Kudus

Match of the Day’s Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney are left impressed by Tottenham Hotspur’s direct, forward-thinking play, which was exemplified by forward Mohammed Kudus, in their 2-1 win away at Leeds United in the Premier League.

WATCH MORE: Kudus stars for Tottenham in win over Leeds

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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.

Newcastle are aiming to tie up a deal for Burnley‘s English goalkeeper James Trafford, 22, as early as next week and remain in talks with Nottingham Forest for Sweden winger Anthony Elanga, 23. (i paper), external

Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma, 28, has told Brighton he wants to stay at the club and sign a new deal despite being linked with Bayern Munich (Sky Sports), external

Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, 25, is set to join Saudi Arabian side Neom, despite Sunderland having a £12.8m bid accepted for the Poland international. (Meczyki – in Polish), external

Sunderland have turned their attention to signing Chelsea’s Serbian goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, 25, but face competition from Aston Villa and Bournemouth. (Times), external

The Black Cats are also nearing the capture of Union Saint-Gilloise’s DR Congo player Noah Sadiki, 20, who can play in defence or midfield. (Sunderland Echo), external

Italy striker Ciro Immobile, 35, is to terminate his contract with Turkish club Besiktas and join Bologna on a free transfer. (Corriere dello Sport – in Italian), external

Valencia’s Spanish defender Cristhian Mosquera, 21, has turned down a lucrative new contract with the La Liga club because he wants to join Arsenal. (Las Provincias – in Spanish), external

Wolves defender Nasser Djiga, 22, might join Rangers on loan for the season having made just five Premier League appearances after joining in February. (Express and Star), external

Lyon have set a price of at least £51.5m for 20-year-old Malick Fofana with Premier League clubs Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Fulham and Nottingham Forest joining continental sides Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Napoli in the race for the Belgium winger. (Independent, external)

Chelsea have held talks with Borussia Dortmund over a potential deal for 21-year-old Soumaila Coulibaly, with the French centre-back likely to be sent on loan to Strasbourg next season by the Blues. (Sky Sports, external)

Werder Bremen have a strong interest in Leeds United centre-back Max Wober, 27, with permanent and loan options under discussion for the Austria international. (Sky Sports, external)

Jack Grealish might replace Florian Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting U-turn angers Viktor Gyokeres, Manchester City agree Rayan Cherki fee.

Manchester City’s England winger Jack Grealish, 29, is being lined up as a potential replacement for 22-year-old Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz if he leaves Bayer Leverkusen. (Sun), external

Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres is furious that his club Sporting have gone back on a gentleman’s agreement that the 27-year-old could leave this summer for £67m. (Record – in Portuguese), external

Manchester City have agreed a £34m deal with Lyon for 21-year-old France midfielder Rayan Cherki. (Times – subscription required), external

Arsenal are keen to sign Chelsea’s Spain goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, 30, for just £5m. (Sky Sports), external

Burnley have valued their French centre-back Maxime Esteve, 23, at £50m amid interest from Bayern Munich, who are managed by the ex-Clarets boss Vincent Kompany. (Football Insider), external

Paris St-Germain’s 22-year-old France winger Bradley Barcola is Bayern’s top target for a new singing on the wing this summer, with Atletico Madrid’s Spain winger Nico Williams, also 22, their top alternative. (Sky Sport Germany – in German), external

PSG want Bournemouth’s Ilya Zabarni but the Cherries are demanding £59m for the 22-year-old Ukraine centre-back. (L’Equipe – in French), external

Tottenham have stepped up their interest in Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, while Manchester United also remain admirers of the Ghana forward, 25. (Sky Sports), external

Newcastle United are keen on signing Ghana winger Mohammed Kudus, 24, from West Ham after missing out on Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo. (Football Insider), external

West Ham are considering a swap deal with Chelsea involving Kudu, while the Hammers are prepared to let Morocco centre-back Nayef Aguerd leave this summer for £25m. (Teamtalk), external

Manchester City are ready to make a move for Chelsea’s English goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, 33, following the departure of Scott Carson. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Tottenham are one of the latest clubs to show an interest in Red Bull Salzburg’s Mali winger Dorgeles Nene, 22. (Teamtalk), external