The Mirror

Manchester United will have a tasty reunion with Jose Mourinho after discovering their opponents for the first phase of this season's Europa League alongside Tottenham.

UEFA have revamped this season's competition and discarded the traditional group phase. Instead, teams will play eight different opponents - four home and four away - in a league phase before the knockouts in early 2025.

Aside from a trip to face Mourinho's new side, Fenerbahce, United and Spurs will both play Rangers. The Scottish giants will visit Old Trafford in September, October, November or December while Tottenham are due to travel to Glasgow at some stage. Dates for each fixture will be confirmed on Saturday.

Mourinho hasn't faced United since he was, coincidentally, Tottenham manager in April 2021. The ex-Red Devils and Spurs boss took charge of Fenerbahce this summer but failed to guide them into the Champions League.

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United could also face former midfielders Fred and Sofyan Amrabat, the latter of whom is close to joining Fenerbahce ahead of the transfer window closing in Turkey on September 13. Fred has already spent a season in Istanbul and even scored his first-ever hat-trick in his last appearance.

The final of this season's Europa League takes place at San Mames, the home to Athletic Bilbao in Spain on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. United won the competition in 2017 under Mourinho, beating Ajax 2-0 in the final in Stockholm.

Four years later, the Red Devils came agonisingly close to lifting the trophy for the second time in their history. But after a 1-1 draw, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side lost on penalties to Villarreal in Gdansk.

Your turn! Will Manchester United or Tottenham win the Europa League? Give us your prediction in the comments section

Tottenham are already two-time winners of the competition, winning the inaugural UEFA Cup in 1972 before being crowned champions again in 1984. They last competed in the Europa League during the 2020-21 season, with Mourinho overseeing a shock defeat to Croatian outfit Dinamo Zagreb in the last 16.

Fixtures in full

Manchester United will play - in no confirmed order: Rangers (H) Porto (A), PAOK (H), Fenerbahce (A), Bodo/Glimt (H), Viktoria Plzen (A), Twente (H), Steaua Bucuresti (A)

Tottenham will play - in no confirmed order: Roma (H), Rangers (A), AZ Alkmaar (H), Ferencvaros (A), Qarabag (H), Galatasaray (A), Elfsborg (H), Hoffenheim (A)

Manchester United and Tottenham will be eagerly awaiting Friday's Europa League draw, with an expected start time of 12pm.

United and Spurs will be the Premier League's only representatives in this competition this season, with no clubs dropping down from the Champions League at any point this season. Instead, like the premier competition, the Europa League will use a League phase this season.

That means the 36 teams will shape up in a single league, with sides playing eight different opponents home or away. Clubs will be seeded according to their coefficient, but instead of being hand-picked, matches will be randomly drawn by dedicated software.

Teams will face two clubs from each pot. Both United and Spurs are in Pot 1, but cannot be drawn against each other. The draw is set to start at midday on Friday and will likely take around an hour once the ceremony gets underway.

Follow the draw live with Mirror Football below...

A reminder of the who the Premier League teams will face

Manchester United:

Rangers (H)

Porto (A)

PAOK (H)

Fenerbahce (A)

Bodo/Glimt (H)

Viktoria Plzen (A)

FC Twente (H)

FCSB (A)

Tottenham

Roma (H)

Rangers (A)

AZ Alkmaar (H)

Ferencvaros (A)

Qarabag (H)

Galatasaray (A)

Elfsborg (H)

Hoffenheim (A)

Draw done

And that's the draw completed.

RFS's games

Ajax (h), Frankfurth (a), PAOK (h), Tel-Aviv (a), Galatasaray (h), Kyiv (a), Anderlecht (h), FCSB (a)

Nice's matches

Rangers (h), Lazio (a), Sociedad (h), Ferencvaros (a), Bodo/Glimt (h), Union SG (a), Twente (h), Elfsborg (a)

FCSB's games

Man Utd (h), Rangers (a), Olympiacos (h), PAOK (a), Midtjylland (h), Qarabag (a), RFS (h), Hoffenheim (a)

Anderlecht's matches

Porto (h), Praha (a), Ferencvaros (h), Sociedad (a), Ludogorets (h), Plzen (a), Hoffenheim (h), RFS (a)

