Tottenham are said to be keen on a talented young midfielder as they look to repeat the success they have already had with the signing of Archie Gray. Spurs are fully focused on improving their squad this summer as they look to become European qualification contenders next season.

Roberto De Zerbi is to be handed a war chest to improve his squad, although the club will have plenty of say in who is signed this summer. Ready-made starters are being targeted to improve the quality of the starting XI, but Spurs must also keep an eye on the future, and they are always in the market for the best young talent available.

De Cat race begins

Spurs are said to be interested in Anderlecht star Nathan De Cat, who has been dazzling at just 17 years of age. The central midfielder is already a regular for the Belgian club’s senior team, racking up 46 appearances across all competitions, while he also contributed three goals and five assists.

The box-to-box midfielder has a year remaining on his contract, putting Anderlecht in a tricky position as clubs begin to circle for their talented youngster. De Cat has been linked with a host of clubs, including Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, and Tottenham are named as the main source of Premier League interest by TEAMtalk, although other Premier League clubs are said to have inquired.

Tottenham are said to have formalised their interest with ‘extensive contact’, asking Anderlecht about the conditions of a possible deal this summer. Spurs are said to view De Cat as a deep-lying midfielder who can go on to become a starter, with the player being described by one notorious scout as ‘the future of Belgian football’.

Spurs success with youngsters

Tottenham have had plenty of success in signing young talents over the years, be it Gareth Bale, Lucas Bergvall or Archie Gray. Gray, in particular, has been a real success story, already becoming a regular starter while a teenager, although he is now 20 years of age.

Gray is a midfielder just like De Cat, but he is able to perform at a remarkable level at centre-back and full-back, especially given his youth and relative lack of experience.

Spurs paid £40million to Leeds United for Gray, and with each of his two seasons at the club it has looked increasingly as though that fee was a bargain. The 20-year-old is well on his way to being an England international, and indeed an England regular.

It will be hoped De Cat can follow a similar progression should Spurs manage to get their hands on him.

Manchester United are said to be interested in a quickly-ascending attacking midfielder who has already attracted a Premier League offer this summer. The Red Devils have already invested in their squad this summer with the signing of Ederson, and more signings are expected to follow.

Michael Carrick has holes to fill, especially in the midfield and at left-back, and despite the signing of Ederson, we could well see another two signings in the middle of the park between a defensive midfielder and one capable of adding to the attack.

And another name has now emerged when it comes to the latter.

Baturina could be an option for Man Utd

REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Croatia midfielder Martin Butarina is said to be a possible option for United this summer, and interest in the creative midfielder is increasing rapidly. The Como star is coming off the back of an impressive season that saw him score eight and assist four to help Cesc Fabregas’ side to European qualification in Serie A.

Butarina, who is still only 23 years of age, is with Croatia at the World Cup this summer, and he scored against England with a super-strike in his nation’s group stage opener, though it ended in a 4-2 defeat.

Even before then, interest in the ‘creative genius’ was building quickly, and Sky Italia say a €50m Premier League offer has already been rejected this summer. Speculation suggests that the offer came from Aston Villa, but the club is unconfirmed.

Sky Sports Italia say United are among the clubs interested in the Croatian this summer, even if their main focus is likely to be on the holding role as they look to replace Casemiro.

A host of Italian clubs are also credited with an interest at this stage.

Fabregas praise for Baturina

Speaking last year, Como boss Fabregas praised Baturina and his importance to his team. He said: “He showed he deserves to play, he showed what kind of player he is. Baturina can still show much more, there’s a lot in him. He scored against Milan and Monaco, he is a player of great quality. Yes, he has to keep working, and he did a very important defensive job as well, just like Nico Paz. That’s the kind of work that often goes unnoticed.”

“Baturina must be part of Como’s present and future. I have to find the right position for him because it’s not ideal for him to occupy the same space as Nico. Tactically, we can use him in other roles. I think he can play as part of a midfield duo, but he must remain calm. I believe in him; he has shown me a lot.”

He added a little later in the year: “He’s a very intelligent player, He can play with anyone.”

Liverpool have made contact to sign Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Micky van de Ven, according to a reliable reporter in the Netherlands.

Liverpool’s main transfer priority right now appears to be strengthening in the wide positions, with a £34m deal to sign Osasuna winger Victor Munoz confirmed on Thursday night.

News of the move for the Spain international only emerged on Wednesday night, when it was confirmed that the Merseyside outfit had hijacked Newcastle United’s move for the left-sided forward at the last minute.

Munoz has signed a six-year deal at Anfield and become Andoni Iraola’s first signing since he was appointed as Arne Slot’s successor at the beginning of the month.

Liverpool have also now seen a bid rejected for their preferred Mohamed Salah replacement on Thursday, with RB Leipzig turning down their proposal worth €100m for the Ivory Coast sensation.

Fabrizio Romano reports that the German club want €120m to even begin considering an exit for the teenager, who has become one of the most sought-after young talents in Europe.

The Reds must now decide if they’re going to return with an improved offer for the explosive winger, or turn their attentions elsewhere.

Club chiefs are clearly looking at strengthening other positions too.

Liverpool ‘Knock on the Door’ for Micky van de Ven

via Reuters

According to respected Dutch journalist Mike Verweij on Thursday night, Liverpool and Barcelona are now knocking on the door for Tottenham defender Van de Ven.

The Telegraaf reporter claims that the European giants have made contact after an impasse in contract talks between the Netherlands international and Spurs.

GIVEMESPORT sources reported previously that there was an openness from the 25-year-old to pen new terms at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi, but there has been no breakthrough as of yet.

Liverpool are circling though, as they consider adding another new centre-back to their ranks following the departure of Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid, with new boy Jeremy Jacquet and last summer’s signing Giovanni Leoni without a Premier League appearance between them.

Van de Ven Would Boost Liverpool Defence

via Reuters

Liverpool conceded the most goals they ever have in a Premier League season last term, and Iraola will know that record needs to improve if the Reds are to become title contenders again next term.

As things stand, his options at centre-back are the captain Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, as well as the inexperienced Jacquet and Leoni, who is returning from a long-term injury.

It would be no surprise that Iraola may want another experienced body in that position to help them in the Premier League and the Champions League, and Van de Ven would fit the bill having played in both competitions.

The other obvious advantage of signing Van de Ven is that Van Dijk already has an existing relationship with him, having played alongside him for the Netherlands, as they did in their opening 2026 World Cup group match against Japan.