Aston Villa have made a shock enquiry for Tottenham Hotspur forward Dejan Kulusevski as a potential replacement for Moussa Diaby, according to reports. 

France international Diaby has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia this summer, with Italian journalist Rudy Galetti reporting that Villa and Al Ittihad have already agreed terms, while the player has reached a verbal agreement.

That will leave Unai Emery in serious need of a high-quality winger after he guided Aston Villa to Champions League qualification.

One such name to have been whispered has been Spain’s Euro 2024 star Nico Williams, although his high wage demands look to have put Villa off.

Aston Villa to sign Kulusevski?

It looks like Villa will fail in their attempts to sign Willams, but Spurs winger Kulusevski has emerged as another potential replacement for Diaby.

According to a report from Football Transfers (via TBR), Villa have contacted Spurs regarding a possible move for Kulusevski this summer.

However, it’s understood there is no pressure for Tottenham to sell the Sweden international, who still has four years left to run on his contract.

Kulusevski joined Spurs on loan from Juventus for the second half of the 2021/22 campaign and the whole of the following season. That loan was made permanent for £25m (via BBC Sport) in the summer of 2023.

The 24-year-old has so far notched 15 goals and 19 assists in 96 appearances across all competitions for the Lilywhites, becoming a fan favourite thanks to his creativity and high work rate.

But despite his popularity and Tottenham’s strong negotiating position, Football Transfers’ report also states that the London club have begun discussions to sign Portugal international Pedro Neto from Wolves this summer — potentially boosting Villa’s chances of landing Kulusevski.

The post Aston Villa make surprise approach to sign popular Tottenham player appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski has played down suggestions he could be about to join former manager Antonio Conte at Napoli.

Conte has agreed a three year deal to become Napoli’s next manager with an official announcement expected soon.

The Italian left Spurs in March 2023 and has now been chosen as the man to get Napoli back challenging at the top end of Serie A after a disastrous title defence last season, which saw them finish tenth.

Kulusevski rules out reunion with Conte

Whilst Conte’s reputation in the Premier League may have been damaged by his spell in north London he is still highly regarded in Italy.

The 54-year old has won the Serie A title on four occasions across spells at Inter Milan and Juventus, but has a reputation for falling out with the higher ups if he isn’t given what he wants, especially in the transfer market.

Conte likes to be backed with signings and following his imminent arrival in Naples he has been linked with a move for a number of his former Spurs players.

Kulusevski and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg have been earmarked as potential targets, whilst defender Radu Dragusin who only arrived from Italy in January has been linked with a return back to Serie A.

When asked about the links to Napoli Kulusevski said he didn’t know anything about it, but admitted it would be good to see Conte him back in football.

“I don’t know anything about that, I have heard that Conte is going there,” he told Aftonbladet.

More Stories / Latest News

Eddie Howe admits Newcastle “fought really hard” to keep Liverpool away from £45m ace

Jul 23 2024, 15:32

Exclusive: Arsenal transfer target could move for €25-30m, two other clubs have had bids rejected so far

Jul 23 2024, 14:26

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

“It will be fun to see him there, to see him back in football.”

The Sweden international joined Spurs from Italian side Juventus in 2023 after initially joining the club on loan, and has gone on to make 96 appearances to date, scoring 15 goals and providing 19 assists.

The post Spurs star plays down suggestions of a reunion with Antonio Conte at Napoli appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has been critical of one of his players.

The North London club finished in fifth place in the Premier League, two points behind Aston Villa who managed to qualify for the Champions League.

Spurs started their season in promising fashion, with the Premier League club winning eight of their first ten matches in the league.

However, a dip in form this year proved to be detrimental for Postecoglou in his debut season at the club.

The Spurs manager has admitted that the form of one of his players has been frustrating this season.

Postecoglou has named Dejan Kulusevski, who scored twice on the final day of the season, as having a frustrating season.

The player was benched in Tottenham’s last big match of the season, a home clash against Manchester City.

After the victory yesterday, Postecoglou was questioned by the Tottenham media team over Kulusevski’s performance.

