TBR Football

A lot could change at Tottenham this summer.

It very much feels as if Ange Postecoglou needs to – at least – reach the UEFA Europa League final this season if the Australian is to remain in charge, with Spurs embarrassingly sat 14th in the Premier League.

The Athletic are now claiming that Tottenham have made Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth their primary target if Postecoglou is sacked.

However, the Spaniard may not be the only new hire at Spurs, after Daniel Levy made an offer to Fabio Paratici.

Daniel Levy offers Fabio Paratici the chance to return to Tottenham

The Italian negotiator – who helped bring the likes of Dejan Kulusevski and Cristian Romero to Spurs – has been out of work ever since FIFA banned him from football for 30 months due to false accounting at Juventus, a decision which prompted his resignation from his Director of Football role at Tottenham in April 2023.

Now – however – a story by Radio Rossonera claims that Levy has made a “rich” offer to Paratici in an attempt to lure him back to N17 ahead of AC Milan, who are also trying to hire the man from Borgonovo Val Tidone.

The Italian news outlet believe a meeting was held between the pair, and it is now up to the 52-year-old to make a decision.

TBR Football understand Paratici is leaning towards AC Milan – where he would be able to remain in his homeland.

What Ange Postecoglou has said about Fabio Paratici

If Postecoglou does remain at the helm and ends up working with Paratici, we would not anticipate any problems based on what the 59-year-old has previously said about him.

The man born in Greece said in January 2024: “Obviously I know Fabio and every now and then we’ll exchange messages or calls. He’s a smart guy and you can see that he’s got a great eye for talent.”

TBR Football can exclusively reveal that there is plenty of interest from clubs across European football to sign Leon Bailey from Aston Villa.

But Gabriel Agbonlahor has called out Bailey’s form as he has just two goals and four assists to his name in 26 starts across all competitions this season — with the Jamaican international being badly out of form.

Things have certainly taken a turn for the worse since February last year when Leon Bailey was rewarded with a four-year contract extension for his glittering displays. But now, the Aston Villa winger seems to be losing his place in the side to Marco Asensio, who is flying under Unai Emery.

With Bailey’s status declining at Aston Villa, several clubs look to be keen on signing him.

Tottenham and four other clubs keen on Aston Villa star Leon Bailey

Sources have told TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey that one of the clubs that could be in the mix to sign Bailey is Tottenham Hotspur.

Ange Postecoglou’s side admired the former Bayer Leverkusen forward before his £25 million move to Villa Park in 2021 and if the 27-year-old is made available, they could try and sign him.

Bundesliga clubs such as Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt are all keeping tabs on Bailey as well. Marco Rose

The Kingston-born wideman was incredible during his spell at Bayer Leverkusen and as a result, he is still held in high esteem within German football. Bailey was called “lethal” by Paul Merson and there is no denying that on his day, he is a menace for any left-back to come up against.

Even French giants Marseille, who are managed by Roberto De Zerbi admire Aston Villa’s Bailey, who Manchester United were eyeing as well.

Tottenham made a phone call about signing Leon Bailey

With the ex-Genk trickster being an experienced player who has plenty of experience for both club and country, he was always expected to generate interest.

Tottenham called about signing Bailey and as did Manchester United, according to Fabrizio Romano in the winter transfer window — which explains why the possibility of a move still appeals to them.

“What I can tell you is that Man United and Tottenham, both clubs called to be informed on Bailey. But again, it depends on Aston Villa and at the moment, there are still no open doors. We will see on deadline day what’s going to happen on that one.”

Argentinian manager Lionel Scaolni has revealed what he told Cristian Romero at half-time following the Tottenham Hotspur defender’s poor mistake against Brazil.

Argentina still romped to victory in Buenos Aires as they thrashed Brazil 4-1 and secured qualification to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Cristian Romero gifted Matheus Cunha with a goal, however, it proved to only be a consolation much to the relief of the Tottenham Hotspur vice captain.

Scanoli has now explained what he told the 26-year-old after his error in the match and what he made of how the defender responded.

Cristian Romero’s shocking error vs Brazil

Argentina looked to be cruising their way to a comfortable win over Brazil only for Cristian Romero to be caught in possession and punished by Cunha.

The 26-year-old was far too casual with the ball as he looked to play out from the back and had his pocket picked by the Wolves forward.

Romero made a similar error against Bournemouth as he was caught in possession by Evanilson which left Spurs fans questioning his fitness. Romero has just returned from three months out with a hamstring injury.

Lionel Scaloni’s half-time message to Cristian Romero

Lionel Scaloni reveals that he was very positive at half-time to Romero, who is linked with Atletico Madrid, although th e defender did not need it and produced a superb response.

The Argentinian media have also praised Romero’s response to the error and gave his performance against Brazil strong ratings.

