Spurs set sights on Ndombele

The links between Lyon standout Tanguy Ndombele and Tottenham have been one of the talking points of the summer transfer window so far.

On the back of their Champions League final heartbreak at the hands of Liverpool last month, widespread reports suggested that Daniel Levy and co. were finally ready to make a splash on the arrivals front.

Spurs had of course not signed a single player since January of 2018, when Lucas Moura arrived from PSG.

Ndombele, though, long looked set to break that 18-month long fruitless streak, with Mauricio Pochettino having identified the Frenchman as the ideal long-term successor to Mousa Dembele.

When questioned on the future of his side’s midfield enforcer last week, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas admitted that Ndombele had set his sights firmly on an exit:

‘It would have to be very substantial offers to advance with Tanguy , who would prefer to leave.’

‘If he left – which isn’t the case today – we would look to recruit someone with experience. For the moment nothing has happened, but the door is ajar.’

Tottenham confirmation

And, despite ensuing rumours over the course of the weekend that Juventus had reignited their pursuit of the 22-year-old, it was still widely-predicted that Spurs would eventually beat off all competition to secure Ndombele’s signature.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City shoots while under pressure from Tanguy NDombele Alvaro of Lyon during the Group F match of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester City and Olympique Lyonnais at Etihad Stadium on September 19, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Given their side’s infamously-stubborn negotiation tactics, though, it no doubt came as a huge source of relief for Tottenham fans across the globe when the French international’s arrival was finally made official this evening.

In  an announcement across the club’s social media channels, Ndombele’s signing, on a hefty 6-year deal, was confirmed for an undisclosed fee:

Ceballos next up?

And, on a day where the Spurs’ faithful saw their side break what must have felt like a 2-window transfer ban with not one, but two signings (Jack Clarke also arrived from Leeds), positive news has continued to flow for the capital outfit.

Reports stemming from Spain, courtesy of AS, claim that Tottenham and Real Madrid have agreed on the basic terms of a loan deal for Dani Ceballos.

Mauricio Pochettino is said to be pushing hard for Ceballos, who starred throughout Spain’s recent U21 European Championships triumph.

The 22-year-old is widely-regarded as one of the finest young talents in La Liga, but has major struggled for game-time since making the move to the Bernabeu from Real Betis in the summer of 2017.

As such, a temporary move away from the Spanish capital could well prove the most beneficial route for Ceballos’ long-term development.

Tottenham, though, are reportedly confident in their chances of making the gifted midfielder’s move permanent next summer, if Ceballos manages to sufficiently impress over the course of the 2019/20 season.

MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 28: Dani Ceballos of Real Madrid in action during the La Liga match between Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas on April 28, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Spurs midfield exits

Links to Ceballos of course come amid mounting rumours that Christian Eriksen could move in the opposite direction this summer.

The futures of both Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier, meanwhile, appear far from certain as things stand.

As a result, in the case that Eriksen and one of the aforementioned pair (most likely Wanyama) do eventually depart north London, it is entirely possible that Mauricio Pochettino and co. could look to bring in yet another midfielder.

Giovani Lo Celso and Bruno Fernandes, both of whom have been touted as potential arrivals in north London already this summer, appear viable additions.

Tottenham XI

As such, in the case that Ceballos, and theoretically Lo Celso, both join Ndombele in Tottenham’s midfield ranks for next season, Mauricio Pochettino’s men could line out in some variation of the following XI in 2019/20:

(The line-up also accounts for a shake-up at full-back, with Max Aarons and Ryan Sessegnon arriving, Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier on the move, and Juan Foyth awarded for his impressive Copa America displays with a starting berth at right-back).

Barca eyeing reinforcements

On the back of their Champions League semi-final humiliation this past season, Ernesto Valverde’s Barca have been linked with a whole host of moves on the transfer front.

The Blaugrana’s frontline understandably appears to be the main area of concern for the club’s board.

With Philippe Coutinho having failed to perform under the weight of expectation at the Camp Nou, Luis Suarez some way short of his brilliant best, Ousmane Dembele struggling with persistent injuries and Malcom seemingly not up to the standard required of a Barcelona player, it should come as little surprise to find that attacking reinforcements look set to arrive in Catalunya this summer.

Griezmann AND Neymar?

To this point, the two main players touted as potential arrivals have been Antoine Griezmann and Neymar.

Atletico star man Griezmann is set to be on the move this summer, having announced his intention to depart the Wanda Metropolitano back in May:

‘It’s been an incredible five years. Thank you very much for everything. I will take you in my heart.’

And Barca have long been the favourites to secure a deal for the French World Cup winner.

Speculation surrounding the future of PSG wide-man Neymar, meanwhile, has majorly ramped up over the last couple of weeks, amid claims that both the Brazilian and Barcelona are keen on a reunion this summer.

Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. celebrate during the Copa Del Rey Final between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

And, as per the aforementioned update from Alfredo Martinez, regarded as Tier 1 when it comes to Barcelona transfer news, the Spanish champions appear to be pushing forward with their attempts to coax both Griezmann and Neymar to the club.

First off, Martinez suggests that the former’s move to the Camp Nou from Atleti should be completed this week.

The plan would then be to hold Griezmann’s presentation on the 10th of June.

On Neymar, meanwhile, a meeting between the Brazilian’s father and a representative from Barcelona is set to take place in Brazil tomorrow, during which a potential return to Catalunya will be mapped out.

Dembele to Bayern?

While such a pair of signings would obviously mark remarkable business on the part of the Blaugrana, they would not come without sacrifices being made.

And, though most rumours regarding potential big-money departures from Ernesto Valverde’s squad this summer have surrounded Philippe Coutinho, Martinez instead suggests that it could be another of Barca’s attackers who is on the move.

The player in question is Ousmane Dembele. Martinez claims that Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich could lure the Frenchman to Germany for 100 million Euro, with Dembele viewed as an alternative to Manchester City’s Leroy Sane.