In making a decision that has surprised many in world football, Luis Enrique believes Chevalier will improve PSG even more, especially with his team’s playing style.
The French keeper has been likened to a five-a-side player due to the quality of his touch, vision and ability to break lines with his passing from the back.
Chevalier can effectively turn into an outfield player for PSG when in possession as they look to build an attack from their own defensive line.
Replacing Donnarumma will be tough, but he stepped up successfully as Lille’s first choice in the 2022-23 season after just a season in Ligue 2 with Valenciennes. Pressure should not be an issue.
Chevalier was named Ligue 1’s best goalkeeper last term with 11 clean sheets as his side finished fifth, while earning a call-up to France’s senior squad.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live: “The goalkeeper situation is a huge decision from Luis Enrique. Gianluigi Donnarumma is the best shot stopper and he is the best version of the older-style goalkeeper, but they have been replaced by the modern-day keeper who play in the defensive third.
“Luis Enrique is leaning into the way that modern teams want to play and build from the back. PSG are looking for that ninth degree, that tiny little bit of percentage of advantage and with Lucas Chevalier they feel they can further refine their style.”
Signs of what Chevalier will bring were seen during his debut against Spurs, with PSG opting to go short on goal-kicks and showing no fear when using him in general play.
He should have done better with Cristian Romero’s header that put the Premier League side 2-0 ahead, but showed great reflexes in a stunning save to push Joao Palhinha’s effort on to the bar, although Micky van de Ven netted the rebound for Spurs’ opener.
Chevalier then stopped Van de Ven’s penalty in the shootout as PSG won after a superb comeback from 2-0 down.
It was a bold move by Luis Enrique to drop Donnarumma and turn to the Frenchman, but one that could prove a masterstroke in the future if Chevalier lives up to great expectations.
Tottenham let slip a two-goal lead as late PSG strikes sent European football’s season opener to penalties in Italy.
Paris Saint-Germain beat Tottenham 4-3 on penalties to win the UEFA Super Cup, completing a remarkable rally after scoring two late goals to take the match to a shootout.
It secured the fifth trophy of 2025 for the French club.
Lee Kang-in scored in the 85th for PSG, and fellow substitute Goncalo Ramos grabbed an equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time to make it 2-2 in regulation.
Nuno Mendes converted the clinching penalty in the shootout for PSG.
“I am proud. We haven’t [had] much preparation, but you could see that football is not only about the physical aspect – it is also about the mental aspect, being in the right place, having the right tactics,” PSG captain Marquinhos told broadcaster Canal Plus.
“They sat back a lot after going 2-0 up, and it is dangerous to invite PSG to come at you like that.”
Paris Saint-Germain’s Fabian Ruiz, Goncalo Ramos and Marquinhos celebrate after winning the UEFA Super Cup [Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters]
The Super Cup is an annual early-season match between the most recent winners of the Champions League (PSG) and Europa League (Tottenham), and it was hardly going to script when the English club took a 2-0 lead early in the second half.
Defenders popped up with Spurs’ goals, with Micky van de Ven showing quick reactions to prod home the opener in the 39th minute after new PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier tipped Joao Palhinha’s shot onto the crossbar.
Chevalier – playing ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who announced Tuesday he was leaving PSG – might have been unlucky with the first goal but was to blame for the second after failing to keep out a header from newly appointed Tottenham captain Cristian Romero in the 48th.
Tottenham is further along in its preparations for the new campaign than PSG, whose players have only just returned to training after being involved in the Club World Cup until mid-July, and looked much sharper at Stadio Friuli.
PSG finished strongly, though, and hit Tottenham with late goals as Lee smashed in a low shot from the edge of the area and Ramos headed home Ousmane Dembele’s right-wing cross.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Goncalo Ramos scores their second goal [Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters]
In the shootout, Vitinha missed PSG’s first attempt, but the French team then converted four in a row. Van de Ven and Mathys Tel failed to score for Tottenham, whose manager, Thomas Frank, was taking charge of his first competitive match with the Premier League team.
Frank took over in the offseason following the firing of Ange Postecoglou, who led Tottenham to its first trophy in 17 years with a victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final in May.
“I think we played a very good game against one of the best teams in the world – maybe the best in this moment in time,” Frank told TNT Sports.
“I think we had them exactly where we wanted them for 80-something minutes until the 2-1 goal. Then, of course, that shifted a little bit the momentum, but there was so much positive.
“I am so proud of the team, the players, the club, the fans. I think there is a lot to be happy with. It is a flip of a coin when you go into a penalty shootout.”
