Tottenham Hotspur were one of the busiest clubs in Europe during the summer transfer window, making ten signings while also parting ways with 15 players, with a number of others departing on loan.
In total, including add-ons and obligations in current loan deals, Spurs have generated more than £255 million from player sales this summer, helping to offset some of the significant spending that has transformed Roberto De Zerbi’s squad.
With so much change taking place, the departures have been just as important as the arrivals, creating both the finances and squad space required for De Zerbi to reshape his Tottenham’s side.
Tottenham Hotspur Summer Sales Explained
Tottenham Hotspur: Defensive Departures
Tottenham’s defence has undergone major surgery this summer, with Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Tosin Adarabioyo arriving as six defenders have departed.
The headline exit was former captain Cristian Romero, who completed a move to Atletico Madrid for £34.2 million after five years in north London.
Djed Spence also moved abroad, joining Inter for £30 million after making 85 appearances for Spurs.
The biggest sale of the window was Luka Vuskovic, who joined Brighton & Hove Albion for £50 million despite never making a competitive appearance for Tottenham.
Deadline day saw Kevin Danso leave for Sunderland on an initial loan, with an obligation to buy worth £25 million if certain conditions are met.
Radu Dragusin also returned to Italy, joining Fiorentina on loan with a £21.4 million obligation to buy, while Ashley Phillips moved to Middlesbrough for an initial £7 million, with a further £13 million available in add-ons.
Including the potential add-ons and obligations, those six departures could generate around £180.6 million, helping fund some of the new additions and highlighting the scale of Tottenham’s defensive clear-out.
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Tottenham Hotspur: The Midfield Shakeup
Tottenham also needed to create room for significant changes in midfield after adding Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes to their ranks this summer.
Yves Bissouma left on a free transfer following four years at the club, while Joao Palhinha returned to Bayern Munich after his loan spell expired, later joining Benfica.
On deadline day, Pape Matar Sarr departed for Juventus on an initial loan, with an obligation to buy worth around £25.7 million if certain conditions are met.
Alfie Devine also left permanently, joining Preston North End for £6 million after a successful loan spell in 2025/26.
While the midfield departures have generated less money than those in defence, they have nevertheless helped reduce the size of the squad and free up wages as Spurs made significant midfield investments.
Read More: Roberto De Zerbi Delivers Injury Update on Tottenham Star
A New-Look Forward Line
The attacking department has also seen significant change, with Savio, Omar Marmoush and Mykhailo Mudryk arriving as Spurs look to add both quality and depth in the final third.
Randal Kolo Muani returned to Paris Saint-Germain following his loan spell before completing a permanent move to Juventus.
Will Lankshear also left for Middlesbrough for an initial £10 million, with a further £10 million available in add-ons, while Argentinian striker Alejo Veliz joined Bahia for £7.7 million plus potential add-ons.
Manor Solomon ended his three-year Tottenham spell by joining West Ham United for £5 million, with another £2 million available in add-ons, making just six appearances for the Lilywhites.
Dane Scarlett moved to Leyton Orient on deadline day on a free transfer, with add-ons and a sell-on clause included in the agreement.
Finally, teenage winger Tynan Thompson joined Manchester United for £8 million despite never making a senior appearance for Tottenham Hotspur.
Those departures have generated more than £43.5 million in potential fees, an impressive return considering the four players sold for fees made just 20 senior appearances for Spurs between them.
Further Loan Deals
Tottenham Hotspur have also allowed a number of first-team players to depart on loan as they trim the squad to make space for the new arrivals.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario moved back to Italy, joining Juventus on a loan deal that also includes an optional £8.6 million buy clause, with Spurs replacing the Italian with Martin Dubravka.
Full-back Souza has joined Porto for the 2026/27 season, while Japanese centre-back Kota Takai has moved to Belgian side Sint-Truidense VV and is yet to make his competitive debut for Spurs.
Midfielder Jamie Donley has also left on loan, joining Jack Wilshere’s Luton Town, while fellow midfielder George Abbott has returned to Mansfield Town.
Winger Mikey Moore, who featured in each of Spurs’ first three games and scored in the EFL Cup win against Charlton, has joined Bundesliga side 1. FC Koln for the season.
Finally, wingers Yang Min-hyeok and Damola Ajayi have joined Westerlo and Barnet respectively on loan after failing to break into the first-team squad.
The Last Word on Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham’s summer spending has attracted much of the headlines, but the scale of the departures is equally important to understanding the rebuild De Zerbi is leading. More than £255 million in potential player sales has given Spurs scope to change the squad while moving on from players who wanted out or were not in De Zerbi’s plans.
There will inevitably be questions over whether Tottenham have been too aggressive in dismantling the previous squad, particularly if injuries or poor form expose a lack of depth. However, De Zerbi has been given the opportunity to build a Tottenham side in his own image, and the players who have left have played a major role in making that possible.
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