Tottenham Hotspur - News

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy says club in talks with 'prospective investors'..By Bobbie Jackson, BBC Sport.

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Daniel Levy has been Tottenham's chairman since 2001

Tottenham are in talks with "prospective investors" after reporting losses of £86.8m in their 2022-23 accounts, says chairman Daniel Levy.

Total revenue increased by 24% from 2022 to a record-high £549.6m, with matchday income reaching a record £117.6m.

But they reported a loss for the fourth successive year following the 2022 deficit of £50.1m.

Levy stressed the need to "capitalise on our long-term potential".

"To continue to invest in the teams and undertake future capital projects, the club requires a significant increase in its equity base," he said.

"The board and its advisors, Rothschild & Co, are in discussions with prospective investors. Any recommended investment proposal would require the support of the club's shareholders."

Under Premier League profit and sustainability (PSR) regulations, clubs can lose a maximum of £105m over a three-season period, or £35m per campaign, before facing sanctions.

Tottenham's losses over the last three years are beyond that threshold at £220.7m, but the annual depreciation charge of £72m, which refers to their stadium and other facilities, means they are not at risk of breaching PSR regulations.

Everton and Nottingham Forest have already been punished with points deductions this campaign for breaking PSR rules, while Championship side Leicester were charged last month by the Premier League for allegedly breaking spending rules during their last three seasons in the top flight.

"The club remains fully compliant with the rules and is supportive of the enhancement of PSR to ensure the Premier League remains competitive and sustainable," Levy said.

"We have operated on a financially sustainable basis and can now optimise the true value of key assets, the unrivalled facilities at our multi-use stadium and our training campus.

"We expect commercial revenues to rise from third-party events, although this will not compensate for the lack of European football this season."

After finishing fourth in 2021-22, Tottenham returned to the Champions League last season - reaching the last 16 - bringing in £56.2m in Uefa prize money, compared to £10.2m in the previous year's accounts when they suffered a group-stage exit from the Europa Conference League.

They finished eighth in the Premier League in 2022-23 and are not involved in European football this term.

Tottenham's accounts for 2022-23 showed operating expenses had risen by 21% from £403.4m to £487.9m, due to increased first-team costs and the hosting of multiple non-football events, such as NFL fixtures, boxing and music concerts.

A "significant and continued investment in the playing squad" saw the wage bill rise by 20% to £251m. Levy also had a pay increase from £3.2m to £3.5m, while taking home a £3m bonus.

In March, Tottenham announced season ticket prices would increase by 6% for the 2024-25 season, with the most affordable adult season ticket costing £856, up from £807 this season. They are also removing the concession for new senior season ticket holders - those aged 65 and above - from 2025-26.

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust said the decision was "unacceptable" and "cannot be justified".

Tottenham said the increase in season ticket prices is because they have only raised prices once in the past five years - by 1.5% - and there had been a "significant increase in matchday costs".

The accounts do not mention how much it cost to dismiss manager Antonio Conte, who was relieved of his duties at the club in March 2023, with Ange Postecoglou appointed his permanent successor on 6th June after interim spells from Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason.

Spurs also saw talisman Harry Kane sold to Bayern Munich for 100m euros (£86.4m) in August, but that deal fell outside of the financial window and will be included in the 2023-24 accounts.

Likewise, the outlay for new additions Micky van de Ven and Brennan Johnson will feature in next year's accounts.

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Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham are "not one of the clubs who are going to be as restricted as others" when it comes to spending in the summer transfer window.

Spurs announced their 2022-23 financial results, external this week, which showed total revenue had increased to £549.6m - up from £444m for the previous year.

Chairman Daniel Levy also confirmed the club are "in discussions with prospective investors" over a minority stake, and the loss of £86.8m was put down to "significant and continued investment in the playing squad".

"My discussions around those kinds of issues are not the minutiae of a balance sheet," Postecoglou said in his news conference before Sunday's visit of Nottingham Forest.

