Report: Tottenham could now be close to agreeing move to sign City superstar

Spurs are bracing themselves for a frantic conclusion to the summer transfer window, with club insiders suggesting that the next few days could bring a whirlwind of negotiations as the Lilywhites scramble to secure attacking reinforcements. Spurs’ urgency has only heightened after suffering the bitter blow of losing out on Crystal Palace talisman Eberechi Eze to their fiercest rivals, Arsenal.

For much of this week, Tottenham were confident they had done the hard work. Negotiations with Palace had reached an advanced stage, personal terms had been agreed with the player, and Daniel Levy believed the deal was in the home stretch. Eze, who has long been admired by the Spurs hierarchy, was viewed as the ideal solution to their creative shortfall following James Maddison’s season-ending ACL injury and Son Heung-min’s shock departure to Saudi Arabia.

 

Yet, in dramatic fashion, the script was ripped apart. Arsenal, having monitored Eze throughout the summer, were jolted into action after Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury that will sideline him for months. Seizing their chance, Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar moved swiftly, matching Palace’s valuation and offering £60 million upfront plus £7.5 million in add-ons. Despite Spurs’ groundwork, the decision ultimately lay with the player, and Eze’s deep-rooted connection to Arsenal – he trained in their academy as a youngster and grew up a boyhood Gunners fan – proved decisive.

 

Reliable Tottenham insider Alasdair Gold confirmed the twist on X (formerly Twitter):

“Arsenal came in late this afternoon, agreeing to Palace’s terms, and the player chose Arsenal due to his connection to them. Another number 10 lost when Spurs thought it was done. Not a good look spending so long on a deal only for another club to get him within a day.”

 

For Tottenham, it was a brutal reminder of the fine margins at the top end of the transfer market. In the space of 24 hours, a player they thought was in the bag slipped away to their bitter rivals. The frustration will sting for some time in north London, especially given the context – Arteta and Edu snatched a deal that Levy and new manager Thomas Frank had worked tirelessly to conclude.

 

Nevertheless, the Lilywhites cannot afford to dwell on the setback. With the clock ticking down on the window, Spurs are casting the net wide in their search for a marquee attacking addition. Links persist with Savinho, the young Brazilian winger under Manchester City’s control, but attention is also turning to a far bigger name in the form of Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.

 

Reports in Spain suggest that Rodrygo, despite his pedigree and track record at the Bernabéu, is not central to Xabi Alonso’s plans this season. Real Madrid’s hierarchy, facing a shrinking list of suitors, have softened their stance on the 24-year-old. Initially valued at £86 million, the Spanish giants are now prepared to sanction an initial loan move, provided Tottenham cover his hefty £208,000-a-week salary.

 

For Spurs, this represents a tantalising opportunity. Not only would Rodrygo provide the creative spark and direct goal threat they desperately need, but the short-term nature of a loan would also reduce financial risk while still keeping them competitive. The stumbling block, however, lies in Real’s preference for an obligation-to-buy clause. Florentino Pérez would ideally like to see Rodrygo’s full value recouped by 2026, but Tottenham are wary of committing too early, especially given their recent missteps in the market.

 

From Rodrygo’s perspective, the situation is also clear. He wants more minutes, having fallen down the pecking order in Madrid, and the lure of Premier League football – with Spurs offering a guaranteed prominent role – could be exactly what he needs to reignite his career. Luka Modrić himself has hailed him as a “superstar,” and with 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season, his talent is undeniable.

 

For Tottenham, missing out on Eze was a painful blow, but securing a coup like Rodrygo would go a long way to healing those wounds and convincing supporters that the club is still moving forward with ambition. Levy and Frank now face the biggest few days of their summer – a period that could define not just their transfer window, but the trajectory of Spurs’ entire season.