Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season across all competitions in France as Lens came back from a goal down to beat the Gunners 2-1 at the Estadio Bollaert-Delelis.

The result means that Tottenham are the only Premier League who are unbeaten in 90 minutes of football across all competitions this season, with the Lilywhites’ only loss coming via a penalty shootout at Craven Cottage in the Carabao Cup Second Round.

The defeat on Tuesday leaves Arsenal with plenty of work to do to get out of their Champions League group and to make matters worse, the travelling fans were mocked brutally by one Lens supporter.

(Photo by Visionhaus)

Tottenham show up to haunt Arsenal on Tuesday

The fan in question was filmed confronting the Arsenal away support with a picture of the Tottenham badge on his phone, continually pointing at it. Needless to say, the banter has gone down very well with Spurs fans on social media.

Watch a clip of the incident below:

Lens Tottenham Hotspur pic.twitter.com/gMLoG2anTA

— Tottenham Tiers (@TottenhamTiers) October 3, 2023

Spurs Web Opinion

I certainly have a newfound appreciation for Lens and their supporters after this incident, with Arsenal being handed a reality check in what was their first Champions League away match in seven years.

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Djed Spence is reportedly Spurs’ top target for the right wing-back role this summer (Evening Standard) but the negotiations between Middlesbrough and Tottenham for the 21-year-old has been dragging on for several weeks. 

According to Alasdair Gold (Gold and Guest Talk Tottenham), although the Spence deal is proving to be a ‘difficult’ one to do, Spurs are hopeful that it will eventually go through.

Sky Sports (Transfer centre 24/06/22 at 10:38) reported a couple of weeks ago that Antonio Conte’s men had identified Clauss as one of the alternatives to the Boro youngster.

The Frenchman has been one of the standout wing-backs in Ligue 1 over the last two years and ended the 2021/22 campaign with five goals and 11 assists to his name (Transfermarkt).

Foot Mercato have now revealed that Marseille have stepped up their pursuit of Clauss ahead of the new season.

The report states that even though the Lens star is also attracting interest from Spurs and Atletico Madrid, Marseille are hopeful of winning the race for the 29-year-old.

It is claimed Lens have told Marseille and the other interested clubs that they want a fee of €20m (£16.9m) to part with the player.

Spurs Web Opinion

Given the amount of time and energy Spurs have put into negotiations for Spence, it is clear that they are determined to get the 21-year-old. So, the only way I can see Tottenham making a move for Clauss this summer is if both Emerson and Doherty are sold, which seems extremely unlikely. 

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Tottenham’s top target for the right wing-back role is thought to be Middlesbrough’s Djed Spence and it was reported two weeks ago that the North Londoners were expected to conclude a deal for the 21-year-old (Football Insider).

However, it emerged recently that there was still a gap between what Spurs were willing to pay for the England Under-21 international and what Boro were asking for (Tom Barclay).

According to Sky Sports (Transfer centre 24/06/22 at 10:38), Spurs have identified Clauss as one of the alternatives to Spence this summer.

The Frenchman has been one of the standout wing-backs in Ligue 1 over the last two campaigns and ended the 2021/22 campaign with five goals and 11 assists to his name (Transfermarkt).

Galetti has now taken to social media to reveal Chelsea also have their eyes on Clauss, and that Thomas Tuchel’s men want to accelerate their efforts to sign the 29-year-old in order to beat Spurs and Atletico Madrid to the player’s signature. 

#Chelsea want to speed things up for Jonathan #Clauss, to beat the competition.

The #RCLens player – strongly desidered by #Tuchel – is followed also by #Tottenham (as alternative of main target Djed #Spence) and #Atleti: evolving situation. #Transfers #THFC #CFC pic.twitter.com/h2Go5N8wRg

— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) June 24, 2022

Spurs Web Opinion

If Spurs have expressed an interest in the likes of Clauss and Wilfried Singo, it is likely only a negotiating tactic from Fabio Paratici to get Boro to lower their asking price for Spence. I believe that the 21-year-old will be a Tottenham player within the next few weeks.

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Clauss, who is a winger by trade has also operated at right wing-back and at right-back for Lens since joining the club two years ago.

The Strasbourg academy product scored five goals and provided 11 assists in Ligue 1 across the 2021/22 campaign and has just 12 months left to run on his contract at the Estadio Bollaert-Delelis (Transfermarkt).

Singo, meanwhile, established himself as a regular in Torino’s starting XI during the 2020/21 season and has come on leaps and bounds over the last 12 months.

Tuttosport reported back in April that Conte is ‘in love with’ the 22-year-old and Fabio Paratici was already laying the groundwork to bring him to Spurs this summer, however Daniel Levy is said to have recently took his place at the negotiating table (Sky Sports).

Sky Sports have now revealed that Spurs held talks with Middlesbrough regarding Spence on Thursday but the two clubs are still apart on the transfer fee. 

