Sources: Tottenham want to sign £68m “superstar” in exciting move after Gray, he’s open to move
The first batch of Tottenham Hotspur players begin to report back for pre-season training at the end of this week as preparations for the 2024/25 campaign get underway.
Other members of the first-team squad will filter in later and so too will the new signings, as Spurs are working on plans to make sure boss Ange Postecoglou feels better equipped to challenge the Premier League’s best clubs during his second season in charge.
Of course, they have already got going with smart deals. Tottenham have Lucas Bergvall on board as a new player to merge into the plans for next term, while Timo Werner’s role will be more as a squad player than a guaranteed starter.
Gray Deal Came as Surprise to Sources
Spurs were not expected to raid Leeds for teenager
Tottenham’s big signing so far is that of Archie Gray. The deal came as a slight surprise, as even well-informed sources declare that, in the weeks leading up to the agreement, there had not been a swell of expectation that they would follow through on a deal.
The interest had been there for months, but it had been felt that the costs and competition for the 18-year-old’s signature would be a barrier. Yet, as Brentford’s proposed £40million move for him stalled, while the player considered the upside of the transfer, Spurs decided to swoop.
Their proposal in terms of club vision and the project won him over, even though he may not have a major role in the early months of his Tottenham career as the north Londoners are wary of his young age and aim to give him time to make his mark.
Technical director Johan Lange was key to positioning Spurs in the market to grab Gray, and it is a good sign that the club were able to work in the dark over such a significant move until the late stages.
Insiders say it has been felt inside the club that transfer news leaks need to be reduced in order to help them have the most effective window possible.
Eze Open to Move Amid Doue Links to North London
Crystal Palace winger considering Selhurst Park departure
Fresh speculation in the last days surrounding Desire Doue needs to be treated with attentiveness as he is being hotly tipped to follow Gray into the club. Tottenham have been linked with the attacking midfielder, and it is understood that there has been contact with agents to discover the potential terms of any deal.
This could yet become a situation similar to the one Manchester United experienced recently with him though. They were very keen but discovered his price in the summer window could be stretched towards £60million because of the competitiveness that is being created for his signature across Europe.
That certainly would be a high price to pay for the 18-year-old Rennes starlet, particularly at a time when they have been seriously considering a move for Eberechi Eze.
The Crystal Palace winger – called a “superstar” by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher – has been in mind as the player who could be Tottenham’s most exciting addition and early checks have been made to understand whether the player would be interested.
GMS understands Eze is open to offers, as he considers following pal Michael Olise out of Selhurst Park, but his release clause is £60million plus £8million in add-ons.
Spurs are not afraid of spending big on the right player and options are going to start to become more clear as we head towards the latter stages of Euro 2024 and into the beginning of Premier League pre-season.