FROM MUNICH TO LONDON? THE SECRET REASON LEON GORETZKA WANTS TOTTENHAM MOVE NOW

Thomas Frank is ready to spend! Discover why Ruben Neves, Dusan Vlahovic, and Leon Goretzka are on Tottenham's 2026 transfer radar.

From Munich To London? The Secret Reason Leon Goretzka Wants Tottenham Move Now
Vlahovic And Goretzka Linked With Spurs Pre-Contract Moves

Looks like Tottenham might be busy during the January transfer window. Thomas Frank himself suggested as much.

We'll definitely be in the market, no doubt, the Dane said. We want new players in as early as possible, like always, and we'll see if we can get anyone before January 31st.

The winter window isn't just about signing players for now, though. Premier League clubs can chat with players in foreign leagues whose contracts are up in the summer, aiming for a pre-contract agreement for a free summer transfer.

Tottenham could take advantage of this, as quite a few players could be signed for free next summer.

Here are three players who might interest Tottenham in January...

Ruben Neves

Neves left Wolves for Al Hilal in 2023, but his contract with the Saudi Arabian club ends next summer. At 28, he captained Wolves when they were promoted to the Premier League in 2018 and played over 250 times for them in six years, so he has tons of experience. Al Hilal reportedly paid £47 million for him, so getting him for free would be a great move for Tottenham. But he'll probably have a lot of offers, and Spurs might even try to buy the Portuguese star in January for less money.

Dusan Vlahovic

The Serbian player is a surprise pick. Word is, Vlahovic doesn't plan to renew his Juventus contract, so he's expected to leave next summer. At 25, he's previously been linked to the Premier League, especially Arsenal in 2021. He’d give Frank more choices besides Dominic Solanke and Richarlison. The striker has scored six goals in 17 games for the Italian team this season, and a deal seems possible.

Leon Goretzka

This would be a real statement. The German player has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium recently. At the moment, the midfielder is happy to leave the Bundesliga champions. Goretzka is 30 years old; he has nearly 300 appearances for Bayern. And he'd bring skill and a winning attitude to the Spurs team.

FULHAM TABLE €30M PACKAGE FOR BRAZILIAN MIDFIELDER DANILO TO SEAL SUMMER TRANSFER

Behind the race for Danilo. We look at why Fulham are targeting the in-form Brazilian midfielder for a PL return.

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Fulham lead the race for Danilo as Zenit and Palmeiras push for a deal - Courtesy Picture

Fulham are right in the mix for Danilo now, with the midfielder’s name suddenly buzzing again around the Premier League.

At 24, Danilo turned things around at Botafogo after leaving Nottingham Forest, and he’s on fire lately. He looks like one of the best central midfielders in Brazil right now; his form’s making people take notice, both at home and abroad.

In 2026, Danilo scored 10 goals and picked up 3 assists in 23 games across all competitions. He’s not just padding his stats either; in the league, he has 7 goals in 10 matches. That’s a huge return for a central midfielder. He’s finding the net every 3.14 shots and averages over two shots a game.

Danilo isn’t just about goals, though. He completes about 45 passes a match, with nearly 87% accuracy, and he’s setting up chances too – almost two key passes per game.

So, it’s no surprise that Brazil have him locked in for the next World Cup squad. His profile and transfer value just keep climbing, and now there’s real movement in the market.

Fulham are showing intent with a concrete offer.

According to Globo Esporte, Fulham are ready to pay around €30 million (£26m) for Danilo. They’ve been here before, but this time they’re serious. The offer breaks down as €22m guaranteed and another €8m in bonuses matching Zenit’s proposal. Palmeiras want him as well, but pulling off a domestic transfer looks a lot more complicated.

That kind of money puts Fulham in a great spot, especially since Botafogo’s finances are shaky. The club really needs a big sale this summer, and Danilo’s value is peaking.

Unrest behind the scenes at Botafogo

The timing here isn’t accidental. Danilo’s 2026 surge has made him a leader in the dressing room, especially while Botafogo struggles with financial problems and ownership drama.

