Tottenham's Ambitious Midfield Rebuild under De Zerbi
Tottenham’s midfield rebuild under Roberto De Zerbi is starting to look less like a tweak and more like a full-scale rewire.
Sandro Tonali. Mateus Fernandes. Now Alex Scott.
One by one, the names stack up, and the message from north London is unmistakable: Spurs want to own the centre of the pitch.
Tonali: The £100m statement target
For weeks, Tonali has sat at the heart of Tottenham’s summer plan.
The Newcastle midfielder is one of the club’s primary targets as De Zerbi hunts for a blend of control, experience and edge in midfield. Talks have already taken place with Tonali’s camp throughout June, and the Italy international is understood to be open to a move to north London if the clubs can thrash out a deal.
That is the hard part.
Newcastle value Tonali at around £100 million. Tottenham’s opening offer, believed to be in the region of £80m, was swiftly rejected by the Magpies. The price tag explains why. Tonali has become a headline figure in this window, both as a symbol of Spurs’ ambition and as a test of how far they are willing to go.
He is not the only one on their board.
Mateus Fernandes: Progress on both fronts
Across London, West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes has emerged as another major objective.
The Portugal international enjoyed an eye-catching campaign in east London, drawing attention from several top sides. Tottenham have already made meaningful progress on the player’s side, with multiple reports suggesting Fernandes is edging towards an agreement over personal terms.
The club have not stopped there. According to The Independent, positive talks have also taken place between Spurs and West Ham over a deal that could rise to around £85 million. Those discussions have only hardened Tottenham’s resolve to upgrade their midfield options and hand De Zerbi a group capable of dictating games at the highest level.
While the Tonali saga rumbles on and the Fernandes pursuit gathers pace, Spurs have quietly ticked off other pieces of business.
Dubravka adds depth, not headlines
The club have secured Martin Dubravka on a free transfer after his departure from Burnley.
It is not a marquee signing, but it is a smart one. The experienced goalkeeper, who spent last season at Turf Moor following a long spell at Newcastle, arrives to add depth and competition in goal. His arrival is another small but deliberate step in the wider squad reshaping under De Zerbi.
Tottenham’s recruitment drive is not confined to the top end of the table either. Their scouts continue to scour the Premier League for emerging talent, and one of the most coveted young midfielders in the country has now entered the frame.
Alex Scott: Bournemouth dig in as big clubs circle
Alex Scott is the latest name on Tottenham’s radar.
Sky Sports report that Spurs are among several clubs targeting the 22-year-old Bournemouth midfielder, who has quickly become one of the Cherries’ most important players since his move from Bristol City. Across the last two seasons, Scott’s performances have pushed him into the conversation for elite-level moves.
Tottenham are not alone. Arsenal and Manchester United have also registered their interest, making initial enquiries over a player valued at around £60 million.
They were sent away.
Bournemouth have knocked back those approaches and drawn a firm line in this window: they do not want to sell Scott. That stance has been made clear to all interested clubs. Rather than negotiating an exit, the south coast side are working on keeping him.
Talks over a new contract are already under way, with Bournemouth hopeful that Scott will commit his future and continue his development under newly appointed head coach Marco Rose. That is the outcome the club are pushing for.
Scott’s reputation has grown regardless of international disappointment. He missed out on England’s World Cup squad this summer, despite being strongly considered before the final cut, yet his club form has ensured his name stays prominent on the shortlists of the Premier League’s elite.
Tottenham now sit among those watching closely.
De Zerbi’s midfield wish list is ambitious, expensive and unapologetically bold. Whether Spurs can prise Tonali from Newcastle, drive a deal over the line for Fernandes, or test Bournemouth’s resolve on Scott will define not just their window, but the identity of the team they send into the new season.
