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Chelsea have refused to rule out the possibility of reigniting their interest in Mathys Tel and may attempt to lure him to Stamford Bridge if rivals Tottenham Hotspur opt against triggering an option to make his loan switch from Bayern Munich permanent, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

The Blues are poised to have Dario Essugo joining them in the summer, thanks to already agreeing a deal worth in excess of £18million with Portuguese giants Sporting, but head coach Enzo Maresca is going in search of more options on the flanks as he prepares for his second season at the helm.

Although Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian are also on course to head to Chelsea in the coming months, with the latter arriving for an initial £29million from Palmeiras, the west Londoners are monitoring Tel's situation at Tottenham ahead of potentially pouncing when the transfer window reopens.

Blues May Reignite Attempts to Seal Tel Deal

West Londoners held initial talks over move in winter window

Chelsea could target Tel if he leaves Tottenham at the end of the season, according to GMS sources, as their long-standing interest has refused to go away since holding initial conversations over a possible move from Bayern Munich when they were searching for fresh attacking impetus during the winter transfer window.

The wide forward ended up heading to Spurs instead of Stamford Bridge, with the north Londoners negotiating an initial loan deal which includes a £45million option to buy, but the Blues are monitoring his situation and could hand him an opportunity to remain in the Premier League if he does not extend his stay in his current surroundings.

GMS sources have been informed that Tel fits the bill for Chelsea as they are seeking a right-footed winger who is comfortable being deployed on the left flank, but they are having to play the waiting game as Tottenham deciding to keep him on board permanently would eliminate any chances of him heading across the capital.

The 19-year-old has been described as 'extraordinary' by Thierry Henry, who managed him during a stint in charge of France's under-21 side, and Maresca is an admirer as he goes in search of having five senior wingers - some of whom are capable of being involved on both sides - to compete for two wide positions next term.

Chelsea have acknowledged that Mykhailo Mudryk could still have to go through a time-consuming appeal process as he waits to discover whether his provisional ban for testing positive for meldonium becomes a suspension of up to four years, GMS sources have learned, while they will make a final decision on Jadon Sancho's future at the end of the season.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Mathys Tel has been limited to 333 minutes of Premier League action since joining Tottenham Hotspur

Gittens and Williams Also on Maresca's Radar

Tactician keeping options open as he seeks attacking additions

Tel is not the only forward on Chelsea's radar as GMS sources have been told that Borussia Dortmund playmaker Jamie Gittens is high in their thinking, while there remains a long-standing interest in Nico Williams after he has continued shining for Athletic Bilbao since winning Euro 2024 with Spain less than 12 months ago.

The latter has a release clause worth in the region of £50million written into his contract, which the Blues could choose to trigger in order to open talks over personal terms without his current employers being able to interfere, but there is an awareness that the deal would still be expensive.

Chelsea need to decide whether it would be cost-effective to land Williams as they would still have to fork out hefty agent fees and Williams would be eyeing a lucrative pay package in order to swap his boyhood club for Stamford Bridge, GMS sources understand, resulting in Maresca and influential figures keeping their options open.

GMS correspondent Ben Jacobs recently revealed that there are plans for Paez to be part of the west Londoners' Club World Cup squad after he has been training with Ligue 1 side Strasbourg in preparation for his summer arrival, but the Blues are still in the market for further reinforcements.

All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 09/04/2025

Summary

Brad Friedel is one of the oldest players to have ever featured in a Premier League game.

An American international, Friedel played with a number of exceptional talents across his 20-year professional career.

In Friedel's team, most of the players selected played alongside him at Tottenham Hotspur.

Having now been retired for a decade, Brad Friedel’s name is one still remembered by many who watch the Premier League. The American goalkeeper set records in the twilight of his career, becoming the oldest-ever player to appear for both Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, but that is not all he should be remembered for.

