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    Tottenham CONFIRM signing of Ashley Phillips after triggering hidden transfer clause to land top-rated defender

    TOTTENHAM have completed the signing of Ashely Phillips from Blackburn Rovers.SunSport exclusively revealed last month that the North Londoners were chasing the defender’s signature.
    Tottenham have completed the signing of Ashley Phillips from Blackburn RoversCredit: TOTTENHAM FC
    SunSport revealed this month that Spurs were after the teenage defenderCredit: GETTY
    And new Spurs chief Ange Postecoglou has landed his man – who caught the eye of several other Premier League sides last season – on a five-year deal.
    An excerpt of a club statement read: “We are delighted to announce the signing of Ashley Phillips from Blackburn Rovers.
    “The centre-back has signed a deal with the Club that will run until 2028.”
    Spurs snapped up the highly-rated Phillips for a mere £2million after triggering a clause in the teenager’s contract with Rovers.
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    Phillips joined Rovers at the tender age of 12 and quickly rose through the ranks at Ewood Park.
    But he really came to prominence in the 2021/22 season, in which he made 11 Premier League 2 appearances.
    He made his first-team debut last August and ended up making a total of 14 appearances for the club before his move to Spurs.
    Phillips penned an emotional goodbye letter to Rovers fans on Instagram shortly after his departure was confirmed.
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    It read: “Blackburn has been my home since I was 12 years old and through the years have made a lot of memories that I will never forget.
    “I am grateful to the club for filling my dream of becoming a professional footballer.

    “I would like to thank all the players and staff at Rovers who have helped me with my development so far as a player.
    “And also the fans who supported me throughout my journey at Blackburn.
    “I wish you all the best in the future.”
    Ashely Phillips has inked a five-year deal with TottenhamCredit: GETTY
    Phillips has become Spurs’ FIFTH signing of a busy transfer window for new gaffer Postecoglu.
    The Premier League big boys recently snapped up Manor Solomon and James Maddison from Shakhtar Donetsk and Leicester City respectively.
    They also bolstered their goalkeeping options with the acquisition of Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli.
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    And they permanently secured the services of Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski.
    The Postecoglu era at Tottenham officially begins on August 13 with a trip across London to face Brentford in their Premier League opener. More

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    Mauricio Pochettino on feeling the heat at Espanyol, being proud of Tottenham’s ‘wins’ and his long-term Chelsea vision

