Ange Postecoglou is facing a number of big Tottenham transfer decisions and dilemmas this summer. The Lilywhites have already confirmed the return of Timo Werner on another loan spell from RB Leipzig with the option to make the move permanent available again this summer.
Though Werner will again add depth out wide, Tottenham look to be interested in signing more players to bolster their attacking department. Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze is one name being strongly linked to Spurs, though they will face significant competition from numerous other Premier League teams.
Jacob Ramsey is another exciting option of interest to Postecoglou with conflicting reports emerging earlier this month that an offer had been submitted from North London. While making more new signings is a priority, trimming down the squad will also be important with five senior departures having already been announced, with club-record signing Tanguy Ndombele among those being moved on.
The coming months will also prove decisive in making decisions on a number of players soon-to-be out of contract with club captain Son Heung-min falling into that category. With all of that being said, football.london has taken a look at the four biggest jobs Postecoglou has this summer.
Jacob Ramsey dilemma
It is perhaps no surprise that Tottenham’s technical director Johan Lange is the man leading Tottenham’s pursuit of Jacob Ramsey. With Spurs having poached Lange from Villa Park in 2023, he is clearly keen for the 23-year-old to join him in North London.
Though Unai Emery does not want to lose Ramsey, football.london understands there is a growing feeling that Ramsey could be prised away from Villa by a bid of up to £50million. With that in mind, if Spurs do actually formally launch an offer for the Englishmen, exactly how much they may have to pay is known.
There is however, one factor that will likely concern Postecoglou and that is Ramsey’s recent injury record. In the 2023/24 season, he made just 21 appearances and missed 33 games through a variety of injuries. For a better understanding of the impact he could make, in the previous campaign he managed 14 goal contributions.
If Spurs are able to sign Ramsey, it would be an astute addition considering his versatility and the fact he would be classed as a homegrown player.
£60m Eze decision
Arsenal and Liverpool are just two clubs to have been strongly linked with a move for Eberechi Eze. With Crystal Palace already set to lose Michael Olise, after Bayern Munich’s decision to activate his release clause, Oliver Glasner will be keen to not also see Eze depart.
However, it may be out of his hands with the England international thought to have a release clause of his own. The exact value is unknown but it is thought to be in the region of £60million following the new contract signed last year.
Because of that, if Spurs put the money on the table, Palace have no choice but to allow Eze to speak to the club with Postecoglou a keen admirer of the 26-year-old. Ultimately, though, the Lilywhites are facing a huge decision with numerous clubs circling and Eze’s best position likely to be where James Maddison wants to play.
Son contract dilemma
Making marquee additions will be important for the 2024/25 season and future campaigns, but equally keeping hold of the superstars already at the club shall be just as crucial.
And perhaps the biggest name currently employed by Tottenham is club captain Son Heung-min. The South Korea international sees his current deal expire in 2025 with any talks over an extension yet to take place.
While it may appear a no-brainer for both parties to sell, Son will be 32 in just over a week and thus the length of a potential contract offered will be taken into consideration. Spurs should absolutely present their longest-serving player with an extension proposal but for no more than three years.
Ultimately, brutal decisions need to start being made at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and one will inevitably arrive regarding Son in a few years.
Trimming the squad
Though Postecoglou has already got the wages of five players off Tottenham’s books, he will certainly be looking to free up more cash. The likes of Djed Spence, Joe Rodon, Giovani Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilon and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg are all expected to exit with Ben Davies and Richarlison potentially on the move as well.
As Spurs prepare for their return to European football, Postecoglou will need bodies but ones that he can rely on. Keeping hold of homegrown players will also be vital but it is absolutely time for Spurs to be brutal exactly how north London rivals Arsenal have been over the last few years.