With the summer transfer window rapidly drawing to a close, the clock is ticking for Tottenham Hotspur. The North London club finds itself in a familiar, yet increasingly frantic, scramble to secure a much-needed creative force in midfield. After a series of dramatic twists and missed opportunities, the club`s hierarchy is reportedly engaging in intense discussions, eyeing two prominent playmakers to bolster their squad: West Ham`s Lucas Paqueta and RB Leipzig`s highly-rated Xavi Simons.
A Season of Near Misses and Unforeseen Setbacks
The quest for a new number 10 at N17 has been anything but straightforward. What initially appeared to be a well-laid plan for the upcoming season, potentially featuring the likes of James Maddison and Morgan Gibbs-White, quickly unravelled. Maddison, a cornerstone of their midfield, suffered an unfortunate ACL rupture, sidelining him indefinitely. Simultaneously, Tottenham`s pursuit of Gibbs-White was thwarted as the player ultimately penned a new deal with his current club, Nottingham Forest.
Adding a stinging dose of irony to their transfer misfortunes, the club faced a particularly embarrassing setback when rivals Arsenal reportedly “hijacked” their seemingly advanced deal for Eberechi Eze. This sequence of events has left Tottenham`s decision-makers, including Chairman Daniel Levy, back at the drawing board, facing immense pressure to deliver a significant signing before the transfer deadline slams shut. One might say, the art of the deal has become the art of the near-deal for Spurs this window.
The Double Gambit: Paqueta and Simons Enter the Fray
In response to these setbacks, Tottenham has reportedly cast a wider net, with two intriguing names now dominating the transfer headlines. The first, Lucas Paqueta, the dynamic West Ham United midfielder, has emerged as a serious option. According to football insider Fabrizio Romano, contacts have been established with Paqueta`s agents, and the Brazilian international is reportedly open to a move away from the London Stadium, prioritizing a European club over interest from Saudi Arabia. However, the deal is not yet described as “imminent,” suggesting complex negotiations lie ahead, perhaps involving a bit of the usual Premier League transfer theatre.
Yet, it is the pursuit of 22-year-old Dutch sensation Xavi Simons that truly underscores Tottenham`s audacious, eleventh-hour strategy. Simons, currently on loan at RB Leipzig, had widely been tipped for a move to Chelsea, with reports indicating he had already agreed personal terms with the West London club. However, the deal has stalled, primarily due to Chelsea`s ongoing financial fair play (FFP) complexities and their urgent need to offload players like Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku to satisfy UEFA`s stringent settlement demands. A classic example of one club`s prudence, or perhaps lack thereof, creating an opportunity for another.
Tottenham`s Potential Hijack: Turning the Tables?
The Telegraph reports that Tottenham is now actively holding talks for Simons, aiming to capitalize on Chelsea`s predicament. This potential “hijack” presents a compelling narrative, given Tottenham`s earlier experience with the Eze transfer; it appears the student has become the master, or at least, is attempting to. Valued at approximately £60 million – a figure consistent with what Spurs were prepared to pay for Gibbs-White and Eze – a deal for Simons appears financially feasible.
RB Leipzig has publicly confirmed that Simons has been granted permission to discuss a transfer, effectively opening the door for Tottenham to rival Chelsea. While Simons reportedly harbors a fondness for Chelsea, there`s growing optimism within Tottenham`s camp that he could be swayed by their offer and project. It would certainly be a poetic, if not slightly vindictive, turn of events for Spurs to deliver a similar surprise to their rivals, especially after their own recent misfortunes.
Simons` talent is undeniable; Leipzig reportedly made him their highest-paid player, commanding a salary around £192,000 per week. His playing style has drawn comparisons to the injured James Maddison, a testament to his creative prowess. Last season, the former PSG prodigy boasted an impressive tally of 11 goals and 8 assists across 33 appearances in all competitions, showcasing his direct impact on goal-scoring. At just 22, he represents a significant investment in both immediate quality and long-term potential, an enticing prospect for any club.
The Clock is Ticking
As the transfer window`s final days dwindle, the pressure on Tottenham`s management to secure a pivotal attacking midfielder is palpable. Whether it`s the experienced Lucas Paqueta or the rising star Xavi Simons, the successful acquisition of either player could redefine Tottenham`s ambitions for the upcoming season, injecting much-needed flair and decisiveness into their attack. The unfolding drama promises an intriguing climax to what has already been a tumultuous transfer period for the North London club, proving that in football, as in life, the show often goes on right down to the wire.