    TAKING on the impossible is part of Mauricio Pochettino’s managerial DNA.He arrived on English shores with Southampton in January 2013 as a nobody, and left in November 2019 having led Tottenham to a Premier League title challenge and a Champions League final.
    Mauricio Pochettino is starting a new era of his managerial career at ChelseaCredit: Getty
    Pochettino admits he struggled with the pressure during his days at EspanyolCredit: Getty – Contributor
    He took on the superstars and egomaniacs while at Paris Saint-Germain, and now, back in the UK, is tasked with leaving a long-lasting legacy at Chelsea – an institution that sacks coaches for fun.
    Pochettino is used to pressure. In fact, at this stage of his career, he thrives off it.
    Yet that was not always the case. A month after receiving his UEFA Pro License in December 2008, the Argentine was handed the reins at his old club Espanyol – his first senior post – at the age of 36.
    Pochettino explained: “It was like all or nothing. You feel: ‘If we don’t win tomorrow or tonight, my career is going to be a disaster’. It was difficult.”
    This fear of failure clearly had a positive impact. In his first season in charge in La Liga, the Argentine led Espanyol to a top 10 finish, including a famous victory away at Pep Guardiola’s Treble-winning Barcelona.
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    In the fourteen years since, Poch is now recognised as one of the most respected managers in the game, sticking to his principles regardless of position, form or hostility.
    So, how does he deal with the pressure now? Poch smiled: “Maybe I sleep better.
    “When I started at Espanyol it was massive pressure because we were fighting relegation. Southampton was similar, Tottenham was for different reasons.
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    “PSG yes, and now with Chelsea it is different. Always you are under pressure. You always feel the adrenaline but after you disconnect and say: ‘Now I need to rest. I need to sleep’.
    “That experience has helped me to have better sleep and to enjoy time with my family and my friends, with the staff and the players. Before it was more bam, bam, bam, bam.
    “We use the experience to learn the passion is there, the adrenaline is there, the discipline.
    “But it is about knowing when to be in this process and when to have time to enjoy yourself – when to liberate the players from all this pressure.
    “How we behave as a coaching staff will transmit itself to the players.”
    At the age of 51, Poch insists he is far from the same coach he was back in Spain. Triumphs have shaped that, as have disappointments.
    He said: “We have changed in many things. We’re older now and when you’re 50 you need to be careful, because your change is quick! We got experience in different leagues.
    “We are more mature and we learned a lot in different situations. We always judge ourselves and want to improve. The experience gave the possibility to improve.
    “We are much better people now.”
    Pochettino enjoyed a successful period at Spurs, despite not winning a trophyCredit: Getty
    His five-year stint at Spurs was often tainted with the notion that the club did not have the desire nor the mentality to win silverware – something Antonio Conte accused them of during his chaotic tenure.
    Poch argued: “When I was at Tottenham it was a different period but I think the mentality to win was there. We won. Maybe we didn’t lift a trophy, but we won in many, many ways.”
    And during his 18-month spell with PSG, the burden of accommodating big names such as Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe took its toll.
    Poch added: “We won the cup, we won the league, but when you arrive at a club like Paris Saint-Germain it is about winning the Champions League.
    “If you don’t win the Champions League, like the coaching staff last season, you need to move on. I hope that changes because Paris deserves to be more consistent, and needs time to build something.”
    And so to Chelsea, where Poch truly believes he can build something “special” with the right amount of patience and trust from an owner in Todd Boehly who has already had three permanent managers since his takeover in June 2022.
    Foolish hope from Poch? Only time will tell, not that the likes of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, as well as interim boss Frank Lampard, would necessarily agree.
    Poch is not naïve. He knows he needs to win, and win now. He said: “Chelsea is a different club, different period, different process, different project. If we don’t win we will struggle.”
    All eyes will be on Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of the Premier League season as Chelsea host Liverpool – a team and model of consistency and quality under Jurgen Klopp that Poch would like to emulate one day.
    There remains work to be done in order to achieve that. Another hectic transfer window means Poch, like Potter, will have to juggle and get the best out of an unbalanced and inexperienced squad with time firmly not on his side.
    Poch said: “I’m excited to start something medium and long term, but in football you never know. We try to work in this way, that’s important.
    “Then, we will see if we will have good pressure and see if it’s going to help to believe. We all need to be together to see if we can develop something special here.
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    “We need to have a plan and we need to have a guide that says: ‘We need to arrive there’, and if we arrive before, perfect.
    “But if not, we know that we are going to arrive at the destination.” More

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    Bayern Munich order Tottenham to make Harry Kane transfer decision TONIGHT after submitting fresh £86m bid

    BAYERN MUNICH have submitted one final £86million bid for Harry Kane and demanded Tottenham reply by midnight TONIGHT.The German giants want a deal resolved by the end of this week – and their new offer surpasses the £100million asking price, once a further £17million in add-ons are included.
    Bayern Munich have set Tottenham a deadline of tonight to make a decision on Harry Kane, say reportsCredit: Getty
    Bayern and Kane are now waiting for Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to make the final call on his star player.
    The striker is into the final 12 months of his contract in North London and Levy risks losing the club’s greatest ever goalscorer for nothing next summer should he dig his heels in.
    The England captain has no intention of signing a new deal at this stage and could also discuss a pre-contract with overseas clubs from January.
    Bayern chief Thomas Tuchel is keen for a deal to be wrapped up quickly and club directors met with Levy in London on Monday for further talks.
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    The Bundesliga champions are believed to have offered £81.7m bid earlier this week.
    Now The Telegraph and Sky Sports Germany say Bayern have launched an improved bid – £86m plus bonuses.
    Incredibly, they are insisting Spurs make their decision by midnight on Friday or they will move on to other options.
    A host of clubs, including Manchester United, have been linked with a move for 30-year-old Kane.
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    However, Old Trafford manager Erik ten Hag instead moved for Rasmus Hojlund, who’s set to be unveiled on Saturday following a £72m move from Atalanta.
    And now Bayern could switch attention to other big names such as Victor Osimhen.
    Tottenham are believed to still be chasing around £100m for Kane.
    Monday’s talks ended in deadlock but the Telegraph claim Bayern chiefs were buoyed by the fact Levy was willing to meet – suggesting his stance on Kane departing has softened.
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    Should the hitman not leave North London this summer, it’s thought he will see out the final year of his deal and leave on a free.
    However, it has been claimed both clubs remain “confident” a deal can be done before the September 1 deadline.
    Bayern plan to offer Kane a five-year contract.
    A deal for Tottenham’s all-time top scorer would shatter Bayern’s previous transfer record – which is is the £70m they paid Atletico Madrid for Lucas Hernandez in 2019.
    Kane is understood to have held talks with manager Thomas Tuchel with regards to a possible move.
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    His wife Katie was also reportedly in Munich looking for a house last month as the move edges closer.
    Spurs have been linked with a host of potential replacements for Kane and are now said to be looking at £13m-rated Argentinian youngster Alejo Veliz. More

