CaughtOffside

Tottenham Hotspur begin their pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea on Saturday, with a fixture against reigning J League champions, Vissel Kobe.

The North Londoners fell away at the back end of the 2023/24 season, and a few late reverses ensured that they failed to qualify for the Champions League, with Aston Villa nipping in to take their place.

Postecoglou will arguably look at himself first and foremost and wonder if he could’ve done anything better or differently which may have changed the dynamic at the business end.

A thorough and intensive look at the squad as a whole would surely have followed, and allowed the Australian to make a few decisions for the good of the team.

Though those clubs expected to be around them during the new Premier League season will have also strengthened during the summer, Spurs need to produce the type of form that they showed at the start of last season for the entirety of the 2024/25 campaign.

Bringing in quality players will help them to do just that, and Ipswich Town have inadvertently given them a helping hand in that regard.

Tottenham will benefit from Ipswich’s purchase of Jack Clarke

According to i sport (subscription required), they have offered Sunderland £18m for Jack Clarke, and given that Tottenham negotiated a 40% sell-on clause when they sold him to the Black Cats, they stand to make millions from the transfer.

That money is likely to go straight into club coffers, and gives Postecoglou and Daniel Levy a little more breathing space in terms of Financial Fair Play where transfers are concerned.

Tottenham have been busy in sorting out the futures of their academy players, with several going out on loan for further development. The latest to be sent out on loan is Matthew Craig.

The club has officially confirmed that Craig will join League One side Barnsley on a season-long loan for the 2024/25 campaign. Spurs announced the transfer on their officially confirmed, stating: “Matthew Craig has joined League One side Barnsley on loan for the 2024/25 season.”

Matthew Craig has joined League One side Barnsley on loan for the 2024/25 season.

Wishing you the best of luck, Matt! ?

— Tottenham Hotspur Academy (@Spurs_Academy) July 22, 2024

Craig, a product of Tottenham’s academy, has made just one Premier League appearance, which came on the final day of the 2022/23 season against Leeds United.

Earlier this year, Craig was loaned to League Two side Doncaster Rovers for the remainder of the season, where he gained valuable experience and playing time.

He made 20 appearances, contributed a goal and two assists, and helped the team reach the playoffs.

Craig joined the Tottenham academy along with his brother at the age of 12. He signed his first professional contract with the club in 2021, committing to the club until 2023.

And last July, Spurs extended his contract, ensuring that he remains with the club until 2026.

Craig has also captain the club’s U21 side and is highly rated for his leadership qualities as well.

The club will hope that the loan move helps the player gain valuable experience that helps aid his development as a player.

Club also confirm Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg exit

Matthew Craig is not the only midfielder Tottenham have agreed a loan deal for. Not long after confirming Craig’s move to Barnsley, they also announced that they have agreed a deal with French side Marseille for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

The deal is an initial loan move with an obligation to buy for €20 million next summer.

We have reached agreement with Olympique de Marseille for the loan of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for the 2024/25 season, with an obligation that would see the move become permanent.

Wishing you all the best, Pierre! ?

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 22, 2024

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are keen on signing the Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze this summer.

The 26-year-old England international has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park and the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham have now registered their interest in signing him.

Eze had an impressive Premier League campaign with Crystal Palace last year and he was a part of England’s Euro 2024 squad as well.

According to a report from Football Insider, Liverpool and Tottenham are the most concrete suitors for the player right now, and they are preparing formal offers to secure his services.

The 26-year-old has proven himself to be a reliable performer in the Premier League and he is capable of operating in a variety of roles. He can slot into the attacking midfield role centrally and help out creatively. He can also drift into the wide areas and add flair and technical ability in the final third. He could be the ideal addition to the Liverpool and Tottenham attacking unit.

Liverpool and Tottenham need Eberechi Eze

Liverpool need more cutting edge in the final third and the 26-year-old will help them open up deep defences. His ability to slot into multiple roles is also an added bonus.

Similarly, Tottenham need a dynamic attacker like him as well. players like Dejan Kulusevski failed to make the desired impact last season and Tottenham need more quality going forward.

