Planet Football

Arsenal have hijacked Tottenham‘s move for Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, leaving Thomas Frank’s side in need of another player.

For the past week, Spurs have been the frontrunners to sign the 27-year-old and until yesterday, everything pointed towards Eze joining Tottenham.

However, following an injury to Kai Havertz, Arsenal have swooped in and have agreed personal terms with the England international.

With Tottenham’s move now dead in the water, we’ve identified five alternatives that they should target.

Xavi Simons

If Arsenal can hijack transfers, then so can Tottenham.

Chelsea have been heavily linked with Simons all summer and have been in discussions with RB Leipzig, although as of writing, no agreement has been made.

It’s thought that before committing to signing Simons, Chelsea are trying to offload some of their own players in order to balance the books.

The 22-year-old is keen to join Chelsea, but until a deal is struck with RB Leipzig, he won’t be able to make the move.

With Chelsea taking their time over the transfer, Tottenham could attempt to hijack the deal themselves.

Simons is just the sort of player that Frank is after and, like Eze, is capable of playing in a number of different roles.

It seems like a long shot, but it’s a deal worth considering from a Tottenham perspective.

Mikkel Damsgaard

Frank is already familiar with Damsgaard and for that reason, a move for the Brentford playmaker cannot be ruled out.

The 25-year-old created 63 chances in the Premier League last season, the seventh most of any player in the league.

Of those 63 key passes, 10 of them were converted into assists, making Damsgaard statistically one of the most creative players in England.

Given the other players that Brentford have lost this summer, they’d likely drive a hard bargain when contemplating Damsgaard’s sale.

The Bees are also in a strong position to negotiate his price tag, given he’s under contract until 2030 with the option of an extra year.

Nonetheless, we think he’d be a great option for Spurs.

Nico Paz

Tottenham have also been linked with Como’s Paz, although Sky Sports have reported that this would be a ‘difficult deal’ to pull off.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder impressed in Serie A last season, producing six goals and eight assists in 35 appearances.

It’s worth noting that Real Madrid do have the option to re-sign him for just €9million next summer, leading to speculation that he could return to Spain in 2026.

“You never know what the future holds,” Paz told reporters when asked about his future.

“I’m focused on Como, which is where I belong. I am very happy and excited. I have no idea what the future holds for me, I don’t even know what I’ll do tomorrow.”

Justin Kluivert

Spurs were keeping tabs on Kluivert earlier in the window and could resurface their interest after missing out on Eze.

The 26-year-old created 45 chances in the Premier League last season and produced an impressive 18 goal contributions for Bournemouth.

He’s still under contract until 2028, so wouldn’t come cheap, but he’s definitely an option worth exploring.

Maghnes Akliouche

Akliouche has been steadily improving year upon year and it’s no secret that Tottenham are interested.

The 23-year-old produced 19 goal contributions across all competitions for Monaco last season, predominantly playing on the right-hand side.

However, Spurs aren’t alone in their interest as PSG and Manchester City have also been linked with the Monaco star in recent weeks.

Reportedly valued at £60million, a bidding war could take place in next couple of weeks.

READ NEXT: The 7 Son Heung-min alternatives Tottenham considered in 2015 & how they’ve fared

Arsenal‘s hijack to beat Tottenham to the signing of Eberechi Eze was an all-timer of a day on social media for phone-addicted football fans everywhere.

Instantly up there with Samir Nasri’s trip to the Drip Doctors, the backlash to the European Super League, or for old-timers Mesut Ozil’s 2013 signing from Real Madrid… Eze’s transfer bombshell sits alongside with the best of them.

We’ve rounded up some of the best reactions from Twitter/X for your viewing pleasure, mercifully free of any AI slop or dodgy Romano photoshops.

Before the news

Tottenham fans

Arsenal fans

READ NEXT: Ranking the 10 biggest transfer hijackings of all time: Eze, Gascoigne, Keane…

Arsenal have hijacked Tottenham’s bid to sign Eberechi Eze, getting one over their north London rivals who appeared in pole position to sign the Crystal Palace and England star.

It appears increasingly certain that Arsenal will pull off something of a coup in signing Eze, long established as a potential difference-maker for an elite club.

Here are five of the most notable names who opted for Arsenal over Spurs – and the stories behind their choices.

William Saliba

Saliba revealed that playing for ‘the biggest club in England’ led to him choosing the Gunners over local rivals Tottenham back in 2019.

