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Vissel Kobe are set to play Tottenham Hotspur in a pre-season friendly at Japan National Stadium on Saturday.

The home side are currently fourth in the J1 League with 42 points from 24 games, while Tottenham finished fifth with 66 points in the Premier League last term.

Match preview

Vissel Kobe's 2024 campaign is still ongoing, with the J1 League champions currently fourth in their division and seven points behind leaders Machida Zelvia.

With 14 games remaining, the home side are averaging 1.75 points per game in the league, and this is a sizeable drop from the 2.09 points per game they averaged in the 2023 season.

Ushi have scored 37 goals and conceded 21 times so far, and this makes them the top flight's joint fourth best offensive and third best defensive team respectively.

Manager Takayuki Yoshida has been in charge since June 2022 and previously played for Vissel Kobe between 2008 and 2013.

Considering Yoshida's side finished 13th in 2022, his title winning campaign in 2023 was an impressive feat.

Spurs have already played two pre-season games but their tour of Asia will begin on Saturday before they play the K-League Allstars on July 31.

Tottenham started life under manager Ange Postecoglou well, with the team winning eight of their first 10 Premier League fixtures and drawing the other two.

This strong early-season form saw some predict that Spurs could challenge for the title, but injuries to key players such as James Maddison and Micky van de Ven, as well as poor performances from several members of the squad, meant that this form dissipated quickly.

Postecoglou's team ended the season with five losses from their last seven matches, but regardless of that poor form, fans are rather optimistic for the season ahead.

Indeed, with an entertaining and at times breathtaking style of play, Spurs have always been exciting to watch under the Australian.

With Spurs' ambitious moves for the likes of Archie Gray, who is highly regarded and touted to have immense potential, there is every chance that Tottenham can improve on last season's showing.

Vissel Kobe friendly form:

Vissel Kobe form (all competitions):

Tottenham Hotspur friendly form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Team News

Vissel Kobe will be without defensive midfielder Mitsuki Saito, who has not played since August 2023 due to a torn lateral knee ligament, although he is expected back in late August this year.

Right-back Gotoku Sakai has not played since June 30 as a result of a broken foot and is not scheduled to return until September.

As for Tottenham, defender Radu Dragusin has joined the squad after returning from Euro 2024.

Richarlison has been named in Spurs' travelling squad despite not playing since May 5 due to injury, as well as links with a move away to the Saudi Pro League.

Summer signing Lucas Bergvall was forced off with an injury last time out against Queens Park Rangers, but Postecoglou has said that he does not believe the injury is particularly serious.

Bergvall was in fact pictured training in Japan, as was defender Ben Davies, who has not featured for Spurs since their 3-2 loss to Arsenal on May 28.

Left-back Destiny Udogie was also named in Tottenham's squad for their tour of Asia, but given he underwent surgery to his left quadriceps in April, the potential for his return on Saturday is not certain.

Vissel Kobe possible starting lineup:

Maekawa; Hirose, Yamakawa, Thuler, Hatsuse; Ideguchi, Ogihara, Sasaki; Muto, Osako, Patric

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Austin; Porro, Skipp, Dragusin, Donley; Kulusevski, Gray, Bissouma; Maddison, Son, Werner

We say: Vissel Kobe 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur

Postecoglou has named relatively strong XIs in his side's pre-season friendlies so far, and should he do so again on Saturday then Tottenham should have enough quality to win.

Additionally, Dragusin's return to the team could bolster both defence and midfield if Gray is moved into the middle of the pitch as a result.

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AC Milan are reportedly closing in on an agreement to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Emerson Royal this summer after seeing their first bid rejected by the London club.

Throughout the 2023-24 Premier League season, the 25-year-old full-back struggled to secure a regular starting place under Ange Postecoglou.

The Brazilian international made just 22 league appearances for the Lilywhites last term, starting only 11 times and mainly serving as a backup in defence.

Pedro Porro was preferred as Postecoglou's first-choice right-back last season and there is widespread expectation that he will remain the top pick next term as well.

Royal is currently in Japan with the rest of the Tottenham first-team squad, preparing for Saturday's pre-season friendly against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo.

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Milan preparing improved bid for Emerson Royal

Milan are actively looking to bring in a right-back this summer, and have shown interest in the Brazilian, but negotiations reportedly stalled earlier this month when Spurs rejected their opening offer.

Premier League Brasil suggested that Paulo Fonseca's side initially tested the water with a bid in the region of £8.5m for the Spurs right-back earlier this month.

