The Hard Tackle

Fabrizio Romano opens up on Tottenham Hotspur plans to sign a defender

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Fabrizio Romano insists that Tottenham are not very particular about bringing in a new defender in the right-back role after Emerson Royal’s departure.Â

According to Fabrizio Romano on Give Me Sport, Tottenham aren’t giving any particular thought ot signing a defender after Emerson Royal’s departure. Spurs are linked to some names, although the Journalist insists they might be content with the cover options at their disposal.Â

Tottenham unlikely to replace Emerson Royal?

Tottenham are still active in the market after spending a massive amount on signing Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth. Ange Postecoglou still needs to strengthen some areas, but they are unlikely to spend on a new defender in the right-back position after Emerson Royal’s exit.Â

Spurs agreed a deal with AC Milan for Emerson Royal, and since then, there have been suggestions they might want to sign a replacement. Some names are linked, although Fabrizio Romano insists they are happy with their existing options to act as cover for first choice Pedro Porro.Â

Monaco’s Vanderson remains a target for Tottenham, although his €40 million price tag may prove problematic for the north Londoners. Romano points to the potential for summer signing Archie Gray to play that role if needed. They also have Djed Spence on their books, who may not leave the club after all.Â

Romano insists there are other areas that Postecoglou might want new players in and said that Tottenham might not move for a new right back in this window. Spurs may not have the significant funding to sign a new defender in the right-back position, as they will prioritise other areas with whatever money they have left after the outlays on Gray and Solanke.Â

Romano said, “There is still nothing imminent or really close in terms of new right-back. I’m hearing that they believe they could already be well covered in that position. Obviously, they have Pedro Porro and Emerson Royal left, but there is also Archie Gray, who can cover that position.”

“So Tottenham are not desperate in this moment to sign a new right-back.”

Tottenham’s other requirements

Rumours of a problem with Yves Bissouma have seen them linked with Manuel Locatelli, as Postecoglou will look for a midfielder suitable for possession football. The manager might also angle a move for another wide attacker, while a new left-back might also be considered should Ben Davies leave during the remainder of this window.Â

While they have decent options in all midfield roles, Postecoglou might consider a late arrival in the left centre-back role, which essentially lacks a direct cover for Micky van de Ven. Overall, they have a good enough squad to begin the campaign, but the club could angle a few additions to improve their depth further.Â

Daniel Kelly rejects move to Tottenham Hotspur

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Daniel Kelly reportedly rejected Tottenham’s approach earlier this window, choosing another side with a better pathway.

According to Football Insider, Daniel Kelly reportedly turned down an approach from Tottenham this summer. The Celtic teenager has opted to join a Championship side despite having plenty of offers from the Premier League and foreign sides, as he is careful about his career.

Daniel Kelly rebuffs Tottenham’s approach

Tottenham have been active in the market for young talents this summer, as they have a firm eye on their development project for the future. Their primary focus was to bring in promising talents on the periphery of the first team rather than for their academy squads, which is why they signed Archie Gray from Leeds United earlier.

Mikey Moore is another example of which they could promote this season and bring towards first-team action, albeit not as a regular. Moore signed his professional deal here, and before that, Spurs had to ward off prominent suitors.

They also spotted Celtic’s Daniel Kelly and made an offer, as per the report. The 18-year-old midfielder turned down the Spurs’ approach and chose another path to fulfil his career objectives. Celtic offered him a new four-year deal, but the teenage midfielder wanted assurances over game time, which Brendan Rodgers’ side could not provide.

Tottenham alone weren’t the Premier League side chasing Kelly, who had other clubs come up with offers, as well as those from Germany. Instead of being lured to the idea of top-flight football in England, he has chosen to join Championship side Millwall, where he might have enough guarantees to play regularly. The 18-year-old midfielder has signed a pre-contract there and will join them in January 2025.

Tottenham moving ahead with their summer plans

Tottenham wanted a new striker this summer and have since agreed a deal with Bournemouth to bring Dominic Solanke. They had also considered Ivan Toney but chose the former Cherries man, as he seemingly suits their style more and could be seen as the long-term replacement for Harry Kane, who left last summer.

Sergio Reguilon keen on Tottenham exit amid Barcelona links

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Sergio Reguilon has boosted Barcelona’s prospects as the 27-year-old Tottenham outcast is keen on leaving the North London club this summer.

According to a report by Football Insider, Sergio Reguilon is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The Catalan giants are keen on bolstering their left-back options before the summer transfer window closes. Meanwhile, the 27-year-old wide player is eager to leave Tottenham Hotspur to resurrect his stuttering career.