Speaking to Arsenal’s official website, the teenager insisted he only had one club in mind, adding: “Since I was little, I’ve been watching Arsenal play in the Champions League and so on.

“It’s a massive pleasure to sign for a really, really big English club. This is the biggest club in England for me, so it was an easy decision.”

Arsenal were struggling under Unai Emery at the time, while Spurs had just reached the Champions League final, making Saliba’s statement especially bold.

But he’s become one of the Premier League’s best defenders as Arsenal have revived under Mikel Arteta, while Tottenham have usually fluctuated a few places below them.

David Raya

This is certainly an interesting example of one who got away from Spurs back in 2023.

After being told it was £40million or no deal by Brentford, Raya was then able to leave to join Arsenal for a fee of around £27million.

A frustrating deal for multiple reasons, losing a player of his quality to their North London rivals hurt and it was made all the worse given how Guglielmo Vicario has struggled with injuries across his time at the club.

Riccardo Calafiori

After helping Bologna reach the Champions League and enjoying a stellar Euro 2024, Calafiori was on the shopping list of several Premier League clubs.

Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham all wanted the Italian defender, but he rejected them all in favour of a move to Arsenal.

Emmanuel Petit

Arsenal legend Petit once had Tottenham convinced he was going to sign for them – before he got into a taxi they paid for and went on his way to join their bitter rivals instead.

Eager to challenge for titles rather than fighting relegation battles, the future World Cup winner signed a £3.5million deal with the Gunners.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Petit explained: “I had meetings on the same day with Tottenham and Arsenal and had a meeting with Tottenham in the morning, but when I came to England I didn’t know about the rivalry between the two clubs.

“When I left the Spurs stadium, they booked me a cab and the cab driver asked me for directions, so I gave him the Arsenal address and I didn’t realise that the cab was pre-paid by Spurs, so they knew where I was going!

“I’d told Spurs that I needed time to think about it but knew that I had to see Arsenal, as well as other clubs in Italy and Spain.

“I told everyone that I’d make my mind up and when I knew the answer I would give it, but after a couple of days I signed for Arsenal and it went into newspapers and all of a sudden the story came.

“I realised the pressure of the rivalry then.”

READ: Remembering Emmanuel Petit’s incredible debut season at Arsenal

Reiss Nelson

Nelson admitted he could have joined Spurs’ academy as a youngster, but it was not a hard decision for the boyhood Arsenal fan to turn them down.

“I was nine years old, I used to play for a team in Catford,” Nelson told the Arsenal Weekly Podcast in 2017.

“I would get up every morning with my brother, get on the train and travel to Catford three times a week.

“I was there for about two months playing for a team called Moonshot FC. I got scouted for Tottenham and was there for three to four weeks before a phone call from Arsenal came.

“The first session they wanted to sign me so, happy days, I didn’t look back.”

Nelson has scored eight goals in 90 Arsenal appearances and is currently on loan at Fulham.

READ NEXT: Ranking every Arsenal signing under Mikel Arteta from worst to best

Tottenham Hotspur are in pole position to sign Eberechi Eze, getting one over their north London rivals Arsenal who have reportedly targeted the Crystal Palace star for a long time.

It’s not (yet) confirmed, but it appears increasingly certain that Spurs will pull off something of a coup in signing Eze, long established as a potential difference-maker for an elite club. He wouldn’t be the first.

Here are six of the most notable names who opted for Tottenham over the Gunners – and the stories behind their choices.

Stephen Carr

Academy graduate Carr made over 250 first-team appearances for his boyhood club, but he could’ve chosen Arsenal’s Hale End academy as a youngster instead.

“When I joined, I had the choice to play for Spurs or Arsenal, but I just felt Spurs was very homely,” reminisced the former Spurs stalwart in an interview with The Spurs Web.

“At that time, the training ground at Mill Hill wasn’t as fancy as Arsenal’s training ground, but I just found it more real. I ended up staying for 12 years and I loved every minute of it.

“I was around a squad that had a lot of managers come and go at Tottenham but the fans were unbelievable. We had a quality stadium, too.

“Obviously, now it’s a completely different level, it’s gone ridiculous, but it just felt homely for me. I felt at home coming from Dublin, I just felt the transition was quite easy.”

Richarlison

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners made an approach to sign Richarlison during the summer of 2022, when he was one of the most highly-rated strikers outside the Premier League’s traditional ‘big six’.

But Spurs, who pipped their rivals to Champions League qualification that year, acted more decisively to get a deal over the line.

