Verbal agreement’ – insider drops more sobering transfer news for Tottenham fans
Tottenham Hotspur are intensifying their efforts to reinforce their midfield this summer, aware that their current crop of central players falls short when compared to the elite standards of their Premier League rivals. With Champions League qualification a top priority under Ange Postecoglou’s leadership, the North London club knows it must raise the bar in midfield — or risk being left behind in one of football’s most demanding and competitive battlegrounds.
The ideal scenario for Spurs would involve the addition of two new midfielders with complementary skill sets: one younger, energetic box-to-box player who could offer long-term value, and another more experienced, defensively minded presence to provide stability and leadership. Moreover, they are believed to be targeting a creative playmaker who can unlock defences — and a more physical, ball-winning option capable of shielding the backline.
Although the club has made significant strides to bring in Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White — a dynamic 25-year-old attacking midfielder — that deal remains far from complete. Negotiations have hit snags, particularly with legal complications on Forest’s end, and there’s no guarantee Spurs will be able to seal the transfer in time. With that uncertainty hanging over the deal, Tottenham must be pragmatic and begin exploring viable alternatives — or better yet, complementary additions.
Xavi Simons Emerges — and Slips Away
One player who had been on Tottenham’s radar as a potential high-profile attacking midfielder is Xavi Simons, the immensely talented Dutch international currently on loan at RB Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain. Simons fits the mold of the creative No. 8 Spurs crave — a player who blends technical flair with tactical intelligence, capable of carving open defences and dictating the tempo from midfield.
However, Tottenham may have already fallen out of contention in the race to land the 22-year-old. According to respected journalist Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany, it is Chelsea — not Spurs — who are actively pushing to reach a “verbal agreement” with Simons. Talks reportedly continued on Tuesday, and the West London side appears to be in pole position to sign the former Barcelona academy star, whose stock has soared after a standout campaign in the Bundesliga.
Chelsea’s aggressive pursuit of Simons has effectively sidelined other interested clubs. Arsenal, also admirers of the player, have seemingly stepped back, while German giants Bayern Munich are no longer in the running. Tellingly, Tottenham’s name doesn’t even feature in the latest transfer discussions, suggesting they have either pulled out or were never truly competitive in the first place. It’s a bitter pill to swallow for fans who hoped for a marquee midfield addition this summer.
Turning Back to Defensive Reinforcements
With the Simons opportunity slipping through their fingers, Spurs may now be forced to pivot back toward more defensive-minded midfielders — albeit with less star power. One such name is João Palhinha, the combative Portuguese enforcer who previously starred for Fulham and is now linked with a move to Bayern Munich. At 30, Palhinha wouldn’t be a long-term solution, nor would he spark the kind of excitement Simons might have. But given the dwindling options and the club’s desperate need for steel in midfield, he might be one of the more realistic candidates left on the board.
Tottenham had also expressed interest in Crystal Palace’s breakout star Adam Wharton, a young midfield metronome who is widely considered one of England’s brightest prospects. However, any serious move for Wharton now appears implausible, with Palace showing little interest in negotiating. The club has also missed out on other targets such as Anton Stach and Richard Ríos, who have already secured moves elsewhere.
Bundesliga Talent Remains an Option
Still, not all hope is lost. One under-the-radar target who could fit the bill is Angelo Stiller of VfB Stuttgart. The 23-year-old German midfielder is quietly earning praise for his consistency, vision, and composure on the ball. If Stuttgart are open to offers, Spurs could strike a smart deal for a player who has the potential to blossom further under the right coaching setup. Stiller could serve as either a defensive anchor or a deep-lying playmaker, depending on how Postecoglou envisions the midfield’s structure.
Yet, even this possibility seems like a plan B — or C — after missing the chance to compete for Simons. That ship may have already set sail, and once again, Tottenham appear to be slow out of the blocks in the summer transfer market, particularly in the midfield area where they’ve needed reinforcements for over a year.
Spurs Supporters Left Frustrated
As the summer window continues to unfold, Tottenham fans are growing increasingly restless. While other top-six clubs have acted swiftly and decisively to strengthen their squads, Spurs seem stuck in limbo — linked with players but unable to get deals across the line. The midfield, long regarded as an Achilles’ heel, remains a glaring weakness. And unless the club moves fast, that could again cost them dearly in the coming campaign.
In a Premier League landscape where clubs like Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea continue to evolve their midfields with world-class talent, Tottenham simply cannot afford to lag behind. If they hope to mount a serious challenge for a top-four finish — or even push for silverware — decisive action is needed. A mix of youth, experience, creativity, and grit is essential. Right now, however, it looks like Spurs are missing out on all four.