The Crystal Palace star produced 11 goals and six assists last season, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up.

He is unlikely to be a cheap acquisition and the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham will have to pay a premium in order to convince Crystal Palace to sell him. The Eagles are under no pressure to sanction his departure, especially after selling Michael Olise to Bayern Munich for a substantial amount of money.

Leonardo Bonucci says he hopes Federico Chiesa remains at Juventus amid reports of a move to the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur.

Chiesa has notched 32 goals and 23 assists in 131 appearances across all competitions since joining Juventus from Fiorentina in 2020, winning two Coppa Italia titles along the way.

However, there has always been a feeling that Chiesa has never quite reached his full potential with the Old Lady, often struggling with fitness and consistency issues.

Newcastle United have been linked with the 26-year-old in the past but more recently, sources have informed CaughtOffside that Spurs have tabled a bid for the winger.

Exclusive: Tottenham match Juventus contract offer for potential winger transfer

Chiesa has just one more year left to run on his contract at Juventus who, reportedly left him and Weston McKennie at home as they departed for a pre-season camp in Germany.

But according to the same source, Juventus have also sent a contract offer to the 51-time Italy international — who played four times at Euro 2024 this summer.

Bonucci discusses Chiesa’s Juventus future

Juventus legend Bonucci — who played over 500 times for Juventus across two spells, winning eight Serie A titles and playing in two Champions League finals — has admitted Chiesa needs to ‘take another step’ before he can be classed among the world’s elite players.

However, the former centre-back insisted he hopes Chiesa reaches that level as a Juventus player.

“I think he needs to understand what it is that he wants,” Bonucci said of Chiesa (via Football Italia).

“In recent years, he had difficulties in terms of physicality and character, now he needs to take another step to become a top player. I hope he will be at Juventus.”

Leonardo Bonucci says he hopes Federico Chiesa remains at Juventus amid reports of a move to the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur.

Chiesa has notched 32 goals and 23 assists in 131 appearances across all competitions since joining Juventus from Fiorentina in 2020, winning two Coppa Italia titles along the way.

However, there has always been a feeling that Chiesa has never quite reached his full potential with the Old Lady, often struggling with fitness and consistency issues.

Newcastle United have been linked with the 26-year-old in the past but more recently, sources have informed CaughtOffside that Spurs have tabled a bid for the winger.

Exclusive: Tottenham match Juventus contract offer for potential winger transfer

Chiesa has just one more year left to run on his contract at Juventus who, reportedly left him and Weston McKennie at home as they departed for a pre-season camp in Germany.

But according to the same source, Juventus have also sent a contract offer to the 51-time Italy international — who played four times at Euro 2024 this summer.

Bonucci discusses Chiesa’s Juventus future

Juventus legend Bonucci — who played over 500 times for Juventus across two spells, winning eight Serie A titles and playing in two Champions League finals — has admitted Chiesa needs to ‘take another step’ before he can be classed among the world’s elite players.

However, the former centre-back insisted he hopes Chiesa reaches that level as a Juventus player.

“I think he needs to understand what it is that he wants,” Bonucci said of Chiesa (via Football Italia).

“In recent years, he had difficulties in terms of physicality and character, now he needs to take another step to become a top player. I hope he will be at Juventus.”

Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been linked with a move away from the club this summer.

The 28-year-old England international striker is expected to join a big club and he has been linked with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. However, a report from the Sun claims that Arsenal and Manchester United have decided to walk away from their pursuit of the Brentford striker.

The development will come as a major boost for Tottenham, who will compete with West Ham for his signature.

Furthermore, Brentford have reduced his asking price from £80 million to £50 million. It remains to be seen whether Spurs are ready to pay up. They need to bring in a quality striker who can lead the line for them and score goals consistently. They have missed a clinical presence upfront since the departure of Harry Kane.

Toney will be excited about the possibility of joining Tottenham. They have an ambitious project and talented squad. They will be hoping to compete for major trophies in the coming seasons. Furthermore, they will be able to offer him Europa League football next season. It would be a step up in his career and the 28-year-old striker will look to prove himself at a higher level. Meanwhile, West Ham want the striker as well as they seek quality alternatives to Michail Antonio and Danny Ings.

