Manager of the Month award, it would be a first in English top-flight history. That said, Nuno Espirito Santo endured somewhat of a similar fate in charge of Spurs, winning the award in August 2021 before Levy pulled the plug three months later.

Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on bringing Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin back to the club as he continues to impress at the Stadium of Light, as per TBR Football.

Cirkin, 22, came through Spurs' academy, and former manager Jose Mourinho spoke of his 'quality' before he left for the Black Cats in August 2021. He has made major strides with the EFL Championship club and has been Regis Le Bris' undisputed starting left-back this season, helping the club in their aim to gain promotion to the Premier League.

Tottenham are thought to have continuously tracked Cirkin since his departure and are weighing up a move for their former academy youngster. He made 21 appearances for the Under 23s before leaving, and Ange Postecoglou could do with more options at left-back amid an injury-plagued season.

Tottenham Could Re-Sign Cirkin

The Sunderland left-back is in-demand

Tottenham are one of several clubs keeping an eye on Cirkin and could swoop in the summer when he'll have a year left on his contract. Chelsea, Crystal Palace, West Ham United, Everton and Leeds United have also been monitoring the England U20 international.

Cirkin's availability will be interesting should Sunderland fail to return to the English top flight at the end of the season. They may be under pressure to cash in on the Dublin-born full-back, and he may be keen to try his hand at Premier League football. Mourinho saw plenty of potential, saying in November 2019:

"He’s a kid with a lot of quality, and I look forward to bringing him to train with us, and to help his development.”

Postecoglou has dealt with constant injury setbacks this season, with his favoured left-back Destiny Udogie sidelined through a hamstring injury in January. He turned to Djed Spence, but the English defender is a right-back by trade, and the Australian tactician will want to ensure his defence has in-depth strength next season.

Cirkin is defensively sound, constantly looking to break up play and carry the ball out to help his team in transition. His current club view him as 'outrageous' and he could be a good alternative to Udogie for Postecoglou to rotate at left-back and add more options at the back.

All statistics courtesy of SofaScore - correct as of 07/03/2025.

Manchester City attacker Jack Grealish will have to take a 33% pay cut to join Tottenham Hotspur this summer, according to Dean Jones, writing for GIVEMESPORT.

Grealish's future is up in the air, having failed to live up to expectations at the Etihad since arriving from Aston Villa in the summer of 2021 for a club-record £100 million. He's been in and out of Pep Guardiola's team this season, with just one assist in 16 Premier League games, starting just six of those matches.

Tottenham were linked with the 29-year-old in January, but nothing came to fruition regarding the 39-cap England international joining the Lilywhites. Ange Postecoglou had other targets in mind. Mathys Tel joined on loan from Bayern Munich with a view to a permanent £45 million switch, Czech goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky signed from Slavia Prague in a £12.5 million deal and Austrian defender Kevin Danso was brought in on loan from Lens with a £20.9 million obligation to buy.

Jack Grealish Must Take Pay Cut To Join Tottenham

Manchester City attacker looks likelier to move abroad

Talk of Grealish joining Tottenham has resurfaced amid his lack of game time at the Etihad. But there are significant hurdles for the English winger to potentially seal a move to Postecoglou's North Londoners in the summer.

Jones has explained why the financial aspect of signing the former Villa captain means a move abroad rather than Spurs looks likelier:

"The 29-year-old is one of Manchester City’s top earners, with a weekly salary of around £300,000. That is a significant figure, especially when compared to Spurs' current wage structure, which caps salaries at just under £200,000-a-week – the same amount that Heung-min Son earns."

Grealish may have to take a 33 per cent pay cut to force through a move to Spurs because the club's wage structure isn't expected to change regardless of whether Heung-min Son departs. The Lilywhites will also have to pay a fee on top of this, given the City man will have two years left on his contract at the Etihad.

Theo Walcott has previously insisted the English attacker is an 'incredible talent' who has had his exciting factor coached out of him. He may be keen to regain a reputation of being his team's main man as he was at Villa where he put the Premier League on notice.

Chelsea and Newcastle United are also thought to be keeping tabs on Grealish's situation, while Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Serie A heavyweights AC Milan are also in the mix. The latter signed his former teammate Kyle Walker in January and could return for another Englishman who had also endured a difficult period in his career.