Friedel was a reliable shot-stopper in England for years, one of the best to grace the Premier League. In fact, no player from either North or South America has made more appearances in the English top flight than Friedel, who played 450 games in the division for Villa, Spurs, Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool.

The goalkeeper began his career in 1995 with Brondby, embarking on a relatively nomadic few years to start his life as a player, representing them, Galatasaray, Columbus Crew and Liverpool between 1995 and 2000. In the latter of those years, he moved to Blackburn, finally finding consistency and spending eight seasons with the club before joining Aston Villa and eventually, Spurs in 2011.

An American international, Friedel shared the pitch with some exceptional names in his storied career. Back in 2022, the retired goalkeeper spoke to FourFourTwo and picked his perfect 11 of former teammates. So, which players did Friedel choose?

David James

Goalkeeper

A professional player for over 25 years, David James enjoyed a staggeringly long career that means he still ranks amongst the most-capped Premier League players of all time, despite having departed the league over a decade ago. Though he was prone to the occasional error, James is remembered as a very solid shot-stopper, one who won the FA Cup and League Cup in his career.

James played with Friedel at Liverpool, with the England international departing Anfield just one year before the American followed suit. It was for the Reds, across seven years, that James made the most appearances in his time as a player. Despite James’ departure, Friedel remained the back-up choice on Merseyside as Liverpool elected to sign Sander Westerveld.

“Jamo had everything – in some training sessions, nobody could score past him. He was so big, strong and agile. Athletic, too. We weren’t the closest team-mates at Liverpool, but I always had a tremendous amount of respect for his ability and talent.”

Kyle Walker

Right-Back

Now on loan at AC Milan, it feels safe to say that the Manchester City chapter of Kyle Walker’s career has come to a close, but what a chapter it was. The England international won everything on offer with City, including being part of only the second English team in history to win a European treble.

Prior to his 2017 move to Manchester, Walker plied his trade in North London with Tottenham Hotspur, where he truly established himself as a player. It was also here that he played, predominantly, with Friedel, though as the American said, they had been teammates prior to that.

“I was at Aston Villa when he came on loan, then I played at Tottenham with him for four years. Kyle was an exceptionally explosive right-back and a really good team-mate. He was so quick that it didn’t matter if he made a mistake, because he could always correct it with his pace. He’s had some incredible coaching from Mauricio Pochettino and Pep Guardiola, and now he’s positionally superb.”

Ledley King

Centre Back

A one-club man, many wonder what could have been were it not for the injuries that Ledley King suffered across his career. Even with those setbacks, however, the Spurs icon carved out an indelible legacy for himself amongst the Lilywhites supporters, having spent his entire 13-year career at White Hart Lane.

At the time of writing, King is the most recent Spurs captain to have lifted silverware, winning the League Cup in 2008. Such were his injury problems that towards the end of his career, King would train on his own rather than with the team and in spite of that, remained one of the Premier League’s best defenders.

“He hardly ever trained because of his knee – I never knew how a player could do that and just fit in seamlessly. I’ve never known a captain as quiet, but Ledley commanded everyone’s respect. Positionally, he was the best I played behind. Very rarely did I scan the field and tell him where anyone was.”

Eddie Pope

Centre Back

The only American international to feature in Friedel’s team, Eddie Pope spent his entire professional career in his home country, predominantly with DC United, for whom he made well over 100 appearances. A defender, Pope won three MLS Cups and two Supporters’ Shields across six years with the Eagles.

Pope appeared in over 80 matches for his country, starting on every single occasion. It was on international duty where Friedel played alongside him, featuring together at the 1998 World Cup and more notably, the 2002 edition of the tournament, when the United States reached the quarter-finals.

“Another quiet leader – him and Ledley could have played next to each other, at any level, at any club in the world. Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen were both interested, but Eddie felt more comfortable staying in the US. On the international scene, he shut down some of the best attackers in the world.”

