Tottenham Hotspur are still planning to sign a new number 10 for Thomas Frank before the transfer deadline on September 1, and they’re now turning to alternatives after missing out on a deal for Morgan Gibbs-White.
Spurs put the finishing touches on a loan-to-buy deal for Joao Palhinha this week, ending their pursuit of a tenacious holding midfielder, but chairman Daniel Levy and the recruitment team have a few other key areas to reinforce.
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Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025 |
Average match rating |
|---|---|
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Son Heung-min |
7.00 |
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James Maddison |
6.98 |
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Pedro Porro |
6.95 |
|
Dominic Solanke |
6.84 |
|
Dejan Kulusevski |
6.83 |
|
via WhoScored |
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Sky Sports report that a new left-back is on the agenda, and their eagerness to sign a playmaker hasn’t waned despite the truly bizarre saga surrounding Gibbs-White.
Frank was set to welcome the England international in a £60 million move, with the Lilywhites scheduling a medical to take place on July 11. Gibbs-White was about to join Mohammed Kudus in a statement £115 million double-deal, sending a clear message to the warning to the rest of the Premier League that Spurs mean business.
However, this dream was quashed by controversial Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who put a grinding halt to the transfer.
Marinakis’ threat of legal action against Spurs for an alleged ‘illegal approach’ prompted the move to stall for weeks, before Forest made the surprise announcement that Gibbs-White had committed his future to the City Ground.
The 25-year-old put pen to paper on a brand-new £150,000-per-week contract, becoming the highest-paid player in their history and ending Tottenham’s hopes of signing him, for this summer at least.
“As long as I’m in charge of all of these actions, approaches should take place, I repeat, in an appropriate manner,” said Marinakis, in a scathing dig at Spurs after the new contract was confirmed.
“I would never let anyone from any other team get a player from us or make something we don’t agree with. And especially, as I said, with some guys that they belong to our family.
“Therefore, with Morgan, it didn’t take long to come to an agreement. It was a very short conversation, full of passion and love for the club.”
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Tottenham are working on alternatives to Gibbs-White, with Spanish news outlet Estadio Deportivo now claiming they are real admirers of Stuttgart star Enzo Millot.
Tottenham prepared to hijack Atlético Madrid deal for Enzo Millot
According to Estadio and journalist Pablo Casas, Spurs have “entered the bidding” and are “very serious” about competing for Millot’s signature.
Atlético Madrid have been in talks for the 23-year-old, and Diego Simeone’s side could sign him in a matter of “hours” if they just trigger his £17 million release clause and agree personal terms.
However, the delay in negotiations has alerted Frank’s side, and Tottenham are now apparently prepared to hijack Atletico’s talks for Millot.
Stuttgart, for their part, are surprised by Atlético’s slowness in moving the deal forward, but Simeone’s loss could be Frank’s gain as the north Londoners pose a real threat.
It is worth noting that the clause increases as we get closer to the start of the Bundesliga campaign, so it is in both Spurs and Atlético’s best interest to strike a quick deal, and Stuttgart don’t intend to accept any offer below.
The Frenchman bagged 12 goals and eight assists in all competitions last season, and could be an option absolutely worth considering.
