How Tottenham's XI could look in 2025: England star and £50m ace among four new signings

If you are a midfielder at Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur, now may be the time to get a little concerned.

Because, heading into 2025, TBR can confirm that a whole host of talented playmakers have emerged on Spurs’ radar, from Brighton to Ukraine, Argentina to Croatia.

And with Yves Bissouma in and out of the starting XI of late, with James Maddison frequently flitting from anonymous to awesome and back again, the centre of the pitch feels like an area ripe for investment in North London.

Teenage duo Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray still have a lot to learn, meanwhile, with Rodrigo Bentancur’s seven-game suspension also shining a pretty harsh light on Tottenham’s issues.

Though, even at this early stage, some of Spurs’ midfield targets feel, well, a little pie in the sky.

Take Tijjani Reijnders, for instance. Tottenham are admirers of the AC Milan midfielder, along with Manchester City and Liverpool. But Reijnders has shown far more interest in a new contract than he has a transfer, all the while blossoming into one of the most complete, all-round number eights in European football.

Reijnders, then, is probably out. A line drawn through his name on Tottenham’s 2025 wishlist. But another Serie A playmaker, one who has fallen on far harder times of late, feels very much attainable.

Nicolo Fagioli and Andre Gomes on Tottenham Hotspur’s list

TBR can confirm that Juventus are willing to sell £29 million-rated Nicolo Fagioli in the New Year.

The Italy international is a deep-lying, ball-progressing playmaker. One who has been labelled a potential second coming of Andrea Pirlo by the Juve legend himself, no less.

“The biggest leap was made by Fagioli, who made his debut with me,” former Bianconeri boss Pirlo told Gazzetta dello Sport in March of last year. “He knows how to do everything, is a cornerstone of Juve, and has the qualities to excel in directing play.

“He could be the new Pirlo, but [will be] better remembered as Fagioli.”

Fagioli won Serie A’s Young Player of the Year award in 2023 – like Dejan Kulusevski did at Atalanta – but that seven-month ban for breaching betting regulations has diminished his role at the Allianz Stadium. Fagioli feels like a footballer in need of a fresh start.

TBR understands that Tottenham are monitoring England international Angel Gomes too. Formerly of Manchester United and now of Lille, Gomes is another in the Fagioli mould. Either player would bring a greater element of control to a Spurs side who often slip into chaos.

Gomes may find himself above Fagioli on Tottenham’s list, however, for a few reasons. He counts as homegrown following years of development at Carrington, knows some of the Spurs players well from England duty, and, crucially, he will be a free-agent in the summer.

Carlos Baleba of Brighton is another Tottenham like but he will not come cheap. Ditto Javi Guerra, valued at around £25 million by Valencia.

Spurs could target a James Maddison replacement

Further forward, Tottenham are also looking at more attack-minded operators. Malik Tillman, provider of nine goals and 15 assists last season for Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven, is one option. Tottenham have watched USA star Tillman in action, and the former Rangers loanee did his reputation no harm with a pair of stunning strikes to single-handedly turn around that 3-2 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Speaking of Shakhtar, Tottenham have scouted Ukraine ace Georgiy Sudakov too.

Sudakov, interestingly, likens his game to that of James Maddison. Crucially, however, he is six years younger than a player who, while supremely gifted, remains frustratingly inconsistent midway through his second season in North London.

Sudakov is keen on a move to the Premier League. But, with Shakhtar demanding £50 million-plus, Spurs could look at more affordable options.

Brighton may be willing to let Facundo Buonanotte go following his loan spell at Leicester City. And while Pavel Sulc would obviously be a far more left-field addition, a tally of 22 goals from attacking midfield at Viktoria Plzen last term suggests he is worth a closer look.

TBR understands that Manchester City, Tottenham and Aston Villa are fans of Sulc.

Tottenham talks with Jonathan Tah and interest in Abdukodir Khusanov

Further back, there is clearly quite the difference between Tottenham’s first-choice backline and those lower down Postecoglou’s pecking order. Radu Dragusin has struggled for most his time in England. Rumours of an early return to Serie A continue to swirl around the oft-maligned Romanian.

TBR have been told that Tottenham held talks with Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah recently. The Bundesliga champion looks set to leave the Bay Arena on a free in 2025, meaning a porous Spurs outfit can land one of Europe’s finest centre-halves for absolutely nothing.

Tottenham may face a choice between experience – Tah is 28 – or the more long-term, risk-or-reward approach. One suspects, on the subject of Tah, that he may have offers from clubs further up the footballing pyramid anyway.

Tottenham’s scouts have been impressed by Genk’s Matte Smets. RC Lens stopper Abdukodir Khusanov, also just 20 years of age, is another potential addition should Tottenham cut their losses on Dragusin.

Khusanov would cost around £25 million – far more obviously than Tah – but should command smaller wages and bring real re-sale potential. The concerns surrounding Cristian Romero’s own future, meanwhile, may make a central defender a must in 2025.

Another left-back may be needed at Tottenham

TBR can confirm that, while contract talks are ongoing, the Argentine wants to play Champions League football. Real Madrid and Manchester City can offer Romero that, which is maybe more than can be said for Spurs.

Left-backs are also being considered, with Ben Davies approaching 32, Sergio Reguilon out of favour, and Destiny Udogie’s development stalling of late. Tottenham like Reading wonderkid Andre Garcia but, at just 16, he would be one for the future.

KAA Gent’s Archie Brown, in contrast, is a player who could step into the starting XI far quicker. The Birmingham-born Brown, 23 in May, has taken a rather unique route to the top, with Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United and West Ham considering offering Brown a return to England.

Brown started out at Derby County but ended up in Belgium after honing his talents in Switzerland.