All statistics courtesy of SofaScore - correct as of 07/03/2025.

Tottenham Hotspur star Dane Scarlett is on course to be rewarded with more extensive opportunities to make his mark at Hotspur Way during the 2025/26 campaign instead of being offloaded on a loan or permanent deal when the transfer window reopens for business in the summer, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

Although Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou will have the option to buy Mathys Tel for £45million at the end of the season, thanks to the terms negotiated with Bayern Munich a matter of hours before the winter deadline, there remain plans to give up-and-coming talents the chance to prove their worth.

First-choice frontman Dominic Solanke was forced off with a fresh injury in the final stages of Tottenham's Europa League defeat to AZ Alkmaar earlier this week, which has caused concern ahead of facing Bournemouth on Sunday, and Scarlett is in line to secure more responsibility in the coming months.

Spurs Eager to Give Scarlett Platform to Shine

Postecoglou convinced 20-year-old deserves more opportunities

Postecoglou is set to hand Scarlett a bigger role at Tottenham next season, according to GMS sources, as there is determination to give him the platform to succeed in his current surroundings instead of entertaining the possibility of sanctioning his departure during the summer transfer window.

The striker was recalled from a loan spell with Championship outfit Oxford United in January as injury problems suffered by Solanke, who became Spurs' club-record signing when he completed a £65million move from Bournemouth in August, resulted in more cover being needed in the final third of the pitch.

GMS sources have been informed that Postecoglou has been convinced that Scarlett deserves more game time after making cameo appearances from the bench since his return, leading to the decision being made to keep him on board and give him further chances to shine in the 2025/26 campaign.

The 20-year-old has earned rave reviews from teammates since heading back to north London, with Ben Davies describing him as 'amazing' after getting his name on the scoresheet during Spurs' Europa League win over Elfsborg, and influential figures behind the scenes want him to build on his form.

Tottenham are already short of homegrown talent and, having entered the fray when Solanke needed to be replaced against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday, GMS sources have learned that Scarlett will have further opportunities to work his way into the forefront of Postecoglou's plans.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Dane Scarlett averaged a Championship goal every 201 minutes during his loan spell with Oxford United earlier this season

Sesko and Delap Remain Targets for Summer

North Londoners aiming to dip into market for additional firepower

GMS sources have been told that Tottenham are continuing to show interest in RB Leipzig marksman Benjamin Sesko and Ipswich Town centre forward Liam Delap - along with scouting further possibilities in France, Italy and Portugal - despite intending to keep Scarlett because Solanke's lay-offs have emphasised the need to have strong competition.

Spurs are the joint-second highest scorers in the Premier League this season, with table-topping Liverpool being the only side to have found the back of the net more regularly, but there remains a desire to ensure they are well-stocked in the final third of the pitch as they look to challenge for honours.

Although Scarlett is poised to remain at Tottenham as he is admired behind the scenes, GMS sources understand that Timo Werner will return to Leipzig when his loan spell comes to an end, while there are doubts over the future of captain Heung-min Son, Manor Solomon and Richarlison.

GMS sources recently revealed that domestic counterparts Everton are preparing to make enquiries over the latter's price tag after he has worked his way onto the Merseyside outfit's radar ahead of the summer, and Spurs are open to doing business if their demands are met during negotiations.

All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 07/03/2025

Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou has provided an update on Dominic Solanke’s injury after the striker limped off late in the 1-0 loss against AZ Alkmaar.

The Australian manager said he remains hopeful that Solanke will recover quickly from his latest setback and suggested he may have only suffered a minor knock.

The England forward came on with around 20 minutes to play in Spurs’ Europa League last-16 first-leg defeat on Thursday but was forced off in injury time after colliding with Alkmaar goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro.

This was Solanke’s first game for Spurs in almost two months, as he had been sidelined since mid-January due to a knee injury.

Solanke Forced Off in Spurs Loss

After returning from knee injury

Postecoglou, speaking at a press conference on Friday morning, did not rule Solanke out of Tottenham’s meeting with Bournemouth on Sunday:

“With Dom, I think he got a knee into the back so it's probably a bit sore. It's a knock so hopefully it settles down pretty quickly.”

