Tottenham go above and beyond in newly agreed deal after Marc Guehi bid rejected

Tottenham Hotspur made an ambitious attempt to sign Crystal Palace center-back Marc Guehi but saw their bid rejected. Determined to reinforce their defense, they quickly shifted focus to other options, aiming to finalize a deal before the transfer window closed.

Having already secured Kevin Danso from Lens on a six-month loan with an obligation to buy for €25 million (£20.9 million), Spurs remained active in the market, seeking additional reinforcements to cope with their injury crisis and competitive demands across multiple fronts.

Ange Postecoglou acknowledged the club’s ongoing search for defensive reinforcements, emphasizing the importance of signing the right players rather than rushing into deals.

The pursuit of AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori ended unsuccessfully when the England international declined the opportunity to move to North London. That setback led Tottenham to approach Chelsea for Axel Disasi, who had been given permission to leave before the deadline.

Aston Villa had already agreed on personal terms with the French defender but hesitated to meet Chelsea’s loan fee demands.

Tottenham, needing defensive depth, showed no such reluctance and struck a deal with Chelsea for a six-month loan, agreeing to pay around £5 million. The substantial loan fee highlighted Spurs’ urgency to strengthen their squad, reflecting their willingness to invest heavily in short-term solutions.

Chelsea, open to business with Tottenham, saw little risk in the deal since Spurs were not direct competitors for a Champions League spot, unlike Aston Villa, who remained in contention for a top-four finish.

Despite reaching an agreement with Chelsea, Disasi rejected the opportunity to move to Tottenham. In response, Spurs intensified efforts to bring in reinforcements and made a separate £70 million bid for Marc Guehi, but Crystal Palace refused to sell.

With that door closed, Tottenham faced a crucial decision on whether to persist with Disasi or move on to alternative targets.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that Tottenham had not yet given up on convincing Disasi to join. However, the club remained pragmatic, unwilling to waste time on a deal that might not materialize. With only hours left in the window, Spurs explored other defensive options to ensure they bolstered the squad in time.

Tottenham’s transfer activity extended beyond defensive targets. The club inquired about Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey, a versatile attacking player also on Manchester United’s radar.

While United’s pursuit had stalled, Spurs saw an opportunity to secure the Jamaican international, adding firepower to Postecoglou’s squad. Additionally, AC Milan’s Noah Okafor emerged as another potential attacking reinforcement, with reports from Italy suggesting Tottenham closely monitored his availability.

As the deadline approached, Tottenham remained active in negotiations, determined to strengthen their squad before the window shut. Their aggressive approach underlined the club’s commitment to backing Postecoglou with the necessary reinforcements to compete at the highest level.

Whether they succeeded in landing their primary targets or had to settle for alternative solutions, their willingness to invest highlighted their ambition to build a squad capable of meeting the demands of domestic and European competitions.