The report claims the North Londoners are prepared to turn their attentions to Clauss or Singo if they cannot agree on a deal for the England Under-21 international.

Spurs Web Opinion

This seems like a classic Paratici negotiation tactic to get Boro to lower their demands for Spence. I fully expect Spurs to agree on a fee for the 21-year-old, given that it has been widely reported by multiple sources that he is our number one right-back target this summer.

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Jeunes Footeux were the first to report back in April that Spurs were interested in a summer move for Fofana as well as his Lens teammate Cheick Doucoure.

But! Football Club (21/04/22 as relayed by Sport Witness) subsequently revealed that the North London club had sent scouts to France to watch the Ivory Coast international in action this season.

However, Le10Sport revealed last month that Lyon and Newcastle United were leading the race for Fofana’s signature.

The report added that the Magpies have made the 27-year-old a ‘priority’ signing this summer and that they ‘will not hesitate to pull out the chequebook out’ to win the race for the midfielder.

Foot Mercato have now explained that Fofana has no shortage of suitors either in France or in the Premier League, with several English clubs said to have enquired about the player’s availability.

However, it is explained that Lens will not let the midfielder leave for a cut-price fee and value him at around €35m-€40m (£30m-£34.3m).

Spurs Web Opinion

Fofana might have been on Tottenham’s radar this summer but the signing of Bissouma would have likely ended our interest in the Ivorian.

We are now well covered in central midfield with Bissouma, Skipp, Bentancur and Hojbjerg. An attacking midfielder of Eriksen’s or McKennie’s profile is likely to be a bigger priority. 

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Fofana has emerged as one of the best midfield enforcers in Ligue 1 since his move from Udinese two years ago.

Jeunes Footeux reported last month that Spurs were interested in a summer move for the midfielder as well as his Lens teammate Cheick Doucoure.

According to But! Football Club (21/04/22 as relayed by Sport Witness), Spurs have sent scouts to France to watch the Ivory Coast international in action this season.

However, Le10Sport have now revealed that Lyon and Newcastle are leading the race for Fofana’s signature.

The report explains that Lyon are keen to make an early move for the 26-year-old in order to steal a march on other suitors.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are said to have made the Lens star a ‘priority’ signing this summer and the report states that the Magpies ‘will not hesitate to pull out the chequebook out’ to win the race for the midfielder.

Spurs Web Opinion

Paratici might have sent scouts over to France to run the rule on Fofana this season but that does not necessarily mean that the midfielder is a target for Spurs this summer. While the Ivorian has done exceedingly well in Ligue 1, the jury is out on whether he would be able to have a similar impact in the Premier League.

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Doucoure, 22, has been a key man for Lens this season, notching almost 3,000 minutes across 34 appearances in all competitions (Transfermarkt). 

Jeunes Footeux previously reported that Tottenham were keeping tabs on the Mali international and were considering an offer worth up to £16.8 million (€20m) for the defensive midfielder, who can also play in defence. 

Spurs were also thought to have been interested in Doucoure last summer, but were thwarted by Lens who ‘closed the door’ on a move from happening (Le Quotidien du Sport).

And it looks as though Spurs will now be forced to miss out altogether, with The Sun reporting that Palace are closing in on a £15 million deal this summer. 

The report notes that Patrick Vieira’s side moved in the direction of Doucoure as an alternative after being priced out of a move for Ajax defender Edson Alvarez. 

Spurs Web Opinion 

Doucoure has played a lot of football this season and that just shows how highly-rated he is by Lens and the fact he can be trusted in such a key role. 

For Crystal Palace, this looks to be a snip at just £15 million as they are getting a talented defensive-minded midfielder who will likely have plenty of room to grow – especially under Vieira. 

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Fofana has emerged as one of the best midfield enforcers in Ligue 1 since his move from Udinese two years ago.

The 26-year-old’s impressive partnership with Cheick Doucoure in the middle of the park is arguably one of the main reasons why Lens currently occupy the dizzying heights of seventh place on the table.

Jeunes Footeux reported last week that Spurs are interested in moves for both Fofana and Doucoure ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report stated that the Tottenham hierarchy ‘strongly appreciate’ the profiles of both Fofana and Doucoure, and added that Lens will have ‘difficulty’ retaining the two players for next season in case there is an approach from the North London club in the summer.

But! Football Club have now claimed that a scout from Spurs was in attendance to watch Fofana in Lens 2-1 win over local rivals Lille last Sunday.

Spurs Web Opinion

If a Spurs scout was indeed at the Stade Pierre Mauroy last weekend, I suspect that they would have been running the rule over Doucoure rather than Fofana. The Mali international is much younger and his profile is likely to interest Fabio Paratici more than the Ivorian’s.

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Doucoure has established himself as a mainstay in Lens’ starting lineup over the past couple of years and has been one of their most consistent performers since the club’s promotion to Ligue 1 in 2020. 