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    Tottenham flop Roberto Soldado announces retirement aged 38 in TWO-WORD statement after three months unemployed

    TOTTENHAM flop Roberto Soldado has announced his retirement from football on Instagram with a two-word message.The former Spain man sat down in front of the camera to recount his career and captioned the post “Hasta Siempre” which translates as “Good bye, until later”.
    Soldado sat down at his home to say goodbye to the gameCredit: instagram – @r9soldado
    He endured a miserable time at Tottenham – but became somewhat of a cult heroCredit: Getty
    The emotional Instagram post was accompanied by Soldado’s goals throughout his career – which saw him play for the likes of Real Madrid, Valencia, Spurs and Fenerbache among others.
    His time in England will be remembered for his miserable stint at Tottenham Hotspur.
    Soldado arrived as part of Tottenham’s ‘magnificent seven’ – the seven players signed by Andre Villas Boas to replace Gareth Bale when he left for Real Madrid.
    He was seen as the jewel in the seven’s crown after scoring an impressive 24 goals in 35 games for Valencia in the 2012-13 season.
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    The forward cost the club a then record fee of £26million in 2013.
    But he struggled to settle in North London and managed just 16 goals in 76 appearances for the Lilywhites.
    His effort, and sometimes desperation for a goal, saw him become a cult hero of sorts, becoming affectionately known as “Bobby Soldier” in the White Hart Lane stands.
    He was eventually usurped in the starting XI by a young Harry Kane and was sold to Villareal in 2015.
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    Kane has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich this summer – which could force Spurs to sign their first big-money number nine since Soldado’s arrival in 2013.
    After leaving Tottenham for Villareal, Soldado went on to play for Fenerbache and Granada before ending his career at second division side Levante.
    He spent the last three months of his career without a club after Levante did not renew his contract this summer.
    Fans paid tribute to Soldado’s career online, with a Spurs fan writing: “If anyone deserved to succeed here it was Soldado. He loved Spurs so much.”
    The Europa Conference League also posted well wishes to Soldado, tweeting a picture of him in a Fenerbache shirt.
    The caption read: “Enjoy your retirement, Roberto Soldado.”
    And Turkish fans from his time in Istanbul added their well wishes.
    One fan wrote: “Underrated gunner, ugly fighter you’ll be the one I won’t forget.”
    Another added: “I can’t forget the goal he scored against Besiktas in the cup.” More

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    James Maddison begs Harry Kane to stay at Tottenham as he’s ‘best in the world’ amid Bayern Munich transfer saga

    JAMES MADDISON has issued a rallying cry for teammate Harry Kane to remain at Tottenham.Spurs face the possibility of losing all-time record scorer Harry Kane this summer with the club locked in talks over a transfer to Bayern Munich.
    England teammates Kane and Maddison were reunited when the latter joined Tottenham for £40m this summerCredit: EPA
    The German champions are set to smash their transfer record with an £85m bid for Kane.
    But England teammate Maddison is desperate for his close friend to reject the move.
    The former Leicester star told TNT Sports: “We were friends before I joined Tottenham from the England squad.
    “We have similar interests and get on well anyway away from football.

    “I would love Harry Kane to stay, he’s the best No 9 in the world in my opinion.
    “But what will be, will be and Harry is super professional”.
    Pundits have speculated how the two could link up next season, as Tottenham’s new playmaker Maddison holds the required creativity to improve Spurs’ attack.
    But whether Maddison will be supplying Harry Kane next term remains to be seen.
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    Spurs chairman Daniel Levy reportedly met with Bayern officials in London on Monday to discuss the move.
    Kane is open to a move to Germany and while Levy wants at least £100m for his star striker, it is believed an offer in the region of £90m would tempt him.
    Manchester United had previously been linked with the 30-year-old, who would be available for free in a year’s time.
    The England skipper has contributed 280 goals and 64 assists in 435 games for the North London outfit.
    But he is poised to join Bayern in an attempt to win trophies having failed to secure any silverware at Spurs.
    Maddison himself was left untarnished after Leicester’s relegation last season.
    The attacking midfielder – who scored 10 goals and provided 9 assists last term – completed his £40m move to Spurs this summer.
    Maddison,26, completed his £40m move to Tottenham from relegated Leicester, signing a five-year contract in north London.Credit: Rex More

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    Tottenham ‘leading Chelsea and Arsenal in race to sign Bundesliga star Edmond Tapsoba’

    TOTTENHAM are leading the way to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Edmond Tapsoba, according to reports.Sports guru Patrick Berger claims Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is planning to put a £39m bid in for the 6ft 4in defender.
    Tottenham are prepared to make a new bid for Edmond TapsobaCredit: Getty
    Arsenal and Chelsea have also expressed their interest in the 24-year-old Burkina Faso international, but Tottenham’s new offer could put them off chasing him.
    The Bundesliga side however are expected to demand around £45m for Tapsoba, who has made over 100 appearances for the club.
    The Leverkusen ace, who joined from Vitória de Guimarães in 2020, has been labelled an “exceptional” defender after shining under Xabi Alonso
    However, there are questions marks over whether Postecoglou can convince Tapsoba to move to White Hart Lane.
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    So far the North London club has added Manor Solomon, James Maddison and Guglielmo Vicario this summer.
    But Postecoglou is still without a new centre-back and is close to finalising a deal with Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven.

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    Even with a deal closing in soon for Van de Ven, Spurs are still pushing to complete a transfer for Tapsoba.
    Postecoglou also has concerns at the other end of the pitch with Harry Kane’s move to Bayern seemingly edging closer, with the German giants expected to up their latest bid of £82m.
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    However, one journalist has begged the Bundesliga champions NOT to sign the England captain and called Kane a “30-year-old bone” in a scathing open letter in a newspaper.
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    Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven is close to signing with SpursCredit: Getty More

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    Forgotten star set to end Tottenham hell with Spurs ‘ready to take £44m transfer hit to sell flop to Galatasaray’

    TOTTENHAM are set to cut ties with midfielder Tanguy Ndombele with Galatasaray aiming to buy the forgotten star for just £11million, according to reports.The French midfielder moved to White Hart Lane back in 2019 for a then-club record £55m but has failed to live up to the price tag.
    Forgotten star Tanguy Ndombele set to go to Turkish club GalatasarayCredit: Getty
    The 26-year-old has been on loan the last two years to ex-club Lyon and Napoli where he won the Serie A title last season.
    Turkish giants Galatasaray have now emerged as a potential destination for Ndombele.
    According to The Mirror, Galatasary have made an offer but it falls a whopping £44m short of what Spurs spent four years ago on the midfielder.
    Ndombele seemed promising under Mauricio Pochettino’s management but fell out of favour and now Spurs look set to take a huge financial hit.
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    Tottenham’s chairman Daniel Levy slammed his own club’s spending on Ndombele earlier this year.
    New Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is understood to no longer want Ndombele at the club.
    It’s thought the 57-year-old wants to axe at least ten players in this summer’s transfer window with Ndombele almost certainly being shown the exit door.
    New recruit James Maddison has already filled the hole that Ndombele’s departure would leave.
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    The ex-France international was recently allowed to feature in Tottenham’s starting XI for a training friendly, but this was most likely his last dance for Spurs.
    During his four-year spell at the North London club, he’s made 63 appearances with a return of six goals. More

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    Seven strikers Tottenham could sign to replace Harry Kane including Man Utd outcast and Nottingham Forest star

