Tottenham Hotspur are running out of time to bring a new playmaker to N17, with the transfer cut off fast approaching in just four days’ time.
Spurs boss Thomas Frank, at one stage, appeared set to head into 2025/2026 boasting both James Maddison and Morgan Gibbs-White as his number 10 options.
However, a disastrous chain of events, including an ACL rupture for Maddison, resulted in the Dane having neither England international to choose from.
Gibbs-White’s blocked move to north London, with the 25-year-old eventually signing a new deal instead, was made all the more embarrassing for Daniel Levy when Arsenal hijacked their once very advanced deal for alternative Eberechi Eze.
Following two public transfer humiliations, Levy and Frank are back to the drawing board, searching for another ideal signing to bolster that area of the squad.
A lot of noise in the last 48 hours has surrounded a potential swoop for West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta as one intriguing option, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that contact has been made.
“I confirm my information I gave you last night on Lucas Paqueta,” said Romano on his YouTube channel.
“Tottenham had new contacts today with the agents of Lucas Paqueta, and Paqueta is an option being considered by Tottenham for the No.10 position. Paqueta is open to leaving West Ham, as I told you days ago.
“Tottenham are considering this move for Paqueta. It’s not something imminent or something close, but Paqueta is an option. They made contact to understand the details of the deal for the Brazilian. Paqueta also has some interest from Saudi Arabia, but his priority would be Europe.”
Another name gaining traction is that of RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons, who was thought to be on the verge of joining Chelsea.
The Dutchman has already agreed terms over a move to Stamford Bridge, according to reliable media sources, but both Leipzig and Chelsea are still yet to reach a full agreement.
The west Londoners are also looking to offload both Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku first, due to a complex settlement with UEFA that demands they sell certain players to balance out the squad.
Tottenham hold talks over bid for Xavi Simons
According to The Telegraph, Tottenham are holding talks over a bid for Simons as they look to potentially hijack Chelsea’s deal for the 22-year-old.
Valued at around £60 million – a similar fee to what Spurs were prepared to pay for both Gibbs-White and Eze – this deal appears like a feasible one to do. Leipzig have also confirmed to German news outlet BILD that Simons has been allowed to discuss a transfer away, opening the door for Frank’s side to rival Chelsea.
Matt Law of The Telegraph also reports that, despite the attacker’s fondness for Chelsea, there is optimism that he’d be open to joining Tottenham as well.
Leipzig made Simons their highest-ever paid player on a contract worth £192,000-per-week earlier this year, showing just how highly-rated he is, with Football Transfers also calling him a ‘similar’ player to Maddison.
Last season, the former PSG sensation bagged 11 goals and eight assists over 33 appearances in all competitons, and the Netherlands international is only likely to get even better as he matures.