After the match, Scaloni told the media: “When you play this way, knowing they were coming to pressure us and if we waited we could find players further forward, it can happen. Footballers aren’t immune to these things. You have to pick yourself up and keep going.”

“At half-time, I said some positive things to him, but it wasn’t necessary. Afterward, he continued playing the same way. I told him to continue like this and that it wasn’t a problem, that it could happen, that it’s football. The team asks him to do that.”

Destiny Udogie is a very important player for Tottenham Hotspur.

The Italian joined Spurs from Udinese in the summer of 2022, but he was sent back on loan for a year. The left-back officially joined Tottenham after that spell, and he has impressed.

Udogie started his Spurs career brilliantly under Ange Postecoglou last season, but his second campaign has been a difficult one.

Injuries have affected him, and there have been games in recent months where he has had to make way for another very impressive player to take his place.

Udogie has now had his say on that teammate.

Destiny Udogie shares how his relationship is with Djed Spence at Tottenham

Djed Spence has turned his career around at Tottenham.

Almost everybody at Spurs expected him to leave the club in last summer’s transfer window, but the full-back ended up staying.

Even at that point, Postecoglou showed no real willingness to give regular opportunities to Spence. He played just 64 minutes of football in the Premier League in the first four months of the campaign.

Since then, Spence has featured regularly and has produced several excellent performances for Tottenham, especially at left-back.

Udogie, who is Spurs’ first-choice left-back, is delighted for Spence and has heaped praise on him.

He told Tottenham’s official website: “I think Djed is an incredible player. We are really close friends, we speak a lot and we try to help each other in the games. Everyone in the group is here to help and I hope he can help us as much.

“Since he’s come in, he’s having a top season. He’s helping the team a lot.

“We speak every day and try to help by teaching each other new stuff, so he helps me, I help him and it’s a great relationship.”

Daniel Levy will be delighted with Djed Spence for two reasons

Tottenham signed Spence in the summer of 2022, when Antonio Conte was at the helm.

The Italian made it clear that the full-back was a ‘club signing’ and wasn’t someone he requested to be recruited for his team.

Daniel Levy was the one who pushed for Spence, and he must be delighted now that the 24-year-old is delivering in Tottenham’s colours.

What will surely make the Spurs chairman even happier is the fact that Spence will now save millions in the transfer market for Tottenham because he offers cover in both full-back positions.

Levy can use that money to strengthen other areas of the pitch this summer.

TBR Football can reveal that Ousmane Diomande is set to leave Sporting CP this summer and Tottenham Hotspur have been watching him all season, particularly in recent months.

Several Premier League clubs love Diomande but Spurs are very much in this conversation and have liked him since his time as a youth player at FC Midtjylland.

The 21-year-old has been a key player Sporting over the last two seasons following his £6 million move from the Danish Superliga.

Tottenham Hotspur have been closely following the young defender this term and he is a player who they could move for in the summer transfer window.

Tottenham target Ousmane Diomande is valued at £50m

Ousmane Diomande has a £67 million release clause at Sporting, but sources have told TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey that he could be available for £50 million.

Diomande is very high on Tottenham’s list of defensive options, however, they are not alone as several Premier League clubs are also in the race.

Sporting’s current director, Hugo Viana, who is expected to join Manchester City, is open to taking him to the Etihad Stadium when he finally completes the switch.

Meanwhile, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United are fully all versed on his progress and could also rival the North London club.

Tottenham may need to replace Cristian Romero

Tottenham are aware that Cristian Romero could be leaving this summer and they will need to replace him should he leave.

TBR Football reported earlier this week that Romero is ready to push for a move away from Spurs with Atletico Madrid targeting him.

The Lilywhites are already well stocked in defence though with Luka Vuskovic finally set to arrive in the summer and Kevin Danso having already impressed since his move from Lens.

Another defender will be brought in though and Diomande is one of the leading candidates on their list of targets.

It’s never easy to say goodbye to a club legend when age starts to catch up with them.

Indeed, we’ve seen it countless times over the years. Chelsea released John Terry after years of great service at Stamford Bridge, while even Steven Gerrard had to leave Liverpool towards the end of his career.

Tottenham have had to get rid of some great players in recent years as their age has become a factor.

Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen were both sold as they entered their 30s, while Hugo Lloris was frozen out.

Now, Heung-Min Son is in a similar situation.

The Korean is 32 years old now, and Son has been heavily criticised this season and some have even called for Son to be sold.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, Gabriel Agbonlahor has been discussing Son’s situation at Tottenham, and he’s suggested that Spurs are in a similar situation to Manchester City with Kevin De Bruyne.

Tottenham have their own Kevin De Bruyne situation

Agbonlahor spoke about Son and his decline.

The pundit says that it looks like Son has lost his pace, claiming that it may be time to move on, in the same way City may move De Bruyne on now.