Jan Vertonghen

Left-Back

Vertonghen was a crucial part of the Mauricio Pochettino side that came so close to breaking Tottenham’s trophy duck, putting in consistently brilliant performances at centre-back. The Belgian international could play at left-back when needed but as noted by Friedel himself, it was hardly Vertonghen’s preference.

“Jan hated playing left-back with a passion, but he was just too good to be left out! Excellent as a centre-back, his true position, and was a very good passer. He was just one of those players who could slide into any top club and not be out of place.”

Paul Ince

Midfielder

Best remembered for his time with Manchester United between 1989 and 1995, Paul Ince was a tenacious midfielder who enjoyed a 20-year career. In the infancy of Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure at the club, Ince was a key player who helped the Red Devils lift two Premier League titles before joining Inter Milan after falling out with his manager.

Ince spent just two years in Italy, returning to England in 1997 when he signed for Liverpool, becoming one of a select few to have represented both the Reds and Man United, who share a fierce rivalry. It was during Ince’s stint at Anfield that Friedel played alongside him, with both departing the club in 1999.

“Incey was a very, very good footballer – he could play one-twos in tight areas or score goals – but he could also mix it up physically. If you needed him to kill someone, then he could do it. As a leader, he tried to instil fear in other players or be very vocal. When the big games came along, there were very few better than him.”

Tugay

Midfielder

Known in England only by his first name, Tugay spent over a decade of his career in his native Turkey with Galatasaray, winning the league six times between 1987 and 1999, joining Rangers in the latter of those two years. Tugay departed Glasgow after less than two full seasons in 2001, moving to Blackburn Rovers to join former Galatasaray manager Graeme Souness at Ewood Park.

Tugay moved to Blackburn the year after Friedel himself arrived there from Liverpool, though the two first met during Friedel’s own brief stint at Galatasaray in the 1995/96 season. Despite being in his early 30s at the time of the move, the Turkish international would spend eight years with Rovers, racking up well over 200 appearances for the club before retiring from football in 2009.

“Only Tugay could tell you why he didn’t play for a club like Barcelona. A truly magnificent player, with one of the best touches in world football. He had a great strike, and when I played with him at Galatasaray, an engine on him, too. He chose to stay at Blackburn for a long time and the fans loved him – still do – but he could have played anywhere.”

Luka Modric

Attacking Midfielder

Still going strong at nearly 40 years of age, Luka Modric has only gotten better during his time at Real Madrid. So much so, that it can be easy to forget that the Croatian was almost 27 when he joined the club, an age where most players are in, or entering, their prime. In the 13 years since, Modric has won countless honours with Madrid, including a Ballon d’Or.

A leading light in a golden age of Croatian international football, Modric has made over 400 appearances for Los Blancos in all competitions, being one of only a select few to reach such a number. Friedel spent just a season with Modric at Spurs, who joined Madrid the year after the American’s arrival. Even in that brief time, however, Friedel came to know the quality that Modric possessed.

“He’s still one of the best midfielders in the game, and he was when we were at Spurs. He’s not a tough tackler, but he’ll have the ball anywhere, any place, any time and can dictate a game’s tempo. Luka has no issue being a star, as he’s shown at Real Madrid.”

Gareth Bale

Right Winger

Retired since 2023, Gareth Bale is undoubtedly one of the best Brits to have played abroad, the Welshman having spent the bulk of his career with Real Madrid who signed him for a then-world record fee in 2013. With Madrid, Bale won three La Liga titles and more notably, five Champions Leagues, three of which were consecutive between 2016 and 2018.

Bale began his career with Southampton, but it was at Tottenham Hotspur where the world started to take notice of him. Former manager Harry Redknapp, realising there was a superior attacking quality to the Welshman’s game, moved him from full-back to the wing. From there, Bale never looked back, with Friedel seeing some of his development into one of his generation’s greatest wingers in person.

“He’s so big, fast, strong, powerful – at one stage during his time at Real Madrid, there was really only Messi and Ronaldo who were better than him. A truly remarkable physical specimen. When Gareth’s fit, he can run by anybody with the ball and create things that other players couldn’t even imagine doing.”