“Deki was good today,” Postecoglou said. “He’s had a bit of a frustrating year, he has worked awfully hard.

More Stories / Latest News

Eddie Howe admits Newcastle “fought really hard” to keep Liverpool away from £45m ace

Jul 23 2024, 15:32

Exclusive: Arsenal transfer target could move for €25-30m, two other clubs have had bids rejected so far

Jul 23 2024, 14:26

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

“I just felt playing him there today might give him some freedom to move around and cause problems which I thought he did. Pleased for him to get the goals but worked hard for the team which was important.”

“I thought it was good, it was important to finish the season off with a positive performance and a positive result.”

Ange’s thoughts after finishing the campaign with a win at Bramall Lane pic.twitter.com/i2bzDUxAdg

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 19, 2024

Kulusevski operated in a false nine role against Sheffield United yesterday and he looked like better suited to that role.

It might be an indication to Postecoglou about how to make use of the Sweden international, who struggled last season to play on the right hand side of the attack.

Kulusevski can be useful for Tottenham

The former Juventus player is capable of producing better numbers in terms of goals and assists, provided he takes up the right positions in attack.

Even if his form hasn’t been the best this season, the manager has relied on the left-footed attacker this season, playing him in 36 Premier League matches.

The Swede scored eight goals and provided three assists for Spurs in a season that could have gone a lot better individually and collectively as a team for them.

The post Postecoglou claims Tottenham striker wasn’t good enough this season appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Pedro Porro has doubled his side’s lead with an incredible strike from the edge of the box to make it 2-0 at Bramall Lane before Dejan Kulusevski grabbed his brace.

With Champions League football now out of reach, Ange Postecoglou’s side travelled to the already relegated Sheffield United to put a shine on the end of their season.

Dejan Kulusevski opened the scoring after just 14 minutes before Porro doubled that lead in the second half with a stunning strike.

Kulusevski grabbed his brace six minutes later when he guided the ball past the Sheffield United goalkeeper and into the far corner.

| GOAL: PEDRO PORRO DOUBLES THE LEAD!!

Sheffield 0-2 Tottenham

pic.twitter.com/4YwvFCu9Wr

— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) May 19, 2024

Video courtesy of Via Play

GOAL: Kulusevski! 3-0! pic.twitter.com/U9nx3JL7pA

— SpursOTM (@SpurOTM) May 19, 2024

Video courtesy of Via Play

The post Video: Pedro Porro scores with unstoppable strike before Dejan Kulusevski makes it 3-0 appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Dejan Kulusevski has opened the scoring for Tottenham against Sheffield United.

The goal came from a brilliant tackle by Micky van de Ven, who regained possession on the left side before passing it to James Maddison.

The former Leicester player’s first touch isn’t the best, but the ball falls to Tottenham captain Heung-min Son.

Son managed to kick it just enough to place it in Kulusevski’s path, who then finished it past the Sheffield goalkeeper.

Watch the goal below:

GOAL: Kulusevski! 1-0!pic.twitter.com/5vRJRVJZ32

— SpursOTM (@SpurOTM) May 19, 2024

More Stories / Latest News

Eddie Howe admits Newcastle “fought really hard” to keep Liverpool away from £45m ace

Jul 23 2024, 15:32

Exclusive: Arsenal transfer target could move for €25-30m, two other clubs have had bids rejected so far

Jul 23 2024, 14:26

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

The post Video: Dejan Kulusevski gives Tottenham the lead against Sheffield United appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham are set for a busy summer transfer window with the club on the verge of securing European football for next season.

After losing out on Champions League qualification following their defeat against Manchester City, Spurs are poised to make a return to the Europa League.

One of their key players is being targeted by AS Roma manager Daniel De Rossi.

The former Italian midfielder, who has done a decent job since taking over at the club after Jose Mourinho’s sacking at the beginning of the year, is preparing for the summer transfer window.

The Italian giants “really like” Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski and are planning a surprise move for him, according to a report from AsRomaLive.

In the winter of 2022, the Swedish international moved to England.

Even though it was only a loan agreement at first, there was an obligation to buy clause that made the transfer permanent in the summer of 2023.

