Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer strategy has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years, and this summer presents an opportunity for the club to take a different approach in the market.
The signings made in 2025 have yet to deliver the desired impact. Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus both endured injury-hit campaigns, while Randal Kolo Muani managed just a single Premier League goal after arriving on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
The previous year’s recruitment has also produced mixed results. Lucas Bergvall is reportedly pushing for a move away, Dominic Solanke and Wilson Odobert have struggled with injuries, and Archie Gray could find himself slipping down the midfield pecking order if more arrivals are secured.
Spurs’ most successful recruitment window in recent memory remains Ange Postecoglou’s first summer in charge in 2023. Among those signings, Micky van de Ven has emerged as the standout success following his move from Wolfsburg.
The Dutch defender has since become the standard by which new arrivals are judged, with supporters eager to see who could join him in north London before the new season begins.
Spurs prepared to go all out for Sandro Tonali
Despite the transfer window still being in its early stages, Tottenham have already strengthened their squad with four additions. Veteran goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has arrived alongside Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke.
The fact that Van Hecke, at 26, is the youngest of the quartet highlights a noticeable shift in the club’s recruitment philosophy. In previous windows, Spurs prioritised younger prospects such as Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Xavi Simons.
That change appears to reflect the influence of head coach Roberto De Zerbi. During his time at Brighton & Hove Albion, the Italian reportedly clashed with owner Tony Bloom over transfer policy, preferring experienced, first-team-ready players rather than long-term projects.
He seems to be pursuing the same strategy at Tottenham, with Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali fitting that profile perfectly.
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Tottenham are prepared to “break the bank” to secure the Italian international, both in terms of the transfer fee and his wages. Bailey also claims Tonali is “ready and willing” to make the switch to north London, three years after Newcastle signed him from AC Milan in a deal worth around £55 million.
Why Tonali could become Spurs’ best signing in years
Tottenham have rarely managed to sign players at the very peak of their careers. Instead, the club has built a reputation for developing promising young talent, particularly during Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure, when stars such as Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Heung-min Son flourished.
However, landing established elite performers has often proved more difficult. Last summer, Spurs missed out on several high-profile targets, including Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo and Eberechi Eze.
Tonali would represent a different calibre of signing. Widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s top midfielders, the 26-year-old possesses the quality and experience to transform Tottenham’s midfield immediately.
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has even suggested Tonali, at his best, is arguably superior to Declan Rice. Although his 2025/26 season at Newcastle was below expectations, the Italian remains one of the league’s most complete midfielders.
His athleticism, energy and defensive work rate make him ideally suited to an aggressive pressing system. According to Scout Lab statistics, Tonali ranks among the top seven percent of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for defensive duel success, underlining his effectiveness at winning possession.
Yet there is much more to his game than defensive strength. He also ranks in the top 19 percent for passes into the final third per 90 minutes, consistently looking to move his team forward with progressive distribution.
That attacking mindset mirrors Van de Ven’s influence from central defence. The Dutch international ranks among the top 16 percent of centre-backs for progressive pass percentage per 90, regularly driving Tottenham up the pitch with his intelligent ball progression.
Like Van de Ven, Tonali combines physicality with technical quality, making him an ideal fit for the demands of modern Premier League football. If Spurs complete the deal, the Italian has every chance of becoming their most influential signing since Van de Ven arrived from Germany three years ago.