Gheorghe Hagi

Left Winger

The time shared between Gheorghe Hagi and Friedel was brief, coming at entirely different stages of each player’s career. The pair were, for a short time, teammates at Galatasaray, with Hagi joining the club in the same year of Friedel’s departure. Hagi, who had represented both Real Madrid and Barcelona outside of his native Romania, would not play for another club.

A legend of the Romanian international side, Hagi spent the final five years of his career in the Super Lig, winning the league four times along with a UEFA Cup, which is now known as the Europa League.

“The best I ever played with. Even coming to the end of his career at Galatasaray, he was only a notch below someone like Diego Maradona. You only needed a week with him in training to see his class.”

Harry Kane

Striker

After so many years of seeking a trophy, it looks like Harry Kane will finally acquire a piece of major silverware by the conclusion of the 2024/25 season with Bayern Munich, who he joined in 2023. Prior to that, Kane had established himself as one of the best strikers in the world at Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite Spurs’ lack of a trophy during Kane’s time at the club, he did more than enough to ensure he would be remembered in the Premier League. Kane is Spurs’ all-time top scorer and became one of the top flight’s most lethal strikers. Friedel, who retired in North London, saw first-hand what Kane was capable of, even as a youngster.

“I was doing my coaching badges while I was at Tottenham, and Harry was training with the first team. Even as a young kid, his shots were so difficult to save. I told the academy director John McDermott that his strikes had whip like Robbie Fowler and power like Alan Shearer. John just looked at me like I had five heads!”

Mauricio Pochettino

Manager

In the dugout, Friedel elected for the last manager to have worked with him as a player; Mauricio Pochettino, who managed Spurs between 2014 and 2019. Pochettino, in fact, only coached Friedel for one of the 20 seasons he played as a professional and such was his impact, that the American named him to manage his perfect 11.

“His attention to detail was second to none. He’s a compassionate man, but passionate for the game, too. Poch was very, very smart and he ran the club like no other I’ve been around.”

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been tipped to excel in the Tottenham Hotspur job if the north London outfit opt to appoint him to replace Ange Postecoglou - with talkSPORT pundit and former Premier League striker Troy Deeney stating that his old boss would change the culture at Spurs 'within three months'.

Postecoglou's men won only their first Premier League match in six games with a 3-1 victory over Southampton over the weekend, a run of games that leaves them still eight points adrift of the top half, and a further 11 points away from securing a European place, unless they win the Europa League in the coming weeks.

Deeney: Silva 'More Than Ready' for Tottenham Job

Spurs have struggled massively and Silva has been touted with the role

That has seen Postecoglou linked with the exit door, and a whole host of names have been touted to replace him at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

But Silva, who has been praised as a 'genius', has been a regularly linked name, and is a frontrunner for the potential Tottenham vacancy alongside Andoni Iraola. And that has seen Deeney - who Silva managed in his time at Watford - state that his former gaffer is 'more than ready' to take the job on, believing that he'd be able to turn Spurs' mindset around in a matter of months. He said on talkSPORT, via West London Sport:

“Marco is more than ready. The biggest compliment you could take for Marco Silva is that, if you look at all the people that are around him – his staff – they’ve been poached, because they (other clubs) want Marco Silva, but they go and get the people off his branches.

“He’s ready for a big team. I think he’d be perfect for Spurs if they would allow him to just go and take over and not get involved too much from up above.

“I think he’d change the culture of that place within three months. Marco is definitely ready. Fulham are on a good trajectory but I think they’ll struggle to keep him long term.”

Silva has managed four different Premier League clubs, but Fulham is easily his greatest spell, with their win over Liverpool over the weekend putting the club within just five points of the Champions League spaces with seven games to go.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Marco Silva has won 77 of his 179 games in charge of Fulham.

