If you think Tottenham Hotspur aren’t a particularly big club, think again.
Their response to consecutive 17th place finishes in the Premier League speaks volumes. Never fear, Spurs can still attract the best players.
The Lilywhites have already signed three deals. They are the busiest side in the top flight, signing Jan Paul van Hecke for £52m, as well as bringing in Marcos Senesi and legendary left-back Andy Robertson on free transfers.
But there’s still plenty of work to do and a big-money midfielder could be on the way. This will put Tottenham back on the map.
Latest updates on Spurs’ search for new midfielder
How different things would have been if Spurs had been relegated. They were on the brink of having to sign players with a proven track record in the Championship and now they stand here looking to sign two of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
West Ham United’s Matheus Fernandes could be considered for a notable move. Spurs are pressing for the player and inquiries have been made to the Hammers regarding his services.
However, at the moment the Portuguese supports Manchester United. That’s natural, right?
And with a value of £85 million, this will not be an easy deal. It will not be easy for Sandro Tonali to complete the deal, but there are high hopes for the deal.
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Tottenham launched their first bid for Newcastle last week, with an offer worth £75m. Toon City has rejected this, and discussions are continuing toward an agreement.
The good news is that, unlike Fernandes, Tonali has already agreed personal terms and is particularly open to a move to north London.
The latest information on these conditions comes from The Chronicle’s Newcastle correspondent Lee Ryder. He revealed that Spurs are in the most advanced position to secure a deal, despite interest from Arsenal and Manchester City.
City are chasing Elliott Anderson and he remains their number one target, but they also admire the Italian midfielder. As a result, Tottenham are looking to end the matter quickly before they are taken over.
Ryder also backed up his claim that personal terms had already been agreed, going so far as to reveal the salary Tonali would receive if he moved to Spurs. It is noted that his contract will see the Italy international earn £275,000 a week.
Why Tonali could be James Madison 2.0 for the Spurs
James Madison had a really bad season last season due to injuries. He missed most of the season due to a torn ACL suffered in the preseason.
As a result, the playmaker only played 34 minutes in three games. Not being able to help Tottenham stay in the league was a real blow to the England team.
Unfortunately, he will likely continue to play a key role next season under De Zerbi. In full flow, he is one of the easiest players to look at in England’s top flight.
In the 2024/25 season, the playmaker scored 12 goals and assisted 10. Because of his injuries, it was easy to forget how important he was to this Spurs team.
James Madison’s career in numbers | ||
|---|---|---|
season | game | Goal + Assist |
2017/18 (Norwich) | 46 | 14+8 |
2018/19 (Leicester) | 38 | 7+7 |
2019/20 | 38 | 9+3 |
2020/21 | 42 | 11+7 |
2021/22 | 53 | 18+12 |
2022/23 | 32 | 10+9 |
2023/24 (Spurs) | 30 | 4+9 |
2024/25 | 45 | 12 + 10 |
2025/26 | 3 | 0 |
But why does this come up when talking about Tonali? After all, they are two completely different players. But just like when Maddison signed for Tottenham, the Newcastle sensation is a proven Premier League player who can take Spurs to the next level. Ironically, both players also had links with Arsenal.
Maddison, signed from Leicester City in 2023 in a £40m deal, has shined in the Premier League as one of the teams outside the typical big six.
In the 2021/21 season, the 29-year-old has scored a whopping 18 goals and assisted 12 goals in all competitions. A year later, he had 10 points and nine assists. Over the years, he continued to prove that he had what it took to play for bigger clubs.
Well, in the form of Tonali, he too had to bide his time. But like Madison, he has been starring at the highest level for a long time. Whether it’s with the Italian national team, in Europe or in the league, the 26-year-old has been particularly consistent in his performances.
Like Maddison, he will likely be moved from another club in England, and he will also move at a time when he is entering his prime. The player, described by his agent Beppe Riso as “one of the best midfielders in the world”, would be a notable signing for Spurs.
A natural number six, he could solve a number of problems in Spurs’ midfield, particularly the lack of development that Spurs suffered from last season, as well as the lack of ability to punch passes through the lines. For comparison, Tonali’s 6.12 progressive carries per 90 in 2025/26 was better than any other midfielder he managed at Tottenham last season.
Of course, when it comes to playing style, Maddison and Tonali are not similar, but the fact that both had extensive experience in English football before their future transfer is significant. That looks to be a key criterion for Spurs this summer, with Van Hecke, Robertson and Senesi all already joining from Premier League clubs.
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