PSG completed the Champions League-Ligue 1-Coupe de France treble last season, also winning the Trophee des Champions in January. The team lost the Club World Cup final to Chelsea.
Substitute Lee Kang-in produces a brilliant strike from the edge of the box to bring Paris Saint-Germain back into the game as Tottenham’s lead is cut to 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup final in Udine.
PSG won the Champions League last seasonCredit: Getty
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Tottenham ended their 17-year trophy drought with their Europa League winCredit: AFP
In May, Spurs ended their 17-year trophy drought with a stunning 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Bilbao final.
New Tottenham boss Thomas Frank will get the chance to claim silverware in his first competitive match at the helm as he looks to lead the Lilywhites to the Super Cup for the first time in the club’s history.
The former Brentford boss will know it will be a big ask for Spurs as they face a PSG side who were the best team in Europe last season.
But this summer, the French giants failed to add the Club World Cup to their four trophies last term after they were thrashed 3-0 by Chelsea in the final.
Luis Enrique’s side will be looking to bounce back and add more silverware to their ever-expanding collection.
But it’s not just a trophy up for grabs in Udinese, with the Super Cup having huge cash incentives for both clubs.
What is the Super Cup prize money 2025?
Both PSG and Spurs will earn £3.4million each for playing in the Super Cup.
Whichever team goes on to lift the trophy, they will pick up an extra £900,000.
Meaning the Super Cup winner will bank a total of £4.3million.
How to watch the Super Cup 2025
The Super Cup will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1.
You can live stream the match via the discovery+ app/website.
Alternatively, you can follow SunSport’s live blog for minute-by-minute updates.
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Who: Paris Saint-Germain vs Tottenham Hotspur What: UEFA Super Cup Where: Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy When: Wednesday, August 13 at 9pm (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 5pm (15:00 GMT) in advance of our live text commentary stream.
The first major trophy of the season is up for grabs and UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain will be targeting a fourth title in the calendar year when they face Europa League champions Tottenham Hotspur.
Luis Enrique’s Parisians swept all before them on home soil and in Europe last year, although success wasn’t to follow on the global stage in the summer.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank inherits a side that secured their first European trophy in more than four decades. The north Londoners, however, finished only one place above the relegation zone in the English Premier League.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the match being played at the home of Italian side Udinese.
What is the UEFA Super Cup?
The competition pits the winners of the previous season’s UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League competitions.
The 2025 UEFA Super Cup Giant Ball and Trophy in Piazza Matteotti before the UEFA Super Cup in Udine City Centre [Chris Ricco – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images]
How did PSG and Tottenham qualify for the Super Cup final?
Brennan Johnson scored the only goal of the game in the first half. It wasn’t enough to save Ange Postecoglu’s job as manager, as the Australian was sacked two weeks later following the 17th-place finish in the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur’s now-departed captain, Son Heung-min, lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Europa League final last season [Andrew Couldridge/Reuters]
What trophies did PSG win in their treble last season?
PSG sealed the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season by an incredible 19 points – despite easing off for the final three-winless matches.
The Parisians also sealed the French Cup, beating Reims 3-0, a week before the Champions League final.
What happened to PSG at the UEFA Club World Cup?
Following their treble, PSG had the chance to follow in the footsteps of Manchester City, who lifted five trophies in a calendar year in 2023.
Pep Guardiola’s side followed up the domestic and European treble with wins in the Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) that year.
PSG’s chance to replicate that unique achievement was ended by a shock 3-0 defeat by unfancied Chelsea in the final of this year’s expanded CWC.
Are Real Madrid the record UEFA Super Cup winners?
Yes. The Spanish giants’ victory against Atalanta in 2024 was a record-extending sixth Super Cup victory. It was also the fifth time in 11 years that Los Blancos lifted the trophy.
Real Madrid players and staff pose with the trophy after winning the UEFA Super Cup final against Atalanta last season [Darko Bandic/AP]
What happens if you win the UEFA Super Cup?
Both finalists have already qualified for this season’s UEFA Champions League based on their European victories last season.
UEFA retains the official trophy, but a replica, alongside 40 gold medals, are presented to the winners to keep.
How much money does the UEFA Super Cup winner get?
The winners will receive a cheque for 5 million euros ($5.8m) in prize money.
The runners-up don’t fare too badly, receiving 4 million euros ($4.64m).
The Winners’ Medal is seen before the UEFA Super Cup 2025 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur at Udine, Italy [Tullio Puglia – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images]
PSG team news
Midfielder Joao Neves is suspended following his red card in the FIFA World Cup final defeat by Chelsea.
