Spurs Transfer Rumours: Defender rejects contract offer; club ramps up pursuit of €15m Ligue 1 teenager

Tottenham Hotspur are in the headlines even when the football on the pitch is suspended. We take a look at the latest Spurs transfer news and rumours of the day.

Jan Vertonghen rejects contract offer

Belgian ace Jan Vertonghen has rejected a new contract offer from Tottenham, according to a report from Football Insider. The 32-year-old defender is in the final few months of his current deal with our club and has been dropping hints of a potential exit in the summer.

And as per the report, he has refused to pen a new deal tabled by the club. Instead, he is already learning a new language and will most certainly be on the move when his contract runs out.

Inter Milan are interested in signing the defender, while there is some interest from Spain as well. Seems like the veteran defender’s time at Tottenham is drawing to a close.

Tottenham intensify Mohamed Simakan pursuit

According to French publication RMC Sport, Tottenham have upped the ante in their pursuit of Strasbourg ace Mohamed Simakan. Everton and Borussia Dortmund are also chasing the signature of the 19-year-old defender.

Jose Mourinho is eyeing a defensive overhaul this summer, with the likes of Vertonghen, Serge Aurier, Danny Rose all expected to leave. And in order to strengthen his ranks, the Portuguese is eyeing a move for Simakan. The RC Strasbourg man has impressed heavily this term and can play as a centre-back as well as a right-back.

Valued at €15m by the Ligue 1 club, Simakan is also a top target for AC Milan as well as Southampton. This would mean our club will have their task cut out in closing the deal for the teenager.

Juventus pull ahead of Tottenham in Arkadiusz Milik race

According to a report from Tuttosport (h/t MilanNews), Juventus have left Tottenham Hotspur behind in the race to sign Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik.

Milik, valued at €50m, has been linked with a move to Spurs as Mourinho eyes competition for Harry Kane. The 26-year-old Polish striker has had an injury-riddled 2019-20 campaign, but still managed to score 12 goals in 22 matches.

However, Juventus are prepared to offer Daniele Rugani or Federico Bernardeschi in exchange for the striker. This has put them in the driver’s seat to land the 26-year-old. Milik remains keen on an exit, but it is unlikely that he will be arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Newcastle United join Philippe Coutinho pursuit

The competition to sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona has further heated up, as Newcastle United have joined Tottenham and Chelsea in the pursuit of the Brazilian. This claim comes from Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo.

Coutinho has struggled to live up to expectations at Barcelona since joining in January 2018. Currently on loan at Bayern Munich, the Brazilian has fared decently. Given that Christian Eriksen was sold in January, we could have used a quality playmaker like Coutinho in our ranks for next season.

But Newcastle, backed by their potential new owners, have thrown their hat in the ring as well, complicating matters for Spurs further. Coutinho will not be a Barcelona player next season, that is for certain. A move to Tottenham though, is getting difficult by the day.

Thomas Meunier ‘won over’ by Mourinho phone call

According to a report from French publication L’Equipe (h/t Daily Mail), PSG defender Thomas Meunier has been ‘won over’ by the conversation with Tottenham boss Mourinho.

Meunier is in the final few days of his contract with PSG. The Belgian right-back is a target for Tottenham. And, it was reported this past weekend that Mourinho had personally called the 28-year-old to convince him to join Spurs.

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And as per the latest report, Meunier has been impressed following the conversation and Tottenham are now leading the chase for the 28-year-old. A convincing financial package from Daniel Levy should help our club seal the deal for the PSG right-back this summer.