£34m Maddison upgrade: Spurs in race to sign “one of the best midfielders”
Tottenham Hotspur’s Youth-Led Revolution Enters New Phase as Transfers Take Centre Stage
Tottenham Hotspur’s recent evolution has been underpinned by a strategic emphasis on nurturing emerging talent, a philosophy that long predates the Ange Postecoglou era. Spurs have built a reputation for spotting and developing raw potential into elite-level quality, producing stars capable of thriving in the relentless world of Premier League football.
However, as recent seasons have shown, the balance between youth and experience is a delicate one. While Postecoglou’s tenure began with high-octane football and promising signs, his time at the helm ended after two tumultuous years that ran the emotional gamut for Spurs supporters. Despite an underwhelming domestic campaign that saw the club finish outside the Champions League places, the North London side managed to salvage the season with Europa League glory—defeating Manchester United in a historic final. That victory not only delivered silverware but also reinstated Tottenham’s position in Europe’s premier competition: the UEFA Champions League.
The Europa League triumph should serve as more than just a moment of celebration. It must act as a launching pad for sustainable success. To build upon this platform, Spurs need to be precise and proactive in the summer transfer market, identifying the right blend of seasoned professionals and emerging stars to support new manager Thomas Frank’s vision.
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Setting Summer Priorities: Reinforcements Needed Across the Pitch
One of the major storylines this summer surrounds Cristian Romero. The Argentine defender has been a cornerstone of Spurs’ defence, but his future remains uncertain amid serious interest from Atletico Madrid, who are reportedly prepared to table a £60 million bid. While Frank is keen to retain his defensive leader, he is also looking to reshape the squad in key areas.
At the top of Frank’s wishlist is a dynamic full-back capable of offering both attacking thrust and defensive stability. Fulham’s Antonee Robinson has emerged as a prime target, with the American international valued at around £45 million. Elsewhere, plans are underway to identify a new winger in the event that long-serving club captain Heung-min Son opts for a move away.
Tottenham had made an aggressive attempt to sign Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo to fill that potential void, viewing him as the next attacking talisman. However, the Cameroon international appears to be favouring a move to Manchester United, leaving Spurs to reconsider their offensive options.
In midfield, the need is not as urgent—but creativity remains high on the agenda. Spurs had been monitoring Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, an attacking midfielder known for his flair and technical ability. However, with Arsenal now seemingly leading the race for his signature, chairman Daniel Levy and the recruitment team have shifted focus.
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Spurs Join the Race for Orkun Kökçü
According to Caught Offside, Tottenham have now thrown their hat into the ring for SL Benfica’s star midfielder Orkun Kökçü. The Turkish international is reportedly available for transfer this summer, with Benfica believed to be open to offers in the region of €40 million (approximately £34 million).
Kökçü’s name is generating buzz across Europe, with Manchester United and Inter Milan also interested. However, Premier League champions Liverpool currently appear to be the frontrunners, especially considering the midfielder’s previous relationship with Arne Slot, who coached him during their time together at Feyenoord.
That said, Spurs could have a trump card: Champions League football and a rejuvenated project under Frank. If Tottenham can make a compelling case, they could yet secure the services of the versatile playmaker.
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Why Tottenham Are Targeting Kökçü
At just 24 years old, Orkun Kökçü has already built an impressive CV. Since moving from Feyenoord to Benfica for €30 million (£25 million) in the summer of 2023, he has tallied 19 goals and 22 assists across 98 appearances. His maturity, leadership, and tactical intelligence have not gone unnoticed. Former Dutch international Jaap Stam once described him as “one of the best midfielders in the country” during his Eredivisie days, while renowned scout Jacek Kulig has praised his leadership qualities.
Kökçü could be exactly the kind of creative, goal-scoring midfielder that Frank needs to build around. With James Maddison frequently sidelined due to injuries, the Turkish midfielder could offer both competition and a potential upgrade.
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Kökçü vs Maddison: How Do They Stack Up?
A statistical comparison from the 2024/25 season shows just how closely matched these two attacking midfielders are:
Stat Kökçü Maddison
Matches (starts) 33 (30) 31 (21)
Goals 7 9
Assists 7 7
Shots (on target) per game 1.9 (0.7) 1.3 (0.5)
Big chances missed 2 5
Pass completion 86% 87%
Big chances created 12 6
Key passes per game 2.3 1.3
Dribbles per game 0.3 1.1
Ball recoveries per game 5.6 2.5
Tackles + Interceptions 1.6 1.4
Duels won (%) 3.0 (47%) 4.3 (53%)
These metrics illustrate that while Maddison excels in dribbling and duels, Kökçü boasts superior creativity and defensive work rate. Notably, the Turkish international also missed fewer big chances and provided more key passes and goal-creating actions, highlighting his clinical edge in the final third.
Moreover, Kökçü’s performances in the Champions League last season were particularly eye-catching. He ranked in the top 15% of midfielders for goals scored and shot-creating actions, the top 19% for progressive passes, and the top 13% for completed through balls per 90 minutes.
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The Verdict: Is Kökçü the Future of Spurs’ Midfield?
While James Maddison remains a central figure at Tottenham, his recurring fitness issues cast a long shadow over his long-term reliability. Kökçü, with his combination of vision, passing range, defensive work rate, and leadership qualities, could not only provide top-tier competition for Maddison but potentially emerge as the midfield leader of a new era under Thomas Frank.
For a club eager to avoid another false dawn and genuinely challenge for top honours, the signing of a high-ceiling talent like Orkun Kökçü could prove pivotal. His arrival would signal Tottenham’s intent to move past transitional periods and build a squad that is not just competitive—but built to last.