Twente's games

Lazio (h), Man Utd (a), Fenerbahce (h), Olympiacos (a), Union SG (h), Malmo (a), Besiktas (h), Nice (a)

Athletic Club's games

Praha (h), Roma (a), Alkmaar (h), Fenerbahce (a), Plzen (h), Ludogorets (a), Elfsborg (h), Besiktas (a)

Elfsborg next

Roma (h), Spurs (a), Braga (h), Alkmaar (a), Qarabag (h), Galatasaray (a), Nice (h), Athletic Club (a)

Hoffenheim's games

Spurs (h), Porto (a), Lyon (h), Braga (a), Kyiv (h), Midtjylland (a), FCSB (h), Anderlecht (a)

Besiktas' matches

Frankfurt (h), Ajax (a), Tel-Aviv (h), Lyon (a), Malmo (h), Bodo/Glimt (a), Athletic Club (h), Twente (a)

And finally Pot 4

A reminder of those teams:

Athletic Club (ESP)

Hoffenheim (GER)

Nice (FRA)

Anderlecht (BEL)

Twente (NED)

Besiktas (TUR)

FCSB (ROU)

RFS (LVA)

Elfsborg (SWE)

Plzen's games

Man Utd (h), Frankfurt (a), Sociedad (h), PAOK (a), Ludogorets (h), Kyiv (a), Anderlecht (h), Athletic Club (a)

Qarabag's games

Ajax (h), Spurs (a), Lyon (h), Olympiacos (a), Malmo (h), Bodo/Glimt (a), FCSB (h), Elfsborg (a)

Midtjylland matches

Frankfurt (h), Porto (a), Fenerbahce (h), Tel-Aviv (a), Union SG (h), Ludogorets (a), Hoffenheim (h), FCSB (a)

Kyiv's matches

Lazio (h), Roma (a), Ferencvaros (h), Sociedad (a), Plzen (h), Galatasaray (a), RFS (h), Hoffenheim (a)

Galatasaray's games

Spurs (h), Ajax (a), PAOK (h), Alkmaar (a), Kyiv (h), Malmo (a), Elfsborg (h), RFS (a)

Malmo's fixtures

Rangers (h), Praha (a), Olympiacos (h), Ferencvaros (a), Galatasaray (h), Qarabag (a), Twente (h), Besiktas (a)

Ludogorets' matches

Praha (h), Lazio (a), Alkmaar (h), Lyon (a), Midtjylland (h), Plzen (a), Athletic Club (h), Anderlecht (a)

Union SG's games

Roma (h), Rangers (a), Braga (h), Fenerbahce (a), Bodo/Glimt (h), Midtjylland (a), Nice (h), Twente (a)

Time for Pot 3

Those teams are:

Qarabag (AZE)

Galatasaray (TUR)

Viktoria Plzen (CZE)

Bodø/Glimt (NOR)

Union SG (BEL)

Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)

Ludogorets (BUL)

Midtjylland (DEN)

Malmo (SWE)

Lyon's matches

Frankfurt (h), Rangers (a), Olympiacos (h), Fenerbahce (a), Ludogorets (h), Qarabag (a), Besiktas (h), Hoffenheim (a)

Alkmaar's games

Roma (h), Spurs (a), Fenerbahce (h), Ferencvaros (a), Galatassaray (h), Ludogorets (a), Elfsborg (h), Athletic Club (a)

Sociedad's fixtures

Ajax (h), Lazio (a), PAOK (h), Tel-Aviv (a), Kyiv (h), Plzen (a), Anderlecht (h), Nice (a)

Braga's games

Lazio (h), Roma (a), Tel-Aviv (h), Olympiacos (a), Bodo/Glimt (h), Union SG (a), Hoffenheim (h), Elfsborg (a)

PAOK's games

Praha (h), Man Utd (a), Ferencvaros (h), Sociedad (a), Plzen (h), Galatassaray (a), FCSB (h), RFS (a)

Ferencváros's matches

Spurs (h), Frankfurt (a), Alkmaar (h), PAOK (a), Malmo (h), Kyiv (a), Nice (h), Anderlecht (a)

