Tottenham Hotspur confirm defender's move, with 'terms agreed' on another: report

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Tottenham are in the midst of re-shuffling their defence, with deals already agreed by the club early in the window

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou looks on prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park on October 27, 2023 in London, England.
(Image credit: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Tottenham Hotspur are busy green-lighting moves just a week into the transfer window as Ange Postecoglou looks to reshape his squad midseason.

The Lilywhites have been ravaged with injuries this term after a strong start to the season and want to bring in new blood to help them secure a top-four place. Central defensive duo Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are both out injured at current and Tottenham could do with cover.

But before signing anyone new, Spurs have confirmed one defensive departure, with a second close to being completed. 

Cristian Romero in action for Tottenham against West Ham in December 2023.

Cristian Romero is a big loss at the back for Tottenham (Image credit: Getty Images)

Young centre-back Ashley Phillips has left North London to move to Championship side Plymouth Argyle on loan for the rest of the season, as confirmed by Spurs' official site. 

The highly-rated young defender hasn't appeared in the Premier League under Postecoglou – and he could be joined by another star who has found minutes hard to come by, in Eric Dier. 

The England international has reached an agreement to join Bayern Munich, as per talkSPORT, following Postecoglou spikily responding to one journalist questioning whether the deal was confirmed ahead of the FA Cup third round tie against Burnley last week. 

Eric Dier in action for Tottenham against Chelsea in November 2023.

Eric Dier could leave Tottenham soon (Image credit: Getty Images)

"Separate issue but don’t question my integrity," the Australian said when asked if Dier's absence for Tottenham's team was down to a move away. "When I say he's injured, he's injured. He didn't train yesterday. I can get Vision [Spurs' training footage] in for you, you can ask him. It's got nothing to do with anything else.

"He's injured and in terms of anything else that's happening, it's not on my radar. If there is something I'm sure I'll hear of it but fair to say in the last 24 hours we've been focusing on the game and the guys that are available."

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Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.