CaughtOffside

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen on signing the Lecce defender Patrick Dorgu.

The 20-year-old left-back is on the radar of Premier League clubs, but Tottenham are leading the charge for his signature. As per TBR Football, the likes of Chelsea and Crystal Palace are keen on signing the player. West Ham United are keeping tabs on his situation as well.

It will be interesting to see if Tottenham come forward with an offer to sign the player in the coming weeks. He is highly rated across Europe, and he has a bright future ahead of himself. He could prove to be a solid long-term investment for Tottenham if they can get the deal done.

The London club need to bring in a quality left-back in the coming months, especially with Ben Davies out of contract at the end of the season. Dorgu would be a quality addition, and he could compete with Destiny Udogie for the starting spot. He is likely to be on the move in 2025.

The 20-year-old is capable of operating operating as the left-sided winger as well. He could add a new dimension to the Tottenham attack going forward and protect them defensively. The opportunity to move to the Premier League could be quite exciting for the player. Tottenham have the financial resources to get the deal done, and it will be interesting to see if they can secure an agreement with the Italian outfit. He is reportedly valued at £50 million.

Chelsea keen on Patrick Dorgu

Meanwhile, Chelsea could use a quality left-back as well. Ben Chilwell has been quite underwhelming for them and he has struggled with persistent injury problems. The Blues need to bring in alternatives and the 20-year-old would be a quality long-term replacement for the English defender.

Chelsea are one of the wealthiest clubs in the country and they have the finances to get the deal across the line. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.

Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has been linked with a move away from the German club in recent weeks.

Clubs like Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are reportedly keen on securing his signature. According to a report from BILD, Chelsea would be happy to pay a substantial amount of money to sign the 20-year-old winger.

Chelsea need more quality and depth in the wide areas and it is no surprise that they are keen on the English prodigy. He could prove to be an upgrade on players like Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk.

The winger is reportedly valued at around €100 million and it will be interesting to see if Chelsea can get the deal across the line. Bynoe-Gittens is a tremendous talent with a bright future, and he could develop into a top-class player for the Blues.

Chelsea will be hoping to fight for major trophies in the coming seasons and they need quality players at their disposal. The 20-year-old will add pace, flair and unpredictability to the side.

Liverpool and Tottenham keen on Jamie Bynoe-Gittens

Meanwhile, it is no surprise that Liverpool are keen on the player as well. They will need a quality long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, who is expected to leave the club in the summer of 2025 when his contract expires. He is yet to sign an extension with the club.

Tottenham are keeping tabs on his development as well. Dejan Kulusevski has switched to a central role and the North London club could certainly use a quality wide player. The 20-year-old would be a superb long-term investment for them, and it remains to be seen whether they can win the race for his signature.

A last-minute equaliser denied Tottenham a Europa League win against Roma on Thursday night, with Spurs manager, Ange Postecoglou, spotted raging at one player during the match.

Postecoglou, who already had concerns over one Spurs ace, could be set to lose another if Real Madrid come calling.

Neither situation would’ve distracted him from the job in hand, however, and his demands during the Roma game were self evident.

Ange Postecoglou lets rip at Brennan Johnson

Ange Postecoglou couldn't help but be animated on the touchline ?

? @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/ICzSHw6jjR

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 28, 2024

Glenn Hoddle, co-commentating on the game for TNT Sports, saw the Australian gesticulating at Brennan Johnson on the touchline.

“Just looking at Ange there. He is not happy with Johnson,” the former Spurs legend said.

“He wanted some sort of movement at some stage in that build up and he’s really upset. I’ve not seen him like that. Here he is look, [he’s telling him] ‘go, go. What are coming into feet for? Run in behind.'”

Johnson had already got on the score sheet after Evan Ndicka had equalised Son Heung-min’s early penalty for the hosts.

Mats Hummels’ equaliser at the death would’ve been a real kick in the teeth for Postecoglou, but any disappointment he or his squad will feel needs to be put to one side before they face Fulham in an important London derby at the weekend.

Ange Postecoglou refuses to allow £30m Tottenham ace to leave in January – READ MORE!

The fixtures then come thick and fast, because in the following 18 days they face Bournemouth, Chelsea, Rangers in an epic Europa League clash, Southampton and then a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Ruben Amorim’s Man United.

It’s a challenging fixture list and one that the manager will expect all of his first-team stars to be up for.

