Tottenham Eye Prime Hazard 2.0 In "Generational" £35m Maestro

As far as Tottenham Hotspur supporters are concerned, Eden Hazard will forever be remembered as the man who put the final nail in the coffin of their Premier League title hopes back in 2016, with the Belgian wizard curling home from range in the infamous 'Battle of Stamford Bridge'.

With those of a Leicester City persuasion watching on knowing that a draw between the Lilywhites and rivals Chelsea would hand them the title, that late stunner from the diminutive gem ensured that the league crown would be heading the way of the Foxes, rather than to Mauricio Pochettino's youthful side.

While perhaps not easy for Spurs fans to recognise at the time amid the disappointment of that thrilling 2-2 draw, Hazard's equaliser was truly a moment of individual magic, with the former Lille ace having yet again stolen the headlines for his undoubted genius.

For all the 32-year-old's recent woes – having endured an injury-plagued stint at Real Madrid over the last four years – in his prime in English football the mercurial wizard was a true magician, recording over 200 goal involvements in 352 games during his time with the Blues.

Chelsea's Eden Hazard

At one stage the "best player in the league" – according to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher – a figure with Hazard's talent is not one which comes around too often, with few being able to make their mark on the game quite so impressively.

According to recent reports, however, Spurs and Ange Postecoglou could potentially have their eyes set on a possible successor to the 126-cap sensation in the form of Lyon's Rayan Cherki.

What's the latest on Cherki to Tottenham?

According to a report from Football Transfers last week, the north Londoners are seemingly ready to fight it out with Chelsea, ironically, for the signing of the teenage starlet, with the 19-year-old having already held discussions with both clubs regarding a possible summer swoop.

As per the piece, the promising Frenchman – who has been a long-time target of La Liga giants Real Madrid – has been the subject of a €40m (£35m) offer from those at Stamford Bridge, with the race now on to see just who can secure his signature.

How good is Rayan Cherki?

The 5 foot 10 dynamo could follow in Hazard's footsteps in making the move from France to England in the early stages of his career, with the Belgian icon having previously joined the Blues from Lille at the age of 21 back in 2012.

rayan-cherki-lyon-tottenham-hotspur-postecoglou-transfer-gossip-dele

Like the ex-Madrid man, Cherki notably operates in a playmaking berth or on the flanks to devastating effect, having been dubbed a "generational talent" by journalist Andres Onrubia Ramos after recording 30 goals and assists in 104 games for his current side to date.

Described as a "difference-maker" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the comparison between the Lyon gem and Hazard has been noted by French football expert Jonathan Johnson, who previously wrote:

'He’s a very exciting talent, somebody who looks to have a great career ahead of him. Similarly to Eden Hazard when he first established himself in Ligue 1, he looks very technically skilled, versatile, and he’s probably the best young player to emerge from Lyon’s youth academy for many years, possibly even since Karim Benzema'.

With Hazard having scored six goals and contributed three assists in 17 outings against Spurs throughout his career to date, those at N17 are fully aware of the type of talent he was in his pomp, hence the potential excitement at snapping up his heir apparent in the form of Cherki.

Much like Hazard was Chelsea's main man for a number of years, the teenager could potentially prove a talismanic presence for Postecoglou's side over the years to come.

Wolves: Lopetegui Offered Chance To Sign £12m-rated "Prodigy" At Molineux

Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly interested in Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez, as the Old Gold continue their pursuit of midfield reinforcements this summer.

Julen Lopetgui bid farewell to both Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho this transfer window, and will now aim to bolster the middle of the park at Molineux, something he could achieve in signing the Barcelona starlet.

What’s the latest on Nico Gonzalez to Wolves?

As reported by outlets in Spain last week (as relayed by Sport Witness), Wolves are believed to have been offered the chance to sign Gonzalez from the Catalan giants this summer.

