Fabio Paratici is accelerating Tottenham’s efforts to crack a deal open for a highly-rated 20-year-old midfielder.
Italian news outlet Calciomercato.it reports that Tottenham Hotspur have stepped up their interest in Aleksandar Stanković after his standout season with Club Brugge caught attention across Europe.
Since leaving Inter Milan in July, the 20-year-old midfielder has made the move work, clocking over 2,000 minutes across 27 matches and growing into a central figure in Brugge’s midfield, a rise that has put him on the radar of Spurs, Newcastle United, and several unnamed sides from Spain and Germany.
Meanwhile, Inter remain in the background, having secured a €23m buyback clause for next summer, a figure that rises by €2m in 2027, and the Italian club sees him as an ideal fit for their youth-focused trading model built on low wages and future resale value.
However, Tottenham appear keen to act before the situation settles, and the report claims sporting director Fabio Paratici has already made contact to gather information and test the waters.
As a result, Spurs sense an opening, especially given the Premier League’s financial pull, which could unsettle Inter’s plans if pressure builds. Still, any move hinges on whether Inter activate the clause and then choose to sell, while Tottenham look for a January push or a patient approach for next summer, leaving the chase finely balanced.
How do we see Aleksandar Stankovic in Thomas Frank’s plans?
The midfielder is still young, reads the game well, and also possesses the technical ability to fit into any midfield. Moreover, the Serbian international also makes his presence felt in the air and is efficient with his tackles. The 20-year-old also keeps his calmness in possession, and can strike through set-pieces. He is already an integral part of the starting lineup for Club Brugge.
Stanković should provide Thomas Frank with what he needs right now in his system and what he demands from the midfielders. The Austrian manager wants midfielders who are intelligent, have physical presence, and can adapt to any role, and the Club Brugge midfielder will provide all these qualities. His willingness to work hard and his comfort switching between a holding role and a more box-to-box brief suit a system that relies on flexibility and awareness.
Tottenham might see Stanković as a long-term understudy and potential successor to João Palhinha, who currently occupies the defensive midfield role on loan. Frank’s sides press aggressively and rely on midfielders who stay composed under pressure and move the ball forward quickly once possession is won, areas where Stanković already shows confidence. His strength in the air and reliability without the ball would add balance in the middle of the pitch, fitting a setup that demands energy, discipline, and concentration throughout the game.