In Brennan Johnson’s case, it appears that he has a lot of work to do to convince his manager that he’s on the right track this season.

Tottenham Hotspur are apparently already eyeing a replacement for their brilliant right-back, Pedro Porro, as it becomes clear Real Madrid are circling for the Spaniard.

Were Los Blancos to follow up any initial interest, it would almost certainly curtail any move for Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in the process.

Tottenham set to lose Pedro Porro

It’s already been reported that Porro wants to join the reigning Champions League winners, though his agents also believe that Man United may come in for him.

As a result, according to CaughtOffside sources close to the North London outfit, there is concrete interest in RB Leipzig’s Dutch right-back, Lutsharel Geertruida.

Ange Postecoglou full of praise for Tottenham star – READ MORE!

Although the player only recently joined the Bundesliga outfit, and has a contract until June 2029, there is understood to be a price at which Leipzig may be willing to do business.

Sources believe Geertruida’s transfer fee to be prohibitive at this stage, however, the player has expressed an interest in moving to the Premier League, which could bring his fee down as low as €40-45m.

"They've destroyed Leicester in that first-half." @GNev2 analyses Pedro Porro's movements in the lead up to his goal against Leicester City ? pic.twitter.com/WNctAQTgsK

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 19, 2024

Porro, described as “unbelievable” by Sky Sports pundit, Gary Neville, would be a huge loss for Tottenham.

Therefore it’s imperative that Daniel Levy and Ange Postecoglou find a replacement of the highest quality.

However, the Lilywhites will certainly face competition for Geertruida’s services.

Sources have also advanced that Liverpool, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Lyon have made their interest known.

If Leipzig reluctantly accept that the 24-year-old is to move on, it would be down to the Spurs hierarchy to convince the player that his future is in North London.

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are keen on signing the Reading defender Andre Garcia.

The 16-year-old is highly rated across England and he has a bright future ahead of himself. His performances have attracted the attention of the Premier League clubs, and it will be interesting to see if they decide to make a move for him in the near future.

The Reading left-back has already established himself as a first-team player and he is expected to develop into a top-class defender in future. As per TBR Football, the English clubs are scouting him regularly ahead of a potential move and it remains to be seen whether they follow it up with an official offer to sign the player.

Reading legend Mick Gooding has recently heaped praise on the 16-year-old and revealed that he has an incredible future ahead of himself.

“[Garcia’s] future is in his own hands. He can be whatever he wants to be,” he said to BBC Radio Berkshire. “To be 16 and playing the way he is playing is incredible.

“What a future he has got, and it’s in his hands if he listens and works hard. He has got pace, great feet. You can see he is really enjoying what he is doing, not fazed by it.

“He has got an incredible future, should he decide that it is what he wants to do. [Garcia must] work hard, stay humble and do the right things. He can go wherever he wants.”

It will be interesting to see where the 16-year-old ends up. The opportunity to move to the Premier League will be quite exciting for him. Spurs and Chelsea are among the biggest clubs in the country, and he will be excited to join them if there is a concrete opportunity ahead of him.

They could nurture him into a quality Premier League player in future. Both clubs have a proven track record when it comes to grooming young players.

Timo Werner’s second loan spell at Tottenham has drawn significant criticism, with pundits and fans questioning the decision to bring the German forward back to the Premier League following his underwhelming performances this season.

ESPN FC analyst Don Hutchinson recently criticised the decision to bring Werner back to the Premier League, citing his minimal impact since arriving in North London.

Werner, who returned to Spurs on loan from RB Leipzig for the second season, was anticipated to add depth and experience to the attack. However, his displays have failed to meet expectations, particularly when it comes to goal-scoring.

In 13 appearances across all competitions this campaign, the former Chelsea forward has recorded just one goal and one assist—a contribution that falls short for a player of his calibre.

His Spurs tenure began on a positive note in January 2024, assisting Rodrigo Bentancur’s equaliser in a draw against Manchester United.

He later delivered critical goals last season against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, raising hopes of consistent performances.

However, this campaign has told a different story, with Werner’s sole goal coming in a League Cup win over Manchester City in October. He has missed several one-on-one chances, causing fans to get frustrated with him and even calling on for him to be replaced by Moore.

His inconsistency has cast doubt on his immediate future at the club, with a recent report claiming that the club are ready to let him go in January.