A separate report via Sport Witness has also claimed that the Spaniard will more than likely leave his boyhood club after talks with Xavi Hernandez concluded with the belief that an exit is the best solution for the 21-year-old gem.

Valued around the £12m mark by FootballTransfers, Lopetegui could land a bargain this window if a deal can be struck between the club and player, whose agent is, of course, Jorge Mendes.

How good is Nico Gonzalez?

Having once been tipped to become the “heir to Sergio Busquets” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the 6 foot 2 enforcer could be the ideal acquisition for Lopetegui to integrate into his transitioning side.

Just like Busquets, the 21-year-old prospect has displayed a versatile approach to his game in the engine room, identified as a “press resistant” player capable of being able to “dictate tempo” by scout Jacek Kulig in his scouting report of the talent.

Life at the Nou Camp looked to be on the right path in the 2021/22 campaign in which he made a breakthrough, making 27 LaLiga appearances after rising through the ranks from the infamous La Masia set-up.

Last term, the young midfielder was sent on loan to Valencia, where he continued to shine despite Los Che’s poor form in the league.

Nicolas-gonzalez-nico-barcelona

For Wolves, however, the potential availability of Gonzalez could be fundamental to Lopetegui nurturing his midfield with youth, with the Spaniard posing to be a perfect addition alongside Joao Gomes.

The Brazilian was signed from Flamengo in January, and made an impressive introduction to the Premier League, averaging a mammoth 4.00 tackles per 90 in Wolves’ midfield.

Signing the Spaniard could create the ideal balance in a middle-of-the-park pivot alongside Gomes, taking into consideration his passing ability fused with the 22-year-old’s combative excellence.

Also lauded as a “prodigy” by Mango, Gonzalez averaged an impressive 5.89 passes into the final third per 90 in LaLiga last term, as well as making an average of 1.79 successful take-ons per 90, via FBref, highlighting his strengths as ball-carrying menace.

The La Masia academy graduate could bolster the midfield alongside the Brazilian defensively also, winning 1.73 aerial duels per 90 in comparison to Gomes’ 0.96 per 90 for Wolves, defining the perfect combination of duel-winning and ball-playing expertise.

Wolves will naturally miss the comforts of Moutinho and Neves, however, Lopetegui could rejuvenate the once-loved Portuguese duo by combining 22-year-old Gomes with 21-year-old Gonzalez.

The Barcelona gem covered areas all over the pitch for Valencia last season in the Spanish top-flight, as highlighted by Sofascore, showing his desire to dictate play while remaining as a reliable outlet in midfield, in a role similar to that of Neves at Molineux.

Lopetegui could unearth a partnership worthy of taking the throne from the Portuguese pair, in a move that could be fundamental in the progression of both player and club.

Man United Plotting Shock Move For £51m Real Madrid Star

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is now plotting a shock move for Antonio Rudiger, but Real Madrid president Florentino Perez currently has no plans to let the centre-back leave, according to recent reports from Spain.

Are Man United signing a defender?

Man United have now made it clear they would be willing to let Harry Maguire leave this summer, although the £50m price tag could put off a few potential suitors, and they are now running the rule over several new options at centre-back.

Fabrizio Romano has recently dropped a new update on United's pursuit of AS Monaco defender Axel Disasi, saying Ten Hag has personally "approved" a move for the Frenchman, following weeks of talks on the player's side.

No concrete move has yet been made for the 25-year-old, however, with the Red Devils still considering "a couple of other options", according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who adds they aren't "too worried" about missing out on Kim Min-jae.

One such player could be Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo, with Romano claiming Man United have "sent their scouts" to watch the defender on a number of occasions, but there is still "nothing concrete" in terms of negotiations.

According to reports from Spain (via Football London), United and Ten Hag specifically are now plotting a shock transfer swoop for Rudiger, who could be tempted by a return to the Premier League if he is offered guaranteed minutes in his preferred centre-back position.