“I know Chelsea made an offer, and I believe Arsenal also contacted Everton to ask about my situation, but Spurs came in and paid the fee, you know? It’s as simple as that,” Richarlison told reporters in Brazil, shortly after signing for Spurs.

“Everton had to sell some players to avoid a Financial Fair Play problem, and the negotiations were very brief, to be honest.

“I was on holiday in Brazil when I heard that Tottenham had made Everton an offer. I was happy because they are a huge team.

“Then it was all about the clubs negotiating a deal, and fortunately, everything went well.

“Antonio Conte called me during the negotiations and expressed how much he’d like to have me on board – that was vital for my decision.”

Arsenal instead signed Richarlison’s Selecao team-mate – and rival for the starting spot up top – Gabriel Jesus.

The two Brazilians have shown flashes of brilliance but ultimately struggled for form and fitness at their respective clubs.

You’d have to say that Richarlison looks the likelier to make an impact in 2025-26, given his eye-catching brace against Burnley and Jesus’ long-term ACL woe.

Benoit Assou-Ekkoto

Assou-Ekotto gives by far the best answer for choosing Spurs over Arsenal.

“Do you know why I didn’t sign for Arsenal?” Assou-Ekotto revealed years later.

“I asked my agent: ‘Do they go to the hotel before matches? He said yes, they do. I said I’m not going there. I want to have a life, not live in a hotel.’

“Then he told me that Tottenham didn’t do that, so I said ‘Cool, we’ll go to Tottenham!’

“What’s more, Arsenal were playing in the European Cup, which meant you weren’t at home four days a week!”

Remarkably on brand for a footballer who was famously not at all arsed about football. Never change, Benoit.

Jan Vertonghen

Vertonghen had talks with Arsene Wenger before deciding that Tottenham offered a better fit for how he saw his own strengths.

“Arsenal was also concrete, but they wanted to make me a midfield controller, an Emmanuel Petit type,” Vertonghen told Dutch outlet NU.

“I’m not afraid of competition, but the overall picture of Spurs appealed to me more.”

The Belgian signed for Tottenham in 2012 and made over 300 appearances over an eight-year spell. He proved himself one of the club’s best centre-backs of the Premier League era.

Probably a good thing he wasn’t thrown into Arsenal’s ailing midfield engine room in Wenger’s latter years, then.

Clinton Njie

Cameroonian winger Njie never quite lived up to expectations, but he was coveted by top clubs across Europe a decade ago after breaking through at Lyon.

He chose Spurs in large part due to Mauricio Pochettino’s impressive track record for developing young talent.

“I was never scared that my transfer to Tottenham would not be confirmed,” Njie told French paper L’Equipe.

“I never spoke to Arsenal representatives on the phone, they simply contacted my agent. My choice was made, I was determined to join Tottenham.

“Here, I will be working under Mauricio Pochettino, a manager who plays youngsters and allows them to progress.”

Unfortunately, it never quite worked out for Njie at Spurs and he won’t go down as one of Pochettino’s success stories. He only made a handful of appearances before returning to France with Marseille.

The 32-year-old is currently without a club and was last seen turning out in Romania for Rapid Bucuresti.

Emerson Royal

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol revealed that Arsenal were interested in the Brazilian full-back, but his heart was set on a move to Spurs in 2021.

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo later corroborated those reports.

Fair to say, Mikel Arteta might consider this one a bullet dodged given how Emerson flattered to deceive for their rivals. Nowadays he’s back in Brazil, turning out for Flamengo.

READ NEXT: Where are they now? The Tottenham XI from Son Heung-min’s debut in 2015

Tottenham Hotspur are looking concerningly light when it comes to midfield creativity after a serious injury suffered by James Maddison in pre-season and the failure to sign Morgan Gibbs-White.

Maddison was stretchered off in Spurs’ 1-1 friendly draw with Newcastle United in South Korea, leaving Thomas Frank with a major headache ahead of the fast-approaching 2025-26 campaign.

It looks as though the club will have to spend some money to address the issue and we’ve identified six creative midfielders for Tottenham to target in the transfer market.

Maghnes Akliouche

Monaco playmaker Akliouche just seems to get better every season and the time feels right for him to leave his boyhood club to take on a new challenge elsewhere.

A first senior France cap is surely only a matter of time for the 23-year-old, given he was one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1 last term.

He notched five goals and 10 assists for Monaco as they achieved a third-place finish.

