Tottenham have made an under-the-radar approach to sign an England international who’s also been offered to Real Madrid, amid their ongoing talks to sign Souza and chase for a new forward.
Spurs close to signing Souza as Frank also prioritises attacker
The Lilywhites are about to bolster their left-back options with a deal for highly-rated Brazilian prospect Souza, with Spurs agreeing personal terms on Thursday.
Talks are now advancing for the teenage Santos sensation and all signs point towards the agreement being concluded very soon.
It is a welcome boost for under-fire boss Thomas Frank, who has attracted fierce criticism from Spurs supporters this week amid their serious doubts over the Dane’s leadership.
The north Londoners have won just three of their last 13 games in all competitions, with their latest 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth coming in heartbreaking fashion as Antoine Semenyo signed off his Cherries career by scoring a last-gasp winner.
Tottenham submit ‘official offer’ for £150k-a-week Brazil attacker amid Souza talks
Spurs are gearing up for a busy January.
This came right after Semenyo rejected a lucrative offer to join Tottenham in favour of a switch to Man City, and it leaves Frank still scrambling for a new forward.
Signing a top-class attacker is believed to be the club’s January transfer priority after Souza, especially following star winger Mohammed Kudus’ injury, which is expected to keep him out until April.
There are suggestions from Brazil that Tottenham have made a £26 million bid for West Ham playmaker Lucas Paqueta as they battle Flamengo for his signature, but the 28-year-old’s love for his former club puts them ahead of Spurs in the race.
Man City winger Savinho and Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche are also among the rumoured targets for Frank, but as the Lewis family continue scouring for new final third upgrades, they’re also planning to bolster Tottenham’s engine room.
Enter Crystal Palace starlet Adam Wharton, who has been linked with nearly every big six Premier League side since bursting on to scene in 2024.
The former Blackburn Rovers sensation’s impressive form that year earned him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Euros, and while he endured a stop-start campaign last term due to injury, Wharton is now a mainstay for Palace once again.
Tottenham make ‘discreet’ approach for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton
The 21-year-old has started 19 league games under Oliver Glasner this season, with Thomas Tuchel also reintroducing him into the England fold recently and handing Wharton his first Three Lions caps since June 2024.
He’s now a sure-fire contender for next year’s World Cup squad, and his sky-high potential isn’t lost on Tottenham.
According to TEAMtalk and journalist Dean Jones, Spurs have made a ‘discreet’ approach over signing Wharton as ENIC eye ‘statement signings’ this year — but this could be one for the summer rather than January.
The midfield anchor, as per reports from Spain, will cost a minimum £60 million and potentially a similar fee to Eberechi Eze’s Arsenal transfer last summer.
It is also reported by AS that Wharton has been ‘offered to Real Madrid’ already, but Los Blancos haven’t yet taken this up, which could gift Spurs an opportunity to get there first.
Wharton is undoubtedly one of the country’s most exciting midfield prospects, with Arsenal star Declan Rice revealing back in 2024 that he’s already impressed a lot of senior England players behind-the-scenes.
“He’s been outstanding” said Rice.
“In training, he impressed a lot of the players. He’s so composed and calm on the ball. He played his first half of the season in the Championship, he’s [come into the England team] from Crystal Palace now.
“He’s got a beautiful left foot, really crisp passing. And all round, just a really down-to-earth boy who wants to learn. He’s still obviously only 20 years old, but to be on the plane to go to his first European Championships, what a moment for him and his family and I know he’s one who won’t take it for granted.”
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