Solanke joined from Bournemouth last summer in a club-record deal for Spurs, worth an initial £55million plus a further £10m in add-ons.

The 27-year-old has scored 11 goals and registered six assists in 30 appearances across all competitions this season, with seven of his goals coming in the Premier League.

Tottenham’s injury crisis is starting to finally ease, with both first-choice centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero making the bench for the Alkmaar clash on Thursday.

Fellow defenders Ben Davies and Radu Dragusin remain sidelined, as do forwards Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison.

Dragusin is not expected to return until the end of the year, having undergone surgery following his ACL injury last month.

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Tyler Dibling is 'sold on Tottenham Hotspur's project' in a massive step forward for Ange Postecoglou and Daniel Levy to bring the Southampton winger to the club this summer, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.

The 19-year-old English starlet is one of the Premier League's most coveted young talents who has been superb for the Saints on the right wing. His impressive breakout season has caught the eye of several English top-flight clubs, including the Lilywhites, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

Dibling is expected to leave Southampton amid the club's likely relegation, which paves the way for Postecoglou and Levy to make their move. The St Mary's outfit have slapped a £50 million price tag on their academy graduate, but Spurs are confident a deal can be agreed at £30-35 million.

Jacobs: Dibling Is Sold On Tottenham's Project

The North Londoners have recently focused on youth

Tottenham is becoming an increasingly attractive club for youngsters looking to either make the step up in their careers or earn more game time. Archie Gray, 18, arrived from Leeds United last summer for around £30 million, while, after much convincing, Mathys Tel, 19, joined on loan from Bayern Munich in January with a view to a permanent £45 million deal.

Dibling is similarly held in high regard amid being a shining light in a dismal return to the Premier League for Southampton. He operates mainly on the right but can drop inside as a number 10 in a similar fashion to Cole Palmer at Chelsea.

GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs explained why Dibling is keen on Tottenham, writing:

'Spurs have already made contact with Dibling's camp and believe he is sold on the project, while there is also confidence that Ange Postecoglou is the right manager to further develop his game.'

Postecoglou hasn't been afraid to use youth this season, especially due to the various injury setbacks his side have suffered. Lucas Bergvall, 18, has been a prominent member of his midfield team, and he's also handed game time to Mikey Moore, 17.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Tottenham Hotspur have fielded the youngest teams of all 20 clubs on a Premier League match week on six occasions this season.

Gray picked up the Young Player of the Year award at the London Football Awards and largely thanked Postecoglou for trusting him. The Spurs boss's faith in using youth seems to be enticing Dibling. The Exeter-born teen may be looking to return to London after spending a short spell with Chelsea's academy before returning to the Saints ahead of debuting at senior level.

All statistics courtesy of SofaScore and Transfermarkt - correct as of 07/03/2025.

Tottenham Hotspur have yet to make a decision on Richarlison’s future and are not expected to do so soon, Fabrizio Romano has revealed in his exclusive GIVEMESPORT newsletter.

The Brazilian forward has been linked with a departure from North London in recent weeks, but Spurs are not considering his future yet, with their focus fully on finishing the season positively.

The Lilywhites sit 13th in the Premier League with 11 games remaining and are 13 points off fifth, where they finished in Ange Postecoglou’s first season.

They also lost the first leg of their Europa League Round of 16 tie against AZ Alkmaar, with Lucas Bergvall’s own goal proving the difference.

Spurs Yet to Decide on Richarlison

It remains an ‘open’ story

Romano, writing in his exclusive GIVEMESPORT newsletter, revealed that Richarlison’s future remains ‘open’, with Spurs yet to make a decision on the Brazilian:

“No time now for decisions yet. Spurs are focused on finishing the season in the best way possible, then... we will see. It's an open story.”

Richarlison’s season at Tottenham has been heavily disrupted by injuries, with the 27-year-old suffering his third setback of the campaign last month.

He has made just 14 appearances this term, six of them starts, scoring three goals and providing one assist across all competitions.

The Brazilian has over two years remaining on his contract, which expires in 2027, and has recently been linked with a return to Everton, where he spent four years before joining Spurs in 2022.

