TBR Football

Tottenham Hotspur didn’t technically make a new signing on transfer deadline day but did strike rather fascinating deal.

The final day of the transfer window passed without much business being done at Tottenham Hotspur.

Ange Postecoglou’s major summer business was done well in advance of the deadline as Archie Gray and Dominic Solanke arrived.

Wilson Odobert proved to be Tottenham’s final signing of the window and there wasn’t much outgoing business either.

Giovani Lo Celso was the headline departure on deadline day, completing a return to former club Real Betis.

Few tears will be shed in North London over Lo Celso’s departure after five disappointing years on the Tottenham books but his exit has caused some intrigue.

Tottenham Hotspur deal confirmed

Reports on deadline day suggested that Tottenham took a lower fee for Lo Celso in order to strike an agreement with Betis.

The deal has included an agreement for Tottenham to essentially have first option on signing Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso.

Spurs can activate a deal to sign Cardoso down the line or take a percentage of the deal if he is sold elsewhere.

Tottenham clearly want some kind of stake in Cardoso’s future just months after he joined Betis from Internacional in Brazil.

Reports suggested that Tottenham were remaining ‘silent’ and refusing to confirm whether such an agreement for Cardoso existed.

Tottenham have nowhere to hide now though as Real Betis have confirmed that Tottenham have an option to sign Cardoso.

Betis president Angel Haro has told Estadio Deportivo that Tottenham have a purchase option between €25million and €30million (£21million and £25million).

Haro claims that a number of teams wanted to sign Cardoso but the option over his future has been ‘given’ to Tottenham.

“Johnny is a player who is of interest to many teams. It is a purchase option and we have given it to Tottenham for the amounts published,” said Haro.

Who is potential Tottenham signing Johnny Cardoso?

Cardoso was born in the United States but moved to Brazil with his family at the age of just three.

Cardoso spent time in the ranks with Criciuma and Avai in Brazil before joining Internacional.

That is where Cardoso became a first-team star, racking up nearly 150 appearances for the club whilst scoring seven goals.

Real Betis came calling in January 2024 and lured Cardoso to La Liga, where he has now made 23 appearances.

Cardoso qualified to play for Brazil but has already racked up 15 caps for the United States.

Tottenham Hotspur were quiet on transfer deadline day but Johan Lange did find time to strike a rather interesting deal for the future.

Ange Postecoglou spent his cash on two big signings this summer, luring Archie Gray and Dominic Solanke to Tottenham Hotspur.

Lucas Bergvall, Timo Werner and Wilson Odobert have also strengthened the Tottenham squad but results have been a little mixed so far.

Tottenham were so up and down in the 1-1 draw against Leicester City before beating Everton 4-0 last weekend.

Postecoglou then watched his side dominate against Newcastle United on Sunday, only to lose 2-1 at St James’ Park.

Tottenham can’t just keep playing well and failing to win, leaving Spurs fans a little frustrated with the start to the season and the summer business.

Johnny Cardoso praised after Tottenham Hotspur agreement

Tottenham didn’t bring in a natural holding midfielder this summer, something which may have been needed after allowing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to join Marseille.

Deadline day passed without Tottenham finding a solution in that area of the pitch but an interesting agreement has been reached.

Tottenham have allowed Giovani Lo Celso to rejoin Real Betis after five rather disappointing years on the Spurs books.

Intriguingly, Tottenham have negotiated a first option on Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso as part of the deal.

Tottenham can either activate a deal to sign Cardoso or take a percentage of any sale if he moves elsewhere – even if Spurs are remaining quiet on the agreement right now.

The American midfielder isn’t a household in Europe just yet having only joined Betis from Internacional in January.

European football expert Andy Brassell has now offered his view whilst speaking to Sky Sports (30/08, 17:40).

Brassell noted that Cardoso is ‘very popular’ as a person and and ‘very energetic’ on the pitch, highlighting that he is essentially a Brazilian player due to his upbringing.

