Tottenham's Midfield Rebuild: Targets Tonali, Fernandes, and Scott

Tottenham’s midfield rebuild is starting to look less like a refresh and more like an arms race.

Roberto De Zerbi has made the centre of the pitch the heart of his first major overhaul in north London, and the names on his list leave no doubt about the scale of his ambition: Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes… and now Alex Scott.

Tonali: The £100m statement target

For weeks, Tonali has sat at the top of Tottenham’s summer agenda. The Newcastle midfielder, still only in his mid‑20s, is viewed inside the club as the kind of ready-made leader who can reshape a dressing room and dictate games at the highest level.

Talks with Tonali’s representatives have already taken place throughout June, and the Italy international is understood to be open to a move to Spurs if the two clubs can agree a fee. That is the problem.

Newcastle value him at around £100 million. Tottenham’s opening offer, believed to be in the region of £80m, was swiftly rejected by the Magpies. It was a clear message: if Spurs want Tonali, they will have to pay top-of-the-market money.

He remains a headline name in their strategy, but he is no longer the only one.

Fernandes: Progress on the player, talks with West Ham

On the other side of London, West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes has emerged as another major pillar of De Zerbi’s midfield plan. The Portugal international produced an eye-catching campaign in east London, and his form has not gone unnoticed.

Tottenham are understood to have made real headway on the player’s side, with multiple reports suggesting Fernandes is edging towards an agreement over personal terms. The framework, at least from the midfielder’s perspective, appears to be taking shape.

Attention has therefore turned to West Ham. According to The Independent, positive discussions have already taken place between the clubs over a deal that could climb to around £85 million. That kind of fee would place Fernandes among the most expensive signings in Spurs’ history and underline just how aggressively they are moving to upgrade the engine room.

These developments, combined with the Tonali pursuit, underline a simple truth: De Zerbi wants his midfield transformed, not tweaked.

Dubravka in, evolution continues

While the big-money negotiations rumble on, Tottenham have not stood still elsewhere.

The club have secured the signing of Martin Dubravka on a free transfer after his exit from Burnley. The experienced goalkeeper, who previously enjoyed a long spell at Newcastle before his season at Turf Moor, arrives to bolster depth and raise the level of competition in goal.

It is not the kind of transfer that dominates headlines, but it fits the pattern. Spurs are quietly reshaping the squad around De Zerbi’s demands, piece by piece, even as they chase blockbuster additions in midfield.

Alex Scott: The one Bournemouth refuse to lose

And now comes another name on that midfield shortlist: Alex Scott.

Sky Sports report that Tottenham are among several Premier League clubs targeting the Bournemouth midfielder, who has grown into one of the Cherries’ most important players since his move from Bristol City. At 22, Scott has already become the kind of all-round influence that top clubs covet – press-resistant, intelligent on the ball, and increasingly decisive in the final third.

That profile has drawn attention from England’s elite. Sky’s live blog notes that Spurs are one of three Premier League sides currently circling, with Arsenal and Manchester United also in the hunt.

Both Arsenal and United have already tested Bournemouth’s resolve with initial enquiries over a player valued at around £60 million. Both were rebuffed. Firmly.

Bournemouth’s stance could not be clearer: they do not want to sell Alex Scott in this window. Club officials have made that position known to interested parties and are instead focused on tying him down for the long term.

Talks over a new contract are already under way, with the south coast club keen to see Scott continue his rise under newly appointed head coach Marco Rose. For Bournemouth, the ideal scenario is simple – Scott driving their midfield for years, not months.

A rising star who won’t go away

Scott’s reputation has kept climbing even in the face of international disappointment. He missed out on England’s World Cup squad this summer, despite being strongly considered before the final cut, but his club form has ensured his name stays lodged in recruitment meetings at the top end of the Premier League.

Tottenham know they are not alone in their admiration. They also know Bournemouth are in no mood to cash in.

So Spurs push on: Tonali at £100m, Fernandes at £85m, Scott at £60m and not for sale. It is an expensive, complicated puzzle, but it points in one direction.

De Zerbi wants a new midfield to define this Tottenham side. The only question now is which of these targets actually walks through the door.