"It is about us planning to build a side that can potentially be successful. So, that's what we're doing and nothing that is going to come out in the balance sheet is going to disrupt those plans because those plans are done in alliance with the people who make the balance sheets.

"It is not like: 'Oh, we are going to wait for the financial results before we start thinking about who we're going to sign.' All this stuff is already in planning.

"We kind of know what position we're in and what we need to do in the summer. That doesn't mean it's all going to come to fruition, of course, because there are all sorts of other factors that come into it.

"We are not one of the clubs who are going to be as restricted as others. I've had a clear line of communication about where we are as a football club.

"We're in a good position and hopefully we can build on that."

Sunday 7th April 2024 - Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Santiago Costa dos Santos 15 og, Van de ven 52, Porro 58) Nottingham Forest 1 (Wood 27)

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Tottenham signed defender Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg for an initial 40m euros (£34m) last summer

Report By Joe Rindl, BBC Sport.
Tottenham returned to the Premier League's top four for the first time since February by beating Nottingham Forest.
The hosts opened the scoring inside 15 minutes when Forest defender Murillo diverted Timo Werner's cross into his own net.
Forest levelled 12 minutes later through Chris Wood, who finished off Anthony Elanga's cross.
But centre-back Micky van de Ven restored Tottenham's lead in the 52nd minute with a thunderous shot from the edge of the penalty area that found the top corner.
And six minutes later, Pedro Porro netted a third for Spurs, hammering in James Maddison's pass across goal.
Victory meant Tottenham moved above Aston Villa on goal difference, having played one game fewer.
Nottingham Forest stayed 17th, only outside of the drop zone thanks to their superior goal difference over Luton.


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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to BBC Sport following the win: "It had a bit of everything. We got off to a decent start. We imposed ourselves on the game.
"We lost our way a little bit, but the whole second half we were very dominant."
On deciding to make the double change at half-time: "Just some energy and legs. Three games in a week, they had given all they could, so we got some legs in there. Pierre [Emile Hojbjerg] and Rodrigo [Bentancur] were outstanding."
On the goals: "I love defenders scoring. We were pushing them into those areas."
On Micky van de Ven: "Just his sheer desire to be the best he can be. He has got so many great qualities. People talk about his speed, but he is strong and he is getting better and better on the ball."
On being fourth in the Premier League: "That is all we want to do, and keep going. Everyone has been banging on about us getting fourth. We are fourth now, but it doesn't stop. We will keep going.
"We are in a good shape to finish the season strong."

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We asked for your views on Sunday's Premier League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your responses:

Spurs fans

Paul: Not one of our most fluent performances as we gave Forest far too many chances, but the result is the most important thing at this stage of the season. Maddison was a little fortunate that the VAR didn’t get him sent off - he is too important for us to have him miss a few games. Great for Van de Ven and Porro, who have been superb all season.

Martin: Great opening 15 minutes but the Forest equaliser generated and exposed a mental fragility, especially in midfield. We needed half-time to resume the usual improved intensity of the second half. Only Van de Ven was excellent. Son a rare disappointment.

Jonesy: Our league position conceals the true level of our general play. We make so many misplaced passes all over the pitch and turn over possession repeatedly. Play like that against at top team and we’re going to get severely punished. I agree with the coach, top four or not is irrelevant - we need to improve the level of our performance throughout the 90.

Rog: Important win but flattering scoreline. Hate to say it but Son playing as centre-forward is a liability. Loses possession too easily and lets us get turned over. Also takes away his goal and assist threat. Werner and Johnson can create but don’t look like scoring. Desperately need a centre-forward who can hold up and finish if we are going to complete at the top.


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West Ham have joined Liverpool, Tottenham and AC Milan in the race to sign Fulham's 26-year-old centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo, who is out of contract in the summer.

Tottenham are monitoring Athletic Bilbao's 21-year-old Spain forward Nico Williams, who has a £42.8m release clause in his contract.