Jeunes Footeux reported back in February that Tottenham had expressed an interest in the versatile defensive midfielder, who can also operate at centre-back.

The report claimed that Spurs considered making an offer between €15m-€20m (£12.6m-£16.8m) for the player last summer before turning to ‘another track’. 

The same publication revealed last week that Antonio Conte’s men were plotting a double-raid of Doucoure and his Lens teammate Seko Fofana this summer.

However, if Hawkins’ latest update is to be believed, it is Palace who have made the first move for Doucoure.

The journalist took to social media to reveal that the Eagles are ‘very interested’ in the Mali international and have made contact with Lens over a summer deal.

Wolfsburg et Crystal Palace sont très interessés par le Lensois Cheick Doucouré. Les deux clubs échangent avec l’entourage du joueur mais Lens n’a reçu aucune offre pour son milieu sous contrat jusqu’en 2024.#RCLENS

— Fabrice Hawkins (@FabriceHawkins) April 19, 2022

Spurs Web Opinion

Paratici and his network of scouts will likely be watching a lot of talents from Ligue 1. So, just because Spurs have shown interest in Doucoure does not mean that an offer is likely to arrive from the club. However, a Pape Matar Sarr-like swoop cannot be completely ruled out.

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Fofana, 26, and Doucoure, 22, have formed a formidable partnership in the middle of the park for Franck Haise’s side this season.

Spurs may be in the market for a central midfielder this summer, with reports indicating that Harry Winks could be on his way out of his boyhood club (The Daily Star).

Jeunes Footeux have now claimed that the Lens midfield pair are both on the North London club’s wishlist ahead of the summer.

The report states that the Lilywhites hierarchy ‘strongly appreciate’ the profiles of both Fofana and Doucoure. 

A Spurs scout was allegedly in attendance at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis to run the rule over the pair during Lens’ 3-0 win over Nice on Sunday.

The report adds that the Ligue 1 club will have ‘difficulty’ retaining the two players for next season in case there is an approach from Tottenham in the summer.

Spurs Web Opinion

Just because Spurs are following Fofana and Doucoure does not mean that they are likely to make an offer for them. The likelihood is that Fabio Paratici has his network of scouts assessing scores of players across the continent ahead of the summer.

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Doucoure has established himself as a mainstay in Lens’ starting lineup over the past couple of years and has been one of their most consistent performers since the club’s promotion to Ligue 1 in 2020. 

Jeunes Footeux claim that the defensive midfielder, who can also play at centre-back, attracted interest from several clubs in January but no concrete offer was made for the player.

In addition, the report reveals that Doucoure was on Tottenham’s radar last summer and the North London club even considered making an offer between €15m-€20m (£12.6m-£16.8m) for the player before turning to ‘another track’. 

The report adds that on the back of the Mali international’s impressive performances in the French league this season, Spurs could reignite their interest in the 22-year-old when the transfer window reopens at the end of the season.

Apart from Antonio Conte’s men, Sevilla and Borussia Monchengladbach are also said to be following Doucoure’s progress closely.

Spurs Web Opinion

It has been proven time and again over the last decade or so that there are more unpolished gems in French football than anywhere else in Europe. 

So, Paratici’s expertise and connections in France can come in handy for Spurs. I would not be surprised if the club pick up a couple of starlets like Pape Matar Sarr over the next couple of windows. 

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Aurier, who is into his fourth season at Tottenham, has had a complicated campaign so far.

He was arguably playing the best football of his Spurs career at the start of the season, with Matt Doherty’s arrival from Wolves seeming to have brought the best out of him.

However, the 28-year-old’s performances have dipped over the last couple of months and he has found himself in and out of the side, partly due to injury.

It was reported at the end of last month that the right-back had fallen out with Jose Mourinho at half-time of Tottenham’s 3-1 defeat to Liverpool and it was suggested that his future at the North London club was in jeopardy.

However, he has subsequently been brought back into the fold by Mourinho after being left out of the matchday squad against Brighton.

The defender will have just one year left on his contract with Spurs at the end of the season and it remains to be seen what the future holds for him.

When asked if he would return to the Ligue 1 in the future, Aurier told Soccer Stories – Oh My Goal: “I’ll never close the door to PSG, never in my life.

“Like I said recently, I did an interview with someone a few weeks ago, and they asked me the same question and I said that I had never closed the door to PSG.

“I said that if I returned to France, if not the club that trained me, which is Lens, or for Paris, then I will not be going back to France.”

When asked if he would consider returning to Toulouse, where he spent two and a half years prior to his move to Paris, Aurier said: “Toulouse? Yeah why not?

“Those are clubs that I loved, clubs where I spent a lot of time, so that wouldn’t be a problem.”

Spurs Web Opinion

A new contract does not seem forthcoming for Aurier at the moment. So I would not be surprised if this turns out to be his final season at Spurs. However, I doubt he would be able to return to France in the summer as no Ligue 1 club other PSG would likely be in a position to afford him.

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