Tottenham will likely shift their transfer focus onto their forward line now, having completed a number of deals at the back and in midfield already in this summer transfer window.

Spurs have completed five new signings this summer, with a sixth done bar official confirmation in a real statement of intent to the rest of the Premier League.

Having finished in 17th place in each of the last two seasons, new head coach Roberto De Zerbi has got to work in transforming the squad he inherited and Spurs are now bucking their trend when it comes to both transfer fees and wages.

Spurs to break club record twice in a week

via Reuters

The Lilywhites broke their club transfer record this week by completing the £85million signing of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United. But that record will stand for only a matter of days. An agreement has been reached for the transfer of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United and when that is confirmed he will become the club’s new record signing at £92.5million, increasing to £100million in add-ons.

Those two midfield signings followed the defensive additions of Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, with Martin Dubravka also coming in as back-up goalkeeper.

Attacking changes are likely to be made, with question marks over the future of last season’s top scorer Richarlison and a number of players still missing through long-term injury.

Tottenham are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Bournemouth star Eli Junior Kroupi this summer after his breakout season in the Premier League.

The now 20-year-old broke the record for the most goals scored in a season by a teenager, beating the record which had been held by both Robbie Fowler and Robbie Keane.

The Cherries have slapped an £80million price tag on his shoulders, but despite that valuation, reports have surfaced that Spurs chiefs are ‘confident’ of getting a deal done. There have also been suggestions that Kroupi, described as ‘world-class’ by analytical site Squawka, would be open to the move to north London this summer.

Tottenham would face strong competition for his signature this summer, with a number of other Premier League clubs weighing up a move for the frontman, as well as Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain showing an interest.

football.london’s Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold delivered an update on his future on the Talking Tottenham podcast.

Tottenham interest in Junior Kroupi confirmed

via Reuters

He said: “There’s interest, of course, but everyone’s interested, he’s one of the young stars of the Premier League, everyone wants him.

“This new version of Tottenham, they have certainly gone at deals this summer where there was opposition and they’ve come out of the other side.

“I’m hearing Bournemouth have got no intention of selling, but we’ll see if that’s tested as the summer goes on.

“I’m fascinated to see if Spurs are going after bigger targets, proper targets, not targets that might be good, but targets we know are already good, I’m fascinated to see how they approach that situation.

“You’re probably not taking on one or two clubs, you’re taking on half of Europe.”

Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill has accused Kylian Mbappe of ignoring his attempt to shake hands after France‘s last-32 win, sparking a brief flashpoint as both sides left the pitch.

Paraguay’s exit from the World Cup was overshadowed by a post-match flare-up between goalkeeper Orlando Gill and Mbappe, following what was a tense second-half full of frustrations, fouls and a questionable refereeing performance.

Gill offered his hand to the French forward after the final whistle in Philadelphia, only for the Real Madrid striker to walk past, still celebrating with the crowd. The San Lorenzo ‘keeper responded by throwing the match ball at Mbappe’s back, triggering a brief confrontation near the centre circle.

Gill Hits Out at Mbappe’s Reaction

Dylan Martinez via Reuters

Speaking afterwards (per The Sun), Gill made no attempt to hide his frustration, saying: “Kylian Mbappe has p***ed me off. I stretched my hand to congratulate him, but he ignored me.” He said he’d stretched out his hand to congratulate the France striker but was snubbed, framing the snub as typical of how bigger nations react to Paraguay’s combative style.

Gill doubled down on that approach, making clear his side had set out from the first whistle to make their physical presence felt whenever the ball came near.

The incident capped a bruising night for Paraguay, who committed a flurry of fouls without picking up a single yellow card — a decision that’s already drawn separate criticism of the referee.

What made matters worse is that France were awarded three yellow cards in total despite all the aggressive play coming from the likes of Juan Jose Caceres, Andres Cubas and Matias Galarza. With the latter honing in on Mbappe in the dying minutes of the game.

Mbappe Says France Were Braced for a Physical Battle

Kyle Rodden/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA

Mbappe, who scored the game’s only goal from the penalty spot in the 70th minute, said France had gone in fully expecting a tough, combative test rather than an open game.

He suggested Paraguay had misjudged France as a side that would only try to play through neat combinations, insisting Les Bleus showed they could match the physicality when required.

It’s a notion that Rayan Cherki shared in his post-match interview, noting France’s resilience in the face of Paraguay’s aggression.

France progressed to the quarter-finals, where they’ll face Morocco in a repeat of their 2022 semi-final clash, while Paraguay head home after the last-32 defeat.

Morocco and France will lock horns for the second World Cup in a row, with Les Bleus enjoying a 2-0 victory over the African nation in Qatar in 2022.

Manchester United have opened talks to sign a Brazilian midfielder, according to David Ornstein.

It’s no secret that the Red Devils are pushing to bring in multiple midfield additions in the summer transfer window as they look to replace Casemiro.

United do appear to be closing in on a move to sign Ederson from Atalanta, but any deal has slowed down due to his involvement at the World Cup.

Either way, the Red Devils need to bring in multiple midfield reinforcements in the summer transfer window, especially if Manuel Ugarte’s injury is serious.

Casemiro’s departure leaves a big hole in the midfield of United, and they need a bigger squad regardless due to competing in the Champions League.

Man Utd Open Talks for Midfielder

According to The Athletic’s Ornstein, Manchester United have held talks with the agent of Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos in the summer transfer window.

Santos, described as world-class by former manager Liam Rosenior, is looking to establish himself as a regular starter, and that is unlikely to happen at Chelsea going forward.

United are yet to hold talks with Chelsea for the Brazilian midfielder, but multiple suitors have contacted his agent.

Chelsea do value the midfielder highly, but they would not block a move if it suited all parties involved.

It remains to be seen how much Chelsea are going to demand for Santos in the summer transfer window, but United have already made their move.

Man Utd’s priority isn’t changing

Manchester United’s priority in the summer transfer window clearly isn’t changing as they look to bring in new midfield additions.

The Red Devils have been working tirelessly to try and strengthen in this position, but they have struggled to get deals over the line over the last few months.

Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes were both key targets for the Manchester club, but they have joined Manchester City and Tottenham, respectively.

United need to ensure that they start getting deals over the line, or they could end up panic-buying towards the end of the summer transfer window.