However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, a new round of talks between Tottenham and the Rossoneri have now commenced with the sides closing in on an agreement.

The report adds that there is now just a £2.5m difference in the valuation of the player by the two clubs and discussions are ongoing in the hope that a deal can be reached in the coming days.

It is understood that the Serie A giants have already made contact with the defender and agreed personal terms regarding his potential move to Italy.

Royal's current contract with the North Londoners runs until the summer of 2026 and Milan are believed to be prepared to offer the 25-year-old a five-year deal if he makes to move to the San Siro.

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Busy summer at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Spurs are considering selling several players this summer with midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg recently transferred to Marseille and Royal might be the next to depart from the North London club.

Postecoglou's side have already confirmed Timo Werner on another loan and spent nearly £40m on Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. Bergvall officially joined the club this summer after finalising his move back in January.

The Brazilian is believed to be eager to move to the San Siro, and reports suggest he may have rejected other offers, including those from Saudi Arabia.

If the deal with Milan for the set price gets over the line this summer, Spurs will be able to recoup almost the entire £21.1m they spent on the 25-year-old when they signed him from Barcelona in 2021.

Royal has made a total of 101 appearances for Lilywhites over the past three seasons, notching up four goals and two assists during his time in the Premier League.

Arsenal are reportedly preparing to battle London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of versatile Lecce defender Patrick Dorgu this summer.

The 19-year-old began his career playing for Husum Boldklub before joining Nordsjaelland youth academy. He has also played for Denmark at the Under-18s to Under-21s levels.

Dorgu signed for Lecce at the Under-19s level back in 2022 and made his Serie A debut for the senior side in August 2023.

In just his first full season in the top flight, the 19-year-old has become a key player for the Italian club, and his performances have also attracted the attention of several big clubs across Europe.

The highly-rated teenager made 34 appearances across all competitions for Salentini last term and also notched up two goals in the league.

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Lecce open to offers for Patrick Dorgu this summer

According to Calcio Lecce, the Italian outfit have no intention of selling Dorgu this summer but are wiling to listen to offers close to their asking price of £25.5m.

The report adds that Arsenal have made an approach for the 19-year-old, while Spurs and Chelsea are also believed to be in the race to sign the highly-rated defender.

It is understood that Napoli have submitted a formal offer to try and sign the player but their valuation fell short of what Lecce are asking.

Mikel Arteta's are already close to bolstering their defence with Riccardo Calafiori on the verge of sealing a move to the Emirates Stadium from Bologna.

Chelsea and Spurs have also been made aware of Lecce's asking price for Dorgu and are believed to be working on opening bids for the talented teenager.

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Dorgu's agent confirms Premier League interest

In an interview last November, Dorgu's agent Kingsley Ogbodo confirmed that his client was being pursued by several potential suitors, including the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.

"He is in the midst of his growth and learning process, so today it is too early to say. What I know is that he has a lot to offer and give."

"Not only the clubs you mentioned [Liverpool and Manchester City], but also others. I don't want to name names and I don't want to create noise around him, there's no need."

"There is a lot of interest in Patrick and that doesn't surprise me. Everyone can see his talent. When he has even more confidence in his abilities and has completed his growth, then we will see the results he can achieve."

Tottenham Hotspur are supposedly growing optimistic about their chances of tying 16-year-old attacking sensation Mikey Moore down to a new contract.

The winger is still under scholarship terms in North London, as he cannot sign a professional deal until his 17th birthday, although that is now just a couple of weeks away.

Moore, who turns 17 on August 11, broke into Ange Postecoglou's first team last season and came off the bench in their final two fixtures of the Premier League campaign against Manchester City and Sheffield United.

The England Under-17 international - who boasts a brilliant 10 goals and four assists in 12 age-group matches for his country - has already made his mark in pre-season too, scoring against Hearts and setting up Dane Scarlett's goal against Queens Park Rangers.

Moore's scholarship deal does not expire until the summer of 2026, but a number of sides have reportedly shown an interest in prising the attacker away from North London in the current window.

Tottenham 'close' to agreeing new Moore deal

Manchester United and Manchester City were both said to have made offers to the Englishman, while German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund had also expressed an interest.

Moore does not have to wait until his 17th birthday to sign professional terms with Bundesliga clubs, but according to Football Insider, Spurs are now close to agreeing a new deal with the winger.

Tottenham are supposedly confident that Moore will snub interest from both Manchester clubs and foreign teams to extend his Spurs terms, and they have incredibly high hopes for the youngster.