Hutchinson says Timo Werner has been a pointless signing

Hutchinson suggested that Tottenham might have been wiser to prioritise younger prospects, such as academy talent Mikey Moore, or prepare for the arrival of promising South Korean winger Yang Min-hyuk, who is set to join the squad in January.

During the Way Too Early Premier League Awards on ESPC FC, the pundit said:

“Just a weird signing. I mean, Tottenham knew what they were getting or when they signed him [Werner] on loan in the summer.

“I mean, what was the point? He didn’t do particularly well last season. They could have given that job to Mikey Moore or a young player coming through.

“I just didn’t see the point in the sign. And then when he plays, he doesn’t impress.”

Tottenham’s management now faces a pivotal decision: continue with Werner or shift their focus toward players with greater long-term potential.

While maximizing Werner’s output during his loan remains a priority, his future at the club looks increasingly uncertain as Spurs evaluate their offensive strategy for the seasons ahead.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that summer signing Wilson Odobert will miss a significant chunk of the season following surgery on his right hamstring.

Odobert, who joined Spurs in a £30 million move from Burnley in August, had shown flashes of brilliance early in the season. His standout debut in a commanding 4-0 win over Everton had fans excited, as it showcased the 19-year-old’s huge potential.

However, he picked up a hamstring injury during the League Cup match against Coventry City and has been out ever since.

He made a brief return, coming off the bench to feature for a few minutes for their Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar recently, but it aggravated his issue, forcing the player to undergo surgery last weekend.

The club announced that Odobert’s recovery will be closely monitored, with no definitive timeline set for his return. Medical staff are expected to reassess his progress over the coming weeks.

Ange Postecoglou: Wilson Odobert to miss a major chunk of the season

Speaking ahead of Spurs’ crucial clash against Manchester City this Sunday, Postecoglou provided updates on Odobert and other injured players, including Richarlison, Mikey Moore, and Micky van de Ven.

Postecoglou said (via Football London):

“Obviously, Wilson will be out for a fair chunk of the season.”

“Richy hopefully will be back in the new year but similar to Micky, we just need to be careful every step of the way, and Mikey will still be out for a little bit of time.”

Tottenham’s struggles with injuries continue

Richarlison, who has endured a challenging season with recurring injuries, is another blow for Spurs. After making a promising return in recent weeks, the Brazilian suffered yet another setback during Tottenham’s win against Aston Villa and is now sidelined until the new year.

Micky van de Ven continues his recovery after picking up a hamstring injury during their win against Manchester City in the League Cup. While Mikey Moore is currently unavailable due to a virus.

Odobert’s absence is a significant loss for Spurs, as the teenager had begun to show glimpses of his potential. The club remains optimistic that the surgery will resolve his recurring hamstring issues, allowing him to return stronger in 2025.

Former Tottenham Hotspur legend, Harry Kane, returned to North London on Monday to see his statue finally unveiled at The Peter May Centre.

Kane had added another goal to his England tally during the Three Lions 5-0 win over Ireland at Wembley on Sunday, and whilst back in Blighty, the opportunity to bring the bronze out of storage presented itself.

As BBC Sport noted, the statue had been commissioned back a few years ago at a cost of £7,200, but had remained in storage since completion as the local council hadn’t agreed on to where to place it.

Harry Kane sees statue unveiled in North London

The Peter May Centre is in Walthamstow, just a stone’s throw from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Kane’s first-ever club, Ridgeway Rovers.

Though The Sun were one of a number of outlets to ridicule the statue, Kane appeared delighted, telling reporters: “It’s quite humbling to see it here now knowing there’s going to be loads of kids walking past.”

He also took to his X account to acknowledge the unveiling.

A real proud moment for me to go back to where my life in football began and unveil a statue. I hope it helps inspire the next generation to work hard and believe in themselves. ?? pic.twitter.com/rbAs8RrZgS

— Harry Kane (@HKane) November 18, 2024

‘A real proud moment for me to go back to where my life in football began and unveil a statue. I hope it helps inspire the next generation to work hard and believe in themselves,’ he wrote.

Having gone out on loan to Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City and Leicester City before making it big with the Lilywhites, Kane’s story is one of perseverance and hard work.

At the age of just 31, he is Tottenham and England’s greatest ever goal scorer, and has a sensational record at Bayern Munich.