Brassell added that Cardoso ‘loves a tackle’ and his style of play suits the Premier League perfectly, potentially becoming the answer for Tottenham in holding midfielder.

“The interesting thing is this might help Tottenham negotiate an option, it seems, for Johnny Cardoso,” said Brassell. “Quite an interesting backstory, so he was born in the US to Brazilian parents but he moved back to Brazil when he was three or four months old. To all intents and purposes, he is a Brazilian player, he’s come through the system there before going over to Betis.

“Very popular, very energetic, you can imagine Cardoso working really well in the Premier League because he loves a tackle, he loves to get stuck in, so you can imagine him protecting that Tottenham defence going forward,” he added.

Johan Lange has pulled off a masterstroke

Cardoso may not even join Tottenham in 2025 but he will be a name on the radar for upcoming transfer windows at Spurs.

This deal may not amount to much; Spurs may end up feeling that Cardoso just isn’t right down the line.

Having that option is so valuable though as the market for holding midfielders has exploded in recent years.

Finding quality players who can play in that number six position at a high level is becoming increasingly difficult – and increasingly expensive.

Cardoso hasn’t even in European football for a year yet, so it’s too early to tell whether he can really take the next step in his development.

If he does though, Tottenham have that first option to bring him to North London, providing an advantage over other clubs who may join the race.

Tottenham have no plans for Lo Celso, so taking a cheaper deal doesn’t really affect Spurs too much right now but allows that option for Cardoso down the line.

Deadline day was a quiet one for Tottenham but technical director Johan Lange may have set up a very interesting deal for the future in a potential masterstroke for Spurs.

Tottenham Hotspur enjoyed a productive summer transfer window.

The North Londoners made five exciting additions, with Dominic Solanke’s £65m arrival from Bournemouth perhaps the statement deal.

On the outgoing front, Tottenham offloaded a staggering 15 players, with six of them heading out on loan.

Here are all of their loan departures for the 2024/25 campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur loanees 2024/25

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (on loan to Marseille)

Tottenham Hotspur shipped Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg on loan to Ligue 1 outfit Marseille for the 2024/25 season.

According to BBC Sport, Hojbjerg’s move will become a permanent one for a fee in the region of £17m.

Bryan Gil (on loan to Girona)

Bryan Gil, who has failed to make an impact in North London since his £21m switch from Sevilla in 2021, has joined La Liga high-flyers Girona for the season.

Manor Solomon (on loan to Leeds United)

Manor Solomon was sidelined for much of last season through injury but he’s built himself back up to fitness and has now dropped down to the Championship, joining Leeds United.

Solomon laid on an assist on his debut against Hull City.

Alejo Veliz (on loan to Espanyol)

Alejo Veliz made the switch to Espanyol last month and got off the mark with a stoppage-time winner against Raya Vallecano last night.

Ashley Phillips (on loan to Stoke City)

Ashley Phillips enjoyed a productive loan spell at Plymouth Argyle last season and has now joined fellow Championship outfit Stoke City to continue his development.

Dane Scarlett (on loan to Oxford United)

It’s safe to say that young Tottenham forward Alejo Veliz has not had a good time of things since making his move to England.

The young striker was farmed out on loan to Sevilla last season but did little of note in a spell which was disappointing for everyone involved.

Tottenham paid £13m to sign Veliz and he is seen as someone who can indeed be a star in the future.

Indeed, Erik Lamela has backed Veliz to go on and be a star, praising the Tottenham forward just last month.

Still, Veliz will feel he needs a big season this year after joining Espanyol and he’s on the right path to doing just that after scoring a late, late winner last night.

Veliz hit a stoppage time goal to see Espanyol beat Raya Vallecano 2-1 and after the game, it’s safe to say Veliz got a bit emotional.

Alejo Veliz gets upset after scoring Espanyol winner

Speaking in an interview after the game, Veliz was being quizzed by the Spanish interviewer on how he felt to get the goal.

