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.
CONOR GALLAGHER CONFIRMED AS "VITAL" STARTER FOR SPURS FOLLOWING BENTANCUR’S INJURY LAYOFF
Conor Gallagher proved the doubters wrong against Man City. Discover why his €40m move to Tottenham is finally paying off for Spurs.
Chelsea and Atletico Madrid both decided Conor Gallagher wasn’t worth the trouble. At Chelsea, he had his moments—Pochettino liked him, but the fans never really warmed up. When Chelsea shipped him off to Atletico, it made sense. Enzo Fernandez stepped up, took over Gallagher’s role, and fit in perfectly next to Caicedo, with Cole Palmer adding that extra spark up front.
Things didn’t get much better for Gallagher in Spain. He barely got a chance at Atleti, lost his spot in the starting eleven, and pretty much ended up on the transfer list before anyone had time to blink. Interest was lukewarm at best until the winter window rolled around. Aston Villa wanted him and went after him pretty aggressively, but then Tottenham swooped in late. Spurs needed someone to patch up the midfield after Bentancur’s injury, so they just paid up—40 million euros, no hesitation.
His start at Tottenham? Rough. Honestly, that was to be expected. He’d played well at Palace before, but after his struggles at Atleti, he needed time to adjust. Sitting on the bench in Spain didn’t do him any favours.
Then Gallagher showed up. People doubted whether he could really add creativity and move the ball forward for Spurs, so his early struggles got people worried. But then came the 2-2 draw against Manchester City. He suddenly looked like the player both Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank were so desperate to sign.
Against City, Gallagher flipped the script. He set up a crucial assist, drove play forward on the dribble, and kept drawing fouls—everything the Spurs needed. Defensively, he was all over the place in a good way: two tackles, three interceptions, a full 90 minutes, and a huge part of the Spurs clawing their way back into the game.
Tottenham fans loved it. They saw the effort, the attitude, and the hunger to win. Gallagher just wouldn’t quit, and in that second half, he, Xavi Simons, Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke ran the show. Four of those guys have been carrying Spurs lately, so Gallagher is fitting right in with them. That’s a pretty good sign he’s going to work out just fine in North London.
AC MILAN MEDICAL FAILURE: THE HIDDEN KNEE INJURY THAT CRUSHED MATETA’S £30M MOVE
Jean-Philippe Mateta's £30m move to AC Milan is OFF. Discover why a failed medical has put his France World Cup dreams in jeopardy.