Tottenham offered deal for European star who’s in talks with Aston Villa

Tottenham‘s season could hardly have started worse. A 3-0 opening-day defeat at Brentford left Roberto De Zerbi’s makeshift side second best in every department, with Igor Thiago even missing a penalty as the Bees threatened to make the scoreline far more emphatic.

Spurs were beaten to the punch, outrun and outfought from back to front, with the club’s £185m midfield investment doing little to prevent Brentford’s Mamadou Sangare setting up the opener. It was a sobering reminder of the issues that dogged De Zerbi’s side for large parts of last season, and the manager called for a change in mentality from his players following the defeat.

“We have to change the mood. We can because we already did last season. I think the environment has to change, the players inside and the people inside have to change this mentality. It’s a challenge. When I said we have to become a team it’s about this.

Help is already on the way in attack. Savinho has been signed, with De Zerbi already excited about what the 22-year-old can offer: “In terms of one-to-one, he’s one of the best players, can play on either side. If you analyse the best wingers in the world they score 10-15 goals a season and he has the qualities.”

Omar Marmoush is expected to follow imminently as Tottenham continue to overhaul their forward line. But there’s another name Spurs have long been chasing to bolster the wide areas: Cody Gakpo.

REUTERS/Scott Heppell

That pursuit, though, comes with complications. There’s interest from Manchester City, and Liverpool’s own priorities in the market mean any Gakpo sale from Anfield remains far from straightforward.

Spurs offered chance to sign Rafael Leao

Ben Jacobs, speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, revealed Spurs have been offered a deal for Rafael Leao, with the AC Milan winger also having been the subject of interest from Aston Villa, who Fabrizio Romano has reported are in talks over a deal for the Portugal international.

“At the moment, Spurs want Cody Gakpo as their lead target, and we know that Manchester City have considered entering that race. It’s all a bit redundant unless Liverpool add,” Jacobs said.

“Two attackers, the top choice being Bradley Barcola and one other, and given Gakpo started against Newcastle and scored an excellent goal, you can understand why Liverpool are reluctant sellers as of now, but that could change if they are productive themselves in the market.

“So, Spurs’ intent has always been to do Savio, plus Omar Marmoush, and then Cody Gakpo. Given we’re in an inflated market, and other players have gone for significant fees, Liverpool have a very high valuation if they’re to sell, but they won’t leave themselves short, and then if it isn’t to be Cody Gakpo, Tottenham will assess late in the window other options.

“They’ve been offered Rafael Leao, as have several clubs. Nothing is developing yet on that front. The player also has the opportunity to go to Turkey as well.

“Spurs sources tell me that Nicolas Jackson is unlikely. Victor Osimhen has been on and off Tottenham’s radar for quite some time in terms of media links, but I’ve never sensed in previous windows they’ve had the appetite or the budget, particularly as far as wages are concerned.”

Leao’s ability has never really been in question, even amid a stop-start campaign hampered by fitness issues. Como scout Ben Mattinson is among those to have praised the winger’s unteachable quality.

With Aston Villa also credited with interest, Tottenham may find themselves in competition if they do decide to take up the offer, though for now Jacobs’ comments suggest nothing concrete has developed on that front either.

Whichever direction Spurs go in the final days of the window, De Zerbi’s side may well need to move players on to balance the books, with all this fresh attacking business piling up. Richarlison looks the most obvious candidate, having produced an anonymous display at Brentford which was widely criticised.