3 weeks ago
110
Thomas Frank is just two transfers away from fielding a dream Tottenham XI for the opening game of the 2025/26 Premier League season against Burnley.
Three new signings have been confirmed already which has seen just over £100million spent and depth bolstered in attack. The permanent return of Mathys Tel kicked things off with Spurs able to negotiate a fee that saw them pay less than what the option-to-buy value was that had been included in his loan from Bayern Munich.
The Lilywhites were also targeting Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze before ultimately focusing on a deal for West Ham attacker Mohammed Kudus.
Negotiations dragged on somewhat before an agreement was struck at £55million with that fee set to be paid through instalments. In between official confirmation of Tel and Kudus joining, Spurs announced the signing of young Japanese centre-back Kota Takai.
With Luka Vuskovic now set to represent the club following loans elsewhere, it is possible Takai is sent somewhere on a temporary basis, though he is very much considered to be part of the first-team.
Midfield is the only position not to have been strengthened thus far, minus in between the sticks, but that has not been through a lack of trying. Less than 24 hours on from finalising Kudus' switch, all focus shifted onto signing Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest in a £60million deal.
However, just as his medical was being scheduled, it emerged that Forest were of the belief Tottenham had illegally approached the player and that details of an apparent release clause in his contract were revealed.
This has resulted in quite the saga developing with an official complaint made to the Premier League that has resulted in Gibbs-White's proposed move to Spurs now being up in the air.
Spurs' interest remains and they will certainly be hoping this just holds up a deal rather than preventing it. Though the 25-year-old can play several midfield roles, Tottenham still need a No.6 and there is a perfect option available.
Just last summer, Aston Villa sold Douglas Luiz to Juventus but the Italian side are already looking to sell. A return to Villa Park may have been his aim but Spurs have something, in Champions League football, that Unai Emery cannot offer.
With just £34.7million (€40) wanted according to reports, it is an absolute no-brainer to sign a Premier League proven midfielder that would go straight into Frank's starting XI.
As for the other 10 spots, a number of those will be up for grabs but the best-choice back five is quite clear. The two centre-backs ahead of Guglielmo Vicario have to be Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero especially now links for the latter to join Atletico Madrid have dissipated.
Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie will then be the full-backs with Luiz filling in at times to allow both to bomb on. In just a few months at the club, Lucas Bergvall became an instant starter and as he has recovered from an ankle injury, the young Swede is a shoe-in to start.
James Maddison is also recovering from a muscular issue and though he has started some light training, deploying Gibbs-White in the No.10 role is the smart move given what Frank will want and to ensure Maddison is fully back fit.
The front three will be made up of Kudus, Dominic Solanke and Tel with the likes of Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson and Richarlison ready to make an impact. Club captain Son Heung-min is likely to depart before the new campaign commences with his contract expiring in 12 months.
Dream XI vs Burnley: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, someone, Bergvall, Gibbs-White; Kudus, Solanke, Tel
Thomas Frank assembles his staff, the latest on Cristian Romero - click here to listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham! Or click here to watch on YouTube!
English (US) ·