Tottenham must prioritise signing a new left-winger in the summer transfer window.
Tottenham Hotspur’s attacking has been one of the most scrutinised areas of the club throughout this appalling season.
The Lilywhites have faced problems both creating chances and scoring goals. The departure of Son Heung-min last year, coupled with the long-term injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, have hurt the club’s productivity massively. Tottenham have struggled to replace Son, with young talents Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert not doing enough.
It comes as no surprise that Tottenham are eager to strengthen their attack in the upcoming transfer window. With the likes of Xavi Simons and Odobert unlikely to return in 2026 following ACL injuries, and Randal Kolo Muani’s short-term loan deal expiring at the end of the season, the N17 bosses are hoping to recruit a left-winger who can immediately slot into Roberto De Zerbi’s first XI next term.
Tottenham extensively scout Real Sociedad star
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Tottenham are among the Premier League clubs to have extensively scouted Real Sociedad winger Ander Barrenetxea this year, and they have been impressed by his performances. The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have also run the rule over the 24-year-old.
Aston Villa have been closely monitoring the Real Sociedad talent’s displays, with boss Unai Emery understood to be a huge admirer of his tactical versatility. Widely regarded as one of the brightest young attacking talents currently emerging from La Liga, Ander Barrenetxea, who has drawn comparisons to a young Antoine Griezmann, appears to be an in-demand commodity within Premier League clubs.
Real Sociedad may have endured an underwhelming season, but that hasn’t stopped the Spaniard from continuing his upward trajectory. He has bagged three goals and five assists in 30 La Liga outings, doing enough to catch the attention of a host of Premier League clubs.
However, Real Sociedad remain determined to keep hold of Barrenetxea. As he is under contract until 2030, the Basque outfit have no plans to accept any offers this summer and will point out to the 24-year-old’s €75m release clause should any club want to sign him, the report adds.
Spurs need an injection of quality in the attacking third
The emergence of Barrenetxea on the North London club’s radar adds another interesting name to an increasingly ambitious summer recruitment list that De Zerbi appears to be making with a clear tactical identity in mind.
The Spaniard fits the profile of a technically gifted, tactically versatile, and creative winger that the current Spurs boss has consistently favoured throughout his managerial career, and his development at Real Sociedad’s famed academy makes him an immediately attractive proposition. He possesses the positional awareness, discipline, work rate and tactical nous that De Zerbi demands from those who operate in wide areas.
However, for someone who has not played outside La Liga, spending €75m on his services would be a risky affair. For Tottenham aiming to rebuild their squad after back-to-back disastrous domestic campaigns, they cannot afford to take costly punts. If the N17 bosses can negotiate down Barrenetxea’s €75m release clause, signing him would then make total sense.