Akliouche has shone at various youth levels for Les Bleus and was part of Thierry Henry’s Under-23s that won silver at the 2024 Olympics. The kid has a very bright future.

Xavi Simons

It feels wild that Simons is still only 22 years of age, given he’s been established in Europe for a good while now – after making a name for himself as one to watch at La Masia a decade ago.

As is always the case with such immensely talented prospects, you can’t escape the sense that RB Leipzig is only a stop-gap before bigger and better things.

Chelsea lead the race for the Netherlands international’s signature, but it’s difficult to see exactly where he’d factor in alongside Cole Palmer and their bounty of attacking and creative options.

Tottenham, on the other hand, can offer Simons a clearly defined place in Frank’s first-choice XI – as well as Champions League football.

Twelve years after the Willian hijacking… wouldn’t it feel extra sweet to get one over the Blues?

Mikkel Damsgaard

Frank loves linking up with his Danish compatriots, while Spurs’ reported ill-fated pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo suggests he has no qualms over raiding his old club.

Damsgaard took his time to settle into English football, but he was an absolute revelation last season.

He notched double figures for assists and was constantly creating good goalscoring opportunities for Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa.

Like Maddison, he’s nominally a No.10 but fluid in his movements and position, dropping out wide to drag centre-backs out of position as well as deeper to contribute to build-up.

Brentford can’t afford to lose yet another key player, but from Tottenham’s perspective this would be a no-brainer.

Kamory Doumbia

It’s only been one season since Doumbia moved permanently from Reims to Brest, but the 22-year-old Malian already looks ready for the next step in his career.

He didn’t look out of his depth in the Champions League last season and looks as though he belongs at that level, but Brest failed to land any European football for the upcoming campaign after finishing midtable.

Doumbia’s name has been conspicuously absent from the transfer gossip columns this summer, but we’d be amazed if he doesn’t get a big move in a year or two.

Nico Paz

Outstanding as Cesc Fabregas’ newly-promoted Como punched above their weight to finish in the top half in Serie A last term, it’ll be interesting to see what the immediate future holds for 20-year-old wonderkid Paz.

Former club Real Madrid opted against exercising their staggeringly cheap buyback clause after signing fellow Argentinian wonderkid Franco Mastantuono, although it’s widely reported that they’ll still have the option next summer.

Dealing with Como might not be easy. They rebuffed Inter’s approach to poach Fabregas and given their ambitions, you imagine they’d fight just as hard to keep their star player.

But there could be a unique market opportunity there and Spurs would be daft not to at least ask the question.

Nadiem Amiri

According to FBref’s complex statistical algorithm, the player who is most similar in profile to Maddison over the past 365 days is… Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.

Ahem. Let’s move on.

Second on that list is Mainz’s Amiri. At 28, the Germany international wouldn’t represent an investment with great resale value, but he’s at the peak of his powers and looks ready to make an instant impact.

Amiri made the 2024-25 Bundesliga Team of the Season and was probably Mainz’s standout player as they pushed for Champions League qualification.

READ NEXT: Where are they now? The Tottenham XI from Son Heung-min’s debut in 2015

Son Heung-min is one of the biggest legends in Tottenham Hotspur‘s history – but his debut for the club in 2015 wasn’t exactly the most memorable.

Signed from Bayer Leverkusen, Son made his first Spurs appearance in a 1-0 win over Sunderland and was substituted after 62 minutes.

Happily, things soon picked up for the South Korean forward afterwards. But what became of his team-mates from that September afternoon in the North East?

GK: Hugo Lloris

Lloris left Tottenham after 11 years and almost 450 appearances in December 2023, having fallen behind Guglielmo Vicario in the pecking order following the appointment of Ange Postecoglou.

“I needed something new, something different,” the former France captain explained on his decision to join MLS outfit LAFC.

“I had great moments in Europe. I was just looking for different opportunities, to experience a new continent, to experience a new life as well.”

The veteran goalkeeper has been a near ever-present between the sticks for LAFC in both of the last two MLS campaigns.

RB: Kyle Walker

Walker had already been at Spurs for four seasons by 2015 and had gradually become England’s starting right-back too.

Devastatingly quick, the Sheffield-born defender was eventually sold to Manchester City for £50million two years later and became one of the most successful players in Premier League history.

Now firmly in the autumn of his career, Walker has signed for Burnley and still remains part of the England squad.

CB: Toby Alderweireld

Alderweireld’s move to Tottenham caused plenty of controversy in 2015.

Southampton thought they had first refusal on the player after an impressive loan spell during the 2014-15 season.