Conversely, Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez were both suspended for that final but are free to return for this match.
New signing from Lille, Lucas Chevalier, could start in goal with rumours that Gianluigi Donnarumma could be about to leave the club.
Tottenham team news
James Maddison tore his ACL in the preseason friendly with Newcastle United and is now set to miss most of the forthcoming campaign.
Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin and Dominic Solanke all remain sidelined, while Destiny Udogie is also a doubt.
Vicario; Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Palhinha, Sarr; Johnson, Richarlison, Kudus
A general view of Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, before the UEFA Super Cup 2025 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur [Claudio Villa/Getty Images]
Tottenham are exploring a deal for Crystal Palace and England forward Eberechi Eze.
Thomas Frank is looking to bolster his options in the final third after attacking midfielder James Maddison was ruled out for the majority of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Eze scored 14 goals across all competitions for Palace last season, including in their 1-0 win against Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
The 27-year-old made his England debut in 2023 and has won 11 caps for the Three Lions, including three appearances at Euro 2024.
Tottenham are also in talks with Manchester City over a move for Savinho but multiple sources have indicated that Eze is now emerging as a player of serious interest for Spurs.
There is no confirmation as to whether Tottenham will look to progress with deals for both Brazil winger Savinho and Eze.
Thomas Frank has had time to brace himself for Son Heung-min’s departure – but the long-term unavailability of Maddison is extremely unwelcome, to say the least.
Son’s farewell match in South Korea earlier this week was marred by the latest knee injury suffered by Maddison.
The anguished expression on his face said it all, and the sympathy lies with him.
But spare a thought for Frank, who in his first season in charge, faces losing two key attacking players.
You’d imagine that Spurs will give big consideration to entering the market for a new attacking midfielder.
Had their move for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White ended successfully then the requirement to enter the market for offensive reinforcements would be significantly less pressing.
Such attacking quality is hard to come by. Expensive, too.
Mohammed Kudus, signed from West Ham this summer, has played centrally before and could provide an option.
But Spurs will have to do something to replace Maddison’s contribution.
Son attended LAFC’s Leagues Cup match against Tigres at BMO Stadium on Tuesday night, watching from a luxury suite. LAFC will formally introduce Son at a news conference Wednesday, but the club showed the forward on the stadium video board late in the first half as he waved to roaring fans thrilled by their team’s landmark acquisition.
LAFC, a deep-pocketed club with significant team success in its first eight seasons of existence, reportedly paid a transfer fee of more than $20m, which could end up being the most ever for an MLS move.
Son was a beloved presence at Spurs, scoring 173 goals in 454 competitive appearances for the North London club, while rising to global prominence with his combination of speed, playmaking skill and finishing acumen.
The captain was given a memorable farewell last week in Seoul during Tottenham’s exhibition match against Newcastle, getting a guard of honour from both teams and tearfully exiting in the second half while nearly 65,000 fans roared.
But South Korea’s most popular athlete – and almost certainly the greatest Asian soccer player in history – has chosen an auspicious stage for the next chapter of his ground-breaking career.
Los Angeles has the world’s largest ethnic Korean population outside Korea, with the city’s vibrant Koreatown district sitting just a couple of kilometres (miles) from LAFC’s BMO Stadium.
Son Heung-min (bottom row, second from right) attends a Leagues Cup match between LAFC and Tigres UANL [Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images/Reuters]
LAFC is undoubtedly hoping to market Son as a soccer counterpart to the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, albeit on a smaller scale. Ohtani, the three-time MLB MVP from Japan who is on a trajectory to become the greatest Asian player in baseball history, draws fans from across the Pacific Rim to Dodger Stadium while attracting millions in sponsorships and partnerships for the Dodgers.
Son’s move to California also puts him in a position to have an effect on and off the field at the World Cup, which will be held across North America in 2026. Son, the captain of his national team, has already said he will play in his fourth World Cup.
After leading Tottenham to its first European trophy in decades by winning the Europa League in May, in a fitting cap to his English career, Son will go straight into the MLS Cup race when he suits up for his new club. LAFC currently sits sixth in the Western Conference at 10-6-6, but with multiple games in hand on every team ahead of it due to its participation in the Club World Cup.
Son’s seven Premier League goals last season were his fewest since his Tottenham debut, but he still appears to have the pace and skill necessary to be a difference-maker at any level. He also turned 33 only a month ago, putting him on the younger end of the global stars recently arriving in MLS.
