Tottenham Hotspur look set to be one of the Premier League’s biggest spenders during this summer’s transfer window.

After the Lilywhites avoided relegation on the final day of last season, Roberto De Zerbi is focused on building a squad that can compete for European qualification this time around. He has already been reunited with his former Brighton & Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke, who joined in a £52million deal.

De Zerbi is particularly keen to improve his midfield options, and the North Londoners have set their sights on Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali. They have failed to persuade the Magpies to sell the Italian with two £75million bids so far.

Tonali appears to be Spurs’ top target, but a new attacker is also on the wishlist despite James Maddison’s return from injury. Xavi Simons arrived last summer, but an ACL injury means he’s likely to be out of action until 2027.

Tottenham Ready to Battle PSG for Akliouche

Tottenham have reportedly reignited their interest in AS Monaco attacking gem Maghnes Akliouche, per Football Insider. The versatile 24-year-old is in high demand and Paris Saint-Germain are thought to be leading the race.

The report claims that Spurs have asked to be kept informed of Akliouche’s situation and he is expected to leave Monaco. He starred at Stade Louis II last season, registering seven goals and 11 assists in 43 games across all competitions.

Akliouche, dubbed “magic”, had been on the Lilywhites’ shortlist last summer, but the club opted to sign Simons instead. De Zerbi is eager to add more depth to his squad, and Maddison will eventually need to be replaced.

Tonali Should be the Priority for Spurs

via Reuters

Akliouche has enjoyed a meteoric rise at Monaco and earned a call-up to the France squad for the World Cup. Talk over his club future has taken hold during the international tournament in North America.

French outlet Foot Mercato (via TEAMtalk) claim that the player has already ‘agreed’ to join PSG. That doesn’t rule Spurs out of the race because a fee still has to be agreed and the Premier League club can offer him guaranteed first-team football.

Akliouche is reportedly valued at £52million, although a potential bidding war could push the fee to £61million. He has two years left on his contract with Monaco, where he’s spent his entire career.

Spurs have already shown they are willing to splash the cash this summer, and the French star is definitely an exciting talent. That said, they could be looking at forking out £85million for Tonali, which will take a large chunk out of their transfer budget.

Fabrizio Romano has given an interesting update on Federico Chiesa’s future at Liverpool amid talk of a potential return to Italy.

Chiesa found game time hard to come by under Arne Slot throughout the Dutch manager’s reign. He started just one of 26 league games last season, and his lack of first-team opportunities led to speculation over a possible summer exit.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a return to Juventus, while Inter Milan and Napoli are thought to be monitoring his situation. He has two years left on his contract at Anfield, but might be persuaded to try to win over the new head coach, Andoni Iraola, during pre-season.

Iraola replaced Slot earlier this month and will want to assess his squad ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. That might mean the likes of Chiesa are given a fresh chance to prove themselves.

Liverpool Make Federico Chiesa Decision

Chiesa joined Liverpool from Juve in the summer of 2024 in a £12.5milion deal. He arrived with a strong reputation from his exploits in Serie A where he thrived in Turin.

The Italian winger has been unable to replicate his performances with the Old Lady while on Merseyside. That is largely down to Slot’s reluctance to use him despite other attackers struggling last season.

Romano delved into the situation regarding Chiesa and his future at Anfield. He alluded to rumours of a return to Italy while speaking on his YouTube channel:

“There are many questions regarding the name of Federico Chiesa – such as whether he could be a potential target for Juventus, he might join Inter as a right-winger, if there is the possibility that Napoli and Roma could return to him. Many of you are asking if Chiesa could be one of the protagonists of this transfer market.”

Romano explained that Liverpool have decided that he will participate in pre-season to allow Iraola to give his verdict:

“At the present time, the decision made by the Liverpool player is to participate in the pre-season, to get together with the new coach Andoni Iraola. Chiesa just wants to play his cards in pre-season at Liverpool.”

There is a chance that Chiesa will be given more first-team football next season following Mohamed Salah’s exit. The Egyptian is leaving the Reds, and the club are already looking for a replacement.

Chiesa Deserves a Chance Under Iraola

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Chiesa has shown glimpses of what he’s capable of during his time on the pitch for Liverpool. He is an exciting attacker who often comes up with important goals, and perhaps Iraola will take a liking to him.

The Reds are reportedly set to make a second bid for RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, who is viewed as Salah’s replacement. The Ivorian is only 19, and thus, if he is signed, it’s important he is eased into the first team without putting too much pressure on him.

Chiesa, described as “underappreciated” while at Juve, can play on either wing or as the focal point of his side’s attack. His output wasn’t great last season, managing three goals and as many assists in 36 games across competitions.

It’s important to note that most of those appearances came off the bench, and he had been used as a bit-part player under Slot. That might change now that Iraola is in the dugout, and judging from his time at Bournemouth, he likes coaching adaptable players.

Manchester United may be able to get themselves a clear run at a Barcelona star if they make some room in their midfield. Strictly speaking, the Red Devils need to add players to their midfield, and that is very much the plan as Michael Carrick looks to replace Casemiro.

Ederson has already been signed from Atalanta, but United are hoping to add a marquee signing to their midfield, but there could be more business done in the middle of the park, both in terms of an incoming and an outgoing.

One upgrade United should consider is Mason Mount, who has had a mixed time at Old Trafford so far.

Man Utd already like Casadó

United have liked the look of Barcelona midfielder Marc Casadó for some time. The 22-year-old is said to be on the lookout for a new club this summer having struggled for regular game time last season. He did make 24 league appearances, but the young Spaniard is not a regular starter, and that is not likely to change next season, given the strength of Barca’s squad.

It was reported that Casadó would prefer to fight for his spot in the long-term but go out on loan in the meantime to continue his development, but his plan seems to have shifted, likely in the wake of unlikely opportunities going forward.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Casadó’s agent, the famed Jorge Mendes, has offered his services to AC Milan, who are on the lookout for an out-and-out midfielder this summer.

Milan, who will be coached by former United boss Ruben Amorim, are said to be evaluating their options ahead of a Europa League campaign. Meanwhile, Barca are said to be asking for between €20million and €30million to sign their La Masia academy graduate this summer, and that could interest a number of clubs, including United.

Man Utd could be about to sacrifice Mount

An interesting factor is that AC Milan, according to MilanPress, are considering United’s Mount as a possible target as they sound out midfielders. Mount has battled injury issues aplenty at Old Trafford, but the 27-year-old did manage a steady campaign of last, making 23 Premier League appearances, and he was valued by Carrick.

Mount is under contract until 2028, having arrived on a £55million deal from Chelsea in 2023, but it’s unclear what United would get for him now.

But if the Red Devils want a clear opportunity to sign Casadó, they could move to upgrade on Mount by selling him to Milan, taking the Italians out of the picture for Casadó, and they could likely sign the young Spaniard without any surplus, with Mount surely commanding at least £25million to £30million.

It seems unlikely Mount will be a regular starter for the Red Devils next season, given the addition of Ederson and the likely addition of another starting midfielder, and in Casadó, described in an analytical piece by Breaking The Lines as having the potential to be one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, they can sign a player who is likely already of a similar level, and he still has time to develop at the age of 22. It also goes without saying that Mount is not typically reliable in terms of availability due to injuries, and selling him at a later date could become tricky.