Fenerbahce's games

Man Utd (h), Praha (a), Lyon (h), Alkmaar (a), Union-SG (h), Midtjylland (a), Athletic Club (h), Twente (a)

Tel Aviv's games

Porto (h), Ajax (a), Sociedad (h), Braga (a), Midtjylland (h), Bodo/Glimt (a), RFS (h), Besiktas (a)

Pot 2 next

Pot 2 is next up, a reminder of those teams:

Real Sociedad (ESP)

AZ Alkmaar (NED)

Braga (POR)

Olympiacos (GRE)

Lyon (FRA)

PAOK (GRE)

Fenerbahçe (TUR)

M. Tel-Aviv (ISR)

Ferencváros (HUN)

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The Europa League has followed the Champions League by adopting a completely new format for the 2024/25 season.

FA Cup winners Manchester United, and Tottenham, who finished fifth in the Premier League last season, plus Scotland’s representatives Rangers, are awaiting the new-look draw which will take place from midday UK time on Friday.

Like the Champions League, UEFA’s second-tier competition will have 36 teams in a single league, with sides playing eight different opponents as they strive to reach the knockout phase, which will feature an extra play-off round before the round of 16.

Here’s all the need to know about how the new-look Europa League draw will work…

The draw process

Traditionally, the names of teams, according to their seeding status, were completely hand-drawn. However, under the new format, that would take up to four hours and is therefore unworkable, according to UEFA.

So in keeping with modern life in general, AI technology will do most of the leg work. Clubs still be seeded according to their coefficient. But instead of being hand-picked, matches will be randomly drawn by dedicated software. To avoid accusations of draw-rigging, UEFA insists the automated system will be independently monitored regularly.

Teams will be split into four pots. For example, when a team in pot one is manually drawn, the technology will pick eight opponents, two from each pot. The software will also randomly decide which side plays are at home and away.

HAVE YOUR SAY! What do you think of the changes? Tell us in the comments section.

Each team will face one side from each pot at home and one away. Clubs from the same country will be kept apart in the league phase while each team will play a maximum of two opponents from one other nation.

While United and Spurs cannot play each other in the league phase, one of them could face Rangers. United, Tottenham and Rangers will be joined by the likes of Roma, Lazio and Porto in Pot 1.

Knockout phase

Where you finish in the league will determine your future in the competition. The goal for every team after their eight matches will be to finish in the top eight, which means an automatic spot in the round of 16.

Sides finishing in ninth to 24th place will compete in a two-legged play-off to secure a place in the last 16. Clubs from 25th to 36th will exit the competition.

What about the Conference League?

UEFA’s recently-introduced third-tier competition will follow a similar format with a subtle difference. Teams will be seeded in six pots, with each team facing six opponents, one from each pot.

In the garden of Edam, Micky van de Ven garnished a rout with an 80-yard run and told Tottenham : “We need to reach another level.”

The big Dutchman’s electrifying gallop to set up skipper Heung-min Son’s second goal, from one box to another, was the crown jewel of a 4-0 demolition of Everton. But as rampant Spurs unfurled an impressive opening statement at home for the 2024-25 campaign, Van de Ven called for tangible evidence of success.

Taking the temperature among his giddy flock, the 6ft 4in centre-back surveyed 16 years of barren sycophancy on White Hart Lane and admitted: “We want to win a trophy this season, that’s clear.”

At the meeting of English football’s two great under-achievers - one of them 16 years without a trophy, the other 29 - it was painfully obvious where the prospects for tying ribbons round a pot’s handles are brightest.

Everton we can deal with in short measure. They are in for another grim survival battle this winter. From England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford ’s howler for Son’s first goal to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s anaemic scuffling up front, they were woeful.

But Tottenham’s win, culminating in Van de Ven’s surging run, was more comfortable than a hammock. They carried a goal threat from all over the pitch, and the Toffees looked like bewildered guests at a swingers’ party: They knew what they were going to get, but they didn’t know where it was coming from.

When Van de Ven was on the charge, it brought this famous old stadium to its feet and he laughed: “I just decided to keep going, hopefully nobody could stop me, and nothing happened.

