There is also an exciting build-up at Tottenham Hotspur, last season's woes quickly put aside amid an outstanding summer of business under the ENIC regime so far.
The shock of the latest relegation can be quickly addressed if Roberto De Zerbi leads the Lilywhites back to the bottom of the table, with the sense that anything is possible after the extraordinary spending spree and without the 'disruption' of European football.
Look at Leicester City ten years ago, the Foxes escaped well in 2014/15, before clinching the Premier League title the following season.
The King Power's side were blessed with the likes of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez at the time, but who can spark Spurs back to life next term? Might it take a signing like Eli Junior Kroupi to do just that?
What Spurs can expect from Junior Kroupi
After one season at Bournemouth, Kroupi is believed to be keen to join Spurs this summer, fresh from a record-breaking campaign on the south coast.
Whether ENIC go out of their way to meet the 20-year-old's asking price of £90m remains to be seen, but it is undoubtedly the figure of a player still in the infancy of his prime.
The French youngster has at least shown some motivation, scoring 36 goals in all competitions since the start of 2024/25, despite having worked in France's second division before joining the Cherries.
|
25/26 PL – 90 goals |
||
|---|---|---|
|
The player |
GP90 |
Goals |
|
Haaland |
0.82 |
27 |
|
The one who resigns |
0.78 |
7 |
|
Kroupi |
0.70 |
13 |
|
Sesko |
0.61 |
11 |
|
Thiago |
0.60 |
22 |
|
Gyokeres |
0.57 |
14 |
|
Church |
0.57 |
2 |
|
Flemming |
0.56 |
11 |
|
Male |
0.56 |
4 |
|
Ticked |
0.55 |
11 |
His 13 Premier League goals in 2025/26 came after missing just three 'big chances', while he also ranked third in the division with 90 goals (0.70).
In terms of the striker profile that Kroupi is, the most notable comparison is probably Jermain Defoe, another young, shy forward who just has that natural, clinical gait in front of goal.
This is a view shared by great Thierry Henry, the former Arsenal man praising his young compatriot as “he's a lot like Jermain Defoe when he's in the box”.
Such comparisons clearly show the impact he can make on N17, although he is not the only attacking player on the agenda.
Spurs complete their seventh signing of the summer in a £60m deal
It's been all about defense and midfield so far for Spurs, but the focus is on the forwards, with doubts over Richarlison's future, and Randal Kolo Muani returning to Paris Saint-Germain.
With both Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert still out, and Mohammed Kudus having not featured since January, the need for depth and quality in the sides is perhaps more pressing than signing another striker.
Well, by all accounts, a new signing looks certain to be on the way, with TEAMtalk reporting that the north Londoners are closing in on a £60m deal for Savinho from Manchester City.
Spurs are pushing ahead with talks with the Etihad to reach a club-squad deal, although personal terms are 'already in place', with De Zerbi said to be leading the way for the 22-year-old.
It is believed that a move for AC Milan's Rafael Leao has been avoided in favor of a Brazilian replacement, as Savinho has long been targeted at N17.
Now, he may not have enjoyed the most fruitful 2025/26 campaign, scoring and assisting just two league goals, however there is real talent there waiting to explode in the right place.
Savinho did not register eight assists in his first campaign in the top flight, and previously played for Girona in 2023/24, leading LaLiga in terms of total dribbles completed.
He scored and assisted 19 league goals that year, while creating 14 'big chances' and averaging 1.5 passes per game, proving a formidable threat for either side.
Indeed, the biggest advantage of bringing Savinho into the fold is that he can play either side, which is especially dangerous in one-on-one situations, as seen in his average of 2.8 successful dribbles per game in that 2023/24 season.
Kroupi, 20, is a top goalscorer, but Savinho is a real game-changer, someone who can single-handedly win a game with his combination of pace, tactics and understanding.
Considering how much it will cost to sign Kroupi, after just one full season in one of Europe's top five leagues, a £60m move for Savinho looks like a better bet, especially if he can prove it again at Girona.
Spurs at least already have Dominic Solanke to lead the line in midfield, however reliable, injury-free options on the flanks are scarce at the moment, which is why Savinho should come first.
The thought of South Americans lining up under De Zerbi's watch is really exciting.
