If Tottenham Hotspur can secure the signing of Eli Junior Crupi, it would be the crowning moment of what has been a truly great summer for the Lilywhites.
They were on the verge of being relegated, but ENIC and Roberto de Zerbi worked together to make sure that never happened again. Spurs are too big a club to put themselves at the bottom of the table.
Instead, they plan to spend £185m on Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali at the start of July to be at the top end.
Things have calmed down for Spurs since then, but they are still working hard to improve their team. Group is a strong target and will be a great reinforcement.
Why Spurs want Crupi to replace Solanke
It wasn’t easy for Dominic Solanke to become a fan favorite at Spurs after he was appointed to replace Harry Kane.
Nevertheless, he moved from Bournemouth, the same club as Crupi, for the 2024/25 season and enjoyed a productive first season in London. That season, the Englishman scored 16 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions.
However, the 2025/26 season was a difficult year for the striker. Who didn’t struggle in Spurs colors last season?
Solanke missed more than 20 games due to injury and only scored six goals. The injury can’t be blamed, but even when he did feature, the centre-forward’s overall play was largely unconvincing.
But at least we’ll always have that Scorpion Kick goal to remember him by.
There is a possibility that Crupi will sign a hot replacement. The Frenchman, worth £90 million and said to be keen to play under De Zerbi, is one of the most exciting young strikers.
The 20-year-old joined the Cherries a year ago and has made an outstanding debut. No teenager has scored more goals (13) than him in his debut season in the Premier League. He’s already on par with some of the greats.
Premier League: Top teenage goalscorers | |
|---|---|
player | the goal |
1. Michael Owen | 40 |
2. Robbie Fowler | 35 |
3. Wayne Rooney | 30 |
4. Mason Greenwood | 20 |
5. Nicolas Anelka | 19 |
6. Alan Smith | 17 |
=6. francis jeffers | 17 |
8. Raheem Sterling | 14 |
=8. Romelu Lukaku | 14 |
=8. chris bert williams | 14 |
11. So Junior Croup | 13 |
With his speed, quick movements in front of goal, elite ball manipulator and versatility, it’s easy to see why not only Spurs but also Arsenal are interested in signing him this summer.
Still, there could be more exciting additions in store between now and the end of August.
How can the Spurs further improve their offense?
Signing a new striker this summer makes sense, especially considering the last year Solanke endured. However, De Zerbi needs more wingers.
One or two Londoners are trying to cross the line. Talks are continuing to sign Sabinho from Manchester City, while they have also held early talks with Benfica for Norwegian sensation Andreas Schjelderup.
Their keen ball skills, trickery and superb ball-carrying would make them great additions, but they are nowhere near as good as Yann Diomande, who joins Crupi and is currently recognized as one of the best young talents in Europe.
The latter had a brilliant season in the Premier League, but according to TEAMtalk, Diomande has caused even more buzz across Europe, and has since attracted interest from PSG, Liverpool, Arsenal and now Spurs. They point out that even if his desired move to Paris doesn’t materialize, Tottenham are ready and waiting for a move of their own.
Valued at more than £101m, the Lilywhites could set another transfer record this summer, but it will certainly be worth it. After all, he’s definitely even more exciting than Crupi.
Hailed as a “generational talent” by European football expert Bence Boxark, the Ivorian was one of the most exciting wingers in Europe’s top five leagues last season, scoring 13 goals and providing 10 assists, as well as receiving incredibly high marks for his carry and dribbling.
In the 2025/26 season, the 19-year-old ranked in the top 1% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for completed dribbles and completed dribbles per 90 minutes, and in the top 3% for progressive carries and shot end carries per 90 minutes. Simply put, Diomande is one of the most dangerous wingers and he has the end product to boot.
Additionally, he ranks in the top 3% in “final product” and in the top 4% in overall ball progression. Give your teenager the ball and expect something to happen.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball moves toward the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from the starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
Crupi is very exciting in his own right, but he doesn’t have the same ball skills or carrying ability as Diomande. Watching him in full flow is like watching Gareth Bale in his prime. His running speed, strength and aggressive nature shine through.