The Red Devils are said to be planning a £51m offer for the German, who they plan to tempt with an increased salary, with Ten Hag looking to bring in a world-class centre-back partner for Lisandro Martinez, however Real Madrid are not currently willing to sanction his departure.

Club president Perez is not considering selling the 30-year-old for any price, so it does not seem like a move to Old Trafford is a likely outcome at present, despite potential interest on the player's side.

Is Rudiger signing for Man United?

Real Madrid have no pressing need to sell the defender any time soon, as he is currently contracted until June 2026, having only arrived on a free transfer form Chelsea last summer, so it does not seem likely he will be on the move any time soon.

That will probably come as disappointing news to United fans, as the Germany international is already proven in the Premier League, achieving an average Sofascore match rating of 7.21 in the top flight during the 2020-21 campaign, the second-highest in the Chelsea squad.

Since arriving at Madrid, the former Chelsea man has continued to impress, averaging 2.1 clearances per game in La Liga last season, the second-highest figure in the squad, cementing his place as a regular in the starting XI.

Hailed as a "monster" by professional footballer Leon Legge, Rudiger has proven himself at the very highest level, and he could be a fantastic signing for Man United, if Real Madrid decide to soften their stance at a later stage in the transfer window.

Tottenham Could Ditch Ndombele Plans For £12k-p/w "Beast"

Like with any managerial change, the arrival of Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur has offered the potential of a fresh start for those at N17, with there a chance for all members of the first-team squad to stake their claim for a regular role under the new regime.

According to reports in France, one man whom the new boss could look to bring in from out in the cold is £63m man, Tanguy Ndombele, with the mercurial Frenchman having spent the last 18 months on loan at Lyon and Napoli, respectively.

As per L'Equipe, (via Sports Witness) the belief is that Postecoglou instructed the Lilywhites to reject a €20m (£17m) offer from the Serie A champions for the midfielder, with the 57-year-old potentially set to find a space for the 5 foot 11 ace in his side next term having been a 'long-time admirer' of the playmaker.

With Ndombele now back in pre-season, the 26-year-old has the chance to showcase why he deserves to be handed a show of faith from the ex-Celtic boss, albeit with it yet to be seen if the seven-cap international warrants another chance to impress in north London, following his minimal impact over the last four years.

As pundit Darren Bent previously stated, "it's just not worked out" for the £200k-per-week asset in a Spurs shirt to date, hence why it could be a bold call for Postecoglou to give him yet another opportunity ahead of next season.

Perhaps instead of looking to Ndombele as a midfield solution in his 4-3-3 formation next term, the one-time Australian head coach could instead look to the transfer market in order to find a better alternative, with Hoops star Reo Hatate a player whom the experienced tactician is certainly familiar with.

As per a previous report from the Daily Mail, the Japanese international is believed to be being monitored by Spurs ahead of a possible summer move, with the 25-year-old having sparkled under Postecoglou at Parkhead over the last 18 months or so.

Celtic's Reo Hatate

There may be a case to make that rather than taking a gamble on Ndombele, the Greek-Aussie could recruit a player who has already blossomed under his tutelage…

Who is Reo Hatate?

Described as the "Japanese Luka Modric" by one Athletic employee, Hatate has been a standout figure for the Old Firm outfit since signing on a £1.4m deal back in January 2022, having scored 13 goals and laid on 14 assists in 66 games in all competitions – a better record than Ndombele has enjoyed at Spurs (nine goals and ten assists in 91 games).

Lauded as a "beast" in the centre of the park by journalist Sacha Pisani, the 5 foot 8 maestro has caught the eye due to his all-action and tireless displays for the Scottish champions, with pundit Alan Hutton praising the £12k-per-week man as a player who is "everywhere" on the pitch.

The same can seemingly not be said of Ndombele, however, with the fleet-footed enigma having been described as a "disgrace" in the past by Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher due to his lack of effort off the ball.