He was signed by the North London club from Juventus for a reported fee of about £25m, as reported by BBC Sport at the time.

Federico Chiesa of Juventus and Kulusevski are mentioned as players that might function well in De Rossi’s style, although the Italian team is still searching for a new sporting director.

More Stories / Latest News

Eddie Howe admits Newcastle “fought really hard” to keep Liverpool away from £45m ace

Jul 23 2024, 15:32

Exclusive: Arsenal transfer target could move for €25-30m, two other clubs have had bids rejected so far

Jul 23 2024, 14:26

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

The report also notes that the Spurs player has prior Serie A experience, having signed from Juventus.

Another factor that could escalate the deal is the Tottenham player shares the same agent as Roma manager De Rossi.

The Sweden international has been a regular starter under Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham.

He has appeared in 35 Premier League matches this season, scoring six goals and providing three assists.

Kulusevski has started regularly at Tottenham

The former Juventus player has been a reliable option for Spurs from the wide position and the manager has shown his faith in the player.

Tottenham would want to keep the player at the club and they are in a strong position since his contract expires in 2028.

Only an outrageous offer from the Italian club would make Spurs consider a move, although that looks unlikely considering Roma’s financial position.

The post European giants want Tottenham star to join their attack for next season appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Broadcaster Simon Jordan has never been backwards in coming forwards with an opinion, and he’s fired his latest broadside at three players that he doesn’t believe are good enough to play for Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Lilywhites have enjoyed a good first season under the Australian, though they have been found wanting in certain areas over the course of the 2023/24 campaign.

Postecoglou will surely be looking at whether his choices have improved the North Londoners when compared to the previous regime, and there has arguably been progression.

Simon Jordan says three Spurs players aren’t good enough

However, Jordan still believes that certain players have a way to go to convince that they’re right for the club.

‘I have my doubts about players such as Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski, too, while Timo Werner is a speedboat without a brain,’ he wrote in his Daily Mail column, cited by Sports View.

‘I’m not convinced they are good enough, and Postecoglou will need to upgrade a number of players if Spurs are to close the gap on the teams above them.’

More Stories / Latest News

Eddie Howe admits Newcastle “fought really hard” to keep Liverpool away from £45m ace

Jul 23 2024, 15:32

Exclusive: Arsenal transfer target could move for €25-30m, two other clubs have had bids rejected so far

Jul 23 2024, 14:26

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

If Spurs want to be considered amongst the Premier League’s elite clubs then Jordan, as ever, is right on the money.

However, Rome wasn’t built in a day and Postecoglou’s project shouldn’t be judged over one season.

The post Simon Jordan says Tottenham trio are not good enough to play for Ange Postecoglou appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham will be looking to deal a big blow to the title hopes of their North London rivals Arsenal by taking points of the Gunners during Sunday’s derby but stopping Mikel Arteta’s team is a hard task. 

A defeat to Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium two weeks ago gave Man City control over where the Premier League crown ends up this season but Arsenal have responded emphatically with two wins over Wolves and Chelsea.

Many are expecting Arteta’s men to win their remaining four matches to put the pressure on City but Sunday’s clash against North London rivals Tottenham will be a huge hurdle for the Gunners to overcome.

Arsenal come into the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with their confidence high after hammering Chelsea 5-0 midweek and Arteta must have been impressed with his team as the Spanish coach has named an unchanged starting 11.

Arsenal confirmed starting 11

? ???????? ??

Unchanged from last time out.

Time to give our all, Gunners ? pic.twitter.com/8nUbOKdjYk

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 28, 2024

More Stories / Latest News

Eddie Howe admits Newcastle “fought really hard” to keep Liverpool away from £45m ace

Jul 23 2024, 15:32

Exclusive: Arsenal transfer target could move for €25-30m, two other clubs have had bids rejected so far

Jul 23 2024, 14:26

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

As for Tottenham, Ange Postecoglu’s team have not played a game for over two weeks and that was a 4-0 hammering to Newcastle at St James’ Park. This is not ideal preparation for a match with Arsenal but Spurs will be confident of getting a result with their home fans behind them.

