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The world’s richest club is getting even richer. Although it feels a while since Newcastle were described as such and it scarcely seems an achievement to celebrate when their method of enriching themselves involves selling their star players.
Getting £69.3m for Anthony Gordon brought in a sizeable fee. A £100m windfall for Sandro Tonali would be a seismic one. A 26-year-old who has already served a ban for gambling would not normally command such a fee. And yet that is still not the most remarkable element: not when the Italian is set to join the club who have finished 17th in each of the last two seasons, in Tottenham.
Newcastle have already received too many unwanted reminders of their place in the footballing food chain but this is something different. Chief executive David Hopkinson has voiced an ambition to be in the conversation about the world’s top club by 2030, but those who tend to be in the discussions for the country’s biggest have repeatedly shown they have more pulling power than Newcastle. Liverpool have taken Alexander Isak from St James’ Park and bought Newcastle targets from Hugo Ekitike to Victor Munoz, via Giovanni Leoni. Manchester City ended Eddie Howe’s annual pursuit of James Trafford by buying him back from Burnley last summer. Chelsea signed two of those on Newcastle’s striking shortlist, in Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, with contrasting results. Manchester United got two more, in Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
But Spurs? It looks like Tonali is trading downwards. Disappointing as Newcastle’s Premier League campaign was, they still finished five places and eight points above Spurs. The allure of London could be cited, or the presence of another Italian, Roberto De Zerbi, in the dugout; but had Tonali gone to City, also among his suitors, it would have made more sense. A nine-figure move to Tottenham, however, may be a triumph of negotiating but otherwise seems to cap a year of regression since Newcastle won their first silverware since the 1960s and qualified for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons.
And if money threatened to dominate the discourse around Newcastle when they were bought by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, it has; just not in the way many expected. A €6m fine from Uefa for overspending forms part of the backdrop. Some would say football’s financial rules have worked, reining in a club who might otherwise have had access to limitless funds.
The world’s richest club could have been richer, though. Newcastle can eye Elliot Anderson’s impending £116m move from Nottingham Forest to City with frustration, and not merely because a Geordie could have been running their midfield for a decade. Perhaps, though they knew they had a talent in their ranks, they underestimated the scale of his.
Like Yankuba Minteh, Anderson went in the frantic firesale of 2024, to avoid failing Profitability and Sustainability Regulations. Whereas other imperilled clubs, such as Chelsea and Aston Villa, had a revolving-door strategy, there seemed something admirable in Newcastle’s attempts at continuity, to keep the first 11 together.
If they had their time again, however, they may wish they had sold Gordon then; perhaps Joelinton, too, if it would have freed up room for Anderson in midfield.
They can look at last summer, too, and question transfer-market decisions. They secured another supersized fee when Isak went to Liverpool for £125m; but, by holding out until the last day of the window, at considerable cost to their own season. They ended up spending the whole proceeds on Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, overpriced panic buys. They would have been better off selling Isak six weeks earlier for £110m.
This season can be seen as a reaction to last. After the Isak saga, Newcastle have resolved to sell the wantaway earlier. Before last year, too, virtually every signing in the Howe era – not merely Isak, Tonali and Gordon but Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Nick Pope, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento – ranked as a success. Wissa and Woltemade don’t, and neither do Anthony Elanga or Jacob Ramsey, a £200m quartet.
It feels that Newcastle were set back several years in one. Compared to the Carabao Cup-winning side, a possible first XI when Tonali goes looks far weaker. Even their rebuilding seems less focused on the immediate future. They could add winger Bazoumana Toure to goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen in a spending spree on 20-year-olds.
Buying younger is a sign Newcastle may be recognising they have to look for resale value and be more of a trading club. Yet part of their obduracy about Isak was understandable; if one domino fell, would others? Now captain Bruno Guimaraes looks the last and most loyal of the big guns, and he is attracting interest from Arsenal. Tonali’s transfer could fund further arrivals, but it cannot look like a rush to the exits, with only the unwanted staying.