But parent club Atletico Madrid cancelled that option and accepted a higher bid from Spurs.

It’s fair to say Alderweireld repaid the faith shown in him, making 236 appearances for Tottenham and becoming an essential part of their progress in the latter half of the 2010s.

He moved to Qatari side Al-Duhail in the summer of 2021, bringing an end to six years at Spurs, before ending his career back in Belgium with Royal Antwerp.

CB: Jan Vertonghen

The other half of Spurs’ excellent Belgian defensive duo, Vertonghen has also recently retired.

After spending a couple of years with Benfica, he ended his career at Anderlecht and played his final match in May 2025.

LB: Ben Davies

One of two players to join Spurs from Swansea in the summer of 2014, Davies arrived in a swap deal for Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson.

A highly-rated 21-year-old left-back, Davies remains at Spurs and has played over 350 games for the club.

The Wales international has come in for criticism at times, but, now 32, he is one of the more experienced members of the current squad and has overall been an excellent signing.

CM: Eric Dier

After almost 10 years of service and well over 300 appearances, Dier departed Tottenham in January 2024 to take on a new challenge at Bayern Munich.

An initial loan spell was enough to convince Bayern to sign the defender permanently and Dier became a surprisingly regular part of Vincent Kompany’s team.

He left the Bundesliga champions at the end of the 2024-25 season and signed for Monaco.

CM: Ryan Mason (Tom Carroll 85′)

A sad story with a happy twist. Mason left his boyhood club in 2016 to join Hull City only to be forced to retire two years later at the age of just 26 due to a fractured skull suffered in a clash of heads with Gary Cahill in 2017.

In April 2018, Mason returned to Tottenham on a voluntary basis to help coach youth teams while taking his coaching badges.

He became interim manager at Spurs on two separate occasions and is now head coach at West Bromwich Albion.

A promising young midfielder, Carroll ultimately became a perennial loanee at White Hart Lane, spending time at Leyton Orient, Derby County, QPR and Swansea City while making just 27 league appearances for his parent club.

The former England Under-21 international eventually left on a permanent deal, returning to Swansea in 2017.

After several unfulfilling moves, most recently to Reading for the second half of 2024-25, Carroll is now a free agent.

QUIZ: Can you name Tottenham’s most expensive signing from every year since 2000?

RW: Son Heung-min (Andros Townsend 62′)

Son will go down as one of the best signings in Tottenham’s history.

The South Korea international was purchased from Bayer Leverkusen for £22million 10 years ago and has since scored 173 goals for the club, becoming an integral part of that sensational Pochettino team.

Furthermore, Son has become a Spurs icon for his infectious spirit and unwavering loyalty to the club. Even neutrals were pleased for the forward when he lifted the Europa League trophy in May 2025.

Townsend was loaned out nine times by Tottenham before eventually breaking into the first team as an inconsistent winger who occasionally scored wonder goals.

Since leaving Spurs, he spent time at Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Everton as an inconsistent winger who occasionally scored wonder goals.

He now plays in Thailand for Kanchanaburi Power and is also a blossoming pundit, regularly appearing on co-commentary for ITV.

CAM: Dele Alli (Eric Lamela 65′)

At his peak under Mauricio Pochettino, Dele was a force to be reckoned with.

The 29-year-old was a natural goalscorer in his younger years as he scored 67 goals for Tottenham across 269 appearances.

But injuries and off-field problems meant the attacking midfielder gradually slid from view. He’s now in Italy with Como, but is rumoured to be considering retirement after failing to rediscover his mojo.

Lamela was the last man standing from the seven players that arrived at Spurs in 2013, finally joining Sevilla in 2021 in a swap deal that saw Bryan Gil move in the opposite direction.

The Argentine winger was signed as a like-for-like replacement for Bale and was the most expensive of the seven arrivals that summer, costing £30million from Roma.

Lamela was plagued by a string of injury problems but did provide flashes of genius when fit, including not one but two rabona goals.

He now plays in Greece for AEK Athens.

LW: Nacer Chadli

Chadli signed from FC Twente for £7million and was a regular during his three seasons at the Lane, scoring 25 goals for the club including an impressive 13 in his second season.

The winger is one of two players on this list who Spurs actually made a profit on as they sold him to West Brom for £13million in 2015.

After two years at The Hawthorns, he had brief spells at Monaco, Anderlecht, Westerlo and Istanbul Basaksehir. At 36, he is now back in Belgium with Standard Liege.

