After Tottenham Hotspur’s dismal 2024/25 Premier League campaign, it’s no surprise to see new boss Thomas Frank making the changes he desires to his first squad.
The Lilywhites lost a staggering 22 league outings last season, the most of a side who have avoided relegation in the division’s history, ending the year just one place above the drop zone.
However, owner Daniel Levy has handed the Dane the opportunity to change the club’s fortunes next time around, with new investment allowing for big-money additions already this summer.
Mohammed Kudus has already joined the side in a mammoth £55m transfer, but it’s likely that the big spending will continue despite the Ghanaian’s arrival last week.
Numerous other talents remain on their radar throughout this summer window, with one area of the pitch set to be the next one that receives improvement ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new midfielders this summer
In recent days, a deal for Club Brugge star Ardon Jashari has been mooted, with more than just interest being registered in the 22-year-old talent.
An enquiry has been lodged by Frank’s side, evidently looking to find out more information over a potential deal to sign the star, who’s also being monitored by Nottingham Forest and AC Milan.
However, another name has once again emerged on their shortlist over the last couple of days, with Juventus star Douglas Luiz firmly in their sights, according to Ben Jacobs.
The journalist claims that internal talks have been held about signing the Brazilian in North London, looking to pounce at the news that he will be allowed to leave the Italian outfit this window.
He also stated that he remains an active target for the deep-lying midfield role in Frank’s system, but he’s not the only option they’re considering, as seen by their recent move for Jashari.
Why Spurs’ latest target is way better than Declan Rice
Declan Rice has been a player who has constantly been disliked by Spurs fans, unsurprisingly so given his rise to stardom at West Ham United before his big-money move to Arsenal.
Back in the summer of 2023, the Gunners forked out £105m for the England international’s signature, a staggering fee for a midfielder, but such is the current climate in the market.
The deep-lying option may be disliked by the Lilywhites’ faithful, but there’s no denying he’s an excellent talent who’s capable of producing the spectacular on huge occasions.
You only have to go back a couple of months to the Champions League clash, when he found the top corner twice from two separate free kicks, which secured a triumph over Real Madrid at the Emirates.
However, Frank could be about to land a star who’s a level above the 26-year-old, that’s if Jermaine Pennant’s words about Luiz are to be believed, with the ex-professional full of praise for the Brazilian.
He’s previously been quoted as saying that he believes that the 27-year-old is “better” than the Englishman, with his figures from this season backing up such a claim.
“I would say Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa, I think he can do everything that Rice can do and better. I think he assists more, he chips in with goals more than Rice.
“Creativity wise he’s better, flair is better, he can put in a tackle just like Rice, break up play just like Rice.
“So I think if someone said to me you can have Douglas Luiz for £60m or Declan Rice for £100m, easy every day of the week, Douglas Luiz.”
Jermaine Pennant on Declan Rice & Douglas Luiz.
Luiz, who’s been labelled “world-class” by journalist Leonardo Bertozzi, completed more of the passes he attempted last season, whilst also registering more key passes per 90 – having the ability to dictate the game from his deep-lying role.
He also managed to complete a higher percentage of take-ons, along with more passes into the opposition’s box per 90, further highlighting the danger he poses with the ball at his feet.
|
How Luiz & Rice compare in the 2024/25 campaign |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Luiz |
Rice |
|
Games played |
19 |
35 |
|
Pass accuracy |
87% |
83% |
|
Key passes made |
2.5 |
1.8 |
|
Passes into opposition box |
1.5 |
1.1 |
|
Shot-creating actions |
4.8 |
3.5 |
|
Tackles won |
1.4 |
0.8 |
|
% of tackles won |
67% |
41% |
|
Take-on success |
79% |
48% |
|
Recoveries made |
5.3 |
4.9 |
|
Stats via FBref |
||
However, without the ball, the former Villa star was just as dominant, winning more of the tackles he entered, alongside more recoveries made per 90, arguably being the perfect number six in Frank’s system.
It’s unclear how much a deal for the Brazilian would cost the Lilywhites this summer, but it’s evident they would be getting a bargain regardless, given how much he’s outperformed Rice in 2024/25.
Should he make the move and replicate such impressive form, it would be a shrewd piece of business and one that could catapult the side closest to domestic success in the near future.
Related
Their own Gyokeres: “Sensational” £50m striker now wants to sign for Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur could be edging closer to another big-money signing this summer.
