DONE DEAL- Telegraph journalist says Tottenham just signed “special” £80m player

Telegraph journalist says Tottenham just signed “special” £80m player

Tottenham Hotspur appear poised for a transformative summer under newly appointed manager Thomas Frank, with early indications suggesting the club is ready to fully support him in the transfer market. Behind the scenes, Spurs are already laying the groundwork for an ambitious window, and momentum has been building rapidly since Frank’s official arrival.
After an unforgettable night in Bilbao last month, which saw Tottenham lift the Europa League trophy in dramatic fashion, the club not only ended their silverware drought but also sealed a long-awaited return to the UEFA Champions League. That triumph has significantly raised expectations ahead of the 2025/26 season and has given the club a powerful platform from which to operate — both competitively and financially.
The return to Europe’s elite club competition has triggered a substantial cash injection for the North London side, which Sky Sports’ Michael Bridge describes as “huge.” This financial boost removes the previously necessary “sell-to-buy” approach, allowing Spurs to be more aggressive in the market — a welcome change for fans and a crucial development for Frank as he builds his squad.
One of the top targets believed to be on Frank’s radar is Bryan Mbeumo — a player the Danish coach knows intimately from their successful time together at Brentford. The Cameroonian forward enjoyed a sensational campaign last season, finding the back of the net 20 times across all competitions and becoming a key figure in Brentford’s attack. Tottenham are now hoping to capitalise on their Champions League pull to beat Manchester United to the winger’s signature.
Initial discussions are reportedly underway between Spurs and Mbeumo’s camp, with the club eager to persuade him to make the switch across London. While The Mirror has claimed that Tottenham have already tabled a £70 million bid, these reports remain unverified. Nonetheless, the level of interest from Spurs is clear and growing stronger by the day.
Mbeumo isn’t the only potential new arrival, however. Reinforcements at the back are also being considered a top priority following a season that exposed the squad’s defensive vulnerabilities, largely due to a string of injuries to key players. With Cristian Romero strongly linked with a potential move to Atlético Madrid and young centre-back Radu Dragusin attracting interest from AC Milan, there could soon be gaps to fill in Tottenham’s backline.
One name emerging as a standout candidate is Everton’s highly rated defender Jarrad Branthwaite. According to Telegraph journalist Matt Law, who spoke on the London Is Blue podcast, Spurs are “very interested” in the England youth international. “I keep hearing that Tottenham are very interested in Branthwaite,” Law revealed. “Everybody thinks his fee at the moment is too high.”
Branthwaite enjoyed a breakout campaign at Goodison Park, winning both the Players’ Player and Supporters’ Young Player of the Season awards. His 94th-minute equaliser against Spurs back in February 2024 was one of the highlights of Everton’s season. Despite being left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024 — a move that has drawn widespread criticism — the 22-year-old remains one of the most promising defenders in English football.
Standing at 6-foot-4, Branthwaite is the archetype of the modern centre-back — composed under pressure, dominant in the air, and confident playing out from the back. He also offers a threat in attacking set pieces, making him a valuable asset at both ends of the pitch. He’s seen as an ideal long-term replacement for Romero, but prising him away from Everton will not be easy.
Chairman Daniel Levy will almost certainly have to sanction a club-record transfer fee to get the deal done, with Everton reportedly demanding up to £80 million. When combined with Tottenham’s parallel pursuit of Mbeumo, such an outlay could stretch the club’s resources, even with the Champions League windfall.
Still, the willingness to go after top-tier targets like Mbeumo and Branthwaite is a sign of Tottenham’s evolving ambition. Under Frank’s leadership and with the financial muscle of European qualification behind them, Spurs are determined to reshape their squad into one that can challenge at the highest levels — both domestically and on the continent. The next few weeks could prove defining for the club’s future trajectory.