ST: Harry Kane

Kane was going through a mini goal drought in September 2015, leaving some pundits to declare his breakthrough 2014-15 campaign was a one-off.

Now Spurs and England’s record goalscorer, Kane is tearing up at Bayern Munich and is considered one of the best strikers of his generation.

Tottenham Hotspur have one of the best academies in English football, with several young stars looking to break through in the 2025-26 season.

New manager Thomas Frank may look to use some of Spurs’s upcoming stars to freshen up his squad and create the blueprint for his reign in north London.

Who could be next in line at Spurs to break into the first team and become a future star? Read on and find out.

Mikey Moore

There are huge hopes surrounding Moore after he made an exciting impact in the first team last season.

The 17-year-old made 19 first-team appearances for Spurs and scored his first senior goal for his boyhood club against Elfsborg in the Europa League.

Moore would’ve played an even greater role for Postecoglou last year if he hadn’t contracted a long-term virus over the winter months.

Thrillingly direct and blessed with excellent ball control, we expect to see Moore push on this year and blossom into the generational talent he has every chance of becoming.

Luka Vuskovic

Vuskovic has finally arrived at Spurs after signing in September 2023 from Hajduk Split as a 16-year-old.

The defender spent last season on loan at Westerlo in Belgium, where he scored an impressive seven goals from centre-back, including an outrageous overhead kick against Club Brugge.

He made his senior debut for Croatia last month, having continued to develop at an incredible rate, and the youngster scored against Reading in Frank’s first match in charge.

Powerful, technically accomplished and mature beyond his years, Spurs might just have their own William Saliba on their hands.

Will Lankshear

Lankshear opened his Spurs account in the Europa League last season, scoring in the league stage against Galatasaray, before getting sent off later in the match.

The physically imposing 20-year-old striker joined West Brom on loan for the second half of last season, but failed to make much impression at the Hawthorns.

But he possesses many attributes that Frank is keen on, such as his ability to link up and his positional awareness around the box, so he could well feature again in the first-team next season.

Jamie Donley

Donley made his senior debut in Ange Postecoglou’s first year in charge before joining Leyton Orient for the 2024-25 campaign.

He was a revelation in League One, making 51 appearances for Orient and recording 19 goal contributions (eight goals, 11 assists) as they reached the play-offs.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder possesses exceptional ball-striking abilities, both in terms of passing and shooting.

Donley has long been heralded in N17 as a top talent who just needs to be given first-team minutes.

Luca Williams-Barnett

The youngest star on our list, Williams-Barnett has just formally joined the Under-18s squad after signing a two-year scholarship.

The 16-year-old blew youth coaches away last season as he registered 35 goal involvements in just 30 appearances from midfield.

Three of those goals were long-range howitzers which, mixed with his dribbling and passing abilities, make him an incredibly enticing prospect and one you must keep your eye on.

READ NEXT: Where are they now? Tottenham’s 8 wonderkids from Football Manager 2015

Tottenham Hotspur‘s transfer business in the summer of 2015 kickstarted the Mauricio Pochettino era – but where are those five signings a decade later?

Pochettino’s side would go on to finish third, their highest Premier League position at the time, and played an exciting brand of attacking football.

We’ve taken a closer look at every player Spurs signed 10 years ago and where they’re at now.

Kevin Wimmer

Wimmer found it difficult to break into the first team with Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld monopolising the centre-back slots upon his arrival.

But an injury to Vertonghen midway through the 2015-16 season gave the Austria international a chance of an extended run in the first XI.

Wimmer impressed as Spurs began to mount a title challenge but lost his spot once Vertonghen returned to fitness and his performances nosedived the following season.

Spurs still managed to convince Stoke to part with £18million for Wimmer in 2017 and all parties agreed never to speak of Wimmer’s time in north London again.

He now plays for Slovan Bratislava in the Slovakian league.

Kieran Trippier

Costing only £3.5million from relegated Burnley, Trippier would prove to be a very canny signing by Pochettino.

Although Kyle Walker was first-choice right-back until 2017, the Mancunian was the epitome of the modern full-back at Tottenham, providing an attacking threat alongside defensive solidity.

His form dipped in 2018-19 and Spurs decided to cash in on the England international, selling him to Atletico Madrid.

Trippier won a La Liga title in Spain, signed for Newcastle in 2022 and has been an incredible servant to the club ever since.

Toby Alderweireld

Alderweireld’s move to Tottenham caused plenty of controversy in 2015.

