TOTTENHAM ANNOUNCE PLAYERS LEAVING THE CLUB THIS JANUARY AS RETAIN LIST IS CONFIRMED

Tottenham Hotspur’s January 2025 Retained List: Five Players Confirmed to Leave Amid Fan Backlash
Tottenham Hotspur have officially confirmed their retained list for the January 2025 transfer window, announcing the departure of five players as manager Thomas Frank continues his squad overhaul.

This comes hot on the heels of a humiliating 4-1 defeat to rivals Arsenal in the North London Derby on November 23, 2025, at the Emirates Stadium, where Eberechi Eze—ironically a summer signing Tottenham had targeted but lost to Arsenal—netted a stunning hat-trick to pile on the misery for Spurs supporters. Leandro Trossard opened the scoring for Arsenal, with Richarlison’s consolation goal doing little to soften the blow for Frank’s side, who sit mid-table and face mounting pressure to salvage their season.
Frank, who took over from Ange Postecoglou in the summer of 2025 following Tottenham’s Europa League triumph the previous season, has adopted a “ruthless” approach to reshaping the squad. The club won the Europa League in early 2025 under Postecoglou, but a poor start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign—capped by the derby thrashing—has accelerated changes. 6 High-profile summer arrivals like Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, and Joao Palhinha have brought flair and steel to the midfield, but defensive frailties exposed by injuries to stars like Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Guglielmo Vicario have left gaps that Frank aims to address in January.
The Five Players Leaving in January
The retained list confirms the following players will depart on free transfers, loans, or permanent deals at the window’s opening on January 1, 2026 (noting the UK football calendar aligns with the 2025/26 season). These moves are part of a broader “axe” to trim the squad and free up wages for reinforcements, particularly at center-back and in goal. 2 3
1 Fraser Forster (Goalkeeper, 37): The veteran backup shot-stopper’s contract expires in January. Having featured sporadically during Vicario’s injury layoff earlier in the season (managing just one clean sheet in seven league appearances), Forster has been deemed surplus. Talks of a January exit were rumored mid-season, but he’s now confirmed out. A move to a Championship club or retirement is likely.
2 Ben Davies (Defender, 32): Tottenham’s longest-serving player since joining from Swansea in 2014, Davies’ deal also runs out next month. Hampered by the club’s ongoing injury crisis at the back, he’s struggled for consistent starts under Frank’s high-pressing system. Fans are divided—many see him as a loyal servant, but his release signals a youth-focused rebuild.
3 Ryan Sessegnon (Winger/Full-back, 25): After a promising start to his Spurs career, injuries and competition from the likes of Destiny Udogie have sidelined him. His contract expiry forces a departure, with interest from mid-table Premier League sides and clubs abroad. This one has sparked fury among supporters who view it as premature, given his potential.
4 Jamie Donley (Midfielder, 21, Academy Product): A talented academy graduate who’s impressed on loan at League One sides, Donley won’t be offered a new pro deal. His release is part of a summer-style clearout extended into January, with Donley eyed by Championship teams for first-team football.
5 Alfie Ajayi (Forward, 19, Academy Product): The young striker, who scored on his senior debut in the 2025 Europa League run, is off on loan to Doncaster Rovers in League One for the second half of the season. While not a full “axe,” this effectively removes him from first-team contention, frustrating fans who hoped for more integration post-Europa success. 3
More exits could follow, with squad players like Bryan Gil and Timo Werner potentially on the chopping block if suitable offers arrive. Contracts for key men like Son Heung-min (extended in January 2025) and Pape Matar Sarr remain secure. 4 5
Fan Fury Over Key Decisions
Supporters are “furious” with two calls in particular: the releases of Ben Davies and Ryan Sessegnon. Davies, a fan favorite for his versatility and longevity (over 300 appearances), has been a scapegoat for defensive woes, but many argue his experience is vital amid the injury pile-up. Social media and forums like Reddit’s r/coys are ablaze with backlash, with one thread calling it “a betrayal of club legends” just months after Europa glory. 5 Sessegnon’s exit stings similarly—fans point to his raw pace and left-sided balance as assets Frank’s system needs, especially after the derby exposed wing vulnerabilities. “Letting Ryan go after all the injury setbacks? Frank’s lost the plot,” one viral post summed up the sentiment.
The Arsenal loss has amplified the discontent: Tottenham’s miserly xG of 0.07 was the league’s lowest this season, highlighting creative and defensive issues Frank must fix. With Europa League progression on the line and Premier League safety not yet assured, January reinforcements—potentially including a center-back like Jarrad Branthwaite—are crucial.
This retained list marks a bold pivot for Frank’s project, but after the derby debacle, patience among Spurs fans is wearing thin. Expect a busy window ahead.