Tottenham Hotspur

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Mateus Fernandes' future should become clearer over the next few days as Manchester United and Tottenham and battle it out to sign the West Ham midfielder.

Fernandes was not intended to be part of the first lot of Hammers players that returns for pre-season training next Monday.

However, it is anticipated a formal bid is close to being made which is likely to bring the situation to a head.

Fernandes is understood to have an open mind about where he goes, with his agent Jorge Mendes speaking to both Premier League clubs.

It is not thought there is an immediate need for West Ham to sell the player to comply with financial regulations, although manager Nuno Espirito Santo knows there will have to be departures following relegation to the Championship.

Manchester United have been keen admirers of the 21-year-old and remain in talks with West Ham. However, it has appeared Spurs were more likely to reach the Hammers' asking price, thought to be about £80m.

The priority at Old Trafford is strengthening the central midfield area and they have already agreed a £35m deal with Atalanta for Ederson, but his arrival has been delayed by a late call-up to the Brazil World Cup squad.

United's players are due to return for pre-season training on 9 July and so far, other than out-of-contract duo Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia, Michael Carrick's squad remains as it was at the end of last season, with no significant departures or arrivals.

The plan to sell Manuel Ugarte will now have to be shelved after his serious injury on World Cup duty with Uruguay. Meanwhile, striker Joshua Zirkzee is still at the club, and sources have dismissed rumours around the exit of midfielder Mason Mount.

Manchester City are ready to hijack Tottenham's move for Newcastle and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali, 26, despite having already agreed to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. (Marca - in Spanish, external)

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Striker Alejo Veliz is leaving Tottenham for Brazilian side Bahia for an undisclosed fee.

Argentine Veliz joined Spurs from Rosario Central on a six-year contract for a reported £13m on the same day as Micky van de Ven in August 2023.

He made eight first-team appearances, scoring a Premier League goal against Brighton in December 2023.

Veliz, 22, had loan spells in Spain with Sevilla and Espanyol, before spending last season back with Rosario in Brazil's top flight.

Netherlands secured first place in their group and extended their unbeaten start at the World Cup with a 3-1 win over already-eliminated Tunisia.

Tottenham's latest centre-back recruit Jan Paul van Hecke, set a new Dutch record at a World Cup when he completed 125 passes. The 26-year-old broke Jurrien Timber's record from 2022 (106 against Qatar), while no player in World Cup history has recorded that many successful passes in a match they have also scored in since Opta's records began in 1966.

Watch the full highlights below...

Tottenham have had a second bid rejected for Newcastle's Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali, with the Magpies wanting about £100m for the 26-year-old. (Mail), external

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We asked for you views on who Tottenham should sign this summer transfer window out of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.

The club have already signed four players as they gear up for a first full season under Roberto de Zerbi, but who would be the right fit in central midfield?

Here are some of your thoughts:

Tom: For the money, Fernandes seems like he could be a better purchase. He is a lot younger so can play longer for us, but that also means he is more malleable and De Zerbi can shape him into more of a player we need, rather than adapting other players to Tonali as might have been the case. While I would have liked Tonali, I'm cautiously optimistic that if we get Fernandes, it's a better long-term investment. He could spend a decade here and be very good for us.

Sebastian: We should buy both Tonali and Fernandes and stop mucking around. They would both be well used by De Zerbi and help Spurs get back on track to the top five.

Alex: I don't understand this. Fernandes is a player with two years of Premier League experience, but he has also been relegated twice. I know he can play as a six or an eight, but haven't we got a player more than capable in Lucas Bergvall, who hasn't been relegated twice and won't cost us £85m?

Ian: Tonali would be a game-changer for our midfield. Fernandes is great, but Tonali is ready-made for us. If I was being greedy, I would say get both and use Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr, Luka Vuskovic or a different fringe player to sweeten the deal.

Jamie: Fernandes is the player Spurs have been absolutely crying out for and who would absolutely transform our midfield. He is the conductor of the orchestra in a sense and everything in midfield would start with him. I want Tonali as well, but Fernandes would have the biggest impact on how we play.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Tottenham have accelerated their interest in West Ham's Mateus Fernandes as they target a central midfielder following a failed bid for Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali.