And Veliz, clearly emotional, spoke from the heart.

In comments translated by the Spurs Web, Veliz admitted he’d had a tough year in general.

“I had a year that honestly wasn’t great for me football-istically,” Veliz said.

“I just want to thank my family, my girlfriend who always supported me, the coaching staff for giving me the chance to come here and prove myself, and my teammates.”

Clearly, then, Veliz is looking to really make an impression in Spain this time around and show he can do the business.

With Tottenham buying Dominic Solanke for big money, keeping Richarlison, and having Mikey Moore breaking through, Veliz knows it will be tough in London.

But this is a good start and more goals like this can only help him, as can his obvious desire to impress.

Tottenham Hotspur have had a fruitful summer on the transfer front, making a host of exciting signings for the present and future.

Spurs have also begun their Premier League campaign well, picking up four points from their opening two games of the season.

After threatening to thrash Leicester City in their league opener, only to settle for a point, Tottenham were much improved as they hammered Everton 4-0 last week.

One particular positive for Spurs compared to the second half of last season is how well James Maddison has begun the campaign.

The £40million man hit the ground running after his move to N17 last season, only for his form to tail off in the second half of the campaign.

However, Maddison has looked brighter this month, with the Evening Standard describing him last week as “full of beans again”.

Ange Postecoglou has now delivered an emphatic verdict on the England international ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Newcastle United.

Ange Postecoglou says James Maddison ‘wants to take his game up another level’

Postecoglou, speaking to football.london on Friday, revealed that Maddison has been “excellent” and “consistent” in training.

The Spurs boss also said the 27-year-old is keen to “take his game up another level” and hoped he would be able to do so.

“Yeah he has been good Madders, really good,” said Postecoglou. ” I think I said last week when Madders is physically in a good place and he really is, his training is excellent, it’s consistent.

“We know he is such a creative force in this league, he’s done it for many years and it’s great to have him back up and running.

“He has been excellent in the first two games and I can see in him he wants to take his game up another level. Hopefully he can.”

Newcastle v Tottenham team news

Postecoglou has confirmed that Dominic Solanke and Richarlison will not be available for Tottenham’s Premier League trip against Newcastle on Sunday.

“Dom is close but we’re going to be a bit cautious with him, we’ve got a big programme post the international break, so he’ll miss out on Sunday,” he said on SPURSPLAY.

“The only other one we got midweek is Richarlison, who unfortunately picked up an injury in training, so he’ll probably miss the next few weeks.”

However, Spurs have been handed a boost in the shape of the return of midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur.

“Rodrigo is all good,” said Postecoglou. He’s passed all the protocols we need to.

“More importantly he feels really good and the medical team are really comfortable with him being available for Sunday.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle are set to be without at least five players, as per the Shields Gazette.

Joe Willock, Callum Wilson, Lewis Miley, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles are out injured against Spurs, while Fabian Schar will serve the final match of his three-match suspension.

Martin Dubravka is also a doubt with a concussion injury picked up in training that has seen him miss the Magpies’ last two matches.

Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed a productive transfer window and are still working on outgoings ahead of today’s deadline.

Spurs have made five new additions so far with Dominic Solanke the real statement signing from Bournemouth.

At this stage, there is nothing in the pipeline for further additions but on the outgoing front, one of their exciting youngsters is set to depart for the EFL.

Tottenham set to send Josh Keeley out on loan to Leyton Orient

According to journalist Alasdair Gold, Tottenham’s young goalkeeper Josh Keeley is set to join Leyton Orient on loan.

The ‘excellent’ (per SuperHotspur) shot-stopper has penned a new contract ahead of his switch to League One, so evidently the club have high hopes for him in the long term.

Keeley, who celebrated his 21st birthday in May, is an Ireland youth international and is a regular for Spurs’ reserve team.

