Inter Milan have two buyback clauses for Tottenham Hotspur target Alexander Stankovic
Stankovic joined Club Brugge this summer from Inter’s academy and has quickly established himself as a regular starter in both the Belgian Pro League and Champions League. The son of Inter legend Dejan Stankovic has made 13 league appearances and four Champions League outings, demonstrating the defensive qualities that Frank desperately needs as backup to Joao Palhinha.
According to Sports View, Tottenham have identified Club Brugge midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic as a potential long-term solution in the heart of midfield, according to reports from Gazzetta dello Sport. The 20-year-old defensive midfielder has caught Thomas Frank’s attention following an impressive start to life in Belgium, though any deal faces complications with Inter Milan holding two buyback clauses in his contract.
Frank’s midfield options remain thin despite signing Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich in August. The Portuguese international has reclaimed his crown as the Premier League’s top tackler, but Tottenham lacks a natural understudy capable of replicating his ball-winning abilities. Lucas Bergvall shows promise but operates differently, while Rodrigo Bentancur’s consistency issues continue to surface.
The growing interest in Stankovic stems directly from Yves Bissouma’s situation at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Malian midfielder has endured a nightmare 2025, failing to make a single competitive appearance under Frank before suffering a serious ankle injury on international duty in October.
Stankovic profiles as a modern defensive midfielder with qualities tailored to Frank’s demands. Standing at 1.85m, he possesses the physical presence to dominate aerial duels while showing technical security on the ball.
During his loan spell at FC Luzern last season, Stankovic registered 3 goals and two assists across 38 appearances, showcasing his ability to contribute offensively when deployed in a box-to-box role. He also demonstrated a knack for scoring free kicks, adding another dimension to his game beyond pure defensive work.
Stankovic’s versatility allows him to operate as a centre-back in a back three when required, though his primary position remains defensive midfield. This flexibility would appeal to Frank, who values players capable of covering multiple positions during Tottenham’s congested fixture schedule across four competitions.
Inter’s Buyback Clauses Complicate Any Deal
Frank and Tottenham’s recruitment team must weigh whether pursuing a player with such complicated contractual situations makes sense. The risk of investing time and resources into negotiations only for Inter to swoop in at the final moment could prove frustrating. However, the prospect of securing a young defensive midfielder with genuine elite potential may justify taking that chance.
The January transfer window presents an opportunity for Tottenham to secure its midfield future. With Bissouma’s departure inevitable and Palhinha only on loan until 2026, addressing the defensive midfield position has become urgent. Stankovic represents the profile Frank wants, but Inter’s buyback clauses mean Tottenham must move decisively or risk losing out to the Italian giants or Premier League rivals.