If he can secure European football at Craven Cottage for the first time in almost two decades, Silva would surely be a shoo-in for most top jobs in England.

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored. Correct as of 09-04-25.

Tottenham Hotspur are considering a summer transfer window move for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, according to Football Insider.

Madueke, who came through the ranks at Spurs before moving to PSV Eindhoven in 2018, has emerged as a potential target as Postecoglou pushes for wide reinforcements ahead of next season. Madueke’s contract at Chelsea runs until 2030, putting the west London club in a strong position at the negotiating table.

The English winger has been in and out of the Chelsea side under Enzo Maresca, and it's no surprise, considering the number of attacking players he has at his disposal. Madueke could be one to watch as we head towards the summer transfer window.

Tottenham Eyeing Move for Noni Madueke

He could consider leaving Chelsea

According to a report from Football Insider, Tottenham are considering a move to sign Madueke in the summer window. The England international has emerged as a potential target as Postecoglou pushes for wide reinforcements ahead of next season.

The 23-year-old is reportedly open to leaving Stamford Bridge in search of more consistent first-team football, with a return to north London viewed as a viable option. The England international made his senior debut for the Three Lions earlier this season and is understood to be eager to build on that achievement by playing regular minutes at club level.

Tottenham's current attacking options have failed to live up to expectations this season as they sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table. It's been a disastrous campaign that can only be saved by Europa League success, with Spurs knocked out of all domestic cups and closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League in the table.

Madueke, described as 'phenomenal', has also been linked with a move to Newcastle, with GIVEMESPORT sources confirming that the 23-year-old is a leading target for the Magpies. It could be a competitive race to secure his signature in the summer transfer window if Madueke does become available.

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Tottenham Hotspur are late newcomers in the race to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town this summer, according to reports - with scouts going to check him out over the weekend after a superb debut campaign in the Premier League.

Delap, 22, had previously endured fleeting and admittedly underwhelming loan spells at Stoke City, Preston North End and Hull City in the Championship, where he only managed 12 second-tier goals in 68 games until late last season - but with Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna placing his faith in him, Delap joined for a fee of up to £20million from Manchester City in the summer. And excelling from there, he's been a real asset to the Suffolk-based club, which has piqued the interest of other clubs.

Report: Tottenham 'Join' Delap Race, Scouts Watch Him

The young striker has plenty of suitors from big Premier League clubs

The report by TBR Football states that Tottenham have joined the race to sign in-demand Premier League striker Delap among other elite top-flight clubs - with scouts in attendance to watch him score against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Portman Road on Saturday.

Delap's early strike put the Tractor Boys ahead against their relegation rivals, and although they succumbed to a 2-1 loss to all but signify their return to the Championship, the East Anglian outfit have seen their talisman notch 12 Premier League goals so far this season - which has attracted the interest of the top-flight's elite, after he was called the 'next Harry Kane' by former Spurs man Danny Murphy.

Spurs are keen to bolster their attacking ranks in the summer, and have since joined the race for his signature alongside the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle United to name but a couple.

Relegation to the Championship would 'almost certainly' lead to Delap's departure, and with Ipswich needing at least 12 points from seven games to go level with Wolves, that seems to be all but a formality - with Delap set to leave the club in the coming months as a result.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Liam Delap made six appearances for Manchester City, scoring once in the League Cup.

With a multitude of appearances for England's youth teams, this has certainly been Delap's breakthrough season - and his pace, power and aggressive style of play could be favourable for Ange Postecoglou's men, where Delap would rival or even play alongside Dominic Solanke for a spot in the starting XI under the Australian boss.

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored. Correct as of 08-04-25.

Tottenham Hotspur are leading the race to sign Lille and England midfielder Angel Gomes on a free transfer, according to journalist Graeme Bailey.

Spurs are reportedly pushing hard for the 24-year-old’s arrival after the season and remain confident he will choose their project in North London over other Premier League and European clubs.

