Tottenham have been incredibly active in the transfer market so far this summer but they do appear to have missed out on a target.
Following a serious relegation scare where they avoided dropping down to the Championship on the final day of the 2025/26 season, Roberto De Zerbi's team have sprung into action in the transfer market as they attempt to get back to competing towards the top of the Premier League once again.
Firstly securing the signings of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers from Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively, last week Tottenham signed centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion in a £52million deal and experienced Premier League goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has since followed.
Tottenham aren't done just there, though, with midfielders Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes linked with big-money transfers to N17.
However, one midfielder who doesn't appear to be making the move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of the new campaign is Aleksandar Stankovic.
Stankovic says no to Tottenham transfer
Stankovic looks set to stay at Inter Milan for the new season after starring for Club Brugge last term, contributing nine goals and five assists in 55 appearances.
The defensive midfielder, who is the son of former Inter ace Dejan Stankovic, departed the San Siro for Club Brugge on a permanent basis last July but the Nerazzurri maintained a buy-back clause in their agreement with the Belgian side.
At the beginning of June, Inter activated the clause and re-signed the 'exceptional' 20-year-old in a deal worth €23million (£19.85m).
According to Sky Sport Italy, the midfielder had two transfer proposals from Premier League clubs, one of which came from Tottenham.
However, Stankovic reportedly turned down Spurs and did likewise to Brentford in favour of returning to Inter Milan.
What next in Tottenham's midfield?
It looks set to be all change in midfield next season as De Zerbi really stamps his mark on his Tottenham team.
Adding to that area in the winter transfer market with the north London club bringing in Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid prior to the Italian taking on the hotseat, the 26-year-old could well be joined by Tonali and Fernandes if Tottenham get their way on the transfer front.
One current player who will be looking for a big season under De Zerbi is Rodrigo Bentancur after returning from injury and playing an instrumental role in midfield to help Tottenham drag themselves out of relegation danger after such a bleak run of form.
Bentancur's teammate Lucas Bergvall looks set to move on after only two years with the club, though, after asking to leave in his quest for more first-team football.
Yves Bissouma's Tottenham departure has already been confirmed with the Mali international set to exit at the conclusion of his contract later this month, with Joao Palhinha's loan move from Bayern Munich also coming to an end after his temporary switch from the Bundesliga champions.