Folks inside the club see him as their most valuable asset. Selling him could solve a lot of problems. Earlier this year, things got tense; Danilo’s side even threatened to end his contract over unpaid image rights. And while that got sorted, it highlighted just how unstable things are.

Plus, there was the failed deal to send Danilo back to Nottingham Forest in January, scuppered when legal action stopped John Textor from making transfers unilaterally. Now Textor’s out, and the club has to take its big debts seriously.

Fulham have an open window.

All this makes a summer move feel right. Danilo wanted to stick with Botafogo until after the World Cup, but it’s clear now he’s ready; his stock’s never been higher, and top clubs are circling.

From Fulham’s side, they see a midfielder at his best, already experienced in England, playing well, and eager to come back.

And compared to his stint at Forest, this time things look a lot more promising for everyone involved.

So Fulham are lining everything up. Now, they just have to pull the trigger.

INSIDE CHELSEA’S DUGOUT SEARCH: CONTACT MADE WITH ANDONI IRAOLA’S REPRESENTATIVES FOR NEW ROLE

Chelsea’s hunt for stability: Iraola eyed for head coach, plus news on Nicolas Jackson’s future at Stamford Bridge this summer.

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Chelsea shortlist updated as Andoni Iraola, Xabi Alonso, and Marco Silva emerge - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Andoni Iraola is one of several names Chelsea is considering as their next head coach this summer.

Rosenior. Last week, Chelsea let Rosenior go after just under four months in charge, even though he had more than five years left on his contract.

With seven losses from eight games, Chelsea decided to move on. They've put Calum McFarlane in charge for now, just until the end of the season. In the meantime, the club’s sporting directors are hunting for a new permanent boss, someone who can lead the club’s long-term plans.

Iraola, currently at Bournemouth, is one of the early candidates. He’ll be leaving his role at the Vitality Stadium when the season ends. Marco Silva from Fulham, who’s out of contract soon as well, has made Chelsea’s shortlist too, and free agent Xabi Alonso is also in the mix. A few more unnamed names are being considered as well.

No one knows exactly who’ll be standing in the Stamford Bridge dugout next season. But Iraola’s in with a real shot. If he does get the job, that could be good news for Nicolas Jackson, who’s set to return from his loan soon.

Jackson went to Bayern Munich on loan last summer. The deal said Bayern had to buy him for £56.2 million (plus a £14.3 million loan fee), but only if he played a set number of games, roughly 40, give or take. So far, Jackson’s made 29 appearances this season. Last week, Bayern’s Max Eberl confirmed they won’t be buying him permanently.

Apparently, it was clear from early on that Jackson wouldn’t stay in Munich, and people close to him said back in February that he was planning to weigh up his options this summer. He hasn’t ruled out coming back to Stamford Bridge.

If Iraola is Chelsea's head coach when Jackson returns, things might get interesting. Iraola’s made it clear he rates Jackson highly. Back when Iraola was managing Mirandes in Spain, Jackson was on loan there from Villarreal. Their paths never crossed directly, but Iraola kept an eye on him.

In fact, Bournemouth tried to sign Jackson in January 2023, six months before Iraola even joined the club. Jackson didn’t pass the medical, though, and ended up at Chelsea instead.

Talking to the Bournemouth Echo last summer, Iraola said, “I know him really well, because he played at Mirandés and I faced him with Villarreal. He’s a very, very good player. He’s quick; he threatens with his pace, and he can also turn, beat his man, and create chances. He’ll work well with the other strikers.”

Asked about Jackson at Mirandes, Iraola added, “I didn’t coach him, but he went there young and played in the second division.”

If Jackson does stay at Chelsea next season, he won’t have an open run at the no. 9 spot. Joao Pedro has scored 19 goals in his debut season, and it’s tough to see anyone displacing him right now.

Then there’s Liam Delap, who’s had a tough first year – just two goals after a £30m move from Ipswich Town. Some reports say he wants to stay and fight for his place, but it’s only going to get harder with Emanuel Emegha arriving this summer.

Emegha is currently at Strasbourg and will join Chelsea at the end of the season. That said, it’s still up in the air whether he’ll actually play in London next year or head out on loan somewhere else.

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