The whole Morgan Gibbs-White debacle has us Tottenham supporters feeling a little bit sorry about ourselves, with Evangelos Marinakis feeling the brunt of our frustrations.
We were moving like a serious club a couple of weeks back, when news broke of Gibbs-White's medical after his release clause was triggered. From that moment on, however, the Lilywhites have buffered. Johan Lange is nowhere to be seen. All has been quiet on the Western Front.
Thomas Frank's 29-man travelling squad for Spurs' preseason tour features exciting youth but just one fresh face, Mohammed Kudus. While the Ghanaian international is an excellent signing in isolation, we need a whole lot more. Quality more than quantity.
It's fair to say that anyone turning their nose up at Real Madrid star Rodrygo is, well, miles off it.
Tottenham surely can't pull off statement Rodrygo transfer
Rodrygo, in theory, would be open to a move to Tottenham Hotspur this summer, TBR Football has been informed.
— Graeme Bailey (@GraemeBailey) July 28, 2025
The Real Madrid forward is considering his options. Arsenal and Liverpool have both had talks with his camp this summer.
with @JamieBCoys https://t.co/y0w0OBKRCr
This self depracting fanbase was in fine form when the initial links from Spain emerged regarding our supposed interest in Madrid's Rodrygo.
While the Brazilian has almost always been regarded on the periphery of superstardom in the Spanish capital, there's no denying his supreme talent and capacity to shift the outlook of Thomas Frank's first season in charge were he to make the unlikely move to north London.
Those first reports were laughed off, but maybe, just maybe, there was a semblance of truth in them. The word of TBR Football's Graeme Bailey is not to be taken for gospel, but he says that the winger would in fact be "open" to joining the Europa League winners this summer. Moreover, Spanish radio journalist Ramon Alvarez adds that talks have begun between Spurs and the player's camp.
You, of course, have to be pessimistic. We've been burned in these sorts of situations countless times, from Paulo Dybala to Gibbs-White, and many will wonder, if there's any truth in these reports, what could go wrong to scupper the deal.
Arsenal and Liverpool have also been linked with the 24-year-old, although the former are prioritising Eberechi Eze and the latter want Alexander Isak to complete the rejuvenation of Arne Slot's attack. Rodrygo, it would appear, isn't currently at the forefront of either team's mind.
With Madrid willing to sell for around £80m, Spurs would seemingly have the money available to sign Rodrygo, having attempted to buy Gibbs-White for £60m. The winger's wages also aren't extortionate in the Spanish capital (just over £200,000-a-week, per MSN), and we look set to lose our highest earner in Son Heung-min this summer.
Financially, this is a deal we can pull off, and one we should target if we want to start functioning like a big boy club keen on challenging at the summit of the English game again.
However, such ambition and ruthlessness has rarely been demonstrated by the top brass.