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Eli Junior Kroupi heads a list of Tottenham Hotspur targets for left forward, as they continue one of the biggest spending windows in the Premier League.
Roberto De Zerbi wants all his major signings sorted for pre-season, having been strongly backed by a new football leadership who are willing to still invest more in a team that is seen as needing an overhaul.
With West Ham United's Manuel Fernandes and Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali already set to arrive, for a figure in the region of £185m combined for the centre-midfielders, attention has turned to the final third.
Spurs want a left forward, in particular, with Kroupi heading the list, though fierce competition awaits.
The Bournemouth star is wanted by Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain and the south-coast club want a figure north of £80m to part ways with the 20-year-old.
But Spurs are nevertheless willing to spend big once again in a bid to avoid a repeat of the last two seasons, which have seen them flirt with relegation, despite winning the Europa League.
It is understood that Rafael Leao has been broached as an option in informal discussions with Milan, and there is still a possibility they move for Savinho, having pushed hard for the Manchester City winger last year.
The Independent has already reported that there is interest in James Trafford, amid ongoing dialogue with Manchester City.
There is still the possibility that they make up to three more signings, as a striker may also be investigated, to upgrade on Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.
Jan Paul Van Hecke has joined from Brighton for £52m, despite just one year remaining on his contract at the Amex. While Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka have arrived on free transfers.
Should Fernandez, Tonali, Trafford and a player of Kroupi’s calibre arrive, Spurs could be looking at an outlay in the region of £350m to become one of their biggest spending windows of all time.
Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal for James Trafford, as they continue to shake up their goalkeeping options.
The 23-year-old signed for Manchester City just last summer, only to immediately find himself second choice to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Enzo Maresca’s arrival further changes the dynamic at the Etihad as Trafford seeks regular football. He is currently in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad at the 2026 World Cup, with Spurs pushing for a deal.
Tottenham already signed Martin Dubravka last week, but as a back-up, with Guglielmo Vicario set to leave.
While Spurs do have hopes for a revitalised Antonin Kinsky, Trafford would be intended to bring an authority in the goalkeeper position.
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Tottenham Hotspur have reached a significant agreement with West Ham United to sign midfielder Mateus Fernandes, fending off competition from Manchester United.
The north London club identified the Portugal international as a pivotal figure in the extensive rebuild underway under manager Roberto De Zerbi, who successfully steered the club to Premier League safety last month at West Ham’s expense.
The 21-year-old playmaker, formerly of Southampton, had garnered considerable interest from across Europe, with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United all vying for his signature.
However, Tottenham ultimately prevailed in what became a two-horse race between the English clubs, agreeing to a guaranteed fee of £85 million for the midfielder, it is understood. This acquisition marks Spurs’ fifth signing of a busy summer window and signifies a notable shift in strategy for the club under the majority ownership of the Lewis family.
The Lewis family, who control Tottenham’s majority shareholder ENIC, had previously pledged to be "all in" to finance the necessary overhaul aimed at propelling De Zerbi’s side back up the Premier League table, following two consecutive 17th-place finishes.
This new approach has seen the club’s previous rigid wage structure, established under former chairman Daniel Levy, dismantled this year by the Lewis family and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.
The anticipated transfer of Fernandes is set to shatter the club’s existing record transfer fee of £65 million, paid for Dominic Solanke two years ago. He will join Conor Gallagher, Andrew Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Jan Paul van Hecke as new additions this summer.
United are set to have to look elsewhere for their own midfield rebuild, and it has been a difficult start to the transfer window for Michael Carrick’s side.
Casemiro is leaving the club following the expiration of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte suffered a serious knee injury while playing for Uruguay at the World Cup.
The Red Devils also showed interest in Elliot Anderson, but he is now joining Manchester City for a fee in the region of £116 million.
Atalanta midfielder Ederson is set to move to Old Trafford, but United are expected to try and bring in at least one more midfielder this summer.
Antonin Kinsky has committed his future to Tottenham, signing a new contract that caps a remarkable turnaround for the goalkeeper following a disastrous outing against Atletico Madrid in March.
