TOTTENHAM LAUNCH £52M BID FOR FELIX NMECHA AFTER DOMINANT CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SCOUTING
Tottenham Hotspur are preparing a £52m move for Felix Nmecha to replace the injured Rodrigo Bentancur this January.
Tottenham Hotspur are gearing up for a big move to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha, with the German side reportedly valuing him at around £52 million this January. That’s according to BILD, and it sounds like Spurs are serious.
So far, Tottenham have only managed to bring in one senior player this window—Conor Gallagher, who came over from Atletico Madrid. At the same time, Brennan Johnson left for Crystal Palace, so it’s been a straight swap. Not exactly a squad overhaul.
Tottenham’s start to the season has been rough. They need fresh faces, especially now. Thomas Frank is definitely feeling the pressure, even if the 2-0 win over Dortmund in the Champions League bought him some breathing room. He knows the results in the Premier League have to pick up.
Now, back to Nmecha. Spurs watched him closely when Dortmund faced them in the Champions League this week. The club seems determined to push for a deal, but Dortmund won’t let him go for less than £52 million. Multiple Premier League clubs are circling, so it sounds like there could be a bidding war. Nuri Sahin called Nmecha “exceptional”, and when reporters asked Nmecha about a return to England, he dodged the question. “Whether I want to play in the Premier League or not, I’m not going to say right now. I think for me it’s simply important that we win this game [against Tottenham] and that I hopefully enjoy this special day,” he said.
Even after signing Gallagher, Tottenham aren’t done looking for midfielders. Rodrigo Bentancur faces a long layoff with injury, and Frank just confirmed Joao Palhinha is out too. With the midfield looking thin, it’s pretty clear Spurs need another option. The rest of the window might get hectic as they try to build a squad that can actually compete in the top half of the table. Nmecha would add something different—Como scout Ben Mattinson even claimed he’s good enough to “replace Rodri” at Manchester City. That’s a big compliment, and it shows just how highly people rate him.
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.”
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