Latest transfer news: Bale and Martial could be Tottenham-bound
By Gary Pearson
Silly season has already started as transfer speculation ramps up, with Tottenham being linked to a bundle of potential transfers only weeks after season’s end.
Spurs interested in Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele
French media outlet L’Equipe has reported that Spurs are interested in acquiring Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon. The 21-year-old Frenchman has only recently popped up on the speculation radar, but is known for his dribbling ability. He’s seen as a potential replacement for Mousa Dembele, whose future with Spurs is uncertain.
Gareth Bale rumours ramp up
Gareth Bale is on the verge of returning to Tottenham after a five-year absence, the Don Balon reports. Tottenham HQ has covered this topic extensively, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Bale return to North London, the place where his superstardom was born. This would be a coup of epic proportions, no matter how injury prone he is. Bale is a match winner and can change the complexion of the most important matches in an instant. Fingers crossed the rumours come to fruition. Two major impediment remains: Real Madrid are asking for a transfer fee in the region of £70 million; Bale’s weekly wage packet will easily exceed Daniel Levy’s tight payment structure.
Manchester United’s Martial top on Tottenham’s hit list
Anthony Martial is seen as a perfect support man for Spurs’ talisman Harry Kane. Tottenham have been in the market for an attacking asset who can play in behind Kane. Martial isn’t an out-and-out striker and has been cast aside as a misfit under Jose Mourinho at United. A twist in the potential deal could see Toby Alderweireld depart for United with Martial coming the other way. If Alderweireld is destined to leave, Spurs might as well get a proven attacking asset in the swap.
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Lille midfielder Yves Bissouma on Spurs radar
Sky sources believe Tottenham are interested in 21-year-old Yves Bissouma, a central midfielder who plies his trade with Lille in the French first division. Bissouma, from the Ivory Coast, is a strong, rangy midfielder. This story is fresh off the press, so we’ll have to see how the rumours develop in the coming days.
Llorente and Janssen destined for pastures anew
The Evening Standard has confirmed the inevitable: Fernando Llorente and Vincent Janssen will need to find new employment prior to the 2018-19 season. Both players struggled mightily with Tottenham, as Llorente never found his footing in his first season with the Lilywhites.
Janssen was out on a season-long loan with Turkish Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe, and is unlikely to play another match in North London. Both are fantastic lads but neither reached the élite levels consistently expected of them.