Fernandes is viewed as a primary target with talks ongoing and, according to sources, progressing positively.

Spurs are optimistic an agreement can be reached for the 21-year-old and the Hammers are understood to want about £80m for the Portugal international, who has also been linked with Manchester United and Paris St-Germain.

Last week, Tottenham had a bid - understood to be worth about £80m - rejected for Italy international Tonali.

Spurs have made a fast start in the transfer market this summer, having already signed four players as they prepare for a first full season under Roberto de Zerbi.

Who would you rather see Tottenham sign out of Fernandes and Tonali? What is the reason behind your choice?

Get in touch with your views here

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We asked for your views on whether you are happy with Tottenham's new signing Martin Dubravka and what role the goalkeeper will play in Roberto de Zerbi's squad.

Here are some of your comments:

Gerald: Hardly an improvement. If Guglielmo Vicario goes and Antonin Kinsky is not seen as the future in goal, this is a backward step. The team needs English players so an all-out effort for the likes of James Trafford would be preferable to the old 'cheap is best' that has failed in the past.

Andy: Excellent signing in the same vein as Fraser Forster and Joe Hart. Experienced back-up if needed, but mainly a mentor and leader to Kinsky as number one and also Brandon Austin.

Tonto: Good choice, assuming Kinsky is number one. Just need a reliable, experienced back-up for the cups. Focus the spending on a decent striker.

Brian: It seems like a clear indication that Tottenham is ready to have Kinsky as their starting goalkeeper instead of making a move for Trafford or Bart Verbruggen. Drubravka should be a good option to both mentor Kinsky and a solid plan B in case Kinsky isn't ready yet. And they can take the money they would have spent on a transfer fee for one of those other keepers and put those funds towards upgrades in their midfield and attack.

David: A good signing. Kinsky should be given the season to show whether he's the long-term number one and Dubravka is a decent back-up.

Peter: Assumption is that Vicario is off but why a 37-year-old who just got relegated? Yes, experience this, leadership that - but Dubravka? Really? No hate to him as a player, but it's an odd one which I might not fully wrap my head around.

Alan: Dubravka will be an excellent number two to Kinsky. Sell Vicario, hopefully at a good profit, then put those profits towards two new forwards and two new midfielders.

Wayne: Dubravka bringing experience is one thing, but four clean sheets and 71 goals conceded in 35 appearances is not entirely what Spurs need after last season.

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Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is looking forward to a "new journey" when he joins Tottenham on 1 July following the expiration of his contract at Turf Moor.

The 37-year-old, who called time on a seven-and-a-half year spell at Newcastle United in August 2025, made 35 Premier League appearances last season under Scott Parker, keeping four clean sheets and conceding 71 goals.

"It is an exciting time for me," Dubravka said. "It is a new journey for me and my family, so I'm looking forward to it. I didn't tell anyone, just my family, so none of my friends know that I'm actually here yet because everything moved so fast.

"The most important thing for me is to just enjoy the ride because it is a beautiful game and it is amazing to be a part of this club.

"I will try to bring my experience, that is probably the most important thing I can bring. I'm probably one of the oldest here, so I will try to help the others get better but I will also push myself."

The Slovakia international is Roberto de Zerbi's fourth summer signing after Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson joined on free transfers, with Jan Paul van Hecke arriving from Brighton for £52m.

"The club is going through a transition," Dubravka continued. "The manager is amazing, I saw the work that he did at Brighton and Marseille so it is going to be interesting to see how he works. I want to learn a lot of things from him.

"Tottenham is of course a huge club with great fans and an amazing stadium so I'm looking forward to it."

Head coach De Zerbi added: "I am very happy because he is a goalkeeper with big experience and a strong mentality.

"He has very important qualities for me and he will bring balance, leadership and competitiveness to our dressing room."

Are you happy with this signing? What role do you think Dubravka will play in De Zerbi's squad next season?

Get in touch with your views here

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We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit at Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Barry: Brian Brobbey, the Dutch centre forward, who is an out and out striker and is a real handful, makes Dominic Solanke look like a League One player. Morgan Rogers would fit in great and can play as an attacking midfielder or on the left.