After Moore became the youngest Premier League player in Spurs' history last year, Postecoglou has supposedly made it his mission to expose his 'immense' protege to more first-team football.

Moore is expected to be heavily involved in Spurs' pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea, where the Lilywhites will meet Vissel Kobe, Team K-League and Bayern Munich.

Spurs will then clash with the German side once again on August 10, before commencing Premier League duties away to newly-promoted Leicester City nine days later.

Moore to replace Bryan Gil in first-team setup?

A space will seemingly open up for Moore to become a first-team regular next season, as the Lilywhites are looking to offload the out-of-favour Bryan Gil at the earliest opportunity.

The Spaniard was one of two players - alongside Sergio Reguilon - left out of Tottenham's tour squad to explore possible transfers elsewhere, the Lilywhites confirmed when revealing their selection.

Tottenham Hotspur winger Bryan Gil is reportedly in talks to join a Champions League club after being omitted from Spurs' pre-season tour squad.

Ange Postecoglou included over 30 players for the Lilywhites' trip to Japan and South Korea, where the Lilywhites will face off against Vissel Kobe, Team K League and Bayern Munich over the next two weeks.

While a number of first-team players were left out due to recent Euro 2024 or Copa America commitments, Tottenham confirmed that Gil and left-back Sergio Reguilon had been omitted in order to explore transfer opportunities.

Spanish winger Gil has failed to live up to his potential in North London since arriving in a £21m deal from Sevilla in 2021, and following a couple of loans back in his homeland, a permanent return to La Liga should soon materialise.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Girona have now started discussions to sign the 23-year-old, although the discussions are only at an 'initial' stage right now.

Tottenham happy to let Gil leave

However, there should not be many roadblocks preventing Girona from getting a deal done, although it is unclear whether Tottenham will try to recoup all of the £21m that they paid for Gil's services three years ago.

The Spaniard had established a reputation as one of the most promising attackers in La Liga during his first spell with Sevilla, and his signing was seen as a major coup for Tottenham at the time.

Three years later, however, Gil has only made 43 appearances for Tottenham in all competitions, failing to score a single goal and only registering two assists in the process.

The attacker has turned out just 24 times in the Premier League, and only four of those top-flight appearances have come from the first whistle, with another 20 coming off the bench.

Gil's first return to Spain saw him spend the second half of the 2021-22 season with Valencia, before heading back to Sevilla between January and June 2023, winning a Europa League title with Los Palanganas.

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The 23-year-old spent the entirety of the 2023-24 season in North London, but he played just 11 times in the Premier League and once in the FA Cup under Postecoglou, totalling 233 minutes overall.

Could Gil's move to Girona help Arsenal?

Gil would reinforce Girona's attacking ranks after the Spanish upstarts captured Donny van de Beek from Manchester United, and Tottenham's loss could potentially be Arsenal's gain in this scenario.

The Gunners are believed to have taken a liking to current Girona and Ukraine winger Viktor Tsygankov, whom they have identified as an ideal backup option and competitor to Bukayo Saka on the right flank.

Girona signing Gil could very well make them more receptive to suitable offers for Tsygankov, who could apparently cost just €30m (£25.2m) to prise away from La Liga this summer, but Arsenal are also facing competition from Manchester United.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is supposedly pushing for the Lilywhites to sign Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke before the summer transfer window shuts.

The former Liverpool youngster unexpectedly blossomed into one of the deadliest centre-forwards in the Premier League last season, registering 19 goals in 38 top-flight contests.

Solanke's feats helped the Cherries achieve their best-ever finish in the Premier League, where only Erling Haaland (27), Cole Palmer (22) and Alexander Isak (21) scored more goals in 2023-24.

The 26-year-old had already proven his worth as a prolific Championship striker before thriving under Andoni Iraola last season, and his form has unsurprisingly led to significant transfer interest.

Arsenal are thought to have taken a liking to the former Chelsea academy product, but the Blues are also pushing to bring him back to Stamford Bridge, where he was on the books from 2004 to 2017.

Tottenham in four-club battle for Solanke?

West Ham United have apparently shown an interest in the 26-year-old as well, but the Hammers cannot offer him any form of European competition next season, unlike other interested parties.

Following reports that Tottenham have also entered the race for Solanke, Football Insider claims that Postecoglou is now 'pushing' for his side to win the race for his signature this summer.

Solanke still has just under three years left to run on his contract at the Vitality Stadium, having signed an extension in September, but Iraola recently conceded that he was not sure if the England international would be staying put.