Gomes has received nearly a dozen approaches from across the continent and is expected to make a final decision on his next club in the coming weeks.

Tottenham are believed to be interested in at least two Lille players ahead of the summer transfer window, with Jonathan David also emerging on their radar.

Tottenham Want to Sign Angel Gomes

Leading the chase for the 24-year-old

According to Bailey, Tottenham have taken a closer look at Gomes in recent weeks and were in attendance for Lille’s clash with Lyon on Saturday.

The Lilywhites reportedly paid attention to David and Rayan Cherki during the game, while Gomes was left out of the matchday squad.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Gomes has made 14 league appearances for Lille this season, scoring once and providing one assist.

Gomes spent 14 years in Manchester United’s academy before joining Lille in 2020 and made 10 senior appearances for the Red Devils after being handed his debut by Jose Mourinho.

The 24-year-old, praised as ‘phenomenal’, enjoyed a breakout campaign for Lille last season and finished as Ligue 1’s joint-top assister alongside Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele.

Gomes has endured a stop-start campaign in France in 2024/25 and last played for Lille in the league on March 1, in a 4-1 loss to PSG.

According to GIVEMESPORT sources, Gomes would be open to joining Tottenham after the season, with chairman Daniel Levy particularly keen on bringing him to North London.

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Fulham are determined to ensure that Rodrigo Muniz will remain at Craven Cottage heading into next term after Tottenham Hotspur and a host of additional Premier League rivals have been contemplating whether to make a move during the summer transfer window, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

Ryan Sessegnon rejoined the Cottagers upon the expiry of his Spurs contract less than 12 months ago, with him penning a two-year deal worth £45,000-per-week, but head coach Marco Silva does not want to see key men head in the opposite direction and link up with Ange Postecoglou's charges in preparation for the 2025/26 campaign.

European qualification is a serious possibility for Fulham, having shown plenty of ambition ahead of the season thanks to making Emile Smith Rowe their club-record signing by agreeing a switch worth up to £34million from Arsenal, and they are adamant that Muniz will not embark on a fresh challenge with Tottenham.

Cottagers Planning to Fend Off Muniz Interest

West Londoners remain determined to retain striker's services

Fulham are set to issue a hands-off warning after Tottenham have been among the sides eyeing Muniz, according to GMS sources, and it is increasingly likely that he will be rewarded with the opportunity to sign an improved contract ahead of next season as they look to persuade him to commit his long-term future to the west Londoners.

The striker is preparing to enter the final 12 months of a deal which allows him to pocket just £7,500-per-week, meaning he is among the lowest-earners on the books at Craven Cottage, and it has been acknowledged behind the scenes that he deserves a pay rise following a prolific run of form.

GMS sources have been informed that Fulham have no interest in offloading Muniz, having seen him get his name on the scoresheet in an eye-catching win over Premier League title-chasers Liverpool last weekend, and Tottenham will face an uphill battle to find an agreement if they decide to up the ante in their pursuit.

The 23-year-old was described as 'sneaky good' by pundit Robbie Earle following his match-winning performance against the Merseyside heavyweights, with the three points keeping the Cottagers' push for European qualification on track, and that has underlined their desire to keep him out of Spurs' clutches during the summer transfer window.

Fulham are starting to view Muniz as a £50million talent due to his age, profile, style and ongoing potential, GMS sources have learned, but Tottenham are not the only domestic counterparts threatening to test their resolve with a formal offer in the coming months as Chelsea and West Ham United are also admirers.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Rodrigo Muniz has been averaging a goal every 114 minutes in the Premier League this season

Trio of Premier League Sides Watching Muniz

Brazilian has worked his way onto radar of domestic counterparts

GMS sources have been informed that Tottenham, Chelsea and West Ham are among the suitors to have sent representatives to watch Muniz in action, while other interested parties have also been taking note of his form in a Fulham shirt after seeing him progress since a loan spell with Middlesbrough in the 2022/23 campaign.