Adebarro: Brobbey from Sunderland would be my choice to lead the Spurs line!

Pete: German midfielder Felix Nmecha. Imperious. Something Spurs have missed for years.

Josiah: Crysencio Summerville because he is able to run forward and dribble through defenders and score goals. I would also like Vozinha.

Kevin: I'd like to see Spurs go all out for Marcus Rashford, the guy looks in top shape, will have a point to prove to both Man Utd and Barcelona, while still being within the Spurs budget, whatever that might be this season. But don't hang about, that price could go up with a good World Cup behind him.

Tell us the players you want, with your reasoning, here.

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Despite still feeling "massively optimistic" about Thomas Tuchel's chances of being successful as England manager, former Three Lions defender Stephen Warnock has been left "surprised" with some of his selection decisions.

England were held to a goalless draw by Ghana at Boston Stadium on Tuesday night, knowing that victory would have confirmed a place in the World Cup's last 32.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily, Warnock said: "More than anything, I was surprised Nico O'Reilly didn't start in the left-back position because when you have a right-footed left-back, you lose that little bit of balance on the pitch.

"You can see the difference when O'Reilly comes on, England get more bodies into the box and it causes chaos.

"I've seen a clip of Declan Rice getting onto the team bus with a heavily strapped calf, so it might be that Thomas Tuchel rests one of his two central midfielders and goes for more attacking-minded players next time out.

"I wouldn't mind seeing Harry Kane through the middle with Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers either side of him, as either two number eights or two number 10s.

"It also wouldn't surprise me if he starts Marcus Rashford on the left-hand side as his cameos so far have been hugely impressive. When you're looking for a player to get in behind or get in 1-v-1 situations, he has been key.

"Noni Madueke did very well in the first half, but I was surprised Tuchel didn't bring Rashford on a little bit earlier. Giving a player 10 minutes in a game like that just isn't enough.

"Djed Spence, who is playing with the wrong foot constantly, was also playing very predictable balls to Anthony Gordon, which was making it very difficult for him to find the space or get in behind.

"I understood why Tuchel picked Spence initially, but I thought he was taking him as a right-back not a left-back. Right now, I can't understand how Lewis Hall isn't in this squad. It is nothing against Spence, I just don't think left-back suits him.

"That being said, I am still massively optimistic with this manager."

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Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

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Aston Villa's 2024-25 end-of-season awards dinner was in full swing when Damian Vidagany took to the stage.

The director of football operations had a message for Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham.

"There is no big six anymore," he declared to loud cheers 12 months ago - and such a sentiment will have plenty of support on Tyneside.

Just as Aston Villa disrupted the established order to qualify for the Champions League in 2024 and 2026, so too did Newcastle United in 2023 and 2025.

Yet the league's highest-earning clubs have hardly withered in the face of the challenge from outside the six, and Spurs' pursuit of midfielder Sandro Tonali is a reminder of that.

Just weeks after Roberto de Zerbi's side narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the season, they are trying to lure one of Newcastle's best players to North London.

Newcastle hardly had a stellar season themselves - finishing a disappointing 12th place - but the difference is Spurs have greater revenues to fall back on as they try to bounce back come August.

Their most recent financial accounts showed they had generated £230m more in income than Newcastle in 2024-25. As a result, they could offer far superior wages to Tonali and make a meaty bid of about £80m for the Italy midfielder, yet stay within the game's financial rules.

• Read more on the Tonali situation

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We asked for your views on how you would reshape Tottenham's midfield, with Lucas Bergvall interested in exploring other options and Spurs' initial bid for Sandro Tonali was rejected by Newcastle.

Here are some of your replies:

Colin: Sell James Maddison, keep Bergvall, sign Palhinha and Tonali, plus Bruno Guimaraes.

Lawrence: Tonali's too expensive in my opinion. It doesn't make sense to spend big on one player when previous seasons proved there are more holes to plug. I would buy Nicolas Raskin from Rangers. He's a decent all-round ball-wining midfielder. I would love to see him link up with Xavi Simons.

