Often mocked for not playing big in the transfer market, Tottenham Hotspur are now facing question marks over whether they are investing wisely this summer. Go find out.
'Winning the window' doesn't mean much when the real stuff starts – just ask Liverpool – but for once, the Lilywhites look to be performing like a classy club, splashing cash in proportion to wages. again transfer fees in recent weeks.
Beating Manchester United to the signing of Mateus Fernandes represents something of a coup, although it's a record for Sandro Tonali's club that has raised eyebrows, not least because of the reported £100m fee.
At 26 years old, and as reported by Manchester City, this sounds like a deal that has never been seen enough in north London, especially when Daniel Levy is in charge of the club.
It's a different realm now, though, as there could be more signings before the window ends.
Spurs are in the midst of making a £60m signing after the Tonali deal
Tonali marks the sixth arrival in N17 already, although you can bet with good money that he will not be the last, as Roberto De Zerbi oversees a powerful overhaul of the playing team.
All of the additions so far have come from within the Premier League, a sign that the Italian coach is looking for fit, proven players who can hit the ground running quickly.
That could work in their pursuit of attacking reinforcements as well, with Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi one of the names that has been floated of late.
As Fabrizio Romano also revealed, speaking on his YouTube channel, Spurs are also interested in Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo, with a deal likely to progress as the summer progresses.
“Look at Tottenham for Cody Gakpo because Tottenham are interested in this player. I can tell you that Liverpool, since the beginning of July, does not open the exit doors.
“So at the moment Liverpool is not telling Gako 'okay you can go', they are not telling Tottenham 'okay let's negotiate', this is not happening now.
“So at the moment the door is closed from Liverpool, but we have to see later this summer if Tottenham really opens the negotiations by sending a proposal. At the moment, there is interest, if they send a proposal we have to see what will happen there. Therefore, it is a matter of keeping an eye on the end”.
As for how much the Netherlands star will cost, previous reports have suggested that it would take around £60m to lure him to Anfield.
Why can Gakpo lead a bigger coup than Tonali
There's no denying that Tonali's signing is a statement for the ENIC regime, and those at the Etihad have also been keeping an eye on the Italian recently.
|
Spurs midfielders – 25/26 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
The player |
Games |
Terms (Help) |
|
Palhinha |
45 |
7 (3) |
|
Simmons |
41 |
5 (6) |
|
Sarr |
37 |
2 (4) |
|
Gray |
35 |
2 (3) |
|
Bentancur |
34 |
1 (1) |
|
Bergvall |
33 |
1 (5) |
|
Gallagher |
18 |
1 (1) |
|
Bissouma |
11 |
0 (0) |
|
Maddison |
3 |
0 (0) |
|
Sister |
2 |
0 (0) |
Speaking last year, Man United legend Paul Scholes even called the 26-year-old the best midfielder in the Premier League, “the best [Declan] Rice”.
That came after an outstanding 2024/25 campaign at St James' Park, although the concern would be that it hasn't been easy for Tonali so far, having missed almost the entire 2023/24 season due to a gambling ban, while he failed to score in the 2025/26 league season which was closed last week.
Of course, Gakpo hasn't always had it easy on Merseyside either, but there's a huge career to enjoy, not least his role in Liverpool's title success under Arne Slott.
In that 2024/25 season the former PSV Eindhoven man scored and assisted 14 goals in 23 league starts, while he followed that up by adding a further 12 in the latest campaign.
In 2025/26 again, he again created ten 'big chances' and boasted an impressive average of 1.5 key passes per game, ensuring that he will be a real asset to De Zerbi's current options.
Indeed, take Mathys Tel, for example, the Frenchman who scored and assisted just five goals last season, while creating just five 'big chances' and averaging just one key pass per game.
Gakpo could be the solution on the left that Spurs have been crying out for for some time, and he also offers the benefit of his ability to play in the middle, as he has done on occasion for both club and country.
He is a player who seems to be living on the international stage, in particular, who now has six goals in just nine appearances at the World Cup, and has scored three goals at Euro 2024 as Holland reached the last four.
Still only 27, Gakpo has won a host of domestic honors with both PSV and Liverpool, including three league titles, while Tonali has one Serie A title and one EFL Cup to his name.
Of course, the Italian is a strong midfielder, although that hasn't been seen enough in a Newcastle shirt, even if he wasn't as strong in 2024/25.
Gakpo, on the other hand, has been a formidable presence at Anfield, but it's hard to argue with his approach to club and country, having previously scored over 100 goals and assisted in over 150 games for PSV.
If all goes to plan, this could be the signing that boosts the Lilywhites next season.
England's Neymar: Meet Tottenham's answer to Eli Junior Kroupi
Spurs may already have their own version of Eli Junior Kroupi.