    TOTTENHAM face the very real possibility of starting the season without Harry Kane for the first time since he broke through nearly a decade ago.Bayern Munich are continuing to negotiate with Spurs as the England captain enters the final 12 months of his contract.
    Harry Kane could be on his way to Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
    The Lilywhites are holding out for £100million – with Bayern reportedly unwilling to stretch beyond the £86m mark.
    But Kane’s path out of North London is still one that could be walked this summer as the Bundesliga champions put the pressure on.
    His exit would immediately see Tottenham fans asking who could replace him as their talisman up front – with back-up Richarlison netting just three goals in 35 appearances last season.
    But are there actually many viable options for Ange Postecoglou’s men? SunSport has taken a look at seven names in the frame.
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    Anthony Martial
    Anthony Martial is being linked with a move away from Manchester UnitedCredit: AFP
    Manchester United agreeing a deal for Rasmus Hojlund could spell the end for Anthony Martial.
    The Frenchman, 27, who has 88 goals in 298 games for the Red Devils, has been unable to stay fit since returning to Old Trafford at the beginning of last season.

    And Erik ten Hag finally seems to have lost his patience when it comes to relying on him as a first-choice option.
    Spurs could take advantage of that situation, with a price tag of around £20m mooted last summer.
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    Ivan Toney
    Ivan Toney could be on Spurs’ radar as a suitable Kane replacementCredit: Rex
    Ivan Toney may be banned until 2024, but Spurs could still see a huge upside in bringing him to the club.
    Last season, the 27-year-old was only outscored in the Premier League by Erling Haaland and Kane.
    The Englishman has netted 32 top-flight goals in 68 games for the Bees – an astonishing record for a striker playing in a side promoted from the Championship just two years ago.
    But Brentford manager Thomas Frank recently claimed he would want “£100m plus” for his talisman – something that could prove to be a roadblock for Spurs.

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    Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
    Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting could move to Spurs if Kane joins BayernCredit: Getty
    Kane’s arrival at Bayern could spell the end for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting – who has bagged 35 goals in 88 matches since joining the side.
    The former Stoke man, 34, signed a one-year extension with the German giants back in March to keep him at the club until next summer.
    But his game time will drop off a cliff if Kane is to finalise a move to the Bundesliga champions.
    And that could allow Tottenham to offer him more minutes – while they acquire him on the cheap given his contractual situation.
    According to Transfermarkt, his market value stands at around £5m.
    Lautaro Martinez
    Lautaro Martinez is another potential option for SpursCredit: AP
    Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez would be one of the most expensive options Spurs could go for.
    The Argentine, 25, was quoted as being priced at around £75m when linked with a Premier League move last year.
    He is being monitored by Chelsea as they search for a recognised No9 to replace Romelu Lukaku – who is an unwanted man at Stamford Bridge.
    But Spurs’ cash injection following a Kane transfer could make them the frontrunners for Martinez – who has bagged 102 goals in 238 games for Inter.
    Dominic Calvert-Lewin
    Dominic Calvert-Lewin has played second fiddle to Kane for EnglandCredit: Alamy
    Dominic Calvert-Lewin knows what it’s like to fill the boots of Kane – as he has done for England on several occasions.
    Plagued by injuries in recent times, the 26-year-old is a talented striker who frequently shows his quality when fully fit, bagging 47 Premier League goals in 181 games.
    And while he may not be the most exciting signing, he is thought to be available for around £20m as he enters the final two years of his deal at Goodison Park.
    Randal Kolo Muani
    Randal Kolo Muani has been linked with an Eintracht Frankfurt exit for some timeCredit: Getty
    Randal Kolo Muani, 24, has been mooted as a Premier League arrival for some time.
    His 23 goals and 17 assists in 46 games for Eintracht Frankfurt last season have seen him heavily linked with Man Utd.
    He was also a breakout star at the World Cup for France – where he netted in the semi-final.
    But now United – who would have had to pay around £105m for Kolo Muani – look set to sign Hojlund, meaning Tottenham could lead the chase for the French star.
    Brennan Johnson
    Brennan Johnson could allow Richarlison to play through the middleCredit: Alamy
    Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson is an alternative option for Spurs.
    The Welshman, 22, bagged eight Premier League goals for Steve Cooper’s side last season.
    And he could be someone who occupies the right flank for Spurs – while also acting as a goalscoring threat.
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    This would enable Richarlison to move into the centre – with the Brazilian helped out in the goals department by Johnson and Son Heung-min.
    Forest rejected Brentford’s £30m bid for Johnson, so he would set back Spurs even more than that if they were to land him. More