Tottenham set for a quiet deadline day

On the incoming front, Sky Sports News reported that Tottenham aren’t expected to sign any more players before the deadline.

Though, it’s also been suggested ‘never say never’, so it appears club chiefs remain active in case a unique opportunity arises.

A back-up left-back is thought to be on Postecoglou’s wishlist and Fiorentina’s Michael Kayode has been mooted as a potential target.

Manchester City’s Issa Kabore was another full-back linked with a move to Spurs but he’s set to join Benfica on loan.

A telling few hours await as the clock ticks towards the deadline at 11pm this evening.

Tottenham Hotspur look set to be in store for a busy end to the summer transfer market today.

However, it is not the ending to their summer business which many Tottenham fans will be hoping for in north London.

Ange Postecoglou‘s side have already seen 14 players depart in what has been a summer of departures in the Australian’s second summer window.

Tottenham were expecting a busy end to the market when it came to player sales with two specifically the club were looking to move on.

One of those players in Giovani Lo Celso who has not been included in either of Postecoglou’s matchday squads this season.

West Ham are believed to have shown an interest in Tottenham’s Lo Celso over a possible deadline day swoop.

But another Spurs player is now receiving late interest with Spurs having even received an offer for his services.

Tottenham have already replied to deadline day offer for £27m player

It has even been suggested that Tottenham could sanction a surprise late exit over the final hours of the window.

But one player who does look set to leave Hotspur Way later today is Sergio Reguilon who is subject to interest from Besiktas.

However, Spurs have now received an offer from a European side for the services of the Spanish left-back.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham have just received an offer from Ligue 1 side Lille for the services of Reguilon.

But the French side have already been knocked back having only offered a loan agreement for the Spaniard.

It is even claimed that the French side had entered advanced talks to sign Reguilon who is now hours away from remaining at Tottenham.

However, Spurs are looking to offload Reguilon on a permanent basis now after years of holding on to the Spaniard.

Tottenham need to offload Sergio Reguilon today

Having signed from Real Madrid in a deal worth £27m, it would be fair to say that he has been a huge disappointment.

Reguilon spent last season out on loan with Manchester United and Brentford with the Spaniard showing some positive signs.

He has been hailed as ‘incredible‘ in the past but, clearly, he has not shown Postecoglou enough behind the scenes.

Although Spurs desperately need a new left-back, they could really do with offloading Reguilon who has been stuck on the books for years now.

A quiet deadline day has been mooted around Tottenham Hotspur with the Lilywhites looking to have wrapped up their business.

That is, of course, when it comes to potential arrivals with Tottenham having already sanctioned 14 exits and counting.

Tottenham are believed to be in store for a busy deadline day when it comes to player sales with two specifically set to leave.

Sergio Reguilon has received interest from Besiktas already this summer after being left out of Ange Postecoglou‘s squad for the pre-season tour.

Despite having offloaded a huge number of players, there is still the feeling that more can be done to trim down the bloated squad which Postecoglou inherited.

However, it has now been mooted that a third ‘surprise’ exit could potentially be sanctioned before the end of the day.

Tottenham could sanction ‘surprise’ deadline day sale

At the start of the window, Postecoglou admitted it was going to be a summer of change in north London.

And change there has been with so many players now off the books and more to potentially follow over the final hours of the window.

West Ham are now showing an interest in potentially signing Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso today but Real Betis are believed to be leading the race.

According to reliable Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold, there is the potential for a late ‘surprise’ exit at Hotspur Way today.

“They’re the two big ones [Lo Celso and Reguilon] that we’re kind of keeping an eye on in terms of of outgoings,” he said on the Gold and Guest Talk Tottenham podcast.

“And you never know, there might be a surprise late one, especially with the squad registration stuff.”

Tottenham have cleared the decks this summer

A lot of questions can be asked as to whether enough has been done in north London this summer when it comes to signings.