“I look at a player like Son. Son has been an outstanding player hasn’t he for Spurs? At his best, the pace he has, but watching him over the last season and a half. He’s not showing that electric speed. He’s 33 in July, is it time for Spurs to move him on?” Agbonlahor said.

“Kevin De Bruyne is moving on at Manchester City, and it’s a similar sort of scenario.”

Kevin De Bruyne and Heung-Min Son’s decline in numbers

Son and De Bruyne are two all-time Premier League greats, there’s no doubt about it.

Indeed, Son was a world-class player in his pomp, but, as he approaches his 33rd birthday, you have to admit he’s a waning force.

The same goes for De Bruyne, and, unfortunately, the numbers do show that these two players’ trajectories are only headed in one direction.

Son isn’t a bad player by any stretch of the imagination. He’s still having some sort of an effect on Tottenham’s attack.

However, the numbers don’t lie, Son isn’t quite at the level he once was when he was winning the Golden Boot and while it may not be time to sell the attacker, it’s certainly time for Spurs to find a way to be less reliant on his abilities in the attack.

The days of Son being Spurs’ main man may soon be over.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero’s future is up in the air ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Argentina international is Spurs’ vice-captain and one of their most important players. However, injuries have really troubled him this season.

Romero was not happy with how Tottenham looked after his injury, and he publicly praised the help he received from his national team to get back to full fitness.

Now, there has been some speculation about his future, with Atletico Madrid interested in signing Romero in the summer transfer window.

But, could a return to Italy be on the cards?

Inter Milan vice-president Javier Zanetti responds when asked if he wants to sign Cristian Romero

Inter Milan are one of the best teams in Italy.

Simone Inzaghi has made the Nerazzurri a force in the Serie A again, and they are once again the favourites to win the Scudetto this year.

Inter legend Javier Zanetti is the vice-president of the club right now, and the Argentine has his compatriot Lautaro Martinez leading his side’s line.

Following Argentina’s brilliant win over Brazil this week, reporters jokingly asked Zanetti if Martinez had asked him to sign Romero for Inter Milan.

The legendary full-back admitted that he is a big fan of the Tottenham star, but he also claimed that Romero would be ‘very expensive’ this summer.

He told TyC Sports: “It’s not easy because we are talking about very expensive players. The club’s sustainability is a challenge for everyone and a fundamental aspect.

“Romero is a complete defender. I was saying before the interview that Argentina can rely on a defender who knows how to play, who marks well, is focused and is a leader.

“I really like him a lot. He’s one of those old-school, complete defenders. He has proved to be a key player for Argentina.”

Romero’s stance on leaving Tottenham

Romero will enter the final two years of his contract at Tottenham this summer.

TBR Football exclusively revealed in February that Spurs are ready to pay Romero more money than Son Heung-min to convince him to stay.

But, there has been no agreement between the two parties yet.

However, TBR can reveal that Romero has not decided on his future yet and is still assessing his options ahead of the summer transfer window.

Playing Champions League football appeals to Romero – Inter and Atletico Madrid can both offer him that. Spurs will have to win the Europa League in order to make it into Europe’s elite club competition.

If that doesn’t happen, there’s every chance Romero will look for a new club this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur delivered the biggest news story of the final day of the winter transfer window when they signed Mathys Tel on loan from Bayern Munich.

Tel’s move to Tottenham was the big talking point of transfer deadline day as he performed a U-turn and joined Spurs on an initial loan deal.

The 19-year-old has made seven appearances for Spurs and has netted once, though he’s yet to get off the mark in the Premier League or Europa League.

Fabrizio Romano has now shared how Tottenham insiders feel about the prospect of signing Tel on a permanent deal from Bayern.

Fabrizio Romano says Tottenham see Mathys Tel as a big part of their project – but there’s a catch

Romano has claimed that Tottenham see Tel as someone who could ‘absolutely’ be part of their project.

However, the transfer insider says Spurs are not rushing into a decision yet amid their ongoing Europa League campaign.

The Europa League is now Tottenham’s only pathway to European football next season due to their lowly league position and exiting both domestic cups.

The winner of the Europa League would qualify for the Champions League, which would have a big impact on Spurs’ summer budget and their pulling power.

“This remains the message, Tottenham consider Mathys Tel as a player who can absolutely be part of the project in the future,” Romano wrote on GiveMeSport.

“Then we have to see again, also in this case, financially, how Tottenham want to advance in the summer.

“At the moment, I can guarantee that Tottenham are fully focused on the present, because obviously the Europa League is too important for them, before deciding on the budget, on what’s going to happen next season.

“It’s similar to Manchester United. If you have the chance maybe to play Champions League football next season, everything can change. And so, financially, you can do way more things.”