Bayer Leverkusen have joined Liverpool and Tottenham in the race to sign Leeds United's Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, 22.

Ange Postecoglou has made a centre-back one of his transfer priorities, with 22-year-old Bayer Leverkusen and Ecuador international Piero Hincapie on his shortlist.

Spurs are interested in Union Saint-Gilloise & Algeria striker Mohamed Amoura, West Ham United and Wolves are interested too in the 23-year-old.

Newcastle 4-0 Tottenham: What Ange Postecoglou said:

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Ange Postecoglou speaking to BBC Match of the Day after Tottenham's defeat to Newcastle: "It's a tough one, a bit raw at the moment. Credit to newcastle, I thought they were really good today. We never really got to grips with the game and weren't able to execute any of the stuff we usually do. Credit to them but just have to take them."

On whether Newcastle's two quick goals made the difference: "I thought even before that we lacked a little bit of conviction today throughout a lot of things. They can hurt you particularly in transition and they did that today."

On whether he thought his triple-substitution worked: "They tried hard, it's difficult because to be fair we didn't have anyone playing near the levels. Tried hard enough."

On needing to bounce back: "You've got no choice. You can't sit there and feel sorry for yourself, it's not the nature of what we do. There's some lessons in there, we've got to take them and look ahead."

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Tottenham have made an offer for 26-year-old Tosin Adarabioyo, as they try to beat Manchester United in the race for the Fulham defender.

Meanwhile, right-back Djed Spence, who is on loan at Genoa, is one of several senior players expected to leave Spurs this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur's Destiny Udogie's season over through injury..

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Destiny Udogie's form for Tottenham this season saw him make his senior Italy debut

Tottenham defender Destiny Udogie has been ruled out of the final weeks of the Premier League season through injury.

The Italy full-back has played 30 times for Ange Postecoglou's side in his first season at Tottenham after moving from Udinese.

Udogie, 21, revealed on Instagram he has had surgery on an injury without revealing any more details.

"An injury brings my season to an early end," Udogie wrote.

"It doesn't take away from how grateful I am to every person that has supported me this year."

Tottenham are three points below fourth-placed Aston Villa in the battle for a Champions League spot - but have a game in hand.

Sunday 28th April 2024 - Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur 2 (Romero 64, Son 87 pen) Arsenal 3

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Arsenal's 3-0 lead after 38 minutes is the second quickest in a Premier League north London derby

Report By Phil McNulty, Chief football writer at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Arsenal overcame the hurdle of a north London derby and an anxious finale to maintain momentum in the Premier League title pursuit with a vital victory at Tottenham.
Mikel Arteta's side moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League, although second-placed Manchester City later reduced that deficit to one point with a 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest and also have a game in hand.
The Gunners' meeting with their bitter rivals was seen as arguably the most treacherous of their remaining fixtures, but they took ruthless advantage of Spurs' defensive flaws to establish a three-goal lead by half-time.
Arsenal were then thrown off course when a dreadful clearance by goalkeeper David Raya presented Cristian Romero with a goal after 64 minutes, the nerves really jangling when Heung-min Son scored from the spot three minutes from the end of normal time after Declan Rice fouled Ben Davies.


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Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to Sky Sports following the defeat:
"We allowed them way too easy access to our goal in the first half. It is not acceptable at this level and we paid the price.
"We couldn't come out here in the second half and not give our supporters a little bit of hope, but it is still very disappointing.
"We are still not as resilient as we can be, especially in the transition moments or set pieces. We allow them far too easy access to our goal.
"They are a good side and they will punish you if you do not show that steel protecting your goal.
"There are a lot of areas of concern, so if you try to fix one thing - that is not where we're at - we have to fix a lot of things.
"Today was not great, we need to get punished and then we are a lot better in the second half. Sometimes you have to feel the pain to realise you have to do things differently next time."