There were fears that the Cottagers' top flight status could be in jeopardy when they allowed Aleksandar Mitrovic to complete a £46million move to Al-Hilal in August 2023, but the Brazilian has helped to fill the void and found the back of the net in each of his last three Premier League outings as he aims to finish the campaign in free-scoring form.

Fulham are seriously considering putting their push to bring in a new centre forward on the back-burner thanks to the performances of Muniz and teammate Raul Jimenez, GMS sources understand, and they are satisfied with the competition between the two marksmen as they battle for a regular starting berth.

GMS sources recently revealed that the Cottagers are on course to take advantage of an option to trigger a 12-month extension written into the latter's contract, which will alleviate concerns of him walking away as a free agent and also lessen the need to prioritise the acquisition of a first-choice frontman.

All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 07/04/2025

Tottenham Hotspur are showing strong interest in Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is set to become a free agent this summer, according to Fichajes.

The Lilywhites have reportedly earmarked the 28-year-old striker as a potential reinforcement to Ange Postecoglou’s frontline, as he is expected to seek a new challenge after the season.

Calvert-Lewin’s contract at Everton expires in less than three months and he is unlikely to renew amid growing interest from Premier League clubs.

Tottenham are said to have already begun making moves to entice the striker with an ambitious project and an important role in the squad for next season.

Spurs Want to Sign Calvert-Lewin

His Everton contract expires in three months

According to Fichajes, Everton have accepted that Calvert-Lewin’s departure is ‘practically inevitable’ when his contract expires at the end of June.

The Toffees did try to renew the England international’s expiring deal several times but are now resigned to the fact that his future lies elsewhere, with Tottenham showing keen interest.

Calvert-Lewin, who joined Everton from Sheffield United in 2016, has amassed 269 appearances for the Merseysiders to date, scoring 71 goals and providing 20 assists.

The 28-year-old, praised as ‘exceptional’, has once again endured an injury-hit campaign at Goodison Park and is currently out with a hamstring setback.

He has missed the last nine Premier League games, with his last appearance occurring on 25 January in the 1-0 win at Brighton.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Calvert-Lewin has made 22 league appearances for Everton this season, scoring three goals and providing one assist.

Tottenham are believed to be eyeing frontline reinforcements after the season, although they do hold an option to make Mathys Tel’s loan permanent as well.

The French forward joined Spurs from Bayern Munich on a five-month loan in January and could be signed for a fee in the region of £50m this summer.

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Tottenham have begun exploring their options beyond Ange Postecoglou, who could be sacked if the side are unable to achieve glory in the UEFA Europa League, and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is a man rated highly by the Spurs top brass, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Currently languishing in 13th in the Premier League table, Tottenham still lie a hefty eight points away from a place in the top half despite emerging triumphant in their clash with Southampton. Dismal performances this season have landed Postecoglou under serious pressure.

A number of managers have been earmarked as potential replacements, including the Cherries' own, who only joined the club in June 2023.

Romano: Iraola 'Celebrated Internally' at Tottenham

The Spaniard is a key target for the club's potentially vacant managerial role

Speaking via his YouTube channel, Romano provided the latest update on Tottenham's search for a new manager, indicating that they are likely to replace Postecoglou if the Europa League is lifted by a team other than the Lilywhites this season, and that Iraola remains a top target. He said:

"Europa League will be really important, because if Tottenham win Europa League, this could change the world sense of the project next year.

"Otherwise, the expectation is for a very concrete and strong chance for Tottenham to replace Ange Postecoglou at the end of the season. "Tottenham are informed on the situation of Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth with a release clause into his contract. So Tottenham know everything about that, and he's a candidate for the Tottenham job. Andoni Iraola is doing fantastic at Bournemouth, and for sure, he is celebrated internally at Tottenham. So it's one of the possibilities."

