Ally Gold has said that we've apparently been monitoring him for a long time and that Ange is a big fan. FWIW I do think his hold-up play and movement in the box is a clear step up from Richarlison, but in all other areas he's pretty much on par with the Pigeon. Agreed, wouldn't say no at £30-40m as that really is the minimum market value for a PL striker with years left on his contract. But there are strong rumours Bmouth expect us to break our transfer record for him, which just seems daft.
Solanke has had one half decent season. Rest of his career has been below average. To drop big money on him would be awful. Issue is Spurs don’t mind doing that in recent times - Brennan Johnson & Richarlison for example.
That loan to Charlton killed his momentum. Good luck to him, needs experience in the lower leagues and hopefully he can go on to have a good career in the 2nd or 3rd tier
Didn't he score the first ever goal v southampton at the new lane in an under 21 match? It was the test event iirc
Sadly that goal at the new stadium was probably the peak of his career. He got released a couple of years ago didn’t he? Where is he now?
Last seen at Brentford, though he was released last summer He did at least get on the field for us once, in the conference League against Pacos de Ferreira...then went on loan at Crewe and ended his season (and basically his career) doing his ankle ligaments after 9 games
Looks like momentum for Solanke and Neto could be picking up. Sooner the better at this point, having the best part of 2 weeks to train with the group isn’t the end of the world, though it’s always nice for new additions to go on tour obviously.
Just me that isn’t excited by either? Their numbers over their career are less than impressive. For me Spurs need players with end product and these two aren’t it.
Over 5 years since that match... crazy how time has gone. Skipp started that game! I met Micky Hazard and Graham Roberts after the game on the high street too. Me and my mate saw Hazard having a photo with a guy, so we grabbed one afterwards but were completely oblivious Roberts was standing to the side of him, after we grabbed the photo with Hazard my cousin said to us both "you do realise Graham Roberts was right next to Micky?" so we quickly went back and Roberts said "ahhh now you wanna speak to me, lads, eh?!" . Both top, top blokes as well as footballing legends.
I'm with you. Maybe we have to face the harsh possibility that this is just the pond we can fish in right now. We don't win trophies, can't offer CL football and don't pay as much as some of our rivals. Why would a top, top player want to come to Spurs? Chiesa is another example of this. Circa 2021 his agent wouldn't have picked up the phone to us. It's only his injury and contract situation that allows that conversation to even happen.
John's always looked like a decent player in the U21s and I'm sure he'll have no trouble finding a new club. Seemed willing to play wherever he was needed and would do a decent job, too. Much like Santiago he never quite made the step up and is right to move on now. The right club will get the best out of him.
I get the logic of wanting somebody pacey to get on the end of those low drilled crosses both Johnson and Werner fire across the area, and Solanke is certainly no slouch when pressing ...but he still costs twice as much as Jonathan David who does the exact same thing and is more consistent, plus dodges both HG Tax and the 25% sellon clause the Mousers are looking forward to receiving
I’m open minded on both. I mentioned a while back that I’m a bit Neto-sceptic but he is that two-way, dribbly 1v1 specialist who can play either side that we lack in the squad and is important for Angeball, so I get it in principle. I’d also worry about his recent injuries. Solanke had a fine season last time out but the success feels a bit isolated for a player of his age and experience. His physical profile fits what Ange would want from a 9 but it’s the consistency of finishing I’m concerned about, and when you watch his goals from last season they’re just an odd collection to me. Lots of what felt to me more like isolated ‘moment’ goals rather than system play, but that might also be a function of how Bournemouth played. Mainly I’m also a bit worried we’re overpaying for both, as I’ve seen it reported. I get Solanke is HG and it’s a bit of a lean striker market, and we need more HG players, but still.
Ultimately if the players have the manager's blessing, there is little I'd complain about. We've signed far too many players clearly unwanted by various managers over the years (Soldado, Aurier, Moura, Rodon, Bergwijn, Spence, Richarlison, Bissouma etc.), and it hasn't resulted in anything good. If Ange wants Neto and Solanke, fair enough. Give the man a chance with players he wants to work with. If it goes wrong, it's on him, not Levy.
Given we are now 2 weeks away from the first game of the season, I would bite your hand off for either of these players. We need players who will immediately be challenging for the first team. I’m excited about Gray and Bergvall and how they will develop, but they are very unlikely to be the difference between improving our league position next year.
Highly doubt we'll even have the best part of two weeks. Most Neto stories are stemming from ITKs and Solanke links seem like they're only in enquiry stages at the moment so I'd be shocked if either were signed before we face Bayern on Saturday, if we sign them at all. Really doesn't feel like we've had much of a plan this window though. I presume Paratici has now fully stepped back from even "consulting" us and it shows. Window's not over of course but Lange doesn't seem like he's gonna be cut out to be Don Fabio's successor.
