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Spurs are set for a busy summer - we track the transfer deals that are in Tottenham’s pipeline.
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Few clubs in the Premier League are likely to have more pressing needs in the summer transfer window than Tottenham Hotspur. A disappointing campaign has revealed a lack of depth and quality within the squad, and the manager – whether that’s Ange Postecolgou, Andoni Iraola, or someone else entirely – is almost certain to press for reinforcements and upgrades.
In particular, Spurs are likely to add a centre-back, at least one central midfielder and some extra firepower up front, although whether they will land all their targets will depend once again on chairman Daniel Levy’s notoriously thorough negotiating technique.
The rumour mill is churning an endless stream of names and keeping track of which transfers are likely to happen and which are more implausible is challenging, but as we spend a lot of time tracking transfer stories and the various claims and counter-claims concerning various players’ likely futures, we thought it would be helpful to offer a run-down of the five deals that are furthest along based on what we’re hearing and the strength of the sources involved.
Angel Gomes among midfielders likely on their way
Spurs are likely to sign two central midfielders this summer, especially if Postecoglou remains in his post, and this is the position in which we have the clearest picture of the likely moves that will be made.
Widespread reports dating back as far as January have not only claimed that Lille and England man Angel Gomes is a key target, but that the impending free agent himself prefers a move to Spurs over other alleged options, which are expected to include West Ham.
Given that his contract with Lille is running down this summer, the Manchester United academy graduate will no doubt have options on the table and it’s possible that another club come in with an offer he can’t refuse, but the sheer persistence of stories that Gomes has settled on a switch to Spurs and that the club have made him a priority means that we expect this to be a deal that is more likely to happen than not.
Another probable signing is Real Betis’ Johnny Cardoso, a 23-year-old American international midfielder who has impressed in La Liga this season. Spurs negotiated a purchase option worth a reported €25m (£21m) for Cardoso as a part of the deal which took Giovani Lo Celso to Seville, and as such this is a straightforward deal to get done at a price point which comes pre-approved by Levy.
Spurs have not yet triggered the option and it doesn’t guarantee that rival bids won’t emerge, but it seems highly probable that Spurs make a bid and that Cardoso himself would be happy to move to the UK – he has already told the media that Spurs’ interest makes him feel “valued”.
Assuming both the Gomes and Cardoso deals get over the line, that would probably be it for spending on the midfield, with current player Yves Bissouma liable to make way for the new reinforcemets.
Tottenham Hotspur targeting big-money defenders and strikers
There’s rather more confusion as to Tottenham’s primary transfer targets in other areas, but we can be confident that a centre-back is on the menu, especially given recent reports that Atlético Madrid are keen to land Cristian Romero this summer as Diego Simeone’s side aim to add to their growing Argentine army.
A deal for loanee Kevin Danso has already been agreed but Spurs will look to add one more player to the back line – but working out who tops their list isn’t easy, and it’s likely that a definitive decision has not yet been made.
The player most persistently linked with Spurs over the last few months has been Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi, and there is undoubtedly interest in the England standout – but Chelsea have him near the top of their list, too, and given their free-spending tendencies could easily outbid Spurs. Given that Guéhi would almost certainly cost at least £60m and potentially rather more, it’s also very possible that Levy would prefer to look for a cheaper deal.
One player who is starting to gain significant traction as a transfer target is Sporting’s Ivorian centre-back Ousmane Diomande. A staple of last summer’s rumour mill, the 21-year-old is a talented and highly technical defender in a broadly similar vein to Micky van de Ven, and reports (including a recent story from TBR Football) suggest that he could be available for around £50m. A bid is far from guaranteed, however.
Spurs will also try to add some players to their front three, with both a winger and a striker firmly on the radar. Spurs’ interest in Tyler Dibling is genuine, but with Southampton reportedly hoping to hold out for £100m and clubs such as Bayern Munich and Liverpool also keen, a deal will be very difficult to get done.
A laundry list of alternatives has been suggested, with Leon Bailey and Dango Ouattara suggested over the past week, but the strongest link is with Ouattara’s Bournemouth team-mate Antoine Semenyo. Liverpool and Newcastle are both sniffing around, too, and the Cherries have reportedly slapped a £70m price tag on his head, which would have to be negotiated down. Nevertheless, Spurs have genuine interest in the Frenchman, who can operate effectively on either flank, and while we wouldn’t say a deal is probably by any means, it’s likely that Spurs at least try to negotiate a better price.
Finally, Spurs will surely try to add a striker to compete with Dominic Solanke, and we believe that their priority is Jonathan David – the Canadian striker is, like Gomes, soon to leave Lille on a free transfer and while he would demand high wages, the combination of a reduced up-front cost and his goal-scoring record mean that he is very much of interest to Spurs.
Plenty of other striker-needy sides have David on their shortlist too, but for most clubs he’s a back-up plan rather than a first choice, which isn’t the case with Spurs. Matheus Cunha from Wolves is a possible alternative if David goes elsewhere, but the expense involved is making him a little less attractive as it stands.
Spurs’ plans in defence and up front are fluid and will be dictated in part by the market – if, for instance, Liverpool or Newcastle do open up a big-money bidding war for Semenyo, it’s more likely that Spurs will switch to a secondary target rather than get involved too heavily, so much may change. But as it stands, Gomes and Cardoso look very likely to move to Spurs this summer, and we expect five first-team additions in total unless something unexpected happens. Which, this being the transfer window, it surely will…