Sergio Reguilon and his Tottenham troubles

Sergio Reguilon has seen his progress stutter since joining Tottenham Hotspur from Real Madrid in September 2020. The Spaniard arrived at the North London club amid much hype and fanfare around him. However, he blew hot and cold in his first two seasons at Tottenham before they loaned him to Atletico Madrid for the 2022/23 season.

Manchester United sealed the next loan move last summer before sending him back to Tottenham in January. The 27-year-old moved to Brentford for another temporary move in the winter window. Reguilon made his mark at the Gtech Community Stadium, chipping in with four assists in 16 appearances for the West London club.

The Spanish full-back has returned to Tottenham after his loan spell with Brentford ended. However, Reguilon does not have a future at the North London club despite his exploits for the West London club. However, the former Real Madrid defender does not have a shortage of clubs pursuing him, with Barcelona among his prospective suitors in the summer transfer window.

Barcelona interested in Reguilon

Barcelona’s interest in Sergio Reguilon is understandable. The Catalan giants are keen on signing a left-back to compete with Alejandro Balde after Marcos Alonso’s departure as a free agent. While La Masia can offer a few prospects for the deputy left-back berth, Barcelona would prefer a senior option.

Reguilon has thus emerged as a viable target for Barcelona, with the Blaugrana enquiring about him. The Spaniard has boosted Barcelona’s prospects as he is desperate to leave Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window.

With Tottenham ready to cash in on the 27-year-old Spanish full-back, a summer move to Barcelona might see the light of day. However, it will be interesting to see if the Catalan giants produce an attractive enough offer to secure Sergio Reguilon’s services.

Tottenham Hotspur open talks to sign Vanderson

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Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks with Monaco for right-back target Vanderson, with the French side sticking to their valuation.

According to Bruno Andrade, Tottenham and Monaco are discussing a potential move for right-back Vanderson. Spurs are seeking a replacement for Emerson Royal after he arrived at AC Milan, with Monaco holding out for €40 million for the Brazilian defender.

Tottenham in talks for Vanderson

Tottenham are holding important talks with Monaco for defender Vanderson as they seek a quality replacement for Emerson Royal, who recently joined AC Milan. Ange Postecoglou did not count on the Brazilian after his performances in different roles last season and now wants another player to come in.

Vanderson was of interest to Spurs back in June when the first AC Milan-Emerson links emerged. The protracted nature of the latter’s move to Italy may have put the Vanderson talks on hold, although now Tottenham have opened discussions with Monaco for the Brazilian defender.

Monaco considers Vanderson a key player and wants to sell him for a good amount of money. Back in June, they had earmarked €40 million for the defender, and they have seemingly stuck to their valuation, as Spurs will have to pay that much to get him.

Tottenham could face competition in the market if they cannot get a deal done quickly. Manchester United were interested earlier, but they have since made a move for Noussair Mazraoui, which effectively rules out a move for the €40 million-rated Brazilian defender. As for Spurs, they are very much in the race, and the next few days will reveal the result of their talks with Monaco.

Where does Vanderson fit in?

Tottenham’s decision to part ways with Emerson was the right call, although they might find it difficult to adjust to competition for the right-back slot. With Pedro Porro nailed on to begin the season as their starting player in the role, Vanderson will likely take a closer look at that before joining Spurs.

Vanderson can play right-back or right-midfield, as he played most of his Ligue 1 games last season in the latter role. However, he could be a great asset if Postecoglou reverts to a wing-back system. However, the €40 million-rated Brazilian defender’s versatility could prove an excellent option for the Australian to help him slot in.

Ben Davies set to leave Tottenham Hotspur as a free agent

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Ben Davies is all set to see out the final year of his contract at Tottenham Hotspur before leaving the club as a free agent.

Tottenham are expected to be quite busy in the final weeks of the transfer window. While they will be focused on making a few more additions, their priority will be to offload a few of their players and make room on their wage bill.

With less than 12 months left on his contract at the club, Ben Davies’ future has been up in the air but according to a report from Football Insider, the Welsh international is expected to stay at the club for the 2024/25 season. He will see out the final year of his deal before leaving as a free agent next summer.

Davies came up the ranks at Swansea and made a name for himself while playing for their first team before making the move to Tottenham a decade back. In the last 10 seasons, he has featured in a total of 330 matches for the North London club.

Last season, the versatile defender was involved in just 19 matches. He racked up under 1,300 minutes and scored a goal. The player’s limited game time, combined with his expiring contract, suggests that he may be eager to seek a move elsewhere.

Davies to run down his Tottenham contract

But, he is in no rush to leave Tottenham, Davies wants to be around for the 2024/25 season. As far as Ange Postecoglou is concerned, he has no issues having him in his squad as his ability to feature as a left-back as well as a centre-back could come in handy. He could be a useful squad player for them.