In Serie A last term, the Frenchman notably averaged just 0.7 tackles and interceptions per game from his 30 league outings, while also laying on just one goal contribution, while Hatate, by contrast, was far more impressive at both ends of the pitch, having averaged 1.8 tackles and interceptions per game from his 32 Scottish Premiership appearances, while contributing 14 goals and assists.

While it may not be easy for the latter man to replicate that form in the Premier League, it may be worth the risk for a player whom Postecoglou knows all about, rather than potentially making an ill-judged decision to rely on a player who has largely been unreliable in north London to date, in the form of Ndombele.

Nottingham Forest Table Offer To Sign £21.5k-p/w "Superman"

Nottingham Forest have tabled an offer in an attempt to bring Spezia Calcio star Bartlomiej Dragowski to the Premier League, according to reports.

Who is Bartlomiej Dragowski?

Dragowski is naturally a goalkeeper who currently plies his trade at the Stadio Alberto Picco having moved there from Fiorentina last summer, and despite not being Leonardo Semplici’s official number one, he quickly established himself as first-choice between the sticks last season having made 34 appearances from 38 Serie A matches.

The Poland international still has another two years to run on his contract over in Italy, but having impressed during his debut season, he’s caught the eye of Steve Cooper, and it’s not the first time this summer that he’s been linked with a move to The City Ground.

Back in June, The Daily Mail reported that the Reds, Bournemouth and Southampton were all interested in striking a deal for the 25-year-old, but it was stated at the time that the former had instead made it their priority to try and complete a permanent swoop for Dean Henderson.

However, Football Insider have since revealed that whilst Manchester United’s shot-stopper wants to make the switch, the move is in jeopardy because they are still holding on to him which means that the boss could be forced to turn his attention towards alternatives, a process that he already appears to be underway with.

Are Nottingham Forest signing Dragowski?

According to Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb (via Sport Witness), Dragowski is currently "evaluating" offers that he has received, one being from Nottingham Forest and the other from Fenerbahce.

The Midlands outfit's interest is believed to have created "sirens", and whilst it's unknown as to whether the two parties are in talks, it's stated that "developments are expected soon", likely meaning that he is set to make an immient decision on his future, whether this be accepting one of the proposals in front of him or if he'd rather stay where he is.

Spezia Calcio goalkeeperBartlomiej Dragowski.

Is Dragowski better than Henderson?

As previously stated, Nottingham Forest would be better off identifying other goalkeeping targets seen as a deal for Henderson is proving difficult, and it could well have worked out for the best for Cooper because Dragowski would actually be an upgrade on the Man United star despite being less of a high-profile name.

Sponsored by Mizuno, Spezia’s £21.5k-per-week earner last season kept a total of seven clean sheets which is one more than the six recorded by Henderson and he also made 112 saves from 164 shots on target against, giving him a success rate of 69.5% compared to the Red Devils ace’s 65.9%, making him a stronger option than the loanee.

Standing at 6 foot 2, Dragowski, who has been dubbed a “superman” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has an extremely strong range of passing having completed 99.5% of his short attempts and 98.1% of his medium passes last term, so has an eye for playing out from the back, and it would be massive coup should the boss be able to secure his services if he accepts the proposal in the coming weeks.

Tottenham Close To Signing £21m Star As New Alderweireld

Tottenham Hotspur seem to be closing in on a new defensive target…

What's the latest on Edmond Tapsoba to Tottenham Hotspur?

That's according to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, who added to the words of his compatriot Fabrizio Romano from mid-June.

The latter first noted: "I keep saying that Tapsoba is a priority target because they [Spurs] love Tapsoba. Tottenham's scouts have been there many times this year to follow Tapsoba. So, he is a player they really love, and they feel he is perfect for Premier League football.

“He is a leader. So, there are many factors in a deal and Tottenham think he is a fantastic option."

However, the latest comes from Galetti, who told GIVEMESPORT: "On the table, there are around €25m (£21m) and the German club is concretely evaluating this proposal. Last winter, Arsenal asked them for him but then now they decide to go for Timber, who is close as well.