“I knew Sonny was on my left so I kept driving at the centre back and at the right moment I played Sonny in. Was I tempted to have a crack? No - Sonny was there and I knew he would finish it off.

“When I was dribbling with the ball you could sense everyone in the stadium was getting really hyped and, yeah, it felt good.”

Van de Ven says Spurs messiah Ange Postecoglou gives his defenders licence to venture forward instead of needing a visa to cross the halfway line, and it gives Tottenham a multi-dimensional attacking threat.

He said: “Ange gives us the possibility to do it and I feel comfortable to play like this. He trusts his defenders, and he trusts everybody in the team, to play that way and it’s really important for us to feel that trust. We need to reach another level this season - last year we were fifth, so it was a good season, but we want more. We want to win a trophy, that’s clear.”

Yves Bissouma, banished to the naughty step for the 1-1 draw at Leicester after posting footage of himself inhaling laughing gas on social media, began the long march to redemption with his first goal in 56 games for Spurs.

Then dawdling Pickford had his pocket picked by Son, Cristian Romero decorated his 100th appearance for Tottenham with a soaring header and Van de Ven’s excursion ended Sonny side up.

Everton boss Sean Dyche was unhappy with his side’s “subservient” approach, growling: “We know they are a good outfit who have spent money on some real talent. They are in a big stadium, their first game at home and everything, and we just started a little bit subserviently.”

Neal Maupay has slammed abuse from Everton fans after being labelled a “f***ing rat” and a “w****r” in a furious showdown.

The Frenchman was at the heart of an angry tirade from supporters in the aftermath of Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Tottenham. Toffees supporters had spotted Sean Dyche ’s squad at Euston Station as they prepared to travel back to Merseyside.

Among the furious comments, supporters shouted at Maupay: “F*** off, you f***ing rat. F***ing 80 grand a week? You f***ing w****r.”

And the Everton striker has now responded to a video of the incident that had gone viral on social media. He replied: “Imagine another job where it’s normalised to get abuse like this. Hanging around at a train station to scream at men who are trying their best…”

The incident is just the latest difficult chapter during the Frenchman’s miserable Everton career. He signed for the Toffees in a £15m deal back in the summer of 2022.

But he has scored just one goal across 32 appearances in all competitions for the club. Maupay was even sent back to his former club Brentford on loan last season.

He found brighter form while back in West London with eight goals in 31 outings for the Bees. Brentford did have an option to make the deal permanent but elected not to, meaning Maupay was forced to return to Goodison Park, where he has a year remaining on his deal.

Another return to Brentford could still be on the cards though. Thomas Frank’ s men have been linked with the 28-year-old, while French side Marseille are reportedly among his admirers.

What has gone wrong for Everton so far? Share your thoughts in the comments below

Everton are back in action on Tuesday evening as they take on Doncaster in the Carabao Cup ahead of clashing with Bournemouth at the weekend. Boss Dyche will certainly be hoping for a response having torn into his players following the defeat to Tottenham.

He said: “What about taking responsibility at 0-0? Strangely, it is easier to take responsibility when you are one or two goals down. Every manager will call it 2-0 football and then everyone starts playing. What about playing when it is 0-0?

“So within all the challenges, which are quite obvious, we have got to remind ourselves of the truth of what we are, and what we are trying to achieve, and that part of the mentality of the group, we have shown before how positive it can be, we let it go too easily.

“And today, we know they are a good outfit who have spent money on some real talent. They are in a big stadium, their first game at home and everything, and they started like that, and we just started a little bit subserviently.

“We had good organisation but the first goal was a sign of it, everyone just backing off and just letting players run into the box and that kind of - it is only two or three yards but it is two or three yards of intent to go and stop moments like that.”

Everton fans made their feelings clear towards players as the Toffees boarded a train following their 4-0 humbling by Tottenham on Saturday.

Sean Dyche's side were well beaten in north London thanks to strikes from Yves Bissouma and Cristian Romero as well as a brace by Son Heung-min. It leaves Everton bottom of the Premier League with no points and no goals from their opening two fixtures, sporting a goal difference of -7.