While offloading him this summer could help them raise some funds, Tottenham are leaning towards keeping him in their squad despite the need to trim the squad and balance the books.

Aston Villa can sign Giovani Lo Celso for €16 million

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Aston Villa can sign Giovani Lo Celso for €16 million - The Hard Tackle
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Aston Villa could sign midfield target Giovani Lo Celso in a cut-price deal as Tottenham are ready to dispense off with the Argentine.

According to Caught Offside, Aston Villa could potentially sign Giovani Lo Celso for around €16 million. Tottenham are willing to let go of the Argentine playmaker for a cut-price fee as the 28-year-old has no place in Ange Postecoglou’s plans while Unai Emery sees a role for him.

Giovani Lo Celso price tag

Giovani Lo Celso managed to impress Ange Postecoglou briefly, but then he fell back into old habits at Tottenham, with the Argentine playmaker quickly shifting out of the manager’s plans. While he has qualities that Spurs need, he’s not necessarily part of the Australian’s plans going forward.

Tottenham are eager to cash in on him and are willing to sell him for a knocked-down fee. Spurs wanted a bit more than the €16 million they are demanding right now. Aston Villa is a key suitor in the chase for the 28-year-old, and Unai Emery is keen to work again with the midfielder.

Villa have gone through some drastic squad changes this summer, with the sales of Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby. They have made sufficient midfield signings to replace the former, but Emery feels the need to bring another profile that held in the attacking side and the middle.

Aston Villa and Spurs were in talks over a part-exchange deal involving Jacob Ramsey and Lo Celso, but that appears to be dead in the water. The 28-year-old Tottenham playmaker could still make a move should Villa consider the €16 million fee and pay up, with the Argentine reportedly open to the move.

Villa planning more singing

Should Villa manage to bring Lo Celso, they will continue to scour the market for important signings before the window shuts. Joao Felix remains another player, and as costly as he may be, Villa is willing to make the financial commitment to bring him, while Atletico Madrid is open to selling him.

Tottenham Hotspur set to send Manor Solomon on loan

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Tottenham are open to sending Manor Solomon out on loan, as the winger could find it tough to enter Ange Postecoglou’s plans.

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are considering sending Manor Solomon out on loan before the window shuts. The winger has struggled with a severe injury since early last season, so a temporary move could be valuable for getting regular minutes under his legs.

Manor Solomon to leave on loan?

Tottenham are looking to prove their attacking setup using the transfer window, and should they land their preferred targets, a player or two could leave through the exit door. Manor Solomon is already at risk of losing his place in Ange Postecoglou’s plans without any new incomings, as a loan move appears likely for the Israeli attacker.

The winger joined Tottenham last season on a free transfer, taking advantage of FIFA rules that allowed players to unilaterally terminate their contracts with Russian and Ukrainian clubs. There was an ongoing dispute from his former side, Shakhtar Donetsk, over this move, but eventually, all the talk died down. He also spent the season before with Fulham, as his displays earned a move to north London.

Solomon started quite well, providing two assists in his first five Premier League games before a severe knee injury hampered his progress. The 25-year-old ace never appeared for Spurs again in the season, which saw the club recruit Timo Werner on a six-month loan, which the club have since extended by another season.

There are doubts whether Solomon would be able to get past the German in the pecking order, with Tottenham also considered selling him at the end of last season, but things have changed with his fitness record. Hence, they are open to sending him out on loan for the upcoming season in a bid to retain his value and see whether he can come back to fit into their plans for the future.

Tottenham chasing attacking targets

There’s already talk of a move for Dominic Solanke, as Postecoglou wants a new striker in his ranks for the new season. The Bournemouth star will cost a lot in the current market, and that may come back to curtail Spurs’ spending on newer players later on.

Real Madrid ready to submit offer to sign Cristian Romero, Tottenham ready to block bids

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Real Madrid are reportedly hoping to land Tottenham Hotspur star Cristian Romero this summer.

Real Madrid have set their sights on Tottenham’s centre-back Cristian Romero this summer, but Tottenham Hotspur are resolute in their decision to retain the Argentinian defender. According to Gaston Edul via X, Real Madrid expressed their interest in Romero and even approached Spurs with a potential offer. However, the Premier League club swiftly rejected the advances, making it clear that Romero is not for sale.

Romero has emerged as a pivotal figure in Tottenham’s defence since his arrival in 2022. Partnering with Micky van de Ven, he forms one of the most formidable centre-back duos in the Premier League. Tottenham’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, considers the Argentine an integral part of his defensive strategy and has no intention of disrupting the successful pairing. The 26-year-old’s performances have endeared him to Spurs fans and solidified his reputation as one of the world’s top defenders.

