Hotspur

The last 48 hours or so have seemed very un-Tottenham like.

Preparing to commit £115m on Mohammed Kudus and Morgan Gibbs-White isn’t behaviour you’d necessarily associate with Spurs in the Daniel Levy era.

The general feeling around Tottenham and their transfer market spending in recent years has been one of frugality – although those at Spurs would be quick to point out they did spend £55m on Dominic Solanke last season, in a deal that could eventually become a club-record £65m.

Yet you can’t escape the sense that the previous couple of days represents a change in narrative.

If Gibbs-White’s £60m signing from Nottingham Forest goes through – after some late legal issues – it will be the biggest initial fee paid by the club.

Tottenham remain hopeful the deal will be completed despite Forest looking at whether a confidentiality agreement in the player’s contract had been breached. It is also understood the club are claiming Spurs haven’t asked permission to speak to the player.

Heading into the summer transfer window, well-placed sources indicated the club would be limited in the amount they would be able to spend.

But the capture of Kudus for £55m and the potential arrival of Gibbs-White for £60m flies in the face of any such restrictions.

So what has changed?

It is no secret Tottenham chairman Levy has been canvassing for external investment into the club in recent months.

However, BBC Sport understands the current spending on transfers is more likely to be the result of an injection of cash from owners Enic, who are understood to have kept a closer eye on club operations in recent months, rather than any external investment.

There has been talk of overseas investment – particularly from the Middle East.

For fans, of course, the source of the finances is neither here nor there.

All they really care about is the assembling of a team that can eventually challenge for the title and qualify consistently for the Champions League.

In Kudus and Gibbs-White, they would have two players capable of helping fulfil supporters’ wishes.

Both are flair players that live up to Tottenham’s attacking traditions and crucially are players who have Premier League experience.

Indeed, that was the remit for the club’s recruitment team this summer.

The squad is already packed full of exciting young potential, but experience is what new boss Thomas Frank believes it needs.

While Kudus and Gibbs-White are relatively young – 24 and 25, respectively – they are well-versed in the rigours of England’s top-flight.

Kudus has two full seasons for West Ham under his belt, making 80 appearances across all competitions, while Gibbs-White has played in the last three Premier League campaigns for Forest and had prior experience while a teenager at Wolves.

Spurs’ interest in Brentford duo Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo is further illustration of Tottenham’s recruitment remit.

Sami Mokbel, Senior football correspondent

Prior to Postecoglou’s exit, Tottenham were focussed on adding greater experience to their young squad.

Among the attractions to Frank for Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was the Dane’s long-standing relationship with technical director Johan Lange.

The pair, according to sources, hold a similar view as to the profile of player required to take this team forward.

“There’s a synergy there,” said one well-placed insider.

That bodes well ahead of what will be a pivotal summer for the club.

Among the positions the club are looking to add experience is in central midfield and at centre-back given the interest from Spain in Cristian Romero, though as of yet no rival clubs have shown an indication that they are willing to match his £70million asking price.

Spurs tried and failed to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi in the summer but remain interested, though the England centre-back has options elsewhere.

Likewise, with captain Heung-min Son a target for Saudi clubs – Tottenham are closely monitoring the forward market. Intriguingly, Spurs are linked with Manchester United target Bryan Mbeumo – a key player for Frank at Brentford.

They have been interested in Crystal Palace and England attacker Eberechi Eze, who has a £68million release clause.

Tottenham are understood to be exploring whether to keep loanee Mathys Tel at the club in some capacity next season.

The club’s qualification for the Champions League should ensure a more substantial budget for Spurs to utilise in the summer market.

But there is a growing sense that owners, the ENIC Group, are taking a greater interest over the club’s operations; with that in mind it will be interesting to see how that focus impacts expenditure.

Like at most clubs, the structuring of transfers will be a key element of how freely Spurs can operate this summer given instalments for previous deals are due this summer.

There will certainly be moves to sell players, too. In addition to the uncertainty surrounding Romero and Son, midfielder Yves Bissouma’s future needs to be resolved this summer with his contract due to expire next year.

Rodrigo Bentancur is in the same boat regarding his contract, though the Uruguayan is in talks over an extension.

Postecoglou’s style of play at Spurs proved divisive, with a notoriously high line featuring prominently before being ditched for the crucial Europa League run-in.

Frank is known for his use of data in the game, previously stating he is not a lover of shots from outside the box.

Last season, 23% of Brentford’s efforts came from outside the area – the lowest in the league – compared to 28% for Spurs.

Last season Brentford attempted 675 crosses, while Spurs delivered 752. Frank may bring with him the need to be more picky in wide areas.

A statistic that stands out is his side’s willingness to compete in the air, with last season’s 1,210 aerial duels the highest figure in the league and dwarfing Tottenham’s 872.

Expect Tottenham to contest things that bit more but, as with shots from range or crosses, Frank seems to want to be smart when it comes to competing.

Brentford fouled far less than Spurs across the past two seasons – indeed, only Manchester City committed fewer fouls than Brentford last season.

West Brom have appointed Ryan Mason as their head coach.

The Championship side, who dismissed Tony Mowbray on 21 April, opened talks with Mason, 33, last week and he arrives at the Hawthorns on a three-year deal.

It brings a seven-year coaching career at Tottenham to an end for Mason, who progressed through the club’s academy to also play 70 times for his boyhood team.

“This is a huge club with a fantastic infrastructure and an incredible fanbase, and I am excited about what we can achieve together,” said Mason.

“Having spoken at length to the board and those at the club I am convinced that Albion is the perfect place for me to be and I can’t wait to get started.

“I will bring with me a huge amount of enthusiasm, dedication and ambition, and look forward to a positive future together at such a fantastic club.”

Ange Postecoglou says his team have had an “outstanding” season by winning the Europa League and qualifying for the Champions League, depite their 4-1 defeat by Brighton leaving Tottenham finishing the Premier League campaign in 17th place.

MATCH REPORT: Tottenham Hotspur 1-4 Brighton & Hove Albion

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