Since signing on at the Vitality Stadium at the start of last season, Iraola's impact on Bournemouth has been phenomenal. He has navigated his men to 10th in the table this term, having amassed 45 points thus far. The "elite" Spanish tactician has already helped his side to a best-ever points total last term of 48, and they look set to break the record for a second consecutive season.

Spurs have opted against rushing to a decision on the Greek-Australian custodian's future, but they have nonetheless identified alternative targets alongside Iraola. English top-flight experience is evidently valued by Tottenham's top brass as Thomas Frank and Marco Silva are both options ranking high on the shortlist.

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No matter how good a footballer is, they almost all grew up idolising another professional in the sport and wanted to be just like them for a while. The opportunity to play with your role models isn't something that many are afforded the opportunity to do, but even fewer stars are given the chance and actually turn it down.

That was the case for one man, though, who had the chance to link up and play with his idol at a European powerhouse like Juventus in 2009, but instead, he chose to join Tottenham Hotspur. That man was Jermain Defoe who enjoyed two different stints at the North London club, but recently revealed, in an interview with WhoScored, with quotes shared by talkSPORT, that he almost didn't rejoin the club in 2009 and had the chance to move to Italy and team up with a star he looked up at Juventus.

Defoe Rejoined Tottenham in 2009

He signed just a year after leaving the club

In 2008, Defoe left Tottenham after four years with the club and joined fellow Premier League side Portsmouth. He spent just 12 months with the Hampshire-based club, playing 36 games for them. He scored 18 goals and created five assists for Pompey, but after just one year, he was on the move again.

After Harry Redknapp, who brought Defoe to Portsmouth, left the club for Tottenham in October 2008, the striker became unsettled at Fratton Park and in January 2009, he was given the chance to leave. He ultimately rejoined Spurs, just 12 months after leaving and reunited with Redknapp at White Hart Lane.

After spending four years with the team in his original stint, Defoe outdid himself this time around and spent over five years with Tottenham. In total, across the two spells, he played 363 times for Spurs, scoring 143 goals and becoming a club icon. Things could have been very different, though, as he had the chance to move to Juventus before deciding to return to Tottenham and he almost played with a star he considered his idol.

Defoe Was Tempted By Juventus

He liked the idea of playing with Alessandro Del Piero

While he ultimately decided to rejoin Tottenham in 2009, Defoe had the chance to move to Juventus and it's one he seriously considered for a while. According to the striker himself, he was intrigued by the notion of playing for the Serie A giants and especially about the idea of playing alongside a legend like Alessandro Del Piero. The Englishman dubbed Del Piero as 'iconic' when detailing the potential move.

"I got a phone call before I went back to Tottenham in I think 2008. I remember my agent phoned me and said to me Juventus are interested. If Tottenham doesn't get over the line would you want to come to Juventus?

"Imagine. You talk about forwards you’d love to play with, but actually, he [Del Piero] played in Soccer Aid last year, and it was just like—wow. As a young centre-forward, growing up watching players like that, an iconic figure."

Despite the Juventus interest, Defoe went back to Tottenham and played with the likes of Gareth Bale and Peter Crouch as they became a Champions League side and competed among the top four of the Premier League season after season. Things could have been very different, though, had he joined that Juventus team in 2009 that was filled to the brim with talent.

Defoe Could Have Played With Gianluigi Buffon

Juventus had some legendary figures in 2009

He might not regret his decision to go back to Tottenham in the end, but it's safe to assume that there would be plenty more silverware in Defoe's cabinet had he chosen to take his talents to Turin. In 2009, the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, one of the greatest goalkeepers ever, Pavel Nedved, a former Ballon d'Or winner, and Del Piero were all on the books at Juventus.

The side had gone several years without getting their hands on the Serie A title, but that all changed in 2012 and they embarked on a dominant run, lifting the trophy in nine straight seasons. Defoe could have been involved in at least a handful of them had he gone in 2009. Instead, he became one of the top scorers in Premier League history, with 163 strikes in total, so it's hard to imagine he's too bitter about his decision to remain in England truth be told.