Tottenham Hotspur is spending big. Indeed, the North London club has splurged a reported €267m on new signings since the start of the summer transfer window with Sando Tonali its biggest addition so far after making the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium from Newcastle United for €108m.
Of course, Spurs needed significant investment after only narrowly evading relegation from the Premier League last season. Roberto De Zerbi succeeded in saving the club from a fate in the Championship and is now being backed in the transfer window to remould the squad in his own image.
Tonali’s signing in particular is a statement move. Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United had all been linked with the Italian international who was ready to move on from Newcastle United after three years at St James’ Park. That Tottenham was able to beat so many rivals to the punch was impressive.
Some argue Spurs have paid too much for Tonali. Indeed, the €108m fee handed to Newcastle United for the midfielder this summer makes him one of the most expensive players in Premier League history. This is a status that many consider unbefitting of Tonali, as good as he is.
However, De Zerbi needs more energy in the centre of his midfield to make his system work and Tonali will certainly offer that. The Italian is one of the best in the Premier League at recovering the ball and this is a quality that will allow Tottenham to play a more energetic game next season and beyond.
The signing of Matheus Fernandes from West Ham will also give Tottenham some much-needed guile in the centre of the pitch. De Zerbi has hinted that the Portuguese could play in a deeper role for his new team compared to the advanced position he generally played in for the Hammers.
Fernandes and Tonali as a pairing should give Tottenham more control on both sides of the ball in the centre of the pitch. On top of this, Spurs have added Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton and Andy Robertson following his departure from Liverpool at the end of last season and Marcos Senesi as a free agent.
Having spent so much on transfers this summer, it seems likely there will be outgoing sales by Tottenham before the window closes. Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, for instance, have both been linked with an exit from the North London club. For the first time in a long while, though, Spurs are showing some ambition in the transfer market.