Daniel: I would like us to go all out for Adam Wharton. His first thought when he receives the ball is always forward. Brilliant passer and still young.

H: If they fail to get Sandro, then they should go all out to get Wharton from Crystal Palace. His vision, ball control and passing is all that Tottenham need, amongst other positions.

Dave: I want to see us go after Alex Scott at Bournemouth - with him being a Spurs fan, it is a guarantee that he gives everything for the team. Plus he is quality too.

Anthony: I would get Wharton, Scott and Tonali or Scott McTominay.

Richard: Keep Conor Gallagher (maybe make him captain if Cristian Romero leaves) and keep Palhinha, Simons and Archie Gray. Not sure about the other midfielders. Have a look at Harvey Elliot - a very good player whom both Liverpool and Aston Villa don't want.

Paul: Gallagher, Maddison, Simons and Tonali would be my first choice. But it all depends on the fitness of Dejan Kulusevski. I think if he is fit, he will play as he can also play wide on either side.

Tottenham are confident of signing Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali for a fee close to £85m, but the Italy international, 26, would rather join rivals Arsenal. (Daily Mail - subscription required), external

Bayern Munich and Spurs are both keen on 29-year-old Juventus defender Bremer, but the Brazilian is happy to stay in Turin. (Gianluca DiMarzio - in Italian), external

Manchester United's England forward Marcus Rashford, 28, is prepared to take a pay cut to join Tottenham for £40m this summer after his Barcelona loan. (i paper), external

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With Lucas Bergvall's future at Tottenham uncertain and Newcastle rejecting a bid of about £80m for Sandro Tonali, it is evident that the midfield is on the agenda at Spurs this summer.

Sweden's Bergvall is keen to explore new challenges, after making 33 appearances for the club last term.

Meanwhile, an opening proposal for Tonali - who Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi is a long-time admirer of - was declined by the Magpies, Manchester City and Arsenal are also linked with the 26-year-old Italy international.

So, if you were De Zerbi, how would you look to reshape Spurs' midfield as they gear up for a first full season under the Italian?

Get in touch with your views here

Alex Howell
Football reporter

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England boss Thomas Tuchel was filmed shouting at Tottenham defender Djed Spence to "wake up" during training as they continued preparations for their second group game of the World Cup against Ghana on Tuesday (21:00 BST).

"It was lucky it wasn't me. I think I made a mistake just before Djed did but he ended up shouting at Djed, luckily," said Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins when he was asked about Tuchel's coaching methods and how the German motivates his players.

"He is not afraid to shout at you. He is always demanding from you and making sure you are on it every day."

Spence was called up to the 26-man squad despite Spurs' battle against relegation and is liked by Tuchel because of his versatility.

But despite being singled out in the training drill, Spence said the words from his manager are expected from somebody who is a proven winner.

"I probably just missed one of the zones to go to and he just told me to wake up," Spence told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He's an elite manager - he demands the highest quality from his players, and we want to give the highest quality back. So it is very normal in training sessions, to be honest."

Spence came on for the final 10 minutes of England's 4-2 victory over Croatia on Wednesday and had a chance to score as the Three Lions got off to a winning start.

"I've got a good relationship with him," Spence said of Tuchel.

"He talks to me sometimes before training, after training - reminds me of what I need to do, my minutes, and what qualities I possess.

"He's a great manager."

Watch below as England camp reporter Kelly Somers and senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel bring you some of the latest news from the Three Lions' base in Kansas City...

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Going into his first full season in charge, Roberto de Zerbi shouldn't be too daunted by Tottenham's opening games.

Of course, much will depend on the club's summer recruitment with regards to how strong the squad is heading into their first run of fixtures.

But there is a willingness internally to invest heavily into the playing squad which, at the very least, bodes well for the start of the season.

On paper, the opening game at Brentford won't daunt De Zerbi or his players - though, under Keith Andrews, the Bees were among the Premier League's most improved teams last season.

After that, supporters will look at the following games against Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United and Everton as winnable.

So, following last season's dreadful Premier League campaign, De Zerbi will surely view his team's start as an opportunity to get some early points on the board - and, of course, garner some early momentum.