Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer strategy this summer was chaotic, yet oddly ambitious.
The need to strengthen is more urgent than ever for a club that placed 17th in the Premier League last season, but has secured Champions League football thanks to the Europa League victory over Manchester United.
Their early businesses included the £60 million acquisition of Mohamed Kudus from West Ham. West Ham is an exciting offensive player that offers versatility across the line ahead.
However, departure and missed opportunities remain a big gap.
Fan favorite son Heung-Min set out for LAFC after a decade of service in North London, but James Maddison, the club’s most creative midfielder, suffered a catastrophic ACL injury in Newcastle’s preseason.
So far, their attempts to fill in the blanks have been filled with frustration.
Latest in Spurs’ Hunting to Find Madison Alternatives
Ebeki Eze’s pound 60 million pursuit collapsed when Arsenal hijacked the deal. Morgan Gibbs White’s move encountered legal complications.
A 70 million euro (£65 million) package for Comostar’s NicoPas was quickly rejected, and Argentina revealed his intention to return to Real Madrid in the near future.
The Spurs even saw Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, but his £100 million price tag puts him out of reach.
All this forced Tottenham to see elsewhere.
Their search led them to players who had long been praised in England. They have already proven themselves in the Premier League, but their reputation has been clouded by off-field controversy recently.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, Spurs is currently squeezing the movement of Brazilian playmaker Lucas Paquetá at West Ham United.
Aston Villa is also monitoring his situation, but Tottenham’s need for creative sparks is undoubtedly more urgent. Another report suggests he can go for around £40 million.
Paketa endured a year of turbulence, but his quality was never a problem.
Former teammate Declan Rice once described him as “heart-stimulating,” but he is also described as “one of the best teens in the world” by a data analyst, reminiscent of the immeasurable technical capabilities he brings.
The central midfielder form was soaked up after it was subject to a betting violation investigation in August 2023.
He continued playing and scored West Ham’s only goal in his recent 5-1 loss to Chelsea, but his confidence and consistency were visibly affected by the allegations.
He was exempt from all charges in 2025, so it’s hope that he will ultimately put the matter behind him and reestablish himself at the top level.
Paketa vs Madison review
The appeal is clear to the Spurs. With Madison on the sidelines towards the season, there is no natural exchange for a team that can offer the same vision and keen passage.
Paketa has the ability to instantly change his talent and the game, representing a similar type of player.
He may not have matched Madison’s output in recent seasons, but the tool is there – and he was able to thrive.
Paketa’s numbers at West Ham show both his strengths and his limitations.
At 27, he is approaching the height of his career. He has 55 caps for Brazil and joined West Ham from Lyon in 2022, playing in the 33 Premier League with four goals last season.
Raw statistics reveal a midfielder with a valuable combination of creativity and defensive work, although they don’t scream for world-class productivity.
West Ham-2023/24 | ||
|---|---|---|
statistics | At Paqueta | No packets |
Match | 19 | 7 |
I’ll win | 11 | 0 |
Goals scored for each match | 1.8 | 0.7 |
A recognized goal for each match | 1.5 | 2.4 |
Points per match | 1.9 | 0.4 |
Source: Premier League | ||
According to FBREF, he ranks in the 74th percentile for shot-making actions per 90 (2.89), the 79th percentile for progressive passes (6.16 per 90) and the 84th percentile for touches in the attack penalty area (2.18 per 90).
These metrics highlight his ability to link plays between midfield and offense, moving the ball into dangerous territory.
His defensive contributions were also notable, with a 1.91 aviation duel with an impressive 2.51 tackles per 90 (75th percentile) and a 1.91 aviation duel per 90 (89th percentile), making him more than just a high-ranking player.
However, when compared directly to Madison, there is a contrast. England International has been one of the Spurs key players since arriving from Leicester in 2023, earning 16 goals and 21 assists in 75 games.
Unfortunately, his record of injury is a concern. He missed 13 games last season on 2023/24 and 11, but his impact when the fit is undeniable.
Statistically, Madison outperforms the packetas on almost all attack metrics: 4.73 shots making actions per 90 (3.10 for packetas), 8.16 progressive passes per 90 (5.87 for packetas), and 0.85 shots of targets per 90 (0.11 for packetas).
Even his passing completion rate (81.3%) edges Brazil’s 77.3%.
This raises an important question: Will Spurs settle for downgrades? On paper, Paketa doesn’t replicate Madison’s efficiency in front of goal or his ability to maintain an offense through consistent ball progression.
However, Brazilians bring a variety of qualities – more physical beings, stronger defensive contributions, and versatility to operate beyond the midfield role. In that respect, he is a major upgrade.
A progressive 227.8 passing distance over 90 minutes is slightly behind Madison’s 250.1, suggesting that the ball can effectively advance.
What really matters is the context. At West Ham, Paketas have often been tasked with working within strict systems that can keep their creativity under control.
In a more aggressive, owned-based setup at Tottenham, his ability to combine with Kudus and Richarrison was able to unleash a new level of performance.
For the Spurs, the decision is not to find the perfect Madison clone. That’s to make sure they’re not left without a creative heartbeat midway through the entire season.
Paketa may be inconsistent, but he has brilliant abilities.
If Thomas Frank can provide West Ham with the lack of structure and confidence, then Tottenham could have players like Madison who can set the game on their own.
