Transfer rumors, news: Next Tottenham manager candidates emerge

Tottenham Hotspur’s season is teetering on the brink after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace left the club hovering one point above the relegation zone, and the north-London outfit are already mapping out a potential change in the dugout before the campaign reaches its climax.

Sources tell the Telegraph that Spurs have opened formal discussions with Roberto de Zerbi, the former Brighton & Hove Albion coach, while the possibility of a romantic return for Mauricio Pochettino has also been placed on the table. Yet with interim boss Igor Tudor losing all three of his matches since taking temporary charge, Tottenham are weighing an even earlier shake-up. TeamTalk adds that Ferencvárosi TC manager and ex-Spurs striker Robbie Keane has been floated as a stop-gap option, while club icon Glenn Hoddle has publicly offered his services, according to the Daily Mail.

Off the pitch, Barcelona have identified 19-year-old centre-back Luka Vuskovic as a prime target despite the teenager currently plying his trade on loan at Hamburg. Sky Germany reports that while Hamburg are lobbying for another season-long stay, Tottenham intend to fast-track the Croatian into Ange Postecoglou’s first-team squad next season. Barcelona, however, have added Vuskovic to their shortlist of defensive reinforcements.

Elsewhere, Trabzonspor are balking at Manchester United’s £40 million valuation of goalkeeper André Onana, the Manchester Evening News reveals. Onana has made 21 league appearances during his loan in Turkey, but unless the Super Lig side dramatically alter their stance, the Cameroon international will head back to Old Trafford this summer.

Juventus remain in a holding pattern over RB Leipzig midfielder Xaver Schlager, Fabrizio Romano notes, with no progress made since January talks. The Bianconeri continue to survey a crowded midfield market that also features Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali.

Arsenal and Manchester United are among a cluster of elite clubs tracking 16-year-old Hertha Berlin prodigy Kennet Eichhorn, whose release clause could be triggered for under €10 million. Bayern Munich and a host of Bundesliga rivals are also circling the midfielder, whose calm distribution and progressive passing have already drawn comparisons to Toni Kroos.

Napoli will attempt to tie down Scott McTominay to a lucrative new deal amid persistent Premier League interest, Goal reports, while Juventus scouts have watched Brentford right-back Michael Kayode in each of his last two outings, per Nicolo Schira. Aston Villa are monitoring Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile, Greuther Fürth defender Reno Münz is attracting Bundesliga suitors, and Arsenal lead the chase for Bayern’s Leon Goretzka despite Atletico Madrid’s earlier advances. Antoine Griezmann has opted to remain at Atletico for another season, Manchester City plan to extend Phil Foden’s stay beyond 2025, and Manchester United’s Mason Mount has no desire to push for an exit. Finally, Villa and United are keeping tabs on Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson.