Tottenham's first signing of the summer may end up being a Southampton player, with the Saints set to suffer further consequences of their involvement in the Spygate scandal
Tottenham could take advantage of Southampton's Spygate woes, with reports linking them with Saints star Leo Scienza. Southampton were dramatically expelled from the Championship play-off final with Hull this week after admitting to spying on three teams throughout the 2025/26 season.
The incidents came to light following accusations by Middlesbrough that Southampton had spied on their training sessions prior to the play-off semi-final between the two teams earlier this month. The EFL subsequently launched an investigation into the scandal - since dubbed 'Spygate' - before issuing the unprecedented punishment of removing Southampton from the play-offs altogether.
The decision means the Saints will remain in the Championship next season, casting doubt over the futures of several key players and staff members, including Scienza.
The Brazilian attacking midfielder has impressed throughout the campaign, notching 10 goals and 10 assists across the campaign. His performances have reportedly attracted interest from clubs across Europe, with Tottenham among the sides said to be monitoring his situation.
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A deal worth around £25million has been mooted for Roberto De Zerbi's side, although much may depend on whether Spurs secure Premier League survival this weekend. Tottenham head into the final game of the season knowing a single point should be enough to keep them up.
Spurs host Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the final day sitting 17th in the table, two points clear of West Ham, who face Leeds across town at the London Stadium.
If West Ham fail to win, Tottenham will survive regardless of their own result. Even if the Hammers do take three points, Spurs would still likely only need a draw thanks to their significantly superior goal difference.
Attacking midfield has been a surprisingly problematic area for Tottenham this season despite the depth available on paper. Summer signing Xavi Simons endured a slow start before emerging as the club's primary creative force - but his season was recently cut short by an ACL injury.
Meanwhile, James Maddison missed almost the entire campaign after suffering a serious knee injury in August, leaving Spurs short of creativity for long stretches of the season. In that context, a move for Scienza would make considerable sense.
The 27-year-old joined Southampton from Heidenheim last summer after an unconventional rise through German football. In recent years, he has featured across the seventh, sixth and third tiers before finally reaching the Bundesliga in 2024.
Southampton paid around £9m to sign him in 2025 and, while the club are believed to value him at considerably more than £25m, the financial consequences of failing to win promotion could force them to lower their demands.