"Dom is happy. He has come back in very good shape, is training very well and the relationship he has with his team-mates is very good," Iraola told BBC Sport after Bournemouth touched down in the USA for their pre-season tour.

"But the market is open. You cannot say he is going to stay or that he is going to leave because we don't know. In the end, it is something you cannot control."

How much will Tottenham have to pay for Solanke?

During contract negotiations last year, Solanke and Bournemouth apparently agreed to insert a £65m release clause into his contract, which can only be triggered by certain clubs.

It is unclear which teams are able to activate that option, but Tottenham's status as a 'Big Six' club competing in the Europa League would likely put them in a good position to trigger it.

Should Tottenham fork out the full £65m to sign Solanke, who cost Bournemouth just £19m to sign from Liverpool in January 2019, the 26-year-old would become Spurs' most expensive signing of all time.

That honour is currently held by Tanguy Ndombele, who was a £54m purchase from Lyon in the summer of 2019 but had his contract terminated earlier this summer after a failed five years.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is reportedly on the verge of signing for Ligue 1 giants Marseille, ending a four-year stay in North London.

The Denmark international seamlessly slotted into the Lilywhites' engine room upon his arrival from Southampton in the summer of 2020, commanding a £14m fee to leave St Mary's.

Hojbjerg immediately became a stalwart for Jose Mourinho, appearing in all 38 matches in the 2020-21 Premier League season, and Antonio Conte placed the same amount of trust in him.

However, the 28-year-old has fallen down the pecking order under Ange Postecoglou, who has revived Yves Bissouma's Spurs career while also preferring Pape Sarr and Rodrigo Bentancur in the middle.

Hojbjerg still made 39 appearances in all competitions last season - including 36 in the Premier League - but he started just eight games in the top flight, coming off the bench in a further 28.

Hojbjerg 'agrees' terms over Marseille move

Now in the final year of his contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Hojbjerg was heavily linked with a switch to Serie A in January, but he snubbed interest from Juventus to continue with Tottenham.

However, as no contract extension is forthcoming, Postecoglou is open to letting the Denmark international leave the club this summer rather than risk losing him for nothing at the end of next season.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Ligue 1 powerhouses Marseille are on the cusp of bringing Hojbjerg to Ligue 1, and the midfielder has already given the green light to a move to the Orange Velodrome.

Spurs and Marseille are now thrashing out the final details over a transfer fee, which were 'almost done' on Saturday night, and in a further update, Romano added that a fee potentially reaching €14m (£11.8m) had been agreed.

Hojbjerg will leave Tottenham with a record of 10 goals and 16 assists from 184 matches across all competitions, and he started all four of Denmark's games at Euro 2024 as the Scandinavians reached the last 16.

Hojbjerg adds to Tottenham's summer exodus

The 28-year-old will become the latest in a long line of players to leave Tottenham this summer, a list that includes Eric Dier, Ivan Perisic, Ryan Sessegnon, Japhet Tanganga, Tanguy Ndombele and Joe Rodon.

More are expected to follow Hojbjerg out of the door in the coming weeks, including fellow midfielders Oliver Skipp and Giovani Lo Celso, neither of whom are in Postecoglou's plans moving forward.

Sergio Reguilon, Richarlison, Emerson Royal, Bryan Gil and Djed Spence have also been on the chopping block, but the latter may have revived his Tottenham career with some strong pre-season performances.

Spence scored one and set up another in a 5-1 thumping of Hearts in midweek, before also impressing in Saturday's 2-0 triumph over Queens Park Rangers.

Postecoglou's side are now preparing to jet off for their tour of Asia, where they will take on Bayern Munich, Vissel Kobe and Team K League before also facing the German giants in North London on August 10. body check tags ::

Tottenham Hotspur attacker Richarlison has supposedly told the Saudi Pro League that he would be open to moving to the Middle East this summer.

The former Everton man has struggled to settle in North London since joining in a £60m deal two years ago and only made a fleeting impression in Ange Postecoglou's debut campaign.

Richarlison hit a rich vein of form during the winter months, scoring nine goals in eight Premier League games from December to February, but he lost his way towards the end of the season.

A few niggling injuries did not help the 27-year-old, who sat out Spurs' last three matches of the campaign with a hamstring injury as the Lilywhites missed out on a top-four finish.

Richarlison also opened up about mental health issues he had been dealing with since joining the Lilywhites, and his hamstring issue also prevented him from making the Brazil squad for the Copa America.

Richarlison wanted by three Saudi clubs?