According to GIVEMESPORT sources, the Toffees could soon make enquiries about what it would take to bring Richarlison back to Merseyside as David Moyes looks to add fresh firepower this summer.

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Tottenham Hotspur have been left with a mountain to climb to stay in the UEFA Europa League after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie. Naming a line-up that included the likes of Son Heung-min, Mathys Tel and James Maddison, the Premier League side threatened to create very little in the North of Holland.

The Dutch side threatened in the early stages, with Ernest Poku flashing a good chance across the face of goal as an early warning sign. The pressure eventually paid dividends in bizarre circumstances. A corner to the back post was headed back across goal towards youngster Lucas Bergvall, whose sliced clearance looped up and over Djed Spence to nestle into the back of the net, giving the hosts the lead.

The one-way traffic continued, with former Spurs man Troy Parrott and Poku continuing to threaten a fragile back four. The former had the best chance to double the lead as he was played through one-one-one, but was thwarted by a smart save from Vicario. A goalmouth scramble at the end of the first period ultimately came to nothing as Spurs found themselves fortunate to be behind by just one at the break.

The second half brought more of the same, as Spurs provided little to no threat in what was no doubt a tough watch for fans. The introduction of senior stars like Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke with 20 minutes left was designed to give the English side a boost going forward, but a late header over the bar from Wilson Odobert was the best chance the Londoners could fashion.

The hosts were happy to keep Ange Postecoglou's men at an arm's length and focus on protecting their lead while still threatening on the break. The defeat will leave the Australian coach with plenty to ponder ahead of next week's second leg.

The England international's role at the Etihad Stadium has been a topic of speculation for some time now and, as the summer transfer window approaches, the rumour mill has reignited with talk of a potential move to Spurs.

While Tottenham fans may be excited at the prospect of signing Grealish, there are hurdles that would make such a transfer extremely difficult.

Grealish Would Have to Take Pay Cut at Spurs

North Londoners could not match winger's current salary

One of the key factors that makes a Tottenham move for Grealish a long shot are the financial implications. The 29-year-old is one of Manchester City’s top earners, with a weekly salary of around £300,000. That is a significant figure, especially when compared to Spurs' current wage structure, which caps salaries at just under £200,000-a-week – the same amount that Heung-min Son earns.

This presents an immediate problem for the north Londoners, who would be unable to match Grealish’s current wages without drastically overhauling their pay structure.

If Son were to leave Tottenham at the end of the season – something the club is actively evaluating – the wage cap would likely still remain in place. This means that if Grealish were to move to the capital, he would have to accept a considerable pay cut, potentially as much as 33 per cent.

Grealish was linked with Spurs during the winter transfer window, but our understanding is that there was not much intent behind the links in January in the first place. At the time, boss Ange Postecoglou had a clearer focus on other targets and also expected him to be out of reach.

While Tottenham are set to be in a stronger financial position this summer than they were in the previous window, signing Grealish still seems improbable. Even though the club could spend more than some might expect, the scale of the deal required to bring in a player of his calibre would stretch their structure.

He joined Manchester City from Aston Villa for £100million and, as such, his value would still remain high. The fee is likely to exceed what Tottenham are prepared to invest in a single player, especially when there are other targets on the horizon.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Jack Grealish has been restricted to just 617 minutes of Premier League action this season

Eze Viewed as More Realistic Summer Arrival

England international has release clause written into contract

In terms of more realistic acquisitions, Tottenham are believed to be targeting players like Eberechi Eze, who is currently on the books of Premier League rivals Crystal Palace.

The England international has a release clause that could make him a more viable target for Spurs as they would have a figure to aim for. His financial demands may be more in line with the north Londoners' wage structure too, making him a more achievable option for the club to consider.

Should Manchester City make Grealish available for transfer, it is certain that a number of top European clubs would be interested. Chelsea, Newcastle United, Bayern Munich and AC Milan are some of the clubs mentioned to GMS at this early stage.

In any case, the finances surrounding a Grealish move are likely to prove most problematic for any club. But he does need to seriously consider a move at this stage of his career, and sources have indicated that he would be open to a switch outside of England whenever the time comes to find a new club.

All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 06/03/2025