Good evening, Tottenham fans. Here are your evening headlines for Thursday, August 27.
Tottenham on verge of Doherty deal
Tottenham will wrap up a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Matt Doherty when he returns from his holiday in Italy.
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho has highlighted the 28-year-old as the ideal candidate to fill the club’s right-back slot ahead of the 2020/21 season, with a £12 million deal set to be completed within the next 48 hours.
The final fee could increase to £18m over the next 12 months, with Wolves inserting a host of add ons into the deal. Former club Bohemians will receive 10% of the fee.
Doherty will be exempt from needing to isolate following his return to the UK, meaning a medical and the final details of the transfer can be completed before the weekend.
He is then scheduled to fly to Dublin on Sunday to join up with the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of their UEFA Nations League games against Bulgaria and Finland next month.
However, the FAI will allow him to leave the training camp and return to London if a deal is not fully completed prior to their trip to Sofia.
Doherty will be Mourinho’s third signing this month, following the arrivals of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Joe Hart. Further new arrivals are expected in the coming weeks.
Fulham target Spurs keeper Gazzaniga
Fulham boss Scott Parker is targeting Tottenham keeper Paulo Gazzaniga ahead of the Cottagers' top-flight return.
The former Spurs midfielder has already completed deals for Anthony Knockaert and Antonee Robinson and, according to the Daily Telegraph, he wants Gazzaniga to challenge for the No.1 shirt at Craven Cottage.
Marek Rodak established himself as first choice for Parker during Fulham’s successful promotion push last season, however, both he and Marcus Bettinelli have limited Premier League experience.
An injury to Hugo Lloris gave Gazzaniga his longest run between the sticks for Spurs in 2019/20; he made 18 league starts last term.
However, the arrival of Joe Hart could potentially reduce his first-team role even further, and Fulham are willing to offer £3m for the 28-year old.
Mourinho focusing on experience ahead of 2020/21 campaign
Jose Mourinho is focusing on adding vital experience and leadership to his Tottenham first-team squad ahead of the new Premier League season.
The Portuguese has already brought in Danish international Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Southampton and England goalkeeper Joe Hart following his release from Burnley last month.
Spurs also expect, as detailed above, to complete a move for Matt Doherty in the coming days, with Mourinho confident the Irishman can add to his growing depth of proven top-flight options in 2020/21.
Tottenham have been handed a favourable run of fixtures to kick off the new campaign, with a trip to Manchester United their only game against a top-six side before the first week of November.
Mourinho will be confident that a good start to the season will put Spurs in a strong position to push for a Champions League spot in 2021, with more experienced figures expected to arrive in North London before the transfer window closes in October.
