Tottenham have been given some encouragement over the potential signing of a star player after unceremoniously missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White.
Related
Tottenham set to make offer for “sensational” £45m star after holding talks
Spurs have been in contact over a deal for a midfielder, with an opening bid now in the works.
Gibbs-White was due at Hotspur Way for a medical nearly three weeks ago (BBC), and chairman Daniel Levy was ready to activate the England international’s £60 million release clause (ESPN), only for Evangelos Marinakis to block the transfer, threaten legal action and somehow convince the player to stay.
|
Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025 |
Average match rating |
|---|---|
|
Son Heung-min |
7.00 |
|
James Maddison |
6.98 |
|
Pedro Porro |
6.95 |
|
Dominic Solanke |
6.84 |
|
Dejan Kulusevski |
6.83 |
|
via WhoScored |
|
Marinakis proudly watched over Gibbs-White from an uncomfortably short distance in his interview confirming the surprise contract extension on Saturday evening, with the player both praising Forest’s owner and exclaiming his delight at remaining.
After what was an unprecedented twist, the 25-year-old will no longer become a Tottenham player despite all signs previously pointing in that direction. Luckily for Spurs supporters, the end of this bizarre saga by no means spells the conclusion of Levy’s search for new attacking options.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham are actively working on an alternative to Gibbs-White, and there are even other suggestions that Frank’s side have now emerged as shock contenders for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.
The forward, who signed for Real seven years ago from Palmeiras for around £40 million, has gone on to become a notable first-team star for Los Blancos, with midfielder Jude Bellingham calling him their most underrated star.
However, uncertainty surrounds Rodrygo’s future, with Real apparently telling the Brazil international’s agents in a recent meeting that they’re open to letting him go this summer.
“His agents are talking to Real Madrid,” said Romano on his YouTube channel last week.
“They already had a meeting last week [with Madrid] to just present their own position. In that meeting, from what I’ve heard, Real Madrid confirmed that they are open to letting Rodrygo go.
“Now it’s Rodrygo, together with his agents, who has to decide what he wants to do – stay and fight for a spot or leave and explore all the options.”
Now, according to journalist Graeme Bailey and TBR Football, his team are also speaking with Tottenham.
Rodrygo hints he’s prepared to join Tottenham as Spurs speak with agents
It is believed that Spurs have opened discussions with intermediaries over signing Rodrygo, and the versatile attacker has “indicated that he would be open” to making a move to N17 before deadline day on September 1.
Levy is after a statement signing in the event Son Heung-min formalises a move to Los Angeles, and that is growing distinctly possible amid reports that the South Korean is close to agreeing personal terms.
The Lilywhites have also made it ‘known’ that they’re ready to make Rodrygo their highest-paid player, with a lot of their discussions encouraged by the 24-year-old’s willingness to join Frank’s side.
In more good news, Levy has apparently set aside funds in Spurs’ transfer budget to allow for another ‘big-name addition’. That being said, Tottenham would still need to break their transfer record for Rodrygo, given Alonso’s side value him north of £70 million.