Tottenham have only really brought in three signings in Dominic Solanke, Archie Gray and Wilson Odobert for the start of the campaign.

However, the departures have been impressive from a Spurs point of view with a lot of unwanted players having now been offloaded.

And when it comes to the young prospects, loan moves have been made to secure them more regular football.

But a late surprise would certainly be interesting to see.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed fruitful summers on the transfer front, making several big signings.

With deadline day now looming, the Gunners and Spurs could yet look to make more additions before the window shuts at 11pm BST on Friday.

The next 24 hours could also see the wrapping up of several transfer sagas that have been rumbling all summer, and perhaps even longer.

Now, a player who has been linked with Arsenal and Tottenham for months appears to have decided on his next club.

Ivan Toney now expected to join Al-Ahli

The player in question is Brentford’s Ivan Toney and, according to The Times, he is now expected to join Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League.

Toney agreed a three-year deal with the Saudi Pro League club worth about £17million a season and is now set to make the switch, added the report.

The west London club have been holding out for about £50million for the England player, having rejected a previous £35million offer from Al-Ahli.

No Premier League bidding war as Toney set for Saudi switch

And so it looks like the Toney saga is coming to an end, with neither Arsenal nor Tottenham set to get their hands on him.

Going into the summer, there was speculation of a scramble for Toney’s services, and potentially a big bidding war.

However, this has not materialised, and now the England international looks set to exit the Premier League and join the Saudi top flight.

What could Arsenal and Tottenham do on deadline day?

Considering both Arsenal and Tottenham have done the bulk of their transfer business earlier in the summer, neither club is expected to frantically rush around for panic buys.

Fabrizio Romano told GiveMeSport on Thursday that he wouldn’t be surprised if the Gunners brought on a new forward, perhaps cover for Bukayo Saka on the right wing.

Meanwhile, Michael Bridge told the same outlet that he doesn’t expect Tottenham to be busy on deadline day, though he stressed “never say never”.

More outgoings could also be on the cards, with the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Nketiah, Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Reguilon all candidates to leave N5 and N17 respectively.

Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed a busy summer on the transfer front, making a number of exciting signings for the present and for the future.

Dominic Solanke has joined Spurs to bolster the first-team’s attacking ranks as the first out-and-out No. 9 brought in since Harry Kane’s departure.

Tottenham have also signed Archie Gray, Wilson Odobert and Yang Min-hyuk, young players who all look like they have a bright future ahead of them.

In addition, Lucas Bergvall has arrived at Spurs after a deal was struck with Djurgarden in January, while Timo Werner has re-signed on loan from RB Leipzig.

Tottenham continue to be linked with players going into transfer deadline day, such as Ivan Toney and Josh Brownhill.

Now, Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge has shared what he knows about Spurs going into the final day of the window.

‘Never say never’ with Tottenham but ‘busy deadline day’ not on cards

Bridge, speaking on GiveMeSport, has praised Tottenham for a “really impressive” window and said they’re a “never say never” kind of club.

However, the Sky Sports reporter said he’s not aware of any plans for Spurs to launch any late moves, and has told fans not to expect a busy finale.

“I think with Tottenham, you never say never. But my understanding is not to expect a busy deadline day in terms of incomings,” said Bridge.

“They wanted an out-and-out striker, Postecoglou wanted Solanke, they got Solanke. I think they’ve been really impressive.

“What they’ve seen of Archie Gray so far, we also know that Odobert came out of nowhere, but he’s another option.

“He gives Spurs something a little bit different in the wide areas.”

Tottenham can afford not to rush on deadline day

Spurs have done some great business this summer and, crucially, most of it has come when the pace of transfers could be more leisurely.

Now, with just over 24 hours to go until the window shuts, Tottenham can afford not to rush, and perhaps look at pouncing on some great opportunities instead of panic buying.

That said, Spurs have done well in making signings seemingly out of nowhere, as was the case with Odobert.

Hopefully there will be more of that before Friday night.