“So, the Burkina Faso player [Tapsoba], we can say that is one step away from joining Tottenham. In the next few days, they will push and close the deal positively."

Who could Tapsoba emulate at Spurs?

Given how Mauricio Pochettino kickstarted his reign in north London, which has been comfortably the most successful of any in recent history, perhaps Ange Postecoglou could seek to take a leaf out of his book as he continues his summer spending.

The Argentine added some key defensive assets to his side within the first three transfer windows, but the likes of Kieran Tripper, Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld offered far more than mere solidity.

All boasted fine ball-playing skill sets that made them integral to the style of play he sought to implement, which worked to great effect.

Now, with their new boss looking to kickstart a revolution of his own, Tapsoba could seek to mimic the latter of that aforementioned trio as the skilful centre-back to underpin his all-action and possession-dominant philosophy.

After all, when compared to others in his role across Europe, the Bayer Leverkusen star ranks in the top 10% for passes attempted, the top 5% for progressive passes, the top 8% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons, via FBref.

The 24-year-old is the quintessential ball-playing centre-back, yet boasts the physicality to take to English football with ease too.

toby-alderweireld-tottenham-hotspur

This was exactly the case for Alderweireld too, who arguably enjoyed the pinnacle of his Spurs career during the 2015/16 campaign.

Maintaining a 7.28 average rating, which made him the third-highest-rated defender in the whole division for that season, he would record six goal contributions, a 70% dribble success rate, 1.7 interceptions and a mammoth 7.2 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

His presence as a rock at the back for Pochettino aided his title charge massively, which ultimately ended in failure.

Postecoglou will be keen to replicate some of the hallmarks from that tenure but add his own cutting-edge to push them over the line. Tapsoba's arrival would mark a key step towards achieving that goal.

West Brom In Talks For £1.1k-p/w Ace To Soften O’Shea Blow

West Bromwich Albion's focus heading into the summer transfer window was to offload players before even thinking about recruiting as they looked to balance the books.

However, after getting a lot of deadweight out of The Hawthorns in the early stages of the summer, and bringing in £7m through the sale of Dara O'Shea to Burnley, the Championship outfit can perhaps now start to bring in some of Carlos Corberan's targets.

Who is West Brom target Josh Key?

According to Football Insider reporter Pete O'Rourke, West Brom are in talks to sign versatile star Josh Key from League One side Exeter City.

Key is out of contract with Exeter and is therefore available on a free transfer, making him an ideal option for Albion as they look to strengthen in multiple positions.

Given his performances in the third tier, plus his contract situation, Key is understandably attracting plenty of interest. It is claimed that Championship pair Plymouth Argyle and Swansea City are also in for the 23-year-old, with the latter already making a compensation payment offer to Exeter.

Where would Josh Key fit in at West Brom?

Whoever wins the race for Key will be signing an extremely versatile player. The youngster started his career at right wing-back and featured there seven times last season, as per WhoScored, but he is also comfortable playing at centre-back (10 appearances), where a position has opened up at West Brom.

Key's versatility does not stop there, though, as he was also used in more advanced positions under Gary Caldwell last season, featuring on both the right and left wings, as well as in central attacking midfield and even as a striker.

"He is an amazing football player who can play in a number of positions and it is about how we utilise him in different games," Caldwell said in December.

Caldwell also praised Key's ability to get past an opponent, which is reflected in the fact that no City player attempted more dribbles (1.6) per game last season.

Key ultimately started out as a defender, and it may well be that it is at the back he finds himself should he join Albion, with Corberan feeling the need to overcome the exit of O'Shea. The Torquay native is just as strong in that side of the game, highlighted by his 1.6 tackles per game – only Alex Hartridge (1.8), who played exclusively at centre-back last season, could better than among Exeter regulars.