Romero, who played a crucial role in Argentina’s World Cup-winning campaign, is under contract with Tottenham until 2026. Despite Real Madrid’s interest, Romero has reiterated his commitment to Spurs. In a recent interview with ESPN, he dismissed rumours of a move away, emphasising his dedication to winning titles with Tottenham. When questioned about the transfer speculations, Romero stated:

“I don’t think about other clubs! I respect Tottenham a lot. They always gave me a lot of affection, so I like to play here at Spurs. Let’s hope that this year we can win a title, it’s my mission.”

These sentiments reflect the ambitions of both Romero and Tottenham fans, who are eager to see the club achieve success in the upcoming season. The determination to retain Romero highlights Tottenham’s commitment to building a strong, competitive team capable of challenging for titles rather than cashing in on their best talents.

At Real Madrid, the Argentine international will join a star-studded side that is already challenging on all fronts. Romero can win trophies far more easily, but he might not stand out as one of the club’s top players.

From a Tottenham perspective, keeping Cristian Romero is a crucial move. His presence in the defence is vital for the club’s aspirations next season. By rejecting the bid, Tottenham send a strong message about their ambitions and the value they place on their key players.

Tottenham Hotspur in the final stages of negotiations to sell Emerson Royal

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AC Milan are close to sealing the Emerson Royal transfer with Tottenham, as the two clubs are discussing final details ahead of the move.

According to Milan News, Tottenham are inching closer to selling Emerson Royal to AC Milan after talks resumed between the two parties. The clubs are reportedly discussing the final details of the fee, with personal terms already in place, as Milan is set to sign their preferred target.

Emerson Royal to join AC Milan

Emerson Royal was one of AC Milan’s first targets this summer, with the right-back as a suitable addition to Paulo Fonseca’s plans. The club began talks with Tottenham early on, and there was a feeling this deal was a quick fix rather than a drawn-out saga.

It turned out to be the latter, as Tottenham publicly reduced their asking price but still could not comprehend what Milan was offering for the 25-year-old ace. Talks had briefly stalled following Spurs’ demands of a €20 million-plus fee, something the Italians were unwilling to match.

Emerson had his heart set on joining Milan ever since they expressed an interest in signing him. The 25-year-old does not have a future at Tottenham despite Ange Postecoglou managing to use him in different defensive positions last season amid an injury crisis at the back. Yet, Spurs are happy to sell him on and will look for a replacement after his sale.

Things have changed rapidly in the background as talks resumed between the two sides, and Tottenham are now close to selling Emerson. The report claims the final fee is around €14 million, with another €2 million in add-ons taking the final amount to € 16 million. It does appear that Milan have managed to convince Spurs to lower their demands, as they are set to take the Brazilian off their hands.

Tottenham to sign Emerson’s replacement

Tottenham are linked to several names in the window, but the challenge here is to convince a player to come in and ask him to compete with first-choice right-back Pedro Porro. Monaco’s Vanderson was an early target, although his asking price and other demands might prove challenging for Spurs to comprehend.

Once Spurs finalise Emerson’s transfer, more names could emerge in the background, although who that player might be remains the question. Overall, Tottenham must recruit a competitive replacement, one who will compete with Porro and fight for a place in Postecoglou’s starting lineup.

Tottenham close to agreeing deal to sell Emerson Royal

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Tottenham Hotspur are close to reaching an agreement to sell their South American ace Emerson Royal to AC Milan.

Emerson Royal’s future has been one of the biggest talking points throughout the summer. AC Milan have been in talks with Tottenham for a long while now and according to a report from Football Insider, the North London club are close to agreeing on a deal with the Italian giants for the transfer of the Brazilian international.

In order to revive his career after a failed Barcelona move, Emerson joined Spurs in 2021. While he was an integral part of their first team in the initial seasons, the Brazilian fell down the pecking order following the arrival of Ange Postecoglou.

Emerson Royal to leave Tottenham

He only had a handful of appearances last season and that too because of an injury crisis at the club. While Emerson still has two years left on his deal, Tottenham are ready to sanction his departure. They do not consider him to be an important part of their plans moving ahead as they are well covered by a right-back.

Pedro Porro is the preferred choice while Djed Spence who has returned from a loan spell at Genoa is also putting in impressive shifts during the pre-season. On top of that, their summer signing Archie Gray is also capable of playing that role if needed.

AC Milan are close to signing Emerson Royal

AC Milan have been in talks to sign the Brazilian full-back for months but they haven’t succeeded yet as Tottenham have been quite hard to negotiate with. The Italian giants even put the deal on hold but they have returned and are pushing very hard this time around.