Tottenham Made Their “Stance” Clear About Transfer Window With Marseille Approach

Tottenham’s focus in the final week of the transfer window clear with Marseille approach

Tottenham have a week left of the transfer window and there is still plenty to be done inside the north London club.

Spurs have signed a new £65million striker in Dominic Solanke, a £40million midfielder in Archie Gray, a £30million winger in Wilson Odobert, plus a loan return for Timo Werner, a January deal set up for South Korean winger Yang Min-Hyeok and the summer arrival of Lucas Bergvall.

The club have also undertaken a massive overhaul of Ange Postecoglou’s squad with Oliver Skipp, Emerson Royal, Joe Rodon, Eric Dier, Ryan Sessegnon, Tanguy Ndombele, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Ivan Perisic, Japhet Tanganga, Troy Parrott, Bryan Gil, Alejo Veliz and Dane Scarlett all leaving this summer alone with Sergio Reguilon, Giovani Lo Celso and Manor Solomon expected to join them.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold answered your questions about the club and the remainder of the transfer window this week. You can find the full transcript below.

hamzahaj: “After both Skipp and Hojbjerg leaving is there a chance that we would sign a defensive midfielder?”

Alasdair says: “I think Spurs will continue to look at opportunities across the market in most positions, but I wouldn’t underestimate just how good Archie Gray is. I’ve been banging on about how talented he is all summer and he’s wowed Postecoglou and the coaching staff. He’s just won the Championship Young Player of the Year award this week. You don’t get that and play 52 times in that physical league without being ready for the hustle and bustle of the Premier League. He’s not some 18-year-old rookie just experiencing first team football. He’s had a year’s worth of tough week in, week out exposure to it. I think he will see himself as an eight but I think he’s disciplined enough to play a big part as a six.”

cookieblade: “Do you see Lucas and Archie starting for us week in week out soon enough, how does Ange feel about the both of them moving forward?”

Alasdair says: “I see them getting plenty of minutes in the coming months and starting lots of matches. They’ve been a huge success this summer and have proved in both training and the summer matches to be more than ready. I felt that both on their Premier League debuts on Monday night looked really sharp and comfortable. Don’t forget that Postecoglou has previously said how he relishes working with young players because they’re more mouldable, adaptable and often hungrier than older ones. Gray and Bergvall are also incredibly talented players and Postecoglou is delighted with them.”

Okan5858: “Are there any further transfers planned?”

Alasdair says: “I would be surprised if Spurs don’t make at least one more signing before the window closes. I think the focus right now will be on moving Lo Celso, Reguilon and Solomon out of the club as well as loans for players like Devine and Phillips because they’ve got a lot of midfielders/wingers right now, while Reguilon and Phillips need to head out for differing reasons.

“Tottenham will continue to look at what’s available in the market but I get the impression that Postecoglou is happy with a lot of what he’s got across various departments. You could see that in the strength of the bench on Monday night. Any chance to add depth will be taken with all of the games ahead, but (and I’ll whisper it quietly) don’t forget that just creates more decisions to make with the European squad registration and more player would likely have to leave.”

gollum555: “What’s the goalkeeper pecking order at the moment? Also what’s happening with Forster and Austin, are we bringing another in, and will any be loaned out?”

Alasdair says: “Monday night seemed to suggest that Austin is the number two now, unless Postecoglou just felt that Forster isn’t sharp enough yet after so long out. Whiteman needs a move really but that would leave Spurs with Austin as the only senior club-trained player in the entire squad.

“I do feel that Tottenham could do with another strong option to give Vicario some experienced competition/back-up due to Forster’s age and recent injury, but whether that happens in this window or the next remains to be seen.”

mddav2: “Ally is it safe to say you are now one of Ange’s top journo mates?”

Alasdair says: “I very much doubt it. I think we’ve built up something of a rapport as I’m constantly there every week at home, away and abroad asking him daft questions, but I don’t think Ange is the kind of guy who gets that close to people outside his inner circle of family and friends back home.”

cally2722: “Any idea what is happening with Alfie Devine? Loan or keep for Europe?”

Alasdair says: “A loan move if they can decide on the right one. Alfie needs to play football. I thought he did really well this summer when called upon, but it’s a packed midfield at Spurs and he needs lots of minutes to continue to develop.”

johnher: “What happened with Soonsup-Bell? Did they choose to leave or were they not wanted with the competition? Seemed to be a lot of excitement before.”

Alasdair says: “I think Jude has been an excellent player for the U21s, but there was a lot of competition for a spot in the senior team and he never really seemed to get close to being a part of it. We’ve seen Mikey Moore playing on the right wing for Postecoglou and Will Lankshear up top, with Jamie Donley in and around the set-up before his loan.

“It’s a good move for Soonsup-Bell to get his senior career going in Spain. He’ll be there today doing his medical and tying up the permanent move. There’s no fee but Spurs will get 40% of any future sale and the player will sign a two-year deal with an option for a third.”

mteacher9021: “Is Odobert available for the game against Everton?”

Alasdair says: “He’s available for selection now. The work permit situation was unfortunate in the sense of timing. He signed on the Friday so nothing could get processed over the weekend with the Home Office offices closed and it was all done on Tuesday, so Odobert has been training and will be a contender for a spot on Saturday. Someone will have to miss out if he comes into the squad.”

runar: “I didn’t see the Leicester game. Was the knock on Porro bad or will he be back at it this weekend?”

Alasdair says: “It looked to me like an impact injury but that’s just me looking from afar in the press box at the stadium. Postecoglou will deliver the latest on Pedro Porro and Rodrigo Bentancur tomorrow at his press conference.”