What Ange Postecoglou plans to do with Mathys Tel at Tottenham

Earlier in March, Ange Postecoglou said Tel has “done as well as he possibly can” considering the circumstances at N17.

The Tottenham manager backed the ‘extraordinary’ Tel to flourish once the injury situation eases and once he can deploy him where he thinks he’ll be best – on the flanks.

“It’s fair to say we’ve put a lot on a very young player and introduced him to our league,” Postecoglou told reporters.

“I remember Lucas [Bergvall] was a similar one at the beginning of the year. He struggled a little bit in certain games, especially in Europe.

“He struggled a couple of times but over time we’ve seen him flourish.

“I’m sure once we can get Dom [Solanke] back in and hopefully Richy [Richarlison] not too far in the future, we can use him in the way we want to.”

Tottenham need to revamp their squad this summer.

Indeed, if this season has taught us anything about Spurs, it’s that many of their players simply aren’t good enough at this point.

Heung-Min Son has been heavily criticised at times this season, but perhaps Spurs’ biggest problem is in the midfield.

Yves Bissouma has been poor for most part this season, while Rodrigo Bentancur hasn’t been much better either.

Spurs need some fresh impetus in the midfield, and according to Dean Jones, speaking on the Ranks FC Podcast, help could be on the way.

The journalist says that Tottenham could well be in for Lille’s Angel Gomes this summer, naming the north London club as the most likely team to sign the England international.

Tottenham are favourites to sign Angel Gomes

Jones shared what he knows about Gomes and his potential move this summer.

Gomes will be a free agent come the end of the season, and according to Jones, Spurs are the team most interested in doing a deal for the England ace.

“But yeah, the main spot for him, the team that’s been after him the longest is Tottenham. They were even trying to strike a deal in January to just secure it. They would have paid a fee for him to just get it in the bank.

They didn’t manage to do that, which surprises me a little bit. I was told at the time that Angel Gomes just wanted to keep his options open. Didn’t feel the need to rush into that decision, but they’ve continued to talk about it.”

“And certainly, avenues are still open between Tottenham and Gomes to go ahead

“I do believe that Tottenham are the most likely club to get this done if he comes to England. Now, it’s worth bearing in mind, he does have offers outside of England too. I haven’t been given any firm names on who they are, but I’m told he has very good profile clubs interested in him from Spain and Germany.”

Manchester United academy players who joined Tottenham

Tottenham could offer Gomes a return to English football a few years on from his release from Manchester United.

Interestingly, Gomes wouldn’t be the first United academy graduate to ultimately end up playing for Tottenham.

Sadly for Gomes though, other players who have followed this sort of path haven’t fared too well.

Frazier Campbell didn’t amount to much at Tottenham after joining directly from United, while Zeki Fryers is a long-forgotten Premier League figure at the age of just 32.

Interestingly, Pierluigi Gollini was on Manchester United’s books as a youngster too before a loan move to Tottenham.

Tottenham Hotspur are hoping that they can use two of their best young talents in order to win the race for one of the Championship’s best teenagers.

Following what has been a pretty catastrophic Premier League campaign, Spurs know they will need a strong summer transfer window in order to get back on track.

But, the North London club seem intent on continuing to sign Europe’s best young talents and this time, they are looking to the second tier of English football for their next target.

Tottenham hopeful of persuading Chris Rigg to join

Tottenham Hotspur are hopeful that they can persuade Chris Rigg to join them ahead of the competition for his signature, according to The Northern Echo.

Sunderland are expected to receive many offers for the 17-year-old in the summer with the youngster becoming very highly rated by Premier League clubs.

Ange Postecoglou’s side think they can point to Djed Spence and Archie Gray as EFL stars who have been given opportunities to develop in the English top flight.

Spence is currently being tipped to play for England, meanwhile, Archie Gray is now seen as one of the best talents in the Premier League.

The Australian has given plenty of game time to the likes of Gray, Mikey Moore and Lucas Bergvall who have all turned into top players even at such a young age.

Liverpool and Arsenal have also been linked with Rigg showing that Spurs are likely to face strong competition to get him.

Chris Rigg compared to Tottenham legend Paul Gascoigne

Former England international Carlton Palmer claims that Rigg is the best young talent to come out of the North East since Tottenham legend Paul Gascoigne.

Palmer also claims that the Black Cats would also value the teenager at around £20 million, given just how good he has been in the Championship this season.

When speaking about Crystal Palace’s interest in him back in November, Palmer told Football League World: They will have to break the bank to get him, Sunderland won’t sell him for £20 million, they are top of the league and looking to get back to the Premier League, so if they’re going to sell Chris Rigg it will be for a lot more than £20 million.

“If he continues in the same form, and I don’t make this too fine a point, the last player to come out of that neck of the woods with that sort of talent was Paul Gascoigne, this boy is in that class, so Sunderland are not going to sell him on the cheap.”