The ex-Watford man still has three years left to run on his contract with Tottenham, whom he boasts 15 goals and eight assists in 66 games for, but there is no indication that he will be offered an extension.

As a result, HITC claims that Richarlison has informed the Saudi Pro League that he would be willing to jump ship and head to the Middle East this summer, sparking a three-way transfer tussle.

Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli are supposedly leading the interest, but newly-promoted Al-Qadsiah - who recently captured Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - are also in the running.

Tottenham will supposedly not stand in Richarlison's way of an exit for the right price, but they will hold out for at least the £60m that they paid to sign the Brazilian in 2022.

The Lilywhites will then reinvest any funds into bringing a new striker to the club amid links with Lille's Jonathan David and Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez, the former of whom could cost as little as £20m.

Arsenal forward 'targeted' alongside Richarlison

As well as Richarlison, clubs in Saudi Arabia are supposedly pursuing his compatriot and North London rival Gabriel Jesus, who has also endured a frustrating time at Arsenal.

The former Manchester City man has been laid low by a few knee injuries since leaving Manchester City, and he was relegated to second-choice centre-forward behind Kai Havertz last season.

However, Mikel Arteta is not believed to be open to letting Jesus leave this summer, as the Spaniard believes that the South American will come good if he can enjoy a disrupted pre-season.

Leicester City are reportedly interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur's Oliver Skipp this summer.

The 23-year-old played 21 Premier League matches for Ange Postecoglou's men last term, totalling 694 minutes of top-flight action for Spurs.

However, only five of those appearances in the Premier League arrived from the start of the game, with the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Sarr preferred in the engine room.

Since graduating from Tottenham's academy during the backend of 2018, the midfielder has featured in 106 competitive matches for the club, scoring once.

Although not believed to be on the radar of England's senior squad at the moment, Skipp has featured extensively for the Under-21s in the past, earning 24 caps.

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Leicester keen on Tottenham's Skipp?

According to Football Insider, Skipp's decade-long spell at Tottenham could be coming towards an end before the start of the 2024-25 campaign.

The report claims that Premier League newcomers Leicester City are interested in securing the services of the 23-year-old ahead of the new term.

With three years left on his current deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Lilywhites are in no rush to sell Skipp during this window.

That being said, the former Norwich City loanee could wish to move away from Spurs in order to become a regular starter in the Premier League.

Steve Cooper is said to be an admirer of Skipp, who has experience of playing in both the Premier League and Champions League so far in his career.

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Leicester trying to fill hole with Skipp

Due to their precarious financial situation and impressive performance in the second tier last term, it is no surprise that one of Leicester's biggest assets has already moved on this summer.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has transferred to Premier League heavyweights Chelsea on a five-year deal, with the fee believed to be in the region of £30m.

With one of their academy graduates departed, the Foxes need to replace a man who provided 26 goal contributions in the Championship last season.

Having only scored once during his Tottenham career, Skipp is not a goal-getting midfielder like Dewsbury-Hall, however the Spurs man would be able to bring different qualities to Cooper's side.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly holding firm over their valuation of defender Emerson Royal.

The versatile full-back has spent the last three season in North London, making 71 starts and 30 substitute outings in all competitions.

Although he has contributed just four goals and two assists, there is an argument that the 25-year-old has provided value for his £25.8m price-tag.

However, with Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie regarded as the first-choice full-backs under Ange Postecoglou, the future of the Brazilian remains very much up in the air.

Royal also has just two years remaining on his contract, leaving Spurs in a position where they are, theoretically, in an increasingly vulnerable position.

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Milan struggling to get deal over the line

Widespread reports have indicated that AC Milan are admirers of Royal and are eager to secure his signature as soon as possible as they plan a new era under Paulo Fonseca.

Royal has acknowledged himself that he is proud to have Milan chasing his signature and is open to make the switch to San Siro.

Nevertheless, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Spurs have rejected two bids for the player, with negotiations now said to have 'gone cold'.

Spurs seemingly have no intention of parting ways with Royal for anything less than €20m (£16.8m), which would represent a substantial loss on what was paid three years ago.

Romano describes the situation as being 'on standby', there being little indication that a resolution will be found in the short term.

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What is Spurs' next move?

There seems to be little prospect of Royal being prepared to extend his terms at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium unless he forces his way into the team ahead of Porro and Udogie.

With that in mind, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy may respect that he cannot push too hard over his desire transfer fee, yet Postecolgou may not mind retaining a player of Royal's qualities.

If an issue is to arise, it may come through the player becoming unhappy if he cannot secure a move to a team where he could earn regular game time.