Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank looks increasingly likely to be backed in the transfer market this summer, and moves are already being made behind-the-scenes in the days since his appointment was confirmed.
Spurs have booked their place back in the Champions League for next season after an historic night in Bilbao last month, hoisting the Europa League trophy aloft and suddenly raising expectations for next campaign.
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The Dane personally wants him in north London.
Their qualification for Europe’s most prestigious competition has also gifted the Lilywhites a significant financial windfall, which has been described as “huge” when it comes to their summer recruitment drive, with Spurs no longer needing to adopt a ‘sell to buy’ policy (Michael Bridge).
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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 |
|
James Maddison |
6.98 |
|
Pedro Porro |
6.95 |
|
Dominic Solanke |
6.84 |
|
Dejan Kulusevski |
6.83 |
|
via WhoScored |
|
This comes as a big boost for Frank in particular ahead of his first full season in charge, and it is believed that Tottenham are putting their Champions League riches to good use already as they eye an ambitious move for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.
The Cameroonian was a star player for Frank last term, scoring 20 goals in all competitions, and Spurs have opened initial talks to tempt Mbeumo with a Brentford exit as they seek to hijack Man United.
Suggestions that Tottenham have already made a £70 million offer for Mbeumo, courtesy of The Mirror, are yet to be backed up, but their interest is crystal clear.
Tottenham really want to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
While a new attacker is firmly on Frank’s agenda, the Dane could also look to strengthen defensively, with Spurs struggling in that department last season thanks to a plethora of injuries to key players.
Radu Dragusin is attracting interest from AC Milan amid Cristian Romero’s strong links to Atlético Madrid, so Frank could be left wanting for a new centre-back if either of those transfers come to fruition.
Speaking on the London is Blue podcast, Telegraph journalist Matt Law has claimed that Spurs are big fans of Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
The Toffees starlet is fresh off the back of yet another impressive campaign, and Law “keeps hearing” that Tottenham are “very” keen on Branthwaite.
“I keep hearing that Tottenham are very interested in Branthwaite, and everybody thinks his fee at the moment is too high,” Law said.
“So, I don’t think Chelsea are active on Branthwaite, but you never know. They’ve clearly looked at him, but I think someone like Hato at the moment is more likely. But that left side is more likely than right side currently.”
The England international actually bagged a memorable 94th-minute equaliser against Spurs in February 2024, and was voted both Everton’s Players’ Player and Supporters’ Young Player of the Season.
Branthwaite is widely regarded for his aerial prowess, composure on the ball, and exceptional maturity at just 22-years-old, with his snub from the Three Lions squad for Euro 2024 still coming as a pretty controversial decision from Gareth Southgate.
The towering 6-foot-4 defender is arguably the epitome of a ‘modern day’ centre-half — comfortable in possession, strong defensively, and capable of wreaking havoc from set pieces.
He’d be the perfect replacement for Romero, but chairman Daniel Levy will almost certainly need to break Tottenham’s transfer record to get him over the line.
Everton could charge up to £80 million for Branthwaite’s signature, and given their widely-reported chase for Mbeumo, the Merseyside ace could be too far out of the Lilywhites’ reach.
