Spurs in talks to sign future “£100m-plus footballer”, he’s a bigger talent than Simons -opinion
All throughout the summer transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur supporters have been demanding the arrival of a new creative playmaker – a traditional number ten – to ease the burden on Thomas Frank as he embarks on his debut campaign in charge of the club. The North London side have long lacked consistency in this role, and with injuries ruling out James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski until early 2026, filling the void became an urgent priority.
Spurs’ hierarchy explored multiple avenues in recent weeks, with approaches for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze. Both targets, however, slipped away, leaving Frank and the recruitment team under pressure to deliver. That pressure eased in dramatic fashion when Tottenham confirmed the £52 million signing of Dutch star Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig – a move that instantly raised expectations among the Lilywhites’ fanbase.
The 22-year-old arrives with a glowing reputation after an outstanding season in the Bundesliga, where he registered 18 goal contributions and firmly established himself as one of Europe’s brightest attacking prospects. At such a price, Spurs have secured not only a technically gifted footballer but also a player with the potential to develop into a world-class asset under Frank’s guidance. His creativity, dribbling, and directness will provide much-needed inspiration in the final third, particularly at a time when Spurs’ usual sources of invention are unavailable.
Yet, despite the capture of Simons, it is clear the Danish manager is not satisfied with just one marquee addition. With only a few days remaining before the transfer window closes, Spurs continue to push for further reinforcements, with several ambitious pursuits still active.
One of the longest-running sagas of the summer has been Tottenham’s interest in Savinho. The Brazilian winger, currently on Manchester City’s books, has been a target throughout the window, though efforts to secure his services have so far failed. Nevertheless, fresh talks have been held recently, and reports indicate that the player himself is keen on a switch to North London, offering hope that a late breakthrough could still be achieved.
Spurs’ ambition doesn’t end there. According to TEAMtalk, the club have also set their sights on Manchester United prodigy Kobbie Mainoo. The 20-year-old midfielder, a product of United’s famed academy, is highly regarded at Old Trafford but is believed to be open to a temporary move in pursuit of regular game time. Tottenham are understood to have made an approach, with Mainoo himself keen on the prospect of joining Frank’s project.
While Simons’ arrival has already generated significant excitement, some believe that Mainoo could prove to be an even more impactful acquisition in the long term. The young Englishman’s blend of technical quality and defensive intelligence has led many observers to brand him one of the Premier League’s most promising midfielders. Journalist Alex Turk has even described him as a potential “£100m-plus footballer.”
His statistics from the 2024/25 campaign back up the hype. Mainoo ranked in the 84th percentile for tackle success rate (60%) among Premier League midfielders and averaged 1.6 tackles won per 90 minutes, demonstrating his effectiveness without the ball. In possession, he offers an equally valuable dimension, ranking in the 84th percentile for successful take-ons (1.3 per 90) and excelling at progressing play with carries into the opposition box. These attributes would allow him to slot naturally into a box-to-box role for Spurs, complementing Simons’ creativity by breaking lines and linking midfield to attack.
Despite his young age, Mainoo has already made 50 Premier League appearances – invaluable experience that suggests he is ready to make the step up to a club chasing Champions League football. If Tottenham manage to secure him, they would be adding a player with the potential to become a generational talent, capable of dictating matches at the highest level.
For Thomas Frank, the midfield options are starting to take shape. Alongside summer recruits Simons and João Palhinha, the potential addition of Mainoo would give Spurs the balance of creativity, defensive steel, and dynamism they have lacked in recent years. With these pieces in place, there is every reason to believe Tottenham can mount a genuine push for a top-four finish in the 2025/26 campaign.
The message from North London is clear: Tottenham are no longer content with near misses. They are assembling a squad designed not only to compete but to return to Europe’s elite stage under their new manager.