Thomas Frank will begin an audit of his Tottenham Hotspur squad after taking over from Ange Postecoglou – with his first job to get his new side Champions League ready.
Frank has known Tottenham’s technical director Johan Lange for two decades and the pair will work closely together to make sense of a group that finished 17th in the Premier League last season while also ending a 17-year wait for a trophy.
The first issue is that with Europa League success catapulting the club back to the Champions League, Spurs do not currently have enough “locally-trained” players to fit Uefa requirements for that competition.
Clubs must submit a primary squad of 25 players, with no more than 17 of them non-homegrown – as it stands, Tottenham have 23. A “B list” can also be added with youngsters and there is no immediate panic as it is accepted that there will be numerous incomings and outgoings before then.
Spurs are in a healthy position when it comes to profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR) but one of the reasons Frank impressed at Brentford was the way he ran his operation on a small budget, willing to improve the players at his disposal.
It is unlikely that there will be a momentous shift in direction transfer-wise, with Tottenham working on a strict wage structure and targeting young talent.
That said, additions will have to be made to compete on four fronts and avoid another domestic disaster – and there has already been a major overhaul on the board, with Donna-Maria Cullen and Scott Munn leaving and Vinai Venkatesham brought in.
Staying
The i Paper understands there is increasing optimism that a permanent deal can be agreed for Mathys Tel. He was signed on loan with an option to buy and though Bayern Munich were initially holding out for a £45m fee, there could now be some wiggle room.
Ben Davies’ one-year extension has already been triggered. It’s been reported that Wrexham are still hopeful of an audacious move for the Welsh international, but there is no movement there yet.
As reported by The i Paper in February, Kevin Danso had an obligation to buy in his contract which has now kicked in, and fellow centre-back Radu Dragusin is poised to stay too – despite previously toying with a move away – as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury.
The core elements of Postecoglou’s squad are expected to stay put, with even bigger roles envisioned for teenagers Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall next season.
Going
Bryan Gil is set to leave but he is awaiting offers after Girona decided not to make his loan move permanent for a fee in the region of £12m.
Fraser Forster, Sergio Reguilon and goalkeeper Alfie Whiteman have all been released at the end of their contracts, along with young midfielder Max Robson.
Marseille are activating their option to buy Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Timo Werner returns to parent club RB Leipzig. The forward could be on the move again this summer but Tottenham are not one of the interested parties.
Uncertain
Cristian Romero’s parting message to Postecoglou – made an hour after Frank’s appointment – certainly raised eyebrows. Not least the line: “From day one you paved the way despite the many obstacles that always existed and always will exist.”
The i Paper has been told Romero has primarily attracted interest from La Liga and his current contract ends in 2027, so Spurs will want to avoid him entering into the last year without a decision being made.
Yves Bissouma is in the category of player whose situation is being monitored by several clubs – including in the Premier League. No deal is going to be rushed – he is currently on holiday – and Frank will not yet have had a chance to assess whether he keeps him.
There is a decision to be made on whether Yang min-Hyeok should be given another loan and the same applies to Alejo Veliz, Alfie Devine and Dane Scarlett. Jamie Donley and Josh Keeley starred at Leyton Orient and similar calls have to be made on whether they are elevated to the senior set-up, go out on loan or receive offers from elsewhere.
Manor Solomon was another player who enjoyed a hugely successful loan in Leeds’ Championship-winning team. The door has been opened for him to stay at Spurs but he has also attracted plenty of interest, including from Leeds themselves.
There is currently no real news on Dejan Kulusevski – either in terms of a potential new contract or rumours of a move. Richarlison has also been heavily linked with a transfer away but that will partly depend on Frank finding a viable replacement as back-up to Dominic Solanke – and one who like Richarlison is reasonably versatile.
Targets
As far as incomings are concerned, it is not a simple question of picking off Brentford players. Bryan Mbeumo had looked set to join Manchester United but has reportedly also held talks with Spurs.
Daniel Levy is likely to face a familiar issue when it comes to beating their rivals to key signings – wages.
The i Paper understands the interest in Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is genuine, but he is also being looked at by Newcastle among other clubs who can offer a bigger package.
There was some noise around Leroy Sane, who is set for Galatasaray. However, it is understood he was never a serious target despite being a free agent.
Central midfield is an area being given careful consideration, with Pape Matar Sarr – and Bissouma if he stays – departing between December and January for the Africa Cup of Nations.
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Talks have not yet begun for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite – if the Toffees are willing to budge on a sizable fee for the England defender – but there is interest there.
Federico Gatti could be a cheaper alternative, with Juventus needing to sell to ease their financial fair play headache and Levy having an existing relationship with Damien Comolli, his former sporting director now in Turin.
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