Some fans gathered at Euston Station to make their voices heard as a clutch of Toffees players strode along the platform to catch a train back to Liverpool. Jordan Pickford and Mason Holgate were among those to acknowledge the peeved supporters.

One player that attracted particular ire was former Brentford and Brighton striker Neal Maupay. He has managed just one goal in 32 appearances for the Blues and returned to the Bees on loan last term.

But he is back on Merseyside now and was an unused substitute at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. As he was met by angry jibes from Everton fans, he appeared to bite back from the platform.

That triggered a torrent of abuse, with one fan heard shouting in a clip shared on social media: "F*** off, you f***ing rat. F***ing 80 grand a week? You f***ing w****r."

After the clip had gone viral, Maupay posted on X: "Imagine another job where it’s normalised to get abuse like this. Hanging around at a train station to scream at men who are trying their best."

Everton started the Premier League season in the worst-possible fashion, losing 3-0 at home to Brighton. Another defeat at Spurs has already turned the atmosphere toxic within the fanbase amid fears another relegation battle could be on the cards.

The Toffees now have back-to-back home fixtures before the international break with Dyche desperate for results. They take on League Two Doncaster in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday before taking on Bournemouth in the top flight.

Everton will move into their new stadium next season and have been subject of takeover interest with two separate deals collapsing over the summer. Dyche has admitted Everton may sell players before Friday's transfer deadline, even if they cannot be replaced.

"Until I'm told different, there isn't any finance to go and change things. This is what we are," he said. "There's so many stories, so much noise every day and it's not very often about the football.

"Is there a reality it's tough to come down here [to Spurs] anyway? Yes. Is there a reality it's even tougher when you've got a thin squad and you haven't invested like these have? Yes.

"Does that mean they win? No. I've shown that many times before, the players I've worked with... But you have to make games like today work in your favour and we didn't have enough to do that today.

"We finished strongly last season. We sell a player [Onana] who's growing and maturing and become a very important player. And then we bring in other players who we've got to start the process with again and make them grow and mature and become important players. It's a cycle that keeps going and going and going.

"That's just the reality of the club and I always try to work on realities. There's plenty of myths about it - the latest one being, it's the last season at [Goodison Park] so we're going to be in Europe. And I went, 'how's that then? So what happened to the last three seasons? Do you think they weren't trying to be in Europe?'

"There has to be some reality to the storyline and I've tried to bring that."

Ex-Newcastle chief Amanda Staveley is set to ramp up plans to buy into Tottenham Hotspur, it has been claimed.

The 51-year-old was a pivotal figure at St James’ Park over the past few years. She was heavily involved in the Saudi-backed takeover by the Public Investment Fund.

Alongside husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi, she bought a considerable stake in Newcastle and was granted a place on the club’s board of directors. But her spell at St James’ Park came to an end this summer as her stake was purchased by the club’s Saudi owners, while her involvement with any businesses associated with Newcastle also ended.

It appears that Staveley is not intending to be out of football for very long. She has been linked with making a possible investment into Tottenham in the past and is ready to ramp up her interest.

As per The Sun, Staveley will step up her bid to buy into the North London club. It is suggested that she is backed by “serious money” from Middle Eastern investors.

Current Tottenham owner Daniel Levy would apparently be open to selling a stake, while Staveley’s consortium would hope to buy a greater stake down the line should a deal be struck. It is further revealed that it could cost around £650m for 25 percent of the club.

Staveley had previously remained tight-lipped about a potential deal earlier this summer but confirmed she was open to investment in another Premier League club. As quoted by The Athletic, she said: “My preference would have been to stay with Newcastle, but life doesn’t always work out exactly how you want it to. Nothing is going to replicate that.

"I fell in love with Newcastle, the club and the people and that can’t change, but I didn’t want to get in Newcastle’s way. It’s got to be about what’s best for Newcastle.

Where will Tottenham finish this season? Share your predictions in the comments below

“Mehrdad and I are keen to be hands-on. We’re hard-working people, I love to be very busy and to engage and I love football. Very sadly, we have to move on to other projects and that might involve us taking a stake in another club or buying another club and that’s difficult. But it’s possible.”

