Profit Made: Spurs have just made millions with transfer masterstroke
Tottenham Hotspur are expected to be active in the summer transfer window now that it has officially reopened—and the club finally has clarity regarding its managerial situation. With Thomas Frank appointed as the new head coach following the departure of Ange Postecoglou, Spurs are looking to make up for lost time after a period of uncertainty that stalled their transfer activity.
While a number of Premier League clubs have already made headlines with early summer signings, Tottenham were left in limbo for several weeks. The club first had to decide the future of Ange Postecoglou, amid speculation over his potential sacking, and then conduct a thorough search for a successor. That transition meant Spurs were slower than some of their top-flight rivals in entering the market, but with Thomas Frank now at the helm, plans are beginning to take shape.
Despite the slow start, Tottenham have already made a few moves. The loan of Austrian defender Kevin Danso from RC Lens was made permanent—an obligation written into the original loan agreement. Likewise, the club opted to finalize the permanent transfer of Mathys Tel, following his season-long loan from Bayern Munich. Frank reportedly played a key role in the decision, impressed by the young forward’s potential and versatility.
Although new arrivals have been limited so far, Tottenham have been busy trimming the squad and clearing out players no longer in the club’s plans. Goalkeepers Alfie Whiteman and Fraser Forster, along with left-back Sergio Reguilon, all departed the club after their contracts expired at the end of June. Meanwhile, Timo Werner has returned to RB Leipzig following the conclusion of his loan stint, though there remains speculation over a potential return under Frank.
Another notable exit, confirmed in the club’s retained list update at the end of May, is that of midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. While many fans assumed the Dane had already moved on, his departure only became official this summer.
Hojbjerg initially joined French side Marseille on a season-long loan in the summer of 2024, but the deal included an obligation to buy that kicked in once certain conditions were met. After an impressive season in Ligue 1, where he became a mainstay in Robert De Zerbi’s starting XI, Marseille have now completed the permanent signing of the 28-year-old midfielder for a fee of £17 million.
During his time in France, Hojbjerg featured in 30 of Marseille’s 34 league matches, playing the full 90 minutes in nearly all of them. He contributed two goals in Ligue 1 and added another in the Coupe de France, while also registering four assists. His tireless work rate, leadership qualities, and tactical discipline made him one of the key figures in De Zerbi’s system, helping Marseille finish as runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain and securing Champions League qualification for the upcoming season.
The timing of the transfer is particularly beneficial for Spurs, as Hojbjerg’s contract in North London was set to expire at the end of June. Securing a £17 million fee for a player entering the final weeks of his contract is seen as a smart piece of business by Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy. The club originally signed Hojbjerg from Southampton in 2020 for around £15 million, meaning the sale not only represents good value, but also a rare profit in a market where many clubs lose players on free transfers.
As Tottenham prepare for the Thomas Frank era, the departure of experienced players like Hojbjerg marks the beginning of what could be a significant reshaping of the squad. With funds freed up and the managerial situation resolved, Spurs fans can expect more movement in the weeks ahead as the club looks to build a competitive team for the 2025-26 campaign—both domestically and in Europe.