The 23-year-old Czech international endured a torrid time in the Champions League fixture, making two glaring errors before being substituted inside the opening 16 minutes by then-manager Igor Tudor as Spurs suffered a 5-2 thrashing.
However, since Roberto De Zerbi’s appointment in April, Kinsky has emerged as a strong contender for the number one spot.
He featured in all of Tottenham’s final seven matches, playing a crucial role in securing their Premier League status. His performances included a particularly impressive showing in the 1-1 home draw against Leeds and a vital clean sheet on the final day against Everton.
Speaking on Tottenham’s website, Kinsky expressed his delight: "I’m so happy and I can feel the trust from the club. When I joined 18 months ago, my expectations were to fight for my place in the team and to wear this shirt every week. It’s been a real journey to get here and a nice story already, and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead over the next months and years. Everyone around the club feels that we can have a successful season and I want to contribute to that. We want to give the fans what they want and what this club deserves."
It is understood that Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is expected to depart Spurs this summer, paving the way for Kinsky to become the first-choice stopper, with 37-year-old Martin Dubravka – signed last week on a free transfer from Burnley – providing both support and competition.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi added: "Toni was outstanding over the final seven games of the season and a key part of what we achieved in that period. I am delighted he has committed his future to the club.
“He has earned this new contract, not only with his performances but also his professionalism and desire to improve. We have huge belief in what Toni can become. He is still young, has enormous potential and I know that Spurs is the perfect place for him to continue to develop into one of the best goalkeepers in Europe."
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All the players Tottenham Hotspur have signed this summer
Rom Preston-Ellis
Tuesday 30 June 2026 09:31 BST
Spurs are actively overhauling their squad under head coach Roberto De Zerbi, with a significant focus on rebuilding their defence.
The club has made four key signings, including Dutch centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke for £52 million from Brighton.
Veteran Scottish left-back Andy Robertson and centre-back Marcos Senesi have joined on free transfers from Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively.
Experienced goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka has also arrived on a free transfer from Burnley to provide cover.
To accommodate new arrivals, Spurs have now sold Argentine striker Alejo Véliz to Bahia for approximately £7.7million and released midfielder Yves Bissouma.
Tottenham have secured Martin Dubravka as their fourth summer signing, a strategic move poised to establish Antonin Kinsky as the club's primary goalkeeper.
The experienced former Newcastle and Manchester United stopper joins on a free transfer, having concluded his tenure at Burnley at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
This acquisition signals a clear vote of confidence in Kinsky, who impressively rebounded from a difficult performance against Atletico Madrid in March to become a key figure in Tottenham’s successful fight against relegation.
With Italy international Guglielmo Vicario understood to be departing this summer, Kinsky is now set to assume the number one jersey. The 37-year-old Dubravka will provide crucial support and competition from behind him, offering a wealth of Premier League experience.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the move, Dubravka stated: "It’s an exciting time for me, a new journey and new experience for me and my family. I’m looking forward to it. Everything moved pretty quickly and I’m really happy to be here.
“I’ve loved watching (boss) Roberto (De Zerbi)’s teams over the years and know all about his style, vision and the fantastic fans here. Tottenham is one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League and I can’t wait to meet everyone and get started."
Dubravka, who spent the 2022-23 season on loan as a back-up keeper at Manchester United, is expected to gain opportunities in domestic cup competitions for Spurs.
The Slovakia international is particularly noted for his adeptness with the ball at his feet, a quality highly valued by manager Roberto De Zerbi. He joins Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Jan Paul van Hecke as part of De Zerbi’s summer recruitment drive.
Manager De Zerbi commented on his new signing: "I am very happy because Martin is a goalkeeper with big experience and a strong mentality. He has very important qualities for me and will bring balance, leadership and competitiveness to our dressing room."
Spurs have also been heavily linked with West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes following the Hammers’ relegation from the top flight.
It is understood that positive talks have taken place between the two clubs over a potential £85 million transfer.