Stavelely’s time at Newcastle was a remarkable success. The Magpies surged to safety following the takeover and secured a place in the Champions League the following campaign.

They were on the verge of another place in Europe last term but lost out due to Manchester United ’s FA Cup win. Staveley penned an emotional farewell message to Newcastle after her exit.

A statement on her Instagram read: "Nothing I write today can ever express my gratitude or describe the debt I owe you all. Your support over the last years has been extraordinary, and no fans deserve success more than you.

"Being a small part of your precious Newcastle United has been a privilege, and I will cherish the memories of every single moment. Working with Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall, and Becky Langley has taught me so much.

"They are truly world class - and I will miss everyone terribly. Mehrdad and I have relished the role we had at the club - we particularly loved working alongside Yasir, our PIF colleagues and Jamie Reuben to create a club that will constantly challenge for Europe and will be capable of winning trophies.

"I know PIF and RB will continue to be remarkable custodians - and the club will receive the required support over the coming years."

Harry Winks says he’s never stopped dreaming about England.

The Foxes midfielder is back in the big time and has his eyes fixed firmly on forcing his way back into the Three Lions side. Winks, 28, made the last appearance for his country almost four years ago during a 3-0 victory over Ireland at Wembley.

He left Spurs last summer in search of regular game-time and found it in the east Midlands as part of Enzo Maresca’s promoted side. Returning to the top-flight was all part of the plan after he joined the Foxes for £10m.

And the desire to play for the Three Lions has never left him. When quizzed about a return, he said: “Obviously, that’s out of my hands. The important thing is to play well for Leicester - then everything will take care of itself.

‌“But it is something I think about. I’ve never stopped thinking about it. I know you need to perform well at the highest level and the Premier League is that level.”

‌Winks enjoyed a solid campaign as Maresca led the club to the Championship title. And the midfielder said that while going abroad offered him a chance to be noticed, he felt it was better if he did remained in England and took the chance to return to the elite after spending one campaign in the Championship.

‌He added: “The Premier League seems the best place to try and return. When you go abroad or in the Championship, it’s not looked at like that. The Premier League is the best league in the world so you have to show it on that stage.

“I’m looking forward, with the squad and players here we can have a positive season and for me personally, I want to make sure of that as well. I’ve got full confidence in myself. I’ve never lost that.

Will Leicester stay up this season? Share your predictions in the comments below

"I’ve always said it’s about playing games regularly and regaining my confidence. Since I’ve joined the club I’ve had that. I love the club, the players and since I’ve come I’ve felt at home.”

Maresca returned the favour for Winks when the two were playing together last term. The Italian boss said that the midfielder was on loan to the Championship - and so it proved.

‌But the manager who took a gamble on him now has far bigger issues to sort at Chelsea - while Winks is getting to grips with new boss Steve Cooper. He said: “It’s still enjoyable - but it’s different to last season.

‌"We’re learning what he wants. He’s given the senior players a bit of licence. There’s not too much difference but the main thing is we build up differently.

‌"We try to keep the same style with an overload in the middle. Off the ball is different. The manager has been in the PL, he understands what it takes to stay in the PL and we have to understand that’s what the manager wants to do and we’re all behind doing what he says. It showed last Monday - because a point against Spurs is a good return.”

Tottenham have been handed a blow for this weekend’s clash with Everton after new signing Dominic Solanke was ruled out of contention due to an injury.

The striker, who joined Ange Postecoglou’s side for £65million from Bournemouth this summer, hurt his ankle in the opening league draw against Leicester.

And the Spurs boss said that the issue has since “flared up”. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s league fixture with the Toffees, he said: “Dom picked up a knock in the last game so he got through the game but it flared up the day after, so he'll miss tomorrow.”

He added: “It's an ankle injury, he copped it really early on, someone went across his ankle. It just depends on his recovery [when he returns], obviously we've got the international break. but it's not serious.”

Richarlison, who signed for Spurs last summer from Everton in a deal worth £60million, is said to be “ready to go” as Solanke’s replacement as he meets his former club.

Solanke is not the only injury headache for Postecoglou. Rodrigo Bentancur, who started the game against Leicester but was forced off with 12 minutes of regular time due to a head injury, is unavailable due to concussion protocols.

