Why Tottenham have sold young star Tynan Thompson as Manchester United seal transfer coup

Standard Sport understands that United are set to pay £8million (£4m up front and a further £4m in add-ons) for Thompson, who was named in Spurs’ first-team matchday squad on three occasions last season.Tottenham retain matching rights and a 20 per cent sell-on clause for Thompson, who expressed his desire to relocate due to personal family circumstances.Thompson, who was one of the most highly-regarded talents in Spurs’ academy, signed maiden professional terms with the north London club in May 2025.He scored 13 goals and provided six assists in all competitions for Tottenham’s youth teams last season, including seven goals in as many UEFA Youth League games.They broke their club transfer record twice in a matter of days to seal the arrivals of midfield duo Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, who joined for £100m and £85m respectively.Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke arrived from Brighton for £52m, while Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Martin Dubravka all joined on free transfers.There have also been a number of outgoings too, with Luka Vuskovic joining Brighton for £50m, while Radu Dragusin has signed for Serie A club Fiorentina on loan with an obligation to buy for around £21m.Striker Alejo Veliz has completed a permanent switch to Brazilian club Bahia, while Yves Bissouma was one of 11 players to be released at the end of their contracts as loanees Randal Kolo Muani and Joao Palhinha also returned to Juventus and Bayern Munich respectively.Thompson is the latest academy player to leave Spurs this summer after midfielder Alfie Devine sealed a permanent £6m move to Championship side Preston earlier this month.Read MoreSpurs have rejected bids from both Nottingham Forest and Newcastle for the Swedish midfielder, who has been left frustrated ahead of his return for pre-season training this week.