Levy signs off on two eye-catching Tottenham deals as third signing takes fresh twist
Tottenham Hotspur are making significant strides in their midfield reconstruction, with chairman Daniel Levy personally driving forward two major acquisitions that promise to transform Ange Postecoglou’s options in the center of the park.
The North London club, fresh from ending their 17-year trophy drought with Carabao Cup success, are addressing their most glaring weakness – a soft-centered midfield that consistently failed to protect their vulnerable backline throughout last season.
The impending arrivals of Johnny Cardoso and Angel Gomes signal a strategic shift in Tottenham’s recruitment approach. Cardoso, the US international currently at Real Betis, represents the steel and tenacity Spurs have sorely lacked since Postecoglou’s arrival.
The £21 million deal, agreed in principle last summer as part of Giovani Lo Celso’s return to Spain, will bring a combative presence to Tottenham’s engine room.
The 22-year-old’s impressive performances in La Liga, including his recent Europa Conference League final appearance against Chelsea, demonstrate he’s ready for the Premier League’s physical demands.
Gomes’ potential arrival on a free transfer from Lille offers a different dimension – technical quality and creative flair from deeper positions.
Once considered one of Manchester United’s most promising academy products, the England international rediscovered his form in France before injury setbacks interrupted his progress.
His eight-assist campaign in 2022/23 showcased the vision and passing range that could complement Cardoso’s defensive attributes perfectly.
These moves come against a backdrop of expected midfield departures. Yves Bissouma, once viewed as the solution to Tottenham’s defensive midfield woes, has failed to replicate his Brighton form and appears destined for the exit.
Rodrigo Bentancur’s future remains uncertain too, with Atletico Madrid monitoring the Uruguayan’s situation closely. The potential double signing would give Postecoglou – or whoever occupies the Spurs dugout next season – fresh options to rebuild a midfield that contributed to their dismal 17th-place Premier League finish.
While the creative department looks well-stocked with James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and January signing Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham’s hierarchy recognizes the urgent need for greater balance.
Last season’s statistics made uncomfortable reading – no team in the top half conceded more goals, with their midfield frequently overrun and outmuscled. Cardoso’s aggression and Gomes’ ability to retain possession under pressure should help address these issues.
The midfield revamp isn’t the only piece of business progressing in N17. Mathys Tel, the French forward who spent the second half of last season on loan from Bayern Munich, has dropped strong hints about a potential permanent switch.
Despite modest returns of three goals and one assist, the 20-year-old’s emotional farewell comments suggested deeper connections had formed.
“Tottenham is a big family with the fans, with everybody else,” Tel told club media. “Tottenham is not just a club, it is everything for us. We have to keep going and win more trophies.”
These words have fueled speculation that Spurs could negotiate Bayern down from the £45.7 million option clause, seeking a more reasonable fee for a player who showed flashes of potential without consistent end product.
Tel’s versatility across the front line and room for development make him an intriguing prospect, albeit one that would require patience.
As Tottenham prepare for a crucial summer, the accelerated moves for Cardoso and Gomes demonstrate a welcome sense of urgency. Last season’s struggles exposed the squad’s imbalances, particularly in midfield areas where they were frequently outmaneuvered by more physically imposing opponents.
The potential new arrivals offer different qualities – Cardoso’s destructive capabilities and Gomes’ creative spark – that could finally provide the foundation Spurs need to compete on multiple fronts.
With pre-season preparations looming, Tottenham appear determined not to repeat past transfer window mistakes. The swift progress on these deals suggests lessons have been learned from previous summers where business was conducted too late to properly integrate new signings.
As the club looks to build on their Carabao Cup triumph and erase the memory of their league collapse, these midfield reinforcements could prove pivotal in shaping their 2024/25 campaign.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Levy can complete this midfield transformation while also addressing other areas of need. But with two key signings advancing and Tel potentially staying, Tottenham’s rebuild is gathering momentum at just the right time.
For a club that has often hesitated in the transfer market, this proactive approach could mark the beginning of a new, more decisive era in North London.