Tottenham are intensifying talks over a potential Ansu Fati loan to Barcelona – but also remain very much in the running for Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson and PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko.

Spurs are preparing deals for all three of their targets before seeing which emerges as the best option ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline.

However, the club currently have three players beyond the 25 required for the Premier League squad list, so exits remain their priority.

There are also other factors to consider and hurdles to overcome with the three potential deals for a versatile new forward.

Brennan Johnson is the top target, but they must assess a potential spend of more than £40 million on a player who would not be assured of a first-team place immediately.

With Fati, a loan would only suit Barcelona from a Financial Fair Play perspective, if all his big wages are covered and, for a permanent deal, they value him at around £30m.

Regarding Bakayoko, PSV intend to keep him if they beat Rangers in the second leg of the Champions League play-offs on Wednesday evening and qualify for the group stages.

They also face competition from Brentford for Johnson and Bakayoko, while Fati has been offered to Chelsea.

Spurs have every chance of offloading the four or more players they need to sign another, with Manchester United in talks for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Genoa chasing Tanguy Ndombele, Torino trying for Japhet Tanganga and Rennes bidding for Davinson Sanchez.

Eric Dier has been offered to Bayern Munich, Sergio Reguilon is also attracting interest from other clubs, although the future of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris remains unknown.

Man Utd pursue Spurs midfielder Hojbjerg

Man Utd have made ‘first contact’ regarding a deal for Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, as well as a loan offer for Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella.

Hojbjerg has entered the final two years of his contract and Tottenham would allow him to leave if a suitable offer comes his way.

The Denmark international was close to joining Atletico Madrid earlier this window.

The 28-year-old has made just two substitute appearances for Tottenham this season and has previously worked with Erik ten Hag – the Dutchman managed Hojbjerg in Bayern Munich’s reserve team in 2013.

Analysis: Hojbjerg, a strange pivot for Ten Hag

Laura Hunter from Sky Sports:

“On the surface this looks like a surprising twist in the Manchester United midfield saga, but it fits into an established pattern of Erik ten Hag wanting to work with players he knows.

“It’s clear that Man Utd need another central midfielder – Ten Hag has certainly championed him – but the purse strings are tight. There have been three arrivals at Old Trafford this summer, and they have cost almost £200 million.The rest the budget won’t stretch too far.

“Hojbjerg could therefore fit Man Utd’s tight pricing structure, but is surely not the answer to Ten Hag’s desire for a young, dynamic ball player.

“Ten Hag turned to Frenkie de Jong last summer, who fit the profile they were looking for, but would have cost significantly more than most other options on the market.

“Hojbjerg indeed offers defensive intensity, is combative and works hard, but lacks possession.

“If Ten Hag wants a midfielder who can perform defensive tasks, while also being able to launch quick counter-attacks in transition, play on the half-turn and find creative solutions in advanced areas – in the mold of De Jong – it would be better to shop elsewhere.”

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