Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on a move for Lens centre-back Kevin Danso, with the 26-year-old defender expected to join the North London club in a deal worth €25 million (£21 million). Despite strong interest from other clubs, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, Spurs are set to win the race for Danso’s signature as they look to strengthen their defense. Tottenham’s need for defensive reinforcements has become urgent following an injury to Radu Dragusin, further depleting their already thin squad. This move comes as Spurs continue their efforts to bolster their roster under manager Ange Postecoglou.
Danso, who began his career in the MK Dons academy, joined German side Augsburg as a teenager. After a challenging loan spell at Southampton during the 2019-2020 season, he found his feet in France with Lens. Over the course of 128 appearances with the Ligue 1 side, Danso has made a significant impact, earning a reputation as a reliable and robust central defender. His performances in France have caught the attention of several top clubs, and now, after several years of progression, he looks set to return to the Premier League, this time with Tottenham.
In addition to Tottenham’s pursuit of Danso, Borussia Dortmund is also in talks with Chelsea regarding a loan move for midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka. The 21-year-old has struggled for game time under Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, and with limited appearances this season, he is seeking a new challenge. Dortmund, long admirers of Chukwuemeka, are pushing to complete a deal that would take the young midfielder to Germany for the remainder of the season. It remains unclear whether the Bundesliga club would seek an option or obligation to purchase the player after the loan term.
Chukwuemeka joined Chelsea from Aston Villa in the summer of 2022 for a reported £20 million, following a promising spell at Villa Park. He had caught the eye of several top clubs with his performances in Villa’s academy and senior team. However, his time at Chelsea has been marred by frustration. Although he made encouraging progress under manager Mauricio Pochettino, a knee injury stalled his momentum, and he has found himself sidelined since the arrival of Maresca. This season, Chukwuemeka has made just one start and four substitute appearances, failing to secure a regular spot in the first team. With the World Cup year approaching, Chukwuemeka is eager to find more consistent playing time to further his development.
Dortmund’s interest in Chukwuemeka is not the only move they are pursuing. They are also targeting other players to strengthen their squad for the second half of the Bundesliga season. However, Chukwuemeka’s situation at Chelsea has attracted attention from multiple other clubs. Juventus and Porto have both made inquiries about the midfielder, while Premier League sides Everton and West Ham have also been linked with potential moves. Despite this, it seems that Dortmund are leading the race for the player, and the move to Germany could provide Chukwuemeka with the fresh start he is seeking.
Meanwhile, Chelsea is looking to make further adjustments to their squad before the transfer deadline. They are reportedly interested in Brighton’s highly sought-after striker, Evan Ferguson, and could look to offload several players in the final days of the transfer window. In addition to Chukwuemeka’s possible departure, Ben Chilwell has also attracted tentative interest from Crystal Palace, while Tottenham could rival Aston Villa for the signature of French defender Axel Disasi. There is also speculation surrounding the future of João Félix, who remains uncertain at Chelsea amid ongoing discussions about his future at the club.
On the field, Dortmund earned a much-needed win in the Bundesliga, securing a 2-1 victory over Heidenheim, their first league win since December 22. The victory provides some relief for the German side as they continue to push for better results in the second half of the season.
