TOTTENHAM SPURS NOW FAVOURITES AFTER €30M BID REVEALED
Tottenham and Aston Villa are leading the chase for Vasco da Gama's star forward Rayan. The Brazilian club is preparing for a sale or a new contract to fend off interest from the Premier League clubs.
Rayan, Vasco da Gama's highly regarded forward, is still firmly in the sights of Tottenham and Aston Villa. According to recent sources from Brazil, the Rio de Janeiro club is getting ready for both his possible exit and the prospect of extending his contract.
At São Januário, the 19-year-old's future has taken centre stage, according to the Portuguese publication O Dia. The board now believes it is more likely that he will go before the year is over. They have already outlined the deal's financial structure.
For Tottenham, Aston Villa, and others, that makes it obvious.
Although sources say a transfer could feasibly be completed around €20 million (£17.1 million) with an additional €5 million (£4.3 million) in performance-related bonuses, Vasco is prepared to begin negotiations for offers starting at €30 million (£25.7 million).
The team has started preparing for the upcoming season without Rayan after quietly acknowledging that his attendance in 2026 is unlikely.
But the narrative has taken a fresh turn thanks to Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola. He says Pedrinho, the president of Vasco, is negotiating Rayan's new contract. months following his prior April extension.
The goal is to extend the agreement past December 2026 so the player will not be able to sign a pre-contract starting in July of the following year. Additionally, Vasco plans to increase his release clause from €40 million to €50–60 million. With his current monthly salary of almost €85,000, they would put him among the club's greatest earners.
The player is being "re-shielded" in response to mounting pressure from Europe. Tottenham dispatched scouts to Brazil early this year and has been keeping a close eye on him for months. According to reports, they are now the front-runners to sign the striker.
Nicola claims that the London team is prepared to pay up to €30 million to sign him, which would be in line with Vasco's desired price range. Aston Villa is a contender as well.
The fact that other teams like Barcelona, Chelsea, Brighton, Porto, Fiorentina, Zenit, and even Nottingham Forest have been brought up at various points shows how widespread the desire has grown.
Vasco is now faced with a difficult choice between two approaches. Before December, they might take advantage of Rayan's skyrocketing market worth or act swiftly to extend and solidify their hold over his future.
In any case, the teen's ascent has made him one of South America's most sought-after athletes. At the centre of the chase are Tottenham and Aston Villa.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
Must Read