Some of his recent records were detailed by BBC Sport after the Bavarians dismantled Dinamo Zagreb earlier in this season’s Champions League:

Top English scorer in Champions League or European Cup history with 33 goals in 45 games, passing Wayne Rooney’s old mark of 30

First English player to score four goals in a Champions League game

First English player to score a hat-trick or more for a non-English team in the Champions League

First player to score a hat-trick of penalties in a Champions League or European Cup match

Scored his 50th, 51st, 52nd and 53rd Bayern Munich goals – in his 50th appearance for the club

Netted the 24th hat-trick of his career, the fifth time he has scored back-to-back trebles (or quadruples)

Scored his ninth goals in five games this season for Bayern – as well as two in two for England

Tottenham Hotspur are set to miss out in the race for Villarreal playmaker Alex Baena, according to the club’s former scout Bryan King.

Baena has been in immense form for Villarreal so far this season, registering five assists in 11 La Liga appearances, with only Barcelona duo Raphinha (6) and Lamine Yamal (7) providing more.

In 127 appearances for the Yellow Submarine across all competitions, Baena has 20 goals and 35 assists.

The 23-year-old played twice for Spain at Euro 2024 and now has eight senior caps to his name for La Roja, scoring twice.

Spurs are among the clubs to have been linked with the winger, who can also play as an attacking midfielder.

But they’re not the only ones, with Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Newcastle United also understood to be interested per CaughtOffside sources.

Aston Villa to beat Spurs in Alex Baena race?

Of course, Baena has already played under Villa manager Unai Emery 37 times during their spell together at Villarreal, thriving with 10 goals and eight assists

And according to King — who served as a scout at Tottenham between 2002 and 2008 and worked at Aston Villa before that — that may well prove the edge in the race for his signature.

“I think he’d find it easy to join Villa and come into a club with a manager that he knows,” said King (via The Spurs Web).

“Baena has worked with Emery. Therefore, I see no reason why Emery wouldn’t push for that transfer, and tell the club that Baena is a great prospect, a good player, and the player that he wants.

“And as a player who has worked with him, I think he’d be eager to join Villa and continue his career in the West Midlands.”

Spurs and Villa are 10th and ninth in the Premier League table, respectively, separated by just two points, with each holding Champions League qualification as their aim.

Tottenham’s ongoing injury crisis has taken another hit, with French winger Wilson Odobert set for an extended spell on the sidelines following surgery for a recurring hamstring problem.

Odobert, who joined Spurs in a £30 million move from Burnley in August, had shown flashes of brilliance early in the season. His standout debut in a commanding 4-0 win over Everton had fans excited, as it showcased the 19-year-old’s potential and justified the club’s significant investment.

However, recurring fitness problems have hindered his ability to fully integrate into the squad.

The most recent setback comes after Odobert struggled with thigh issues, which have kept him out of action since late last month, resulting in five missed matches. This follows an earlier period when a hamstring problem sidelined the 19-year-old, causing him to miss an additional seven games.

These ongoing fitness concerns have limited Odobert’s chances to make a consistent impact and demonstrate the skill set that led Tottenham to invest in him.

Tottenham confirm Wilson Odobert injury setback ahead of Manchester City clash

Tottenham confirmed on X that Odobert underwent surgery on his right hamstring last Saturday. The procedure aims to address the lingering issues that have plagued the youngster’s debut season in North London.

The club stated that Odobert’s recovery will be closely monitored, with no definitive timeline provided for his return. Medical staff will assess his progress in the coming weeks to determine when he can resume training.

The statement read:

“We can confirm that Wilson Odobert underwent surgery to his right hamstring yesterday (Saturday, November 16). The 19-year-old will continue to be closely monitored by our medical team to determine when he can return to training.”

We can confirm that Wilson Odobert underwent surgery to his right hamstring yesterday (Saturday 16th November).

The 19-year-old will continue to be closely monitored by our medical team to determine when he can return to training. pic.twitter.com/vxAZdot4y3

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 17, 2024

This injury is a setback for manager Ange Postecoglou, who has already been navigating a season riddled with fitness issues affecting key players. With a challenging set of fixtures ahead, the absence of promising talents like Odobert adds pressure on maintaining squad depth and competitive performance.

Tottenham will now focus on ensuring Odobert’s smooth rehabilitation, hoping for his timely return to boost their attack in the latter stages of the season.