Last season, Tottenham Hotspur could have desperately used a prime Mousa Dembélé in midfield—not to mention a firing Harry Kane or Heung-min Son.
It was a grim campaign, one of the worst in the club’s storied history. Three managers, no silverware, and a lowly 17th-place finish.
Supporters do, at least, owe Roberto De Zerbi a measure of gratitude. No manager wanted the ignominy of taking Spurs down. Just two months ago, the job held little appeal. Yet the Italian backed himself to steer them to safety—and he delivered. A 1-0 final-day victory over Everton secured their Premier League status.
Since then, the message from the club has been clear: this must not happen again. Tottenham are plotting major spending, with Sandro Tonali emerging as a marquee target.
Spurs in talks for big-money signing alongside Tonali
Should Tottenham pull off a deal for Tonali, it would send shockwaves through the Premier League.
Spurs have often been cast as the division’s punchline, but they are no longer content to be also-rans—they want to compete with the elite. Whether they can actually do so remains to be seen, but luring the Italian midfielder away from St James’ Park would rank as the club’s most eye-catching transfer in recent memory.
After all, Tottenham are precisely the kind of side Newcastle sought to overtake when PIF first flexed their financial muscle.
While the Magpies have finished above Spurs in recent seasons, that could change if they part with Tonali. The Lilywhites are clearly intent on making a splash this summer, and the Italian isn’t their only midfield target—West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes is also on their radar.
Providing an update on their pursuit of the Portuguese, Fabrizio Romano said on his YouTube channel: “According to my information, Tottenham are talking to the agent of the player, Jorge Mendes, and they are pushing in order to reach an agreement. But, still nothing guaranteed, still nothing closed.”
Romano added: “There will be more conversations with Tottenham and with Manchester United. Do not forget, Man United are working very very hard on this one. They are working on club and player side.”
Recent reports suggest United hope to pay around £65 million, though West Ham are believed to be holding out for approximately £80 million.
How Mateus Fernandes compares to Mousa Dembélé
It’s fair to say Spurs would give a lot for a peak Mousa Dembélé in their engine room right now.
In his prime, the Belgian was among the Premier League’s finest midfielders. Kyle Walker once called him “probably the best player I’ve ever seen play football,” while Eric Dier simply labelled him a “freak of nature”—a description that feels entirely fitting.
What set Dembélé apart were several rare attributes. He was a bull in midfield—immensely strong and a relentless duel-winner. Yet he was also a graceful giant, blessed with sublime technique and dribbling ability that few could match. In his standout 2015/16 season, he contributed four goals, averaged 2.9 successful dribbles per game, and won 3.6 tackles per match. He could do it all.
Fernandes may not yet be at that level, but he shares a similar skillset. Like Dembélé, he covers ground with authority. Last season, only Declan Rice boasted a higher ratio of progressive carry distance to turnovers per carry among Premier League midfielders.
In that regard, Dembélé was elite—once he gathered pace with the ball, few could stop his forward surges. Fernandes isn’t quite as powerful, but there are clear parallels in their ability to carry through the lines and progress play.
Like the Belgian, he is also a fierce competitor in duels. He averaged 3.07 tackles per 90 minutes in the top flight last season—only marginally behind Dembélé in his pomp—while also winning 5.92 duels per 90.
Already one of the league’s best in his position at just 21, the future looks exceptionally bright for this young Portuguese midfielder. His potential appears vast.
Hailed as a “superstar” by football writer Joost van der Leij, could Spurs finally be about to land the Dembélé replacement they have craved for years?