Southampton thought they had first refusal on the player after an impressive loan spell during the 2014-15 season.

But parent club Atletico Madrid cancelled that option and accepted a higher bid from Spurs.

It’s fair to say Alderweireld repaid the faith shown in him, making 236 appearances for Tottenham and becoming an essential part of their progress in the latter half of the 2010s.

He moved to Qatari side Al-Duhail in the summer of 2021, bringing an end to six years at Spurs, before ending his career back in Belgium with Royal Antwerp.

Clinton N’Jie

It’s safe to say it never worked out for N’Jie at Tottenham.

Bought in to provide fresh attacking impetus from the wing, the Cameroon international tore his medial collateral ligament during a Europa League match in December 2015 and only reappeared the following May.

Spurs had moved on by then and, after only appearing in the Premier League as a substitute, N’Jie joined Marseille on a season-long loan before the start of the 2016-17 season.

He was a relative success in France and Marseille chose to make N’Jie’s move permanent the following summer. It was never disclosed whether Tottenham made a loss on his £8.3 million fee.

Now in his 30s, N’Jie is unattached following spells at Dynamo Moscow, Sivasspor and Rapid Bucharest.

Son Heung-min

Son will go down as one of the best signings in Tottenham’s history.

The South Korea international was purchased from Bayer Leverkusen for £22million 10 years ago and has since scored 173 goals for the club, becoming an integral part of that sensational Pochettino team.

Furthermore, Son has become a Spurs icon for his infectious spirit and unwavering loyalty to the club. Even neutrals were pleased for the forward when he lifted the Europa League trophy in May 2025.

His presence has also gifted Spurs a large South Korean fanbase, with every match broadcast live in the Asian country.

READ NEXT: The jaw-dropping XI of stars Tottenham almost signed under Daniel Levy

Son Heung-min is set to discuss his future with Tottenham during pre-season as a summer exit looks like a real possibility at this stage.

The 32-year-old is now entering the final year of his contract with Spurs and plenty of sides from across the globe have been linked.

Going off the latest transfer rumours, here are five potential destinations for the Tottenham legend this summer.

Saudi Arabia

According to reports, as many as three different Saudi Pro League clubs are currently chasing Son’s signature.

The South Korean international was subject to interest from Saudi clubs in 2023 and 2024, but he rejected their advances at the time.

As of writing, the likes of Al Ahli, Al Nassr and Al Qadsiah are all interested in bringing the 32-year-old to the Middle East.

Transfer expert Ben Jacobs has reported that Saudi dealmakers would be prepared to pay €40million plus add-ons and offer Son a yearly wage of €30million.

Those numbers could certainly tempt him, although it remains to be seen whether the forward wants to remain in Europe.

Bayer Leverkusen

Perhaps a move back to Leverkusen would suit Son at this stage of his career.

He made 87 appearances for the club between 2013 and 2015, scoring 29 goals in that time. With Florian Wirtz on his way to Liverpool, the Bundesliga club are also in need of some attacking reinforcements this summer.

According to reports, the Bundesliga side have discussed the possibility of bringing Son back, although they are yet to make an official approach. Watch this space.

Fenerbahce

Having previously worked with Jose Mourinho, a move to Fenerbahce could also make sense for Son.

According to reports, the Turkish club are interested in signing him and there have been positive exchanges between the forward and Mourinho.

However, at this stage, Fenerbahce could struggle to match Tottenham’s asking price.

MLS

A move to MLS has also been mooted for the South Korean international and several clubs will no doubt be interested.

At this stage of his career, a switch to MLS could be ideal. While he’s perhaps no longer at the very peak of his powers, he’s more than good enough to rip things up in the United States.

We wouldn’t be surprised if Hugo Lloris puts in a good word and tries to lure him to LAFC.

FC Seoul

This would be the romantic move for Son.

The Tottenham legend came through the academy at FC Seoul, although he never made a senior appearance for the club.

Last summer, he discussed the possibility of playing in the K-League one day and FC Seoul would surely be interested in making a deal like that happen.

“It’s fun to watch because we all love football, you know, so especially back home,” Son told reporters last summer when discussing the K-League.

“It means something, but, if I’ll play in the K League, I don’t know, (in) football, you never know.

“I can’t give you an answer right now, but I just want to focus on where I am now, so, as I said last year, before we started the season, I got a lot of things to do in the Premier League, so I want to improve as much as I can, and I want to be a better player as much as I can.