The hosts have their own goals to achieve throughout the remainder of the season and need three points to close the gap to fourth-placed Aston Villa. The Birmingham club dropped points to Chelsea on Saturday and that will give Tottenham further motivation for Sunday’s clash.

Postecoglu has made three changes from the Newcastle defeat, which sees Destiny Udogie, Yves Bissouma and Brennan Johnson replaced by Ben Davies, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Dejan Kulusevski.

Richarlison also returns for Spurs and the Brazilian has been named on the bench.

Tottenham confirmed starting 11

Up the Spurs! ? pic.twitter.com/5TH5rYyGko

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 28, 2024

The post Tottenham vs Arsenal confirmed team news: Dejan Kulusevski starts for Spurs appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham Hotspur crashed to a disappointing defeat against Newcastle United in the Premier League at the weekend.

The North London club are currently pushing for Champions League qualification and they cannot afford to drop points at the stage of the campaign. The defeat against Newcastle coupled with Aston Villa’s outstanding win away to Arsenal will have come as a major blow to Tottenham.

Popular pundit Micah Richards has now claimed that Spurs are still a very good team, but they need more cutting edge in the final third.

Richards added that they have been slightly unlucky as well. He believes that James Maddison got injured at a bad time for the club and losing Son Heung-min during the Asian Cup affected their performance as well.

Tottenham started the season really well and losing players like Maddison affected their momentum. He also believes that Swedish winger Dejan Kulusevski has lost his edge in recent weeks and he is not quite the same player right now. The winger looked much more effective during the first half of the season.

Spurs had to be without Richarlison as well because of an injury blow.

He explained on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast: “I think it’s unfair for people to say Spurs have not been as… they have just done what they usually do all season, they are just basically not scoring or finishing off their chances.

“Maddison got injured at a bad time, Son went to the Asian Cup which killed their momentum a little bit, Kulusevski doesn’t look quite the same, Richarlison then got injured, but they are still a very good team.”

More Stories / Latest News

Eddie Howe admits Newcastle “fought really hard” to keep Liverpool away from £45m ace

Jul 23 2024, 15:32

Exclusive: Arsenal transfer target could move for €25-30m, two other clubs have had bids rejected so far

Jul 23 2024, 14:26

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

Can Spurs finish in top four?

There is no doubt that they have a quality team, but they have clearly had quite a few setbacks. It will be interesting to see if they can still finish the season strongly and secure Champions League qualification for the next season. Missing out on a top-four finish would be a major blow for them, especially after coming this close.

It will be interesting to see if players like Kulusevski can get back to their best once again and help Spurs win their remaining games of the season.

The post Micah Richards feels Tottenham player ‘doesn’t look quite the same’ anymore appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham attacking midfielder Dejan Kulusevski has made it clear that he doesn’t think he’s currently playing in his best position under Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou.

The Sweden international has had a decent spell at Tottenham since joining from Juventus, initially on loan, and then permanently, but it seems he’s not entirely convinced that the club have been getting the best out of him.

Kulusevski has filled in a variety of roles and is capable of doing that, but he’s often ended up playing out wide and he has made it clear he sees himself as more of a central player, or number 10, in the long run.

Speaking during an interview with Tottenham’s official channel, Kulusevski said: “That was my position back then, mezzala (a half winger or wide central midfielder).

More Stories / Latest News

Eddie Howe admits Newcastle “fought really hard” to keep Liverpool away from £45m ace

Jul 23 2024, 15:32

Exclusive: Arsenal transfer target could move for €25-30m, two other clubs have had bids rejected so far

Jul 23 2024, 14:26

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

“Nah (when asked if this position at Spurs is now his role). I think that in the future – when I’m gonna be at my best – I think it’s gonna be in a central role, but for now, you know, you can adapt.”

THFC fans will hope Kulusevski is happy with how things are going at the club right now, but this might perhaps be a hint that things could be better, so it will be interesting to see if Postecoglou responds in some way.

The post Tottenham ace claims Postecoglou is not using him in his best position appeared first on CaughtOffside.