adminGiven their dismal track record in the transfer market, is it really any surprise that Tottenham Hotspur have now finished 17th in the Premier League for two seasons running?
Injuries and subpar performances have certainly contributed, but the harsh reality is that Spurs have made some catastrophic errors in recruitment.
Although Ange Postecoglou has openly stated his preference for Premier League-proven talents like Marc Guehi, Pedro Neto, and Antoine Semenyo, the club instead invested in youngsters such as Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, and Luka Vuskovic. These signings may promise a brighter long-term future, but they’re simply not equipped to elevate Tottenham to the next level right now.
That said, it seems Vinai Venkatesham and the recruitment team have finally taken Ange’s advice on board this summer. The clearest sign of this shift would be securing deals for Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.
Spurs eyeing a third midfield addition after Tonali and Fernandes
Tottenham have made a blistering start to the summer window, already bringing in four established Premier League players. Veterans Andy Robertson and Martin Dubravka have signed on, while two of England’s top-flight finest centre-backs, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke, have also joined the ranks.
Now, two blockbuster midfielders could follow: Tonali and Fernandes. The latest update suggests Fernandes is now ‘prepared’ to move to Spurs, provided West Ham agree a fee—with his destination likely determined by who offers the largest sum.
Tonali’s situation is more uncertain. With a £100 million price tag, Tottenham would need to shatter their transfer record to land him. There’s also a sense that if Arsenal entered the race, the Italian would favour a move to the Gunners.
It’s an exhilarating period for supporters—but wouldn’t it be quintessentially Spurs if neither deal came to fruition?
Nevertheless, the club’s decision-makers are pushing forward on other fronts. One name catching their eye is Napoli’s Antonio Vergara, a player admired by Roberto De Zerbi.
Reports from Italy early this week indicate that Tottenham have already submitted a bid for Vergara. However, obstacles loom—not least Napoli’s offer of a new contract. Bournemouth, Como, and Atalanta have also had approaches rejected, with bids of around £26 million reportedly turned down last month.
What does pursuing Vergara mean for Tonali and Fernandes?
Imagine Spurs securing both Tonali and Fernandes. Given Tottenham’s recent history of missing out on primary targets, such a double coup would send shockwaves across the Premier League.
Tonali would be a statement signing—one of football’s elite midfielders and Italy’s heir to Andrea Pirlo. As a deep-lying playmaker oozing class, he’d represent the marquee arrival fans have craved for years.
Fernandes, meanwhile, is among the most exciting young midfielders in world football. At just 21, he possesses the complete skill set and could dominate the engine room for years. Former Southampton man Jo Tessem once said: “Fernandes is becoming the ultimate Premier League midfielder. He plays like a Premier League player. He passes like one. He is quick like one. He conducts himself so well in midfield.”
Together, they’d instantly form one of the most formidable midfield partnerships not just in England, but globally.
But every double pivot needs a creative force ahead of them—a magician to unlock defences. In Vergara, Spurs would find exactly that.
Admittedly, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder isn’t a household name. He struggled for regular minutes at Napoli last season, managing just eight Serie A starts, with three goals and four assists in 19 appearances.
Yet those numbers don’t tell the full story. Vergara is a joy to watch in the final third—his stunning Champions League strike against Chelsea even drew Maradona comparisons. While that may be hyperbolic, US pundit Mike Grella still labelled him “unbelievable” for that moment.
Defensively, he’s no slouch either: last season, he won three defensive ground duels per 90, placing him in the top 1% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues.
According to Scout Lab, he’s stylistically similar to Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. But it was during his 2024/25 loan at AC Reggiana that Vergara truly flourished, netting five goals and providing six assists. He completed 2.06 successful dribbles per 90—ranking first among U23 players in his position—with 1.67 of those in the final third. He also made 2.72 progressive runs per 90, again topping his age group. He loves to drive play forward—music to the ears of the defenders behind him.
With those traits, Vergara would complement Fernandes and Tonali beautifully. Tonali anchoring deep, Fernandes operating as the box-to-box 8, and Vergara pulling strings as the 10—it could be a match made in heaven.
For the Newcastle man, who has grown accustomed to the gangly, less elegant Nick Woltemade playing ahead of him, linking up with someone like Vergara would surely be a breath of fresh air.
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