Tottenham follow up Mbeumo bid with devastating plan to lure midfield general
Tottenham Hotspur are making significant strides in the summer transfer market following the appointment of former Brentford manager Thomas Frank. The club has wasted no time in backing their new head coach, with reports indicating that Spurs are aggressively pursuing a deal for Brentford’s dynamic forward Bryan Mbeumo. And it appears Mbeumo might not be the only familiar face Frank is hoping to reunite with in North London, as attention turns to another of his trusted former lieutenants, Christian Norgaard.
Frank officially stepped into the Spurs managerial role after the sudden and somewhat controversial departure of Ange Postecoglou, who had guided Tottenham to Europa League qualification. With the dust still settling on that managerial change, Frank is keen to shape the squad in his image—and that process has already begun with serious intent.
At the top of his wishlist is Mbeumo, one of Brentford’s standout stars and a player who thrived under Frank’s guidance in west London. The Cameroon international had previously been on Manchester United’s radar, but Spurs have now taken pole position in the race for his signature. According to sources close to the club, Tottenham have tabled a substantial bid worth £65 million, with performance-based add-ons potentially pushing the deal to £70 million. The offer is believed to be more competitive than the one United recently had rejected.
Mbeumo, fresh off a strong Premier League campaign, is reportedly intrigued by the opportunity to link up with Frank once again and is open to the idea of a cross-London move. Should the transfer materialize, he would not only add flair and goals to Tottenham’s frontline but also provide Frank with a forward who already understands his tactical approach.
Christian Norgaard emerges as next target in Frank’s rebuild
While the Mbeumo deal remains in play, Tottenham are also exploring reinforcements for the heart of their midfield—another area identified as needing more grit, balance, and tactical discipline. To that end, Spurs are said to be seriously revisiting their interest in Christian Norgaard, Brentford’s midfield enforcer and club captain, who has been a stalwart under Frank’s management.
Norgaard has long been admired by Spurs’ recruitment team, with interest predating Frank’s appointment. However, with the Danish tactician now at the helm in N17, that pursuit could accelerate. According to Football Transfers, while Frank has not directly requested a move for Norgaard, club officials believe that the midfielder’s deep understanding of Frank’s system would be invaluable during this transitional period.
Their relationship is a long-standing one, dating back to Norgaard’s teenage years when Frank coached him at under-16 level for the Danish national team back in 2009. Their bond has only strengthened since, especially during Brentford’s rise to Premier League stability, where Norgaard has been a consistent and reliable figure, recording five goals and four assists across 34 league appearances last season.
Crucially, Norgaard has never played in the UEFA Champions League, and the prospect of doing so with Spurs may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the 31-year-old. Despite his age, the midfielder brings experience, leadership, and a wealth of Premier League know-how—qualities that could prove vital as Tottenham look to challenge for silverware.
Brentford reluctant to lose another key player
However, securing Norgaard’s signature will not be straightforward. Brentford are already facing the possibility of losing Mbeumo and have only just parted ways with their long-serving head coach. Understandably, the club is reluctant to allow a second high-profile departure in the same summer—particularly to the same Premier League rival.
Further complicating matters is the fact that Norgaard only recently signed a new long-term contract with Brentford in March, tying him to the club until the summer of 2027. That contract renewal significantly strengthens Brentford’s negotiating position and has reportedly created a major obstacle for Spurs. Journalist and Spurs insider Alasdair Gold recently noted that the timing of Norgaard’s contract extension “messes up” any potential move, dampening optimism that a reunion with Frank is imminent.
Other sources, including Give Me Sport, have gone as far as saying that Brentford would outright block any transfer for the Denmark international, emphasizing they are under no financial or contractual pressure to sell.
Spurs eye other midfield options as exit looms
With the Norgaard deal looking uncertain, Tottenham are expanding their shortlist of midfield targets. One name that had emerged previously was Johnny Cardoso of Real Betis. Spurs had negotiated a first-refusal clause for the USMNT star during the sale of Giovani Lo Celso last year. However, fresh reports suggest that Atletico Madrid are now in pole position to sign Cardoso, which could force Spurs to look elsewhere.
In fact, there are rumblings that Tottenham have already laid the groundwork for a new signing. Rumors claim the club has agreed in principle to a deal with a promising Serie A midfielder currently representing Italy in the Under-21 European Championship. Although the player’s identity remains under wraps, it signals Spurs’ intent to move swiftly and decisively to improve their midfield depth.
Dressing room fallout: Player unsettled by Postecoglou’s exit
Amidst all the incoming transfer chatter, there’s growing concern about potential exits from the current squad—particularly from players who were loyal to Postecoglou. Sources close to the club have told TEAMtalk that one first-team player has not responded well to the Australian’s abrupt departure and is considering leaving the club.
That player, reportedly now a target for Atletico Madrid, is said to be weighing up his future as the Spanish club intensifies its recruitment efforts. While the identity of the unsettled star has not been confirmed, the situation is being monitored closely by Spurs officials.
What’s next for Postecoglou?
As for Ange Postecoglou, his departure from Tottenham might not leave him on the sidelines for long. Reports indicate that a potential new managerial opportunity has opened up for him—one that would take him outside of his usual European comfort zone. While details remain scarce, it could be a fascinating next chapter for the Australian coach, who remains highly regarded despite his controversial exit.