Thomas Frank is set to be free of Star playmaker James Madison in the foreseeable future, and Tottenham confirms that the British are scheduled to undergo surgery on a ruptured ACL on Thursday morning.
It was only to be a farewell glory night for the club’s legendary son Hong Min last Sunday, but the fireworks in Tottenham were filled with despair when Madison collapsed in agony just minutes after he stepped into the Seoul pitch.
Tottenham’s best performance regular in the Premier League – 2024/2025 | Average Match Rating |
|---|---|
Son Hyun Min | 7.00 |
James Madison | 6.98 |
Pedro Polo | 6.95 |
Dominique Solanke | 6.84 |
Kulusevski from Deja | 6.83 |
via whoscore | |
Madison’s right knee – the same as kicking him out of the Europa League final – disappointing him once more. At one moment he was chasing the ball. The next moment I was on the ground. While the crutches wait outside, the stretcher carries him away – Frank describes the injury as “bad.”
But the worst wasn’t yet coming as the Spurs announced that Madison was ready for surgery for an ACL problem that could force him to miss the majority of the season.
The 28-year-old stares at the barrel for a 6-9-month recovery period, as in the case of an ACL rupture.
It’s a broken heart, pure and simple. Already rocking at his son’s exit, Tottenham is now facing a long season without the talent, vision and creativity of Star No. 10.
Chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johann Lange undoubtedly filmed the playmaker’s signature at the top of the transfer priority list after missing out on a deal with Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs White earlier this summer.
Spurs booked a medical appointment with Gibbs-White last month. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis suddenly stopped the move, threatening Frank’s side with legal action and suggesting a £60 million move before persuading the 25-year-old to a new deal.
Gibbswhite’s dive is completely off the table, but Tottenham’s need for another creative presence is more important than ever.
Dejan Kulusevski is still on the sidelines with a knee injury and has lost his son, so the Spurs will have to work on a Madison replacement in just a few weeks before the transfer deadline.
Tottenham provided AC Milan forward Rafael Rio after James Madison’s injury
According to TBR football and journalist Graeme Bailey, the intermediary recently floated AC Milan forward Rafael Rio in their direction.
However, while Tottenham has been offered Leao by these representatives, it is unlikely that the Portuguese international move, although it is considered worth around £74 million by Rossoneri, things will stand.
“My understanding is that the intermediary behind the son’s transfer and Madison’s injury theoretically spurred Leao,” Bailey said.
“Yes, it’s opportunistic, but that’s how some of the biggest deals in the world came about.
“(Massimilano) Allegri said he told the Milan hierarchy that Leao could be transformed into one of the best forwards in the world. They have no plans to lose him.
The opportunity to play Premier League football is always seductive, but given Leao’s current stance, Allegri’s dislike for the company, and the asking price for the 26-year-old, Levy needs to look elsewhere.
Tottenham recently made contact with Jack Grelish and faces competition with Everton (Fabrizio Romano), while Harvey Elliott has also been appointed as a potential Spurs target in discussions about the transition to RB Leipzig (Florian Pletztenberg).
Their options are thinning, but Crystal Palace star Ebeki Eze could be used to film as Arsenal continues to stall potential deals.