Tottenham Hotspur have rejected a season-long loan offer from Sunderland for defender Kevin Danso. The Austrian centre-back's first-team opportunities are expected to be limited this season.
Spurs currently sit 17th in the Premier League after one game, with zero points and a goal difference of minus three. They are six points behind early leaders Manchester City. Their next match is away to Nottingham Forest on September 5th.
Kevin Danso, 27, has been part of the Tottenham squad since January 2025. He initially arrived on loan from French club Lens before the move was made permanent later that year for a fee of £20.9 million. He has made 37 appearances for the club in total. His only action of the 2025-26 season came this week, as a second-half substitute in Wednesday's Carabao Cup victory over Charlton Athletic.
The club's decision to block his exit is linked to their defensive planning. Tottenham have strengthened their central defensive options this summer with the signings of Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke. Also, Micky van de Ven has been named club captain after signing a new contract. This depth means Danso is currently viewed as a squad player, but the club has opted to retain him.
Danso finds himself in a competitive group. The arrivals of Senesi and van Hecke have pushed him further down the pecking order. His recent cup appearance was his first competitive minutes of the campaign. With the defensive unit now settled, his chances for regular Premier League football this term appear slim. The club's current standings position adds pressure for consistent performances from the chosen starters.
His contract situation and the investment made in him are also factors. Having spent a significant sum to secure him permanently last year, Tottenham may be reluctant to let him leave on a simple loan deal without assurances about his future role or a potential permanent sale.
The immediate future is unclear. Sunderland's interest has been rebuffed, but they could return with an improved offer before the transfer window closes. A loan move to another club remains a possibility if Tottenham's stance softens. Alternatively, Danso could stay and fight for his place, providing cover across multiple competitions.
For Tottenham, the focus shifts to their next fixture. After a losing start to the league season, the match against 15th-placed Nottingham Forest becomes important. Managerial decisions on squad rotation and defensive selections will be watched closely. Fans can track the team's schedule on our fixtures page. The club's overall defensive record, which shows three goals conceded already, will need to improve quickly.
Keeping Danso provides experienced backup, but his long-term role at the club will need definition. The coming weeks will reveal if he is part of the immediate plans or if a late transfer move materialises.
