What a transfer window this is shaping up to be for Tottenham Hotspur, right?
After bringing in Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson on free transfers, Spurs wasted no time in landing Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton. But they’re not stopping there—they’re ready to dig deeper into their pockets, potentially for two hugely exciting midfield additions.
Historically, Tottenham haven’t often splashed out at the elite level, but after back-to-back 17th-place finishes, major changes are clearly on the horizon. A significant investment is in the works, with Sandro Tonali emerging as their top summer target. West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes is also high on the list.
Spurs could land both Tonali and Fernandes—or an alternative
It’s been a whirlwind week at Spurs, with the rumor mill working overtime. A narrow escape from Championship football seems to have jolted the club back to life—finally, the message appears to have sunk in. To climb the table and challenge the league’s heavyweights, they need to spend, and quickly.
They also need players who know the Premier League, and both Tonali and Fernandes fit that bill perfectly. The latest? While signing either would come at a premium, talks are reportedly moving in a positive direction.
Tonali is said to have already agreed personal terms and is keen on linking up with Roberto De Zerbi—both share ties to Brescia, Italy. Spurs have tabled an initial £75m bid, but it was turned down.
As for Fernandes, formal club-to-club discussions haven’t begun yet, but reports suggest he’s close to finalizing his own terms with Tottenham.
However, there might be an even better option on the table. According to a well-connected Spurs insider—who has kept fans updated throughout the Van Hecke saga—the club has now added two more midfielders to their shortlist: Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga.
How Camavinga compares to Fernandes and Tonali
Premier League experience should be a priority for Spurs, but if Camavinga is genuinely available, they’d be foolish not to jump at the chance. That’s not to say Fernandes or Tonali would be poor signings.
At 25, Tonali is the complete package, entering his prime after years of standout performances for Newcastle.
Fernandes, just 21, has already proven himself as one of Europe’s top young midfielders. Among U21 midfielders in the seven major leagues, he ranked second for progressive passes completed, and first for defensive duels won, interceptions, and possessions won.
Camavinga, though, is cut from the same cloth—and has been delivering at a high level since his teens. Now 23, he’s been called “one of the best 6s in world football” by writer Harvey Diamonds. Like Tonali and Fernandes, he’s an all-action midfielder who contributes across all phases of play. And the stats back it up.
If De Zerbi wants a true anchor at the base of midfield, few are better than Camavinga. As a defensive midfielder, he’s elite—more accurate in passing and exceptional in duels and defensive work. In those areas, he’s comfortably ahead of both Tonali and Fernandes.
He’s also press-resistant, drawing fouls with ease, and blends technical brilliance with a physical edge that seems tailor-made for the Premier League.
While we’ve stressed the value of Premier League experience, Camavinga brings something else: years of performing under immense pressure at one of the world’s most demanding clubs. It doesn’t get much more intense than Real Madrid.