Toney is a proven performer in the Premier League and he could make an instant impact at Tottenham if he joins the club.

Arsenal and Man United not keen on Ivan Toney

Meanwhile, the report states that Arsenal are not prioritising a move for a striker this summer and they are looking to strengthen the other areas of their squad. They could use a quality striker, especially with the way Gabriel Jesus performed last season. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have already agreed on a deal to sign Joshua Zirkzee, and therefore it is understandable that they have decided to abandon the pursuit of the England striker.

It’s been a relatively quiet summer so far for Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur.

Though it’s almost certain that the North Londoners will be more active in the transfer market as the weeks tick by, only Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall have been secured at present.

Postecoglou earned the trust of Tottenham supporters last season thanks to his no nonsense attitude and forthright manner, as well as ensuring his team played a brand of football that had long been demanded by the Spurs faithful.

Ultimately, due in no small part to a collapse in the final few games of the season (losing five out of their last seven per WhoScored), Tottenham were edged out of the Champions League qualifying positions by Aston Villa.

That would’ve left a sour taste for the Australian, who had worked so hard to get the Lilywhites back in the big time – and on the back of losing talisman, Harry Kane, too.

One player who could be said to have underperformed during 2023/24 is Brazilian striker, Richarlison.

A well-publicised mental health battle, detailed by The Independent, will certainly have played a part in the 27-year-old’s ability to hit top form on the pitch, where he only managed one goal in the final three months of the season (WhoScored).

Richarlison agrees to Saudi Pro League move

Notwithstanding the same, it was believed that he intended to carry on at the club beyond last season.

However, as HITC note, it now appears that the striker has accepted the overtures from the Saudi Pro League as he’s told them he’s interested in a move there.

The only apparent proviso from Tottenham’s point of view is that they recoup the £60m that they paid Everton for his services.

Without Lionel Messi out on the pitch due to his injury, Argentina needed other players to step up, and Tottenham Hotspur’s Giovani Lo Celso stepped up to the occasion to generate a scoring chance in extra time.

After a scoreless 90 minutes, the 2024 Copa America final went to extra time. The first half of that period also did not have any goals, but it was Lo Celso who helped set up the go-ahead goal for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martínez in the second half of the extra time period.

Without Lionel Messi out on the pitch due to his injury, Argentina needed other players to step up, and Tottenham Hotspur’s Giovani Lo Celso stepped up to the occasion to generate a scoring chance in extra time.

After a scoreless 90 minutes, the 2024 Copa America final went to extra time. The first half of that period also did not have any goals, but it was Lo Celso who helped set up the go-ahead goal for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martínez in the second half of the extra time period.

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to improve their attacking unit this summer and they are desperate to bring in a reliable striker.

The North London outfit have now set their sights on signing Jonathan David from LOSC Lille. He was quite impressive in Ligue 1 last season and he scored 26 goals and picked up nine assists in all competitions.

According to Football Insider, Tottenham face competition from Chelsea and Manchester United for the 24-year-old Canadian international. David has proven himself to be a reliable performer in the French league and he has the physical and technical attributes to do well in English football as well.

Jonathan David is valued at £25 million and Tottenham certainly have the financial muscle to get the deal done. They have missed a clinical presence upfront since the departure of Harry and the Canadian could be the ideal alternative. He is a proven goalscorer and he could transform them in the final third.

Man United and Chelsea keen on Jonathan David

Meanwhile, Chelsea need to bring in an upgrade on Nicolas Jackson, who has been quite underwhelming since his move from La Liga. Chelsea need a quality player leading the line for them and David would be the idea acquisition. Chelsea were overly dependent on Cole Palmer last season and the English attacker needs more support going forward.

Manchester United should look to bring in another prolific striker as well. Rasmus Hojlund is still quite young and he needs more support in the attack. David could share the goalscoring burden with him next season.

The opportunity to join clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United or Tottenham will be quite exciting for the 24-year-old striker and he will look to join a club where he can push for major trophies on a consistent basis.

It will be interesting to see where the Canadian international striker ends up eventually.