Ange Postecoglou might have grumbled earlier this year that Tottenham handed him three teenagers rather than seasoned Premier League performers—but if there’s one area Spurs haven’t faltered in recently, it’s their work in the youth market.
On that front, the Lilywhites have been exceptional. They stand to make a handsome profit on Lucas Bergvall if he departs this summer, while Archie Gray continues to improve with each outing.
Then there’s Luka Vuskovic. Widely considered one of the world’s most promising young defenders, he too could generate a massive return, with Brighton circling keenly to lure him away from north London.
That said, Postecoglou did have a point: Spurs need established top-flight quality. Fortunately, they’re making serious progress on that front.
Spurs closing in on blockbuster deal
After a disappointing 17th-place finish in last season’s Premier League, the London club knew they had to make a splash in the transfer window—and they’ve done exactly that.
Defensively, they’ve already secured Jan Paul van Hecke for £52m, alongside free arrivals Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi.
But Tottenham aren’t stopping there.
Two midfielders sit at the top of their summer wish list, with one being Sandro Tonali. Spurs are pushing hard to land the Italian and appear optimistic—though recent reports suggest Arsenal could sway him if they enter the race.
Given their history with hijacks—recall the Eberechi Eze saga a year ago—Tottenham are keeping options open. That’s why Roberto De Zerbi and co. are also aggressively pursuing Mateus Fernandes of relegated West Ham.
TEAMtalk reported on Thursday that Spurs are ramping up their efforts to sign the Portuguese star, with a club-record £85m deal (including add-ons) close to completion.
Advanced talks between clubs are underway, and personal terms have already been agreed with Fernandes, who has given the green light.
Manchester United have also tracked the Hammers’ midfielder, but Tottenham’s substantially higher wage offer has given them the edge. An upfront bid of £65m has been tabled, with bonuses potentially pushing it to that £85m mark.
Why Fernandes could emulate Dele’s rise at Spurs
Back in 2015, when Tottenham signed Dele Alli from MK Dons for just £5m, fans barely batted an eyelid. It wasn’t a glamorous move—just a savvy one. At 21, Dele was still young but no longer raw, and he adapted to Premier League life seamlessly.
Though his career sadly faded, in his prime Dele was a special talent—fearless, confident, and oozing main-character energy. “Give me the ball, and I’ll make something happen.” And he did. In his debut season, he contributed to 21 goals, and only grew more influential as he matured.
So how does Fernandes compare? Positionally, Dele was the more attack-minded, but they share key traits—especially in technique and mentality. Fernandes carries that same self-assured aura Dele had.
That’s clear in his powerful ball-carrying; like Dele, he loves driving forward. In fact, in the 2025/26 season, only Declan Rice matched his ratio of progressive carry distance to turnovers per carry. Getting the ball off Fernandes is as tough as it was with Dele.
But there’s more. Both can play sharp forward passes and time late runs into the box—and both thrived in the Premier League at a young age. Dele joined at 22; Fernandes will be just 21. Given his already impressive top-flight performances, it’s easy to forget how young he is.
Age hasn’t held either back. With supreme self-belief and comfort in both transitional and possession-based systems, splashing a record fee on the “superstar” midfielder—as football writer Joost van der Leij dubbed him—looks like a gamble worth taking. Spurs may not replicate Dele’s knack for crashing the box, but they’d secure a worthy heir to his on-field mentality.
