Tottenham are linked with another Premier League midfielder after agreeing deal with Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali.
Tottenham Hotspur are moving quickly and wasting no time in backing Roberto de Zerbi during the ongoing transfer window. They are determined to give the Italian tactician the best possible chance of turning the club’s fortunes around in the Premier League following a disappointing last season.
Spurs have done well to secure the signing of West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes earlier this week. Fernandes has become the Lilywhites’ fifth summer signing, becoming the most expensive signing in the north London club’s history. However, the Portuguese is set to lose that status soon.
Sandro Tonali is due to follow Fernandes as Tottenham’s next signing. The Italian midfielder revealed that De Zerbi’s influence and a family life change proved decisive as he closes in on a club-record £100m move from Newcastle United. Regardless of the capture of two midfielders, the North Londoners are now linked with another Premier League talent.
Tottenham among clubs linked to Brighton midfielder
According to an exclusive report from CaughtOffside, Tottenham are among several clubs interested in Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Yasin Ayari. Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United are all keen on the 22-year-old.
Yasin Ayari made 29 Premier League appearances for Brighton last season, delivering three goals and three assists. The versatile midfielder was arguably Sweden’s best player at the World Cup, where he netted two goals in four games. He started in Sweden’s 3-0 defeat to France in the Round of 32 earlier this week, and the youngster’s performances in the showpiece event have not gone unnoticed.
The report adds that Brighton have already opened talks with Ayari’s entourage over a new, improved deal as they look to secure his future amid rising interest across the Premier League. The Swede has entered the final year of his contract at the Amex Stadium, which has prompted the Seagulls to open new contract talks. This has led to Liverpool and Chelsea stepping up their interest in Ayari, who is technically secure, energetic, combative, versatile and Premier League proven.
Spurs keeping tabs on Ayari’s development
Tottenham are understood to be keeping tabs on Ayari’s situation at Brighton. Apart from his qualities on and off the ball, the N17 bosses are perhaps on red alert for a player whose contract expires in 2027. It gives a chance for them to potentially secure the midfielder’s signature in a cut-price deal if he fails to reach an agreement over a new contract with the Seagulls.
However, given Tonali is set to follow Fernandes into the club, and as De Zerbi already has the likes of Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, Conor Gallagher and Archie Gray as options in the engine room, signing Ayari makes little sense. Until and unless De Zerbi sanctions a midfielder’s exit, Spurs must put their entire focus now on recruiting attackers.