Postecoglou said: “We respect concussion protocols and [with] any head injury we'll always be a little more conservative. The good news is he's bounced back really well, done all the tests, but we'll take our time with Rodrigo before putting him back out there.”

One player who could start in Bentancur’s place is Yves Bissouma, who was suspended by Tottenham after he was filmed inhaling laughing gas on the eve of the new season. While the Malian midfielder is available for selection, his coach suggested the damage done by the video is not yet fully repaired.

“Biss is available but we've got some options there and the whole idea of bulking up the squad in pre-season was for these kinds of scenarios,” Postecoglou said. “He's available for selection but the bridge building continues.”

Just over a week remains in the transfer window and Tottenham are still keen to get several deals over the line.

The north Londoners have comfortably spent well in excess of £100million this summer already, with £65million striker Dominic Solanke being their star signing. Talented midfielder Archie Gray, French winger Wilson Odobert, Lucas Bergvall and Yang Min-hyeok make up the rest of Spurs’ incomings thus far.

But Monday night’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Leicester City in their season opener showed that Ange Postecoglou’s side are still far from the finished article. They likely need to make further key signings if they are to break into the top four after last season’s fifth-place finish.

And for that to happen they must sell players too. With the seconds ticking down, Mirror Sport brings you what Daniel Levy needs to do in order to provide Spurs with a dream end to the window ahead of next Friday's deadline.

Sign Joao Gomes

Spurs are notably light on quality in the midfield department and Postecoglou knows it. The Lilywhites have been linked to Wolves’ energetic midfielder Joao Gomes, who would certainly bolster their options. Those options are currently: Yves Bissouma, Gray, Rodrigo Bentancur – who was stretchered off at Leicester after a nasty collision – and Pape Matar Sarr.

GiveMeSport claim Spurs have “set their sights” on the 23-year-old Brazil international, who has eight caps and made 34 league appearances last season. Gomes makes more tackles per game on average than any Spurs player, and is adept at both covering ground and driving forward with the ball.

He even scored two against Spurs back in February. With Wolves now potentially looking to cash in on the player in order to raise further funds of their own for the end of the window, Tottenham should be all over this signing.

Cash in on Jack Clarke clause

Spurs signed Jack Clarke from Leeds in the summer of 2019 before immediately loaning him back to the Championship side. He then had another disappointing loan spell at Queens Park Rangers and was sold to Sunderland in 2022.

But the 23-year-old striker’s fortunes have changed in the north-east, scoring 15 goals last season and already notching a goal and an assist for the Black Cats this term. Newly-promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town have now made an improved offer for Clarke of £15m plus £5m in add-ons.

In the case where he is sold to Ipswich, Spurs would receive a nice windfall to redirect towards new signings. That’s thanks to the 40% sell-on clause – for any profit Sunderland make on the sale – Tottenham negotiated when they sold Clarke back in 2022.

Sign Piero Hincapie

Ecuadorian Piero Hincapie had a stellar time at Bayer Leverkusen last season as the German side rampaged to an unbeaten Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double. The 22-year-old’s assured performances, show by his tally of 20 clean sheets, unsurprisingly placed him on the radar of several big clubs.

That includes Liverpool, who hold a long-standing interest. But according to Diaria Expreso via TEAMtalk, Tottenham are also big admirers of the versatile defender and will reportedly have to fork out around £50m to land him.

Hincapie is not believed to have made a decision regarding his future yet and is expected to sit down with his representatives to evaluate his options in the coming days. Spurs need his quality in defence to provide strong competition, while his ability to play at left-back makes him a handy backup to Destiny Udogie.

Sell Giovani Lo Celso and Manor Solomon

In order to really cap off a successful transfer window, which has already involved selling the likes of Joe Rodon, Emerson Royal and Oliver Skipp, Spurs must continue to flog more fringe players. According to The Times, Giovani Lo Celso and Manor Solomon could leave before the window shuts.

Lo Celso has found it difficult to make an impact at Spurs since first arriving in 2019, with the exception of the odd moment of brilliance. Meanwhile, Solomon’s debut season was marred by injuries, which has influenced the club’s decision to look to sell him.