Report: Tottenham start negotiations for “top” player at £50m, Levy’s personally held talks
Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is making major moves this summer as he aims to provide new manager Thomas Frank with the tools needed to succeed in his first season at the helm. After officially unveiling Frank as the club’s new boss, Levy has wasted no time reshaping the squad and laying the foundation for a competitive campaign.
The North London club has already made headlines in the early stages of the transfer window, starting with the £30 million permanent acquisition of Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel. The 19-year-old French striker, previously linked with a number of Premier League clubs, is considered one of Europe’s most exciting young attacking prospects.
But Tottenham’s ambition hasn’t stopped there. In a bold and strategic move, Spurs have also agreed to sign Japanese centre-back Kota Takai from Kawasaki Frontale in a deal worth around £5 million — a record-breaking fee for a J-League defender. The 20-year-old is set to leave his current club after July 5, and while neither club has officially confirmed Tottenham as the destination, all signs point to Hotspur Way.
Frontale released a statement confirming Takai’s departure, stating:
> “We would like to inform you that Kota Takai will be leaving the team at the end of the activity on Saturday, July 5, in order to complete the necessary procedures and preparations for a transfer to an overseas club.”
The statement continued:
> “We will notify you further regarding future plans as soon as they are officially decided. After the match against Kashima Antlers in the 23rd round of the J1 League on Saturday, July 5, Kota Takai will be giving a speech to the supporters. In addition, Takai will not be participating in the Fan Appreciation Day on Sunday, July 6.”
According to well-connected Spurs journalist Alasdair Gold, Takai is expected to compete for a place in the senior squad from day one. The club hopes he can follow in the footsteps of other recent young signings such as Destiny Udogie, Pape Matar Sarr, and Lucas Bergvall — all of whom have made significant impacts despite their age.
But Levy’s work may not be finished yet. In a surprising twist, Spurs are now seriously pursuing West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus. The Ghana international enjoyed an impressive debut season at the London Stadium in 2023/24, and although his form was slightly inconsistent in the recent campaign, he remains one of the most highly regarded attacking midfielders in the Premier League.
Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that negotiations between Tottenham and Kudus’ camp are underway, with the 24-year-old said to be open to a switch across the capital. Now, an exclusive update from GiveMeSport has added another layer of intrigue: Daniel Levy has personally reached out to West Ham chairman David Sullivan to try and push a deal through.
Spurs are believed to have opened talks with a £50 million bid — an attempt to strike early and fend off growing interest from rival clubs across Europe. Levy’s direct involvement signals how serious Tottenham are about landing the former Ajax playmaker, especially with competition for Kudus expected to intensify in the coming weeks.
West Ham, however, are standing firm for now. Despite their awareness of Kudus’ desire to leave, they have deemed all offers so far to be unsatisfactory. Nevertheless, the Hammers could be forced to reconsider their stance, as they need to generate funds to kickstart their own recruitment efforts this summer.
Kudus, known for his power, dribbling ability, and creativity, remains a player of enormous potential. Speaking on the Iron Cast podcast, West Ham full-back Aaron Cresswell offered glowing praise for his teammate’s talent and explosiveness in training.
> “I’ve just trained with him and you don’t want to go anywhere near him,” said Cresswell. “He’s a top, top talent and I think we haven’t seen the best of him yet.
“I’m up against him all the time and I’m like: ‘Mo, go on over to the left!’ You just can’t get near him. He’s so strong, so quick, so sharp.”
Tottenham’s summer window is shaping up to be one of their most aggressive in recent years, with Levy clearly eager to back Frank’s vision and build a team capable of challenging on multiple fronts. If Spurs manage to land Kudus in addition to Tel and Takai, it would be a serious statement of intent — not just for The Premier League, but across Europe.