Lionel Messi and Marco Reus were 35 and Luis Suarez was 37 when they went stateside in recent years, while Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris were both 37 when they joined LAFC last year.
Son will be reunited in Los Angeles with longtime Tottenham teammate Lloris, who has been outstanding since becoming LAFC’s goalkeeper last season.
High-scoring French forward Denis Bouanga is the only designated player currently under contract for LAFC, and general manager John Thorrington has been criticised by some fans for not using the full power of his financial resources this season. LAFC spent months on an ultimately failed attempt to get France’s Antoine Griezmann to leave Atletico Madrid.
Bouanga and Son have both thrived on the left wing during their careers, but Son likely has more positional versatility than Bouanga, making him a candidate to line up in the middle or even on the right wing.
Son seems to be an infinitely better fit for LAFC than Giroud, who moved to Lille last month after one disappointing year in California. LAFC plays a counterattacking, speed-based style that didn’t suit Giroud’s goal-scoring strengths, while Son should be right at home in such a system.
But LAFC could also alter its style in the winter, after coach Steve Cherundolo departs for Germany following four largely successful seasons highlighted by an MLS Cup championship.
Son revealed his decision during an emotional press conferenceCredit: AP
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The forward was sat next to boss Thomas Frank at the presserCredit: AP
“So I just want to share this information before we start the press conference.”
On how he came to the decision, Son added: “It was the most difficult decision of my football career.
Son Heung-min announces he is LEAVING Tottenham after ten years in emotional press conference
“I’ve been here ten years at a beautiful club with beautiful fans and having such amazing memories.
“And after all that, it was so hard to make this decision. But as I said, I feel like I need a new environment and to push myself.
“And to get more of me, I feel like I need a little bit of change. Ten years is a lot of time when you’re thinking about it.
He added: “I came to London as a kid. 23-years-old, a very young age, [and] a young boy came to London who even didn’t speak English.
“And [I’m] leaving this club as a grown man. This is a very, very proud moment.
“So I just wanna say thank you to all of the Spurs fans that gave me so much love.
“I felt like it was my home. But yeah, it was, it was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever made.”
A MODERN DAY LEGEND
Son signed for Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 aged 23 in a deal worth around £22million.
The popular forward went on to score 173 goals in 454 appearances for the North Londoners, placing him fourth on the club’s all-time list of goalscorers.
Son was appointed club captain by former boss Ange Postecoglou in 2023.
The Tottenham legend went on to lift the Europa League trophy in May, as the club ended its 17-year drought.
On the timing of his White Hart Lane exit, Son said: “The goodbye is always also in a good timing. But I think it’s the right time to make this decision.
“I hope that everybody understands my decision and I hope that everybody respects that.”
Son has been strongly linked with a move to MLS side LAFC.
The switch would see him reunite with his predecessor as Spurs captain Hugo Lloris.
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Son lifted the Europa League in Bilbao back in MayCredit: PA
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Son could reunite with Hugo Lloris at LAFCCredit: The Sun
Son Heung-min says his choice to leave Tottenham was the ‘most difficult decision’ he’s had to make in his football career, after the striker announced he would be departing the club after ten years in North London.
Son Heung-min captained Tottenham Hotspur to the Europa League title last season but will leave the club this summer.
After 10 years with Tottenham Hotspur, captain Son Heung-min announced on Saturday that he plans to leave the English Premier League club.
At a media conference in Seoul, Son, appearing at times to be holding back tears, said his decision to leave the Spurs was ’the most difficult” of his career and said the club was supporting him as he looks to move on to another team.
Spurs will face Newcastle United in a preseason friendly on Sunday in Seoul in what could be the final match of Son’s time at Spurs.
“Before we start the press conference, I just want to share the information that I have decided to leave this club in this summer,” Son said. “Respectfully, this club is helping me to my decisions. So I just wanted to share this information before we start the conference.
“I came to North London as a kid, 23 years old, very young age, a young boy came to London who even didn’t speak English and leaving this club as a grown man is a very, very proud moment.”
He continued his tribute by thanking Tottenham fans.
“So I just want to say thank you to all of the Spurs fans that gave me so much love and felt like it was my home,” he said. “It was one of the toughest decisions I ever made. So I hope the goodbye is always also in a good timing you know. But I think it’s the right time to make this decision.” Son was asked in Korean on his future playing plans, and he replied: ’I don’t think I have an answer yet.”
He also confirmed in Korean that he would play for South Korea at the World Cup next year in North America.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Europa League final [Andrew Couldridge/Reuters]
“I felt the pressure. I wanted it so badly,” Son said after that match. “The last seven days, I was dreaming about this game every single day. It finally happened, and I can sleep easy now.”
The 33-year-old Son has been one of the biggest stars of the Premier League, scoring 173 goals in 454 competitive appearances for Tottenham. He was made captain in 2023 by former head coach Ange Postecoglou and helped the club lift its Europa League title, a first trophy since 2008.
Son added that the team’s recent success was a factor: “ Winning the Europa League made me feel I had achieved everything I could here. I need a new environment for a fresh challenge.”
Son has been heavily linked with a move to the United States and there is reported interest from Saudi Arabian clubs.
Thomas Frank succeeded Postecoglou in June and the Danish coach paid tribute to Son on Saturday.
“He is truly a Spurs legend in every aspect,” Frank said. “One of the best players to ever play in the Premier League, in my opinion, as a winger. I think it is probably the perfect timing, going out on a high.”
Later in the media conference, Son reiterated that he has not decided on where he will play next. But he said next year’s World Cup was his priority for his home country.
“I don’t think I have an answer yet,” he said of his future playing choices. “I think I can share more about my future after tomorrow’s game once things become more certain.
“My most important priority right now is the World Cup. It’s likely to be my last World Cup and I want to give everything I have in that environment … I want to be able to play football happily, which I think will play the biggest role in my future decision-making. I am still trying to organise my thoughts around that.”
Son said winning a title in Europe with Spurs “felt like I had achieved everything I possibly could”.
He made his Tottenham debut in September 2015 and went on to make 333 Premier League appearances.
He scored 127 times in the league – level with former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at 16th in the league’s all-time scorers list, above the likes of Dwight Yorke, Steven Gerrard and Ian Wright.
He became the first Asian player to win the Premier League golden boot, sharing the title with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah with 23 goals in the 2021-22 season, and a year later was the first from the continent to reach 100 Premier League goals.
He featured in the Champions League final against Liverpool in 2019 – which the Reds won 2-0 – and took over as club captain from Hugo Lloris in August 2023.
“I need a new environment to push myself. I need a little bit of change – 10 years is a long time,” Son added.
“I spent a lot of time reflecting on whether I wanted to experience football in a different environment, and I had those conversations with myself over and over again.”
Son also provided 101 assists in all competitions and holds Spurs’ record for Premier League assists with 71.
He has also made the sixth-most appearances in the history of the club – behind only Cyril Knowles, Pat Jennings, Gary Mabbutt, Steve Perryman and Glenn Hoddle.
Tottenham beat North London rivals Arsenal 1-0 in a friendly in Hong Kong ahead of new Premier League season.
Pape Matar Sarr scored from the halfway line as Tottenham punished a shaky performance by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya to win the first North London derby staged outside the United Kingdom 1-0.
Raya, who had already been caught in no-man’s land twice as in-swinging corners hit the post, was at fault again in the 45th minute on Thursday when Sarr robbed Myles Lewis-Skelly just inside the Arsenal half.
The Spurs midfielder looked up, saw Raya stranded way outside his penalty area and let fly to score in outrageous fashion from 50 yards out.
Nominally a preseason “friendly”, there was no love lost on the pitch between the bitter rivals.
Tackles flew in and tempers frayed in a fiercely contested clash in front of a 49,975 sellout crowd under the roof in Hong Kong’s air-conditioned Kai Tak Stadium.
Arsenal started the stronger but it was Tottenham who hit the woodwork three times in a frantic first half and deserved their lead at the break.
Arsenal laid siege to the Tottenham goal at the start of the second half, but new manager Thomas Frank had his defence well-drilled and the Gunners found it hard to break through.
Tottenham Hotspur’s players celebrate their goal in front of Arsenal fans during their friendly at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong [Peter Parks/AFP]
Gabriel Martinelli did manage to find an opening on 58 minutes but shot wastefully over the bar from 14 yards.
Arsenal brought on Leandro Trossard and new signing Martin Zubimendi, who almost scored with his first touch when his shot was deflected over the bar.
A huge cheer went up when Son Heung-min was introduced by Tottenham in the 75th minute.
It was followed by an even bigger ovation when new striker Viktor Gyokeres also came off the bench for his Arsenal debut with 13 minutes to go.
The Swedish striker, sporting the number 14 shirt made famous by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, was signed for $67m six days ago.
He made some darting runs as Arsenal pressed for a late equaliser, but will need time to get up to speed with his new club.
Tottenham now fly on to South Korea to face Newcastle United on Sunday, while Arsenal head home after three matches in Singapore and Hong Kong.
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.