Should he arrive, it is clear that Key would not exactly be a like-for-like replacement for O'Shea. However, the former Tiverton Town loanee more than holds his own in certain areas when compared to the now-Burnley man.

For example, O'Shea averaged 1.1 tackles per game last season, while Key averaged 0.5 dribbles to the Irishman's 0.2. The latter did come out on top in terms of interceptions (1.8 v 0.7), but that can partly be explained by Key playing out wide and further up the field last season.

The pair are also different in stature, with Key – on a reported weekly wage of £1.1k per week during his time at Exeter – measuring in at 5 foot 10 and O'Shea at 6 foot 1.

Whether it is as a centre-back, right-back, on the wing or attacking midfield, it might just be that Joshua holds the key to unlocking a promotion-winning team under Corberan.

Rangers Join Race To Land £8k-p/w "Focal Point"

Glasgow Rangers have more plans to bolster their attacking options ahead of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership campaign, according to recent reports.

What's the latest Rangers news on a new striker?

According to the Daily Mail, the Light Blues have joined two other clubs in the race to land Scotland international Lyndon Dykes in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the 27-year-old's impressive performance for his country against Norway last Saturday has reignited interest from English side Millwall, whilst Michael Beale's team and Premier League outfit Burnley are also said to be following him.

Dykes pounced onto a loose ball in the penalty area to stab in an equaliser for Scotland in the 87th minute before he produced a deft touch to set up Norwich City midfielder Kenny McLean to make it 2-1 with less than two minutes of normal time remaining.

This comes after the Gers officially confirmed the signing of Dutch striker Sam Lammers from Atalanta earlier this month for an undisclosed fee, which could mean that the Scottish giants are in the market to add another number nine to their roster.

In that announcement, Beale confirmed that more arrivals are on the way for the Gers: “The coming weeks will see more trading both in and out of the squad as we prepare for the season ahead."

Scotland international Lyndon Dykes.

In February, Football Insider claimed that Dykes would be interested in a move to Ibrox but that the Championship side would demand a fee that could prove to be prohibitive, although it remains to be seen exactly how much they would demand.

How did Lyndon Dykes perform last season?

The former Livingston ace, who was hailed as a "focal point" by ex-Rangers defender Alan Hutton and "outstanding" by Mark Warburton, endured a difficult campaign for Queens Park Rangers after Beale departed to join the Light Blues.

The 6 foot 2 ace found the back of the net six times in 21 league appearances under the 42-year-old tactician and ended the season with just eight goals in 39 outings, which suggests that the former Chelsea coach's exit had a devastating impact on his form in front of goal.

Back in August of last year, Beale made his feelings on Dykes clear after a 3-1 win over Hull City in the Championship. The former R's manager said: "I've got no complaints with him, he is giving me everything he can give me. I thought he was absolutely fantastic, he harried the defenders, he bullied them, won flick-ons, held the ball up, he did everything but score."

These comments and the Australian-born marksman's form at the start of the season suggest that the Rangers boss would be signing a player who he already loves and knows how to get the best out of.

The QPR ace is also a proven performer in Scottish football as he plundered 11 goals and eight assists in 28 Premiership matches for Livingston before England came calling in 2020, which could make him an ideal option for the Gers when you combine that with his pre-existing relationship with Beale.

Liverpool Eye 18 y/o Whose Potential Has "No Limit"

A new dawn is on the horizon for Liverpool. The squad that clinched European glory and a Premier League has been largely separated.Jurgen Klopp must find the antidote to reverse the club’s fortunes and catapult them back into the top four.One of the biggest summers in the Reds’ recent history lies ahead as they must place faith in a new cohort of players.One name that has been mentioned as part of this rebuild is Arda Guler.

What’s the latest on Arda Guler to Liverpool?

According to Aksam (via Sport Witness), Liverpool and Barcelona are interested in signing Fenerbahce Guler this summer.It is understood that both Liverpool and the Blaugrana have 'stepped in' and have 'accelerated their attempts' to secure the signing.However, it could be a complicated deal as Fenerbahce are hoping to keep the youngster for at least one more year.That said, should the youngster leave then it may cost any suitor around £20m.