“So, yeah, football, you never know. I can’t give you the answer, but you never know. Let’s see what happens.”

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Thomas Frank will soon take over at Tottenham Hotspur, tasked with turning the Europa League winners into Premier League contenders.

While Spurs do have a talented squad, despite finishing 17th last year, Frank will want to put his own spin on the side.

We have looked into 11 players who could make up his dream Spurs XI for the coming season.

GK: Guglielmo Vicario

Vicario looks set to keep his place between the sticks at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with no reason for the club to seek a new first-choice goalkeeper.

Despite some wobbles from set-pieces, the Italian has proven himself as a useful shot-stopper and should be allowed to continue as their last line of defence.

Their money would be better spent elsewhere, given that Frank will have more pressing issues which need to be addressed.

RB: Pedro Porro

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s transfer from Liverpool to Real Madrid has likely ended Porro’s chance of moving to the Spanish capital.

Though it was an up-and-down campaign for the right-back, Porro is still a very capable player and should be an asset for Frank’s Spurs side.

Djed Spence will be knocking on his door, but Frank’s more stable defensive game could see Porro go from strength to strength.

CB: Marc Guehi

Cristian Romero has been strongly linked with an exit this summer and will need to be replaced with a solid alternative if he does leave north London.

Spurs could look across the capital for his successor; Guehi has a year left on his Crystal Palace contract and his fee could be affordable for Spurs.

The England international has his suitors, with both Chelsea and Newcastle linked, but Spurs can also offer Champions League football and little need to relocate.

CB: Micky van de Ven

Van de Ven endured a frustrating, injury-hit campaign, but remained a key figure in the Spurs side whenever fit.

Despite the setbacks, Van de Ven’s standout performance in the Europa League final capped off a memorable European run, ending the club’s 17-year wait for silverware.

Football Insider previously revealed that he would be open to leaving Tottenham if Real Madrid made a formal approach, with the Spanish giants long-term admirers of the defender.

But we’re assuming the Dutchman will stay at Tottenham this summer and form the cornerstone of their defence domestically and in Europe.

LB: Destiny Udogie

Despite only starting four Premier League matches in 2025 due to injury, Udogie remains one of the most powerful and promising defenders across Europe.

Recent interest from Manchester City, before they moved for Rayan Ait-Nouri, indicates the strength of his skill set and how Frank has a player of high potential to work with.

CM: Morten Hjulmand

Sporting CP anchor Hjulmand would be the perfect profile of a deep-lying midfielder for Tottenham.

He shares a Danish connection with Frank and has already been linked with Spurs, with reports suggesting that a move could cost around £50million.

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CM: Lucas Bergvall

Bergvall enjoyed a breakout season in 2024-25, with the 19-year-old playing 45 times for Spurs in all competitions and impressing with his poise in midfield.

With Frank at the helm, the Sweden international should continue to improve and become one of the top midfielders in the Premier League.

RW: Antoine Semenyo

With Dejan Kulusevski out injured for several months, Spurs may look to strengthen their forward options with the signing of Semenyo from Bournemouth.

According to reports from Sky Sports, the Europa League winners have stepped up their efforts to sign the player.

The 25-year-old Ghana international has been outstanding in the Premier League for the Cherries, and he produced 20 goal contributions last season.

Liverpool and Manchester United have also been linked with his signature.

CAM: James Maddison

Despite reports linking Spurs with Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, Maddison remains their main creative outlet.

The 28-year-old recorded 12 goals and 11 assists last season, despite missing the Europa League final with injury, and will back himself to thrive under Frank’s meticulous management.

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LW: Jack Grealish

Football finance expert Stefan Borson has suggested Spurs might represent an intriguing option for Grealish this summer.

“There are not many teams around that can afford to pay him the wages he’s on at the moment,” Borson told Football Insider.

“But you would also expect that City would not be anticipating a huge fee if they could get him off the wage bill, given that he’s barely played all season and he’s on in excess of £300,000 a week, so in excess of £15million a year.

“We know that Spurs have shown an interest in the player.

“But again, the question is, how does that work from a financial perspective given that they’re not going to pay him £300,000 a week either.”

Perhaps a loan deal would suit both parties, allowing Grealish to kickstart his career away from the demands of Pep Guardiola.

ST: Dominic Solanke

Signed for £65million last summer, Solanke scored 16 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions during his debut season at Spurs.

Valued for his off-the-ball contributions too, the 27-year-old will be expected to lead the line next season and help fire Tottenham back towards the top six.