Maybe he’s trying to change the way fans manage their expectations. It seems like spurs transfer news leaked quite readily in the past and it’s conditioned fans to want to be told about every fart the club makes.You don't need to be a chief detective to figure that out.
Your second sentence doesn't actually make sense. He hasn't said much about Solanke because he's on the list? what?
He is telling us today that Solanke was identified as the number 1 target 7/8 weeks ago. If he is aware of this then why didn't he tell us this (or even indicate it) then.