Who can Arda Guler emulate at Liverpool?

Guler joined the Fenerbache youth ranks in 2019 and signed a professional contract with the club in 2021, making his senior debut as a substitute against Finnish club HJK in the play-offs of the Europa League.Then in August 2021, the "serious talent" – as per Duncan Castles – made his Süper Lig debut, providing the assist for the winning goal to emphatically announce himself into national stardom.Then in March 2022, the playmaker created history as he became the youngest goalscorer in Turkish top-flight history, having only turned 17 three weeks earlier.The youngster was then awarded the club’s number ten shirt and in the first match of the next campaign, he scored twice in 21 minutes.He has continued to excel and has finished the term with 12 goal involvements in 34 appearances in all competitions.During his incredible journey, Erol Tokgolzer, Guler’s former coach, said: “I don't think Arda will stay in Turkey too long. Bids of €20-30m for Arda will become ordinary.”The teen has also been hailed by Andrea Pirlo, who said: “He has the potential to play anywhere in the world. He has quality, he can read the game well, and he has great technique. If he keeps developing his game, there is no limit to his potential.”Only standing 5 foot 9, Guler doesn’t possess a dominant, physical frame – his smaller, more nimble, and insanely intricate style mirrors that of a prime Philippe Coutinho.In 201 outings for Liverpool, the Brazilian – who also operates in a playmaking role – registered 54 goals and 45 assists, and Mauricio Pochettino once said he has “special magic in his feet.”

Philippe Coutinho Liverpool

The rebirth of this silky, innovative, diminutive presence on the Anfield pitch could come in the form of Guler, and it makes for an exciting prospect to see what he could achieve under Klopp’s supervision.

Spurs: Tottenham to approach Brentford for David Raya

Tottenham Hotspur are set to approach Brentford to discuss a potential transfer fee for goalkeeper David Raya, according to Sky Sports.

What’s the latest Spurs transfer news involving Raya?

Spurs and new manager Ange Postecoglou look set for a relatively busy summer transfer window, with up to five new additions on the cards.

Reports have claimed that Postecoglou, chairman Daniel Levy, chief scout Leonardo Gabbanini and coach Ryan Mason have already held a transfer meeting. A new goalkeeper to come in and replace Hugo Lloris is on the agenda over the coming months, with Raya heavily linked with a move to north London.

Personal terms between the Spaniard and Spurs are allegedly already agreed, with a fee now needing to be agreed between the two clubs.

According to Sky Sports, Tottenham are expected to approach the Bees over a fee for Raya. The report states that Thomas Frank has previously said the goalkeeper is worth £40m, however, Spurs are reluctant to pay that amount.

Brentford goalkeeper David Raya.

How did Raya perform against Tottenham?

Raya is 27 years of age and has just 12 months remaining on his Brentford deal, with a new contract unlikely to be agreed, so now appears to be the best time for Spurs to make their move.

The shot-stopper appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €25m Transfermarkt valuation and recently shone against Spurs. Raya outperformed every Tottenham player aside from Harry Kane in the 3-1 win for the Bees last month, as per SofaScore, recording six saves. BBC pundit Garth Crooks praised his performance, describing one of his saves as “world-class”.

“The first save from the head of Richarlison was world-class, but the recovery to save the second attempt from the same player was quite remarkable.

“Raya’s performance at Spurs was very much in keeping with the rest of his team. The two saves by Raya didn’t just give Brentford the confidence to continue in the same vein they had played throughout the match, it galvanised them.

“Brentford were better than Spurs in every department and Raya was central to their 3-1 victory.”

Frank has also called Raya “very aggressive” in his goalkeeping, and if a fee can be lowered below a £40m asking price, a move could prove to be